Structure Talk

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/nu1GoDS3z-E In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Nate Mielke, a general contractor and remodeler. They discuss Nate's journey in the construction industry, the differences between design-build and general contracting, and the importance of building performance in remo...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/MpJELehhLbc In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry sit down with Rob Howard, founder of Howard Building Science, to explore how he’s tackling one of the biggest challenges in housing today: building affordable, high-performance homes. Rob shares his journey from Habitat for Humanity...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/gcF3wVu0630 In this episode, Tessa Murry and Reuben Saltzman welcome Isaac Scott, a builder from Louisiana, to discuss his company, Clare Homes, and the innovative building practices they employ. Isaac shares his journey from working in the construction industry to starting his own business focused on energy-efficient and resil...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/6GZOqskHBwU In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss Halloween chaos and a complex home inspection that pushed the limits of Structure Tech’s expertise. Reuben shares a detailed story about troubleshooting a heating system in a 100-year-old Minneapolis home, emphasizing the im...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/vi0mEQemsck In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry sit down with Gene Myers, founder and CEO of Thrive Home Builders in Denver, Colorado. Gene shares his journey from land developer to one of the most forward-thinking builders in the country, known for creating high-performance, net...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/qaISUXRUJrQ In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Sam Rashkin, former Chief Architect for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office and creator of the Energy Star for Homes and Zero Energy Ready Home programs. Sam shares his journey into the housing indus...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/k8U1KBX8ObE In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry catch up on their recent activities, including conferences focused on building science and home inspection. They discuss the importance of integrating building science into home inspections, the growing interest among inspectors, an...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/5yOQW18UmVA In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Matthew Eickman from Abra Kadabra Pest Control to discuss the intersection of pest control and home inspections. They explore the importance of community in business growth, the challenges of misidentification in pest issues, and the significance of building r...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/cYcD91eX5rQ In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry engage with Paul Barraza, a seasoned home inspector from Northern California. They discuss the nuances of home inspections, including energy efficiency, wildfire preparedness, and earthquake safety. Paul shares his journey into the home inspection industry, the import...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/iRw-dmE8GpA In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome guests Brad Lowery and Matt Brading to discuss their experiences in the home inspection industry, the importance of building science, and the role of podcasting in connecting with the community. They explore the upcoming Ins...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/C6MC7V08nS4 In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss various topics related to home inspection, including the impact of AI on the industry, personal anecdotes about gutter cleaning, and a detailed case study involving a homeowner's water intrusion and mold issues. They ex...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/hBY-5QroZsQ In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry explore a range of topics, including air quality concerns in Minnesota, the evolving role of AI in the home inspection industry, and a detailed case study involving a homeowner's struggles with a new roof and moisture-related issues. They delve into the intricaci...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/NJ0uDa2aL7w In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry explore the essential fixes homeowners should tackle before a home inspection. They share practical tips and personal stories about common issues like gutter maintenance and electrical checks. The discussion highlights the importanc...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/iIWheUyrBvk In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss their summer adventures and dive into the complexities of condo inspections. They share personal anecdotes about water heater issues and the importance of understanding the inspection process for condos, including the challe...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/noKM0Ijpafg In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss various topics related to home inspections, including the impact of weather on home maintenance, the integration of AI in home inspections, and the importance of building relationships with team members. They share insights from recent ride-alongs, highlighting unique home f...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/LzP_zb7BsGQ In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss various common home inspection issues, focusing on the top five problems that often arise in older homes. They delve into the importance of water management, electrical safety, chimney maintenance, gas leak concerns, and sewer problems. The conversation highli...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/Skx7vjdsdo8 In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the dynamics of home inspection attendance, exploring who should be present during inspections, the roles of buyers and agents, and the impact of these interactions on the inspection process. They share personal experiences and insights on how attendance can a...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/B4lgieKGvtI In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome back Noah Gavic from Brothers Underground to discuss various sewer types and cleaning techniques. Noah shares insights on the most common pipe types, including cast iron and clay tile, and explains the importance of proper c...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/jwVDbI86XKs In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry share personal updates, including recent travels and experiences in different climates. They discuss the challenges of home inspections, particularly regarding insurance and aging roofs. The conversation delves into the impact of su...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/2cNHgOFCes0 In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry engage with listener questions, discuss the growth of their inspection team, and share insights into their training process. They also highlight an upcoming conference for home inspectors and delve into specific home maintenance top...

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/MVcLWet9gqw In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss various topics related to home inspection, including the latest trends in home inspection tools, a Q&A session addressing homeowner concerns, and the importance of combustion air in furnace safety. They also delve into t...

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Noah Gavic from Brothers Underground. The conversation delves into Noah's extensive background in plumbing, the various techniques used in sewer line repair, and the challenges faced in the industry. Noah shares insights on the importance of technology in plumbing, the pricing structures for different...

In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss various homeowner questions, focusing on health effects related to sleep deprivation, the intricacies of high-efficiency furnaces, crawl space concerns, and the importance of proper ventilation and insulation. They emphasize the need for safety in home systems, particularly regarding carbon monoxide risks, and explore best practices for insulation techniqu...

This podcast contains a handful of visuals that we thought would be helpful, so we've published a video version of this podcast at https://youtu.be/NZ2qp06oET8 . The Testo 605i that Mark mentioned can be found at https://amzn.to/41TYFjs To find the chart that Mark referenced, go to https://efficientcomfort.net/charts/ .  Check this link to IEB Unite: https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBUnite202...

In this new episode, our hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the intricate relationship between energy efficiency and durability in home construction. They explore how increasing energy efficiency through insulation and air sealing can lead to potential moisture issues and reduced durability if not appropriately managed. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding house s...