Structure Talk

In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss the transition into spring, personal life updates, and mold remediation challenges. Tessa shares her firsthand experience with mold issues in her boyfriend's apartment, while Reuben talks about his HVAC problems and the importance of air quality. They also touch on industry trends in home inspection and the significance of maintaining healthy living e...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Michael Simpson, a geotechnical engineer, who shares insights into forensic engineering, the impact of water management on foundations, and the differences between serviceability and safety in structural integrity. The conversation emphasizes the need for proper assessment and management of foundation problems,...

Click this link to learn more about the Business Mastery Class for Solo Inspectors: https://events.iebcoaching.com/BusinessMasteryforSoloInspectors25 In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Philippe Heller, a seasoned San Diego home inspector. Philippe shares his journey from corporate life to running a successful home inspection business, emphasizing fire safety in California. Th...

Click this link to learn more about the Business Mastery Class for Solo Inspectors: https://events.iebcoaching.com/BusinessMasteryforSoloInspectors25 In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the challenges and experiences of home inspection with Miki Mertz, a pioneer female home inspector. They explore the unique advantages and challenges faced by women in the industry, the importa...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray interview Mark Cramer, a seasoned home inspector from Florida. They discuss Mark's journey into home inspections, the evolution of training in the field, and the challenges modern inspectors face. They also cover regional differences in home construction, particularly in Tampa, and the impact of insurance in...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Charles Buell, a veteran in the home inspection community. They discuss Charles's journey into home inspection, the importance of accurate information in the industry, and the unique challenges posed by the marine climate in Seattle. The conversation delves into the impact of night sky radiation on homes, c...

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Bryan Standley from Inspect KC to discuss the unique challenges of home inspections in Kansas City. They explore Bryan's journey into the field, the lack of state licensing and building codes, and the implications for home inspectors and buyers. The conversation delves into typical housing stock, moisture management, and the importance...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Will Misegades from Redfish Inspections in Houston, Texas. They discuss the unique challenges of home inspections in hot and humid climates, the merger of Redfish Inspections with Magnolia Home Inspections, and the importance of a strong leadership structure in running a successful inspection business. Wil...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome back Mike Casey to discuss the unique challenges and building practices in hot and dry climates, particularly in Southern California. The conversation covers various topics including housing stock, building science issues, post-tension slabs, plumbing materials, cooling systems, and the impact of fire safe...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry joined with RK Bob Brown, an expert in foundation repair, who shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry. He discusses the common pitfalls homeowners face when dealing with foundation issues, the importance of hiring qualified professionals, and the need for a thorough foundation investigation....

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss personal health changes related to diet and cholesterol management, followed by a deep dive into water heater maintenance, specifically focusing on the importance of anode rods. They share personal experiences and insights on the effectiveness of powered anode rods and their impact on water heater longevit...

In this episode of Structure Talk, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Jake McAlpine from the Energy Conservatory. They discuss Jake's journey from the music industry to building science, the importance of energy efficiency, and the role of the Energy Conservatory in advancing building standards. The conversation delves into the significance of blower doors in measuring air leakage, the e...

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the recent changes to the ASHI standards of practice for home inspectors with guest Jim Katen. They explore the implications of these changes, the necessity for updates, and the potential impact on home inspection reports and client service. The conversation emphasizes the importance of providing valuable information to clients while navigat...

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the nuances of home inspections, focusing on the balance between technical reporting and addressing homeowner concerns. They explore the evolution of infrared technology, the importance of understanding client needs, and the standards for reporting issues during inspections. The conversation emphasizes the significance of communication and t...

In this conversation, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the importance of proper HVAC sizing and the upcoming refrigerant changes that will affect the industry. They are joined by Robin Johnson from High Road Heating and Air, who shares insights on the significance of manual J calculations for HVAC systems, the transition to new refrigerants due to environmental concerns, and the challenges...

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss the growing trend of four-point inspections in Minnesota with guests Eric Houseman and John Bolton. They explore the history and origin of four-point inspections, particularly in Florida, and the challenges homeowners face in securing insurance. The conversation delves into the implications of these inspections on home buying and selling, t...

In this episode of Structure Talk, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss the impact of natural disasters on communities, particularly in light of recent storms. They are joined by Tim Hammack, co-owner of Paul Bunyan Plumbing, who focused on water heater maintenance. The discussion covers personal experiences with water heaters, the importance of anode rods, the role of water quality in the lon...

In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Tim Hammack from Paul Bunyan Plumbing to discuss the plumbing industry, focusing on tankless water heaters. Tim shares his journey into plumbing, the benefits of tankless systems, and the importance of proper installation and maintenance. The conversation also touches on water quality, common misconceptions about tank...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, the hosts welcome special guest Mike Casey, an experienced home inspector and educator. The conversation focuses on the topics of grounding and bonding in electrical systems. Mike explains that grounding connects the system to the Earth, maintaining a reference of 120 volts to the ground and providing a path for current to flow in the event of a light...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Ruben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Michael Bartus. They discuss the recent legal settlement involving the National Association of Realtors and its impact on the real estate industry. The conversation explores the challenges of navigating the new regulations and provides advice for buyers and sellers in this evolving landscape. The discussion...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Ruben Saltzman interviews Dennis Fiorilli, the Director of Product Excellence at Sherwin Williams, about a product called Loxon Concrete Masonry Coating. The conversation revolves around the challenges of painting stucco homes and the traditional belief that stucco should not be painted. Dennis explains that Loxon is a breathable coating designed spec...

In this episode, Reuben and Tessa share stories about storm damage and water problems in their homes. Reuben talks about door knockers who claimed hail damage on his roof, but he discovered that the damage was not significant enough to warrant an insurance claim. Tessa shares her experience with a leaking on-demand water heater and subsequent water damage in her rental property. Reuben also discus...

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Michael from Standard Water about helical piers. They discuss the process of stabilizing homes using helical piers, the different applications for helical piers, and the cost associated with the installation. They also touch on the benefits of helical piers for decks and the limitations of helical piers for foundation walls with significan...

In this episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Steve Grohn, owner of Standard Water, who shares his expertise on basement waterproofing and other related services and they discuss basement water issues and the importance of proper drainage. They also address common misconceptions and scams in the industry, emphasizing the importance of providing accurate solutions to homeowners. Steve highlights...

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 the importance of photoelectric smoke alarms and...