Structure Talk is a podcast about houses, home maintenance, home ownership, buying and selling houses, and of course, home inspections. The show is hosted by Reuben Saltzman at Structure Tech and Tessa Murry, the House Coach. Our podcast is sponsored by Inspector Empire Builder. Email us at podcast@structuretech.com
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
An update on Photoelectric Smoke Alarms (with Skip Walker)
56:52
56:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:52
In this episode, Skip Walker joins Reuben and Tessa to discuss the current state of smoke alarms and the standards that govern their manufacturing. They delve into the UL 217 standard and the challenges of updating it. They also explore the role of manufacturers in the standards process and the impact on consumer safety. The conversation highlights…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Homeowners insurance prices are skyrocketing (with Tim Molgren)
52:37
52:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:37
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Tim Molgren from Woodlands Insurance Group focuses on the insurance problems in Minnesota and the changes happening in the industry. The main topics discussed include the increase in insurance premiums due to severe weather events and rising construction costs, the introduction of four-point inspectio…
…
continue reading
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss various topics, including their summer experiences, illnesses, and home updates. They also discuss the challenges of finding contractors and the shortage of skilled trade workers. Reuben shares some interesting findings from recent home inspections, including corroded galvanized water pipes and structural i…
…
continue reading
Attention Home Inspectors: The IEB Summer Mastermind is coming up on August 2nd. Details here: https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBSummerMastermind2024#/ In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss dryer ducts and the importance of fire safety. They cover the materials and thickness required for dryer ducts…
…
continue reading
Attention Home Inspectors: The IEB Summer Mastermind is coming up on August 2nd. Details here: https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBSummerMastermind2024#/ In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss repairing ungrounded three-prong outlets. They explain the importance of testing three-prong outlets and the dangers of ungrounded outlets. They discuss the…
…
continue reading
In today’s episode, Reuben, Tessa, and Pat discuss heat pumps and their use in heating and cooling homes. They discuss the different types of heat pumps, including air-to-air and air-to-water systems, and the advantages of using heat pumps, such as energy efficiency and reduced fossil fuel emissions. Overall, they highlight the increasing popularit…
…
continue reading
In today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss their recent experiences with house-sitting and caring for pets. They also discuss their participation in outdoor activities like disc golf and the Tough Mudder. The main topic of the conversation is about dishwashers and the use of double traps. Reuben shares his findings from testing the drainage time …
…
continue reading
In this podcast, Reuben and Tessa discuss the problems with chimneys and the venting of exhaust gases from appliances. It highlights the issues with older masonry chimneys and the need for proper venting with more efficient appliances. They also discuss the importance of chimney liners for gas appliances in older homes. They highlight the potential…
…
continue reading
In this podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss their allergy experiences and the necessity of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. They move on to the major topic of deck safety, emphasizing the importance of correct attachment to the house as the leading cause of deck collapse. They refer to the standards and guidelines in the buildin…
…
continue reading
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry cover various topics related to home inspections, attic access, and home inspectors' challenges. It also delves into the importance of accessing attics and crawl spaces during home inspections and the impact of contractual obligations on the inspection process. The conversation covers the challenges …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Indoor air quality and mold in commercial buildings (with Neil Carlson)
50:35
50:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:35
In this conversation, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Neil Carlson, a public health specialist with expertise in indoor air quality and mold. They discuss various mold-related topics, including its causes, identification, and remediation. Neil shares insights into his work in commercial and residential buildings, highlighting common probl…
…
continue reading
In this conversation, Reuben and Tessa discuss their professional mentors and influencers. Reuben talks about his dad, who taught him construction and home inspections, and Dwayne Erickson, a colleague who taught him to be curious and observant. Tessa mentions Pat Hellman, a building science expert who taught her about risk assessment and influence…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Mold testing standards and procedures (with Eric Larsen)
56:15
56:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:15
In this today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Eric Larsen to discuss mold testing and inspection. They cover topics such as national standards and credentials for mold inspection, the importance of certifications, the different types of mold tests, and the limitations of mold testing. They also touch on the value of air sampling, surface …
…
continue reading
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Eric Larson and Jaden Jaloon to discuss the impact of mold on homeowners. Jaden shares his personal experience of discovering mold in his newly built home and the health issues it caused for him and his wife. They discuss the importance of mold testing and …
…
continue reading
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben and Tessa discuss gas leaks and how to detect and document them during home inspections. They talk about the different tools and methods used to find gas leaks, including electronic gas detectors and liquid soap. They emphasize the importance of only reporting gas leaks when there is definitive …
…
continue reading
In this conversation, Reuben and Tessa discuss various home improvement projects that Reuben has undertaken, highlighting both successful and unsuccessful experiences. Reuben shares stories about remodeling his story and a half house, including a catastrophic water leak, as well as his bathroom remodel hacks. He also talks about installing a point-…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Spring Maintenance for Minnesota Homeowners
39:05
39:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:05
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss spring maintenance for homeowners. They cover topics such as gutter maintenance, gutter guards, downspout extensions, and sump pump discharge. They emphasize the importance of keeping gutters clean and ensuring that water is directed away from the house to prevent water damage and basement flooding. They al…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Spray Foam Insulation Part 3 (with Tom Harris)
53:07
53:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:07
In this episode, our hosts are joined by Tom Harris, a spray foam insulation expert, who discusses the topic of hot roofs and the proper installation of spray foam insulation. He explains the concept of hot roofs, where the thermal boundary is moved to the roof deck, and the different applications and challenges associated with hot roofs. Tom empha…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Spray Foam Insulation Part 2 (with Tom Harris)
58:46
58:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:46
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa are joined by Tom Harris, who discusses the importance of a clean surface before spraying spray foam and compares it to preparing a surface for house paint. He also explains the need for adhesion testing and the different surface preparation requirements for various materials. Tom emphasizes the significan…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Spray Foam Insulation Part 1 (with Tom Harris)
51:03
51:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:03
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Tom Harris, an expert in spray foam insulation. They discuss the challenges and complexities of spray foam application, the common applications of spray foam, and the training and certification required for spray foam installers. They also explore the qualifications and training of spra…
…
continue reading
In this conversation, Reuben Saltzman and Doug Nething from Dean's Tank discuss the history and concerns related to fuel oil tanks. They cover topics such as the transition from coal to fuel oil after World War II, the introduction of natural gas, the shelf life of fuel oil tanks, the dangers of abandoned tanks, and the process of filling or removi…
…
continue reading
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss the importance of mold testing and the transition to offering mold inspections. They introduce the guests from All Dry Services, a company that specializes in mold remediation. The conversation highlights the need for mold inspections as a precautionary measure and to address health concerns. The guests exp…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Smart Home updates Part 2 (with Dr. Ben Franske)
58:31
58:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:31
In this conversation, Reuben, Tessa, and Ben discuss Ben's recent plumbing project and the challenges he faced. They then delve into the topic of security cameras, covering different types, wired vs wireless options, and considerations for nighttime performance. They also discuss the importance of wiring needs in new homes and the benefits of futur…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Smart Home updates Part 1 (with Dr. Ben Franske)
53:13
53:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:13
In this podcast episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Dr. Ben Franske to discuss various aspects of smart home technology. They cover topics such as the marketing of smart home products, the integration of AI in smart home devices, and the considerations for permanent installations. They also delve into the security concerns surrounding smart loc…
…
continue reading
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa welcome Anna Saltzman, who is part of the leadership team at StructureTech. They discuss the topic of deal killers and the reputation that home inspectors have for potentially killing real estate deals. Anna shares her experience in her role overseeing the growth department and how her perception of the jo…
…
continue reading