A job in a 1920s apartment building in Chicago changed how I check for gas leaks

I was working on an old gas stove there last month and my standard soapy water test didn't show anything. The customer mentioned a faint smell, so I borrowed a buddy's TIF8800A combustible gas detector as a last check. It picked up a tiny leak from a cracked fitting the soap bubbles missed completely. Now I always bring a detector to any pre-1940s building. What's your go-to method for checking old gas lines?

2 comments

2 Comments

patricia_rodriguez1d ago

Old buildings are full of surprises like that, aren't they? Makes you wonder how many tiny leaks get missed with just the soap method.

thompson.finley1d ago

That TIF8800A is a solid choice, I keep one in my truck too. I mean patricia_rodriguez is right, those old buildings hide leaks in threaded joints soap just can't reach. My rule now is detector first on anything pre-war, then confirm with bubbles if I need to see the exact spot. It just saves arguing with a homeowner who swears they smell something but you get a dry brush.