Structure Talk

Reuben and Tessa are joined by Patrick Huelman , an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota, to talk about insulation. Patrick Huelman shares his extensive background in architecture and building science. He talks about their recent experimental work with the Department of Energy through Pacific Northwest National Laboratories to investigate thermal wall systems by in-situ energy and mo...

Today we're going to talk about giving context and putting things into perspective for buyers and homeowners. Reuben and Tessa talk about the factors needed to be considered when reporting about different kinds of houses: the age and condition of the house and the unique or typical defects. Tessa shares that being a home inspector is a difficult job and it's more than just the technical...

Today we're going to deconstruct critical items of a home inspection and how the home inspection is integrated and overlaps with building science. Tessa shares that home inspectors look at specific separate systems and structural things and then identify potential defects. While the industry is chopped into specialized systems, Tessa highlights that home inspectors are positioned with a uniqu...

Bill starts the show by talking about the City of St Paul’s decision to get rid of lead supply lines. Reuben shares that around 28% of the city or over 26,000 properties are using lead supply lines. Also, the city will be funding the 10-year program and will be spending $250M. He then explains what lead supply lines are and highlights that it’s a health hazard. Tessa shares that lead supply lines...

Travis McKenzie , Sales Director of Aquarius Homes Services joins today's show to talk about Soft Water and the Kinetico Water System. Aquarius Homes Services, formerly Aquarius Water Conditioning, specializes in heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and water treatment. They provide a water treatment and conditioning system and offer free consultation and baseline testing for homeowners an...

Today we will talk about ways to improve home performance by installing proper insulation. Tessa shares that there are more ways to insulate a house and discusses how to better insulate and improve home performance. She defines pressure boundaries and thermal boundaries. Bill shares that ''project overcoat'' adds years of life expectancy to a 1.5-story house. He explains that h...

Today's topic is about the trends in the market and the importance of getting a home inspection for buyers and sellers. Reuben reads an email from real estate agent Sharlene Hensrud, about a buyer who brought up concerns about a house after closing the deal. This incident was a learning experience for the seller, saying they will never accept another offer without a home inspection. Tessa bri...

Bill talks about Open Access, a new project, and a training program where they learn more about houses. Open Access is a venue where inspectors answer questions from real estate agents. He mentions the session is appropriate for real estate agents with the same climate zone. Tessa explains the training process design and highlights that they break down a house into different systems and discuss th...

Today, the three-legged stool talks about Reuben's new project and side hustle. Inspection Services is a one-stop-shop solution to the service needs of home inspectors in the Twin Cities area. Reuben shares that they can do radon, sewer inspections, level 2 chimney inspections, stucco testing, and mold testing. They also plan to offer pool inspections and engineering services in the near futu...

Phil Whiteford , the owner of Omega Force Appliance Repairs, attends the show to talk about the proper use of appliances and their company's warranty program. They go over the common issues with refrigerators, front-load washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, clothes dryers, and dryer exhausts. They also discuss how to test and inspect appliances. Reuben talks about the confusion he exper...

A senior realtor in the Minneapolis market, Rhonda Wilson , joins the show to talk about real estate in 2022 and strategies for clients to win negotiations. Rhonda explains that it's difficult for buyers to get units; clients need to be prepared and have a good downpayment. She also shares some statistics from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR) and National Association of Rea...

The principal author of Code Check and Electrical Inspection of Existing Dwellings , Douglas Hansen joins the show to talk about building codes and home inspections. Douglas started in the industry as a carpenter in the 1960s, and he was also a teacher and a home inspector. He was tapped by Code Check founder Redwood Kardon to co-author the book. He describes the book as cliff notes and like a com...

In today's show, Jeremiah Broz of Energy Advantage Roof and Solar joins to talk about solar roof panels. Jeremiah starts by talking about the incentives and rebates that solar power owners can get from the federal level, state level, energy companies, and manufacturers. They talk about the size and number of solar panels, as well as the wattage required to power a household. According to Jere...

Today, Leonard Sega l joins the show to talk about tactics, questions, do's, and don'ts in hiring employees. Leonard starts by discussing the three federal vaccine mandates: employer vaccine mandate, contract or sub-contractor mandate, and healthcare worker mandate. He mentions that only the latter is in effect. He further discusses private companies having their own vaccination policies...

Kyle Miller from an exterior general contractor called All Around , joins today's show to talk about roof problems. Bill opens the discussion by describing their neighbor's roof damages and inquires about the responsibilities of homeowners and contractors in fixing the damages. Kyle shares that most damages are caused by installation problems. He mentions that the contractor and homeowne...

In today's show, Tessa, Bill, and Reuben talk about the hazardous locations for glass windows. Reuben shares the hazardous places to install glass and discusses the use of tempered glass and safety film for glasses. Bill confirms that using safety films is more cost-effective than replacing broken windows and sash. Tessa agrees that commercial establishments and other high-traffic areas shoul...

In today's show, Reuben, Bill, and Tessa talk about urinals, spray form, and tiled showers. Bill shares that his cabin is in the phase where they are finishing the bathrooms. Reuben remembers that the urinal ( http://www.structuretech1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Urinal.jpg ) he installed in the basement of his last home helped sell the house. They discuss using a waterproof foam board and...

Today's show is about carbon monoxide (CO). Improperly ventilated appliances in enclosed spaces may allow CO to accumulate to dangerous levels. Reuben shares that Appendix D of the International Residential Code (IRC) stipulates the standards in testing fuel gas-fired appliances for safety. Tessa mentions that there are various methods and variables in testing appliances, however, home inspec...

Happy Holidays! In today's show, Reuben shares his toptech tips and hacks that help improve productivity and security in everyday life. Reuben has always been tech-savvy with influence from James Bond and Back to the Future films. He shares that he spends the entire day on the computer and enjoys a high-resolution monitor . He also uses a screen clipper and a split keyboard. He uses chrome pl...

Today's episode is part 2 about mold conversation. Vickie Swenson shares the top 10 areas where mold usually hides. According to Vickie, molds mostly grow in the base basement carpet, rim joist insulation, air exchanger intake ducts, attics, cement walls and basements, leaks under sinks, dark crawl spaces, insulation in newer homes, in-slab ductwork, and many splits in window air conditioners...

Minnesota is a moldy state and there are around 59 places where mold can hide! Today, Vickie Swenson from Minnesota Mold Inspections, LCC and Neil Saltzman from Inspection Services, help us unpack some questions about mold. They talk about how to find mold, how it develops, and how to prevent it. Vicky mentions that molds usually grow within 72 hours. Then she discusses the standards in inspecting...

Today, Reuben, Bill, and Tessa go over a checklist for the winter. How well are you prepared for the winter? Reuben shares his recommendations for the use and disposal of batteries. They talk about preparing salt in the garage,  disconnecting and draining hoses, daylight savings, and batteries for smoke alarms.  They also talk about clearing the gutters and the lawn. Bill and Reuben discuss differ...

Today's show is about mysterious siding stains and air exchangers. Bill raises his concerns and clarifications about air quality as it is one thing that homeowners must start working with starting the fall season. Reuben names and distinguishes the three types of mechanical ventilation: positive ventilation strategy, exhaust-only or point-source strategy, and balanced ventilation strategy. Te...

Today, Jason Brozen from Electrical Power Safety Company (EPSCO) joins the show to talk about electrical safety. He shares his experience of surviving an arc flash accident. Check out live footage from his accident at https://youtu.be/oFhssQtv0tY. Jason starts by narrating what transpired during the incident and describes the injuries he sustained. He compares his experience to possible electrocut...

Kevin Strandberg, one of the owners of BWS Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning joins today's show to talk about the industry supply chain. He discusses the shocking price increase as well as the difficulty in sourcing some parts and products. Reuben notes that there is around a 47% increase in prices over one year. Bill and Tessa ask about the common parts with sourcing issues, their ord...