Natural gas and propane leaks are a fire and explosion hazard — combustible gas detection finds them at the fittings, connections, and appliances where they start.
Combustible gas detection identifies leaks of natural gas or propane around a home's gas lines, fittings, and appliance connections. Real Spect checks the accessible points where leaks are most likely to develop — the joints, valves, and connections that loosen or corrode over time.
A gas leak is both a health hazard and a serious fire and explosion risk. Small leaks in particular can be difficult to notice on your own, quietly developing at an aging fitting or an appliance connection until they become a real danger.
Eric D. Smith provides combustible gas detection throughout De Soto and Southern Illinois. With more than 9,000 inspections completed over 29 years, and every inspection following the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice, he gives you a clear, honest read on your home's gas safety — explained in plain language.
A Real Spect combustible gas inspection focuses on the accessible points where leaks are most likely to develop.
The accessible gas lines and fittings throughout the home, where joints and valves can loosen or corrode over time.
The connections at gas-fired appliances — furnaces, water heaters, ranges, and dryers — a common source of small leaks.
Testing for combustible gas at accessible points throughout the home to pinpoint leaks you can't detect on your own.
Signs of unsafe conditions — aging components, improper connections, or damage — that could lead to a leak or hazard.
A combustible gas leak is one of the few home problems that can turn dangerous fast. Beyond the fire and explosion risk, a slow leak affects the air in the home and can go unnoticed until it becomes serious.
Gas connections and fittings don't last forever — they loosen, corrode, and wear, especially at appliances that are moved, serviced, or simply aging in place. A home that was perfectly safe when it was built can develop a leak years later without anyone realizing it.
Whether you're buying a home and want the reassurance that its gas systems are sound, or you're a homeowner who wants peace of mind, combustible gas detection gives you a clear answer — so any problem gets addressed before it becomes an emergency.
Your inspection delivers an on-site, computer-generated report that's free of technical jargon and easy to understand.
From your first phone call to final report delivery, here's exactly what to expect.
Call 618-924-1982 or use our contact form. We'll answer your questions and offer a free, no-commitment cost consultation.
Eric checks gas lines, fittings, and appliance connections for leaks, following ASHI Standards of Practice. You're encouraged to attend.
You receive an on-site, computer-generated report with clear findings, photos, and recommendations you can actually use.
Questions after the report? Eric provides post-inspection consultation and honest advice on your next steps.
Combustible gas detection is the testing of a home's accessible gas lines, fittings, and appliance connections for leaks of natural gas or propane. These fuels are flammable, so finding a leak early — before it reaches a dangerous concentration — is an important safety check for any home that uses gas.
If you smell a strong gas odor, treat it as an emergency: leave the home immediately, don't operate light switches, appliances, or anything that could spark, and call your gas utility's emergency line or 911 from outside or a neighbor's home. A combustible gas inspection is for proactive safety checks — it is not a substitute for emergency response when you already suspect an active leak.
Common gas-fired appliances include furnaces, water heaters, ranges and cooktops, clothes dryers, fireplaces, and some space heaters. Each connection point is a place where a leak can develop over time, which is why Real Spect checks these connections as part of the inspection.
Yes — combustible gas detection and carbon monoxide testing pair naturally, since both relate to the safety of a home's fuel-burning systems. Many clients have them done together, along with a full home inspection. Just let us know what you'd like included when you schedule.
Real Spect Home Inspections is based in De Soto and serves communities across Southern Illinois — including Anna, Benton, Carbondale, Cartersville, Du Quoin, Herrin, Pinckneyville, and West Frankfort. Give us a call to confirm your area.
Call Eric today • IL License #450.000678 • ASHI Standards of Practice • 9,000+ Inspections • Serving Southern Illinois for 29 Years