Structure Talk
Education & Explainer
About
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
Episodes
- An interview with Spectora CEO Peter Osberg
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/iSroxH8taxY In this episode, we explore the recent challenges and innovations at Spectora, including the controversial Fixel rollout, AI advancements, and the company's…
- S8E9 HVAC Industry Insights with Chris Hughes
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/BRRmNh1LHZA In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Chris Hughes from the Energy Conservatory to discuss HVAC innovations, building science, and practi…
- SpectoraGate and how insurance shaped how we inspect
For information about Tessa's upcoming presentation for MAC ASHI on May 2nd, visit: https://www.macashi.org/calendar/274 To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/KhdZxrBD9mI In this episode, Reuben Saltzman an…
- From Carpenter to HVAC Designer: Lessons on Building High-Performance Homes (with Sophie Ashley)
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/U0ALmS9vUC0 In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry talk with Sophie Ashley of Energy Vanguard about her journey from hands‑on carpentry and post‑Katrina rebui…
- Most furnaces have insufficient airflow (w/ Steve Rogers)
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/eK-WIS7inMU In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry talk with Steve Rogers, President of The Energy Conservatory (TEC), about the science behind home performan…
- Private Equity buying up service companies: good or bad? (with Noah Gavic)
This episode of Structure Talk features Noah Gavik discussing private equity ownership in the home service industry. It examines the operational changes, market consolidation, and ethical shifts, contrasting the tactics of large PE-backed…
- How important is flashing? (with Eric Houseman)
Eric Houseman discusses flashing and exterior water management with Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry, addressing challenges like improper installation, the gap between best practices and industry standards, and the potential for hidden dama…
- Thrown under the bus and dragged (with Eric Houseman)
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry, with guest Eric Houseman, share a detailed home-inspection story. The discussion covers a serious ventilation mistake where a bathroom exhaust fan was improperly con…
- Natural Disasters vs Building Codes (with George Siegal)
Reuben Saltzman interviews film producer George Siegal about the risks of home buying, including insurance limitations and building codes. Siegal advises prospective homeowners to thoroughly investigate properties and ask critical question…
- Humidity problems, snowblowers, and stinky water
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa reflect on their holidays and discuss home projects. Topics include snowblowers, indoor air quality, and health issues related to the home environment, as well as water quality concerns in Tessa's new Flor…
- Smart homes, energy monitors, and leak prevention devices
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben and Tessa review smart home upgrades focusing on energy monitoring devices like smart plugs and leak prevention systems. They discuss practical applications, challenges in managing multiple d…
- Good contractors are good planners (w/ Nate Mielke)
Nate Mielke joins Structure Talk to discuss his construction career, the benefits of the design-build approach, and the critical role of pre-construction planning. The episode covers building performance, client budgets, contract importanc…
- Building Affordable Houses (with Rob Howard)
Rob Howard, founder of Howard Building Science, joins Structure Talk to discuss affordable, high-performance homes. Topics include pocket neighborhoods, zero-energy-ready designs, SIP panels, modular construction, and addressing labor shor…
- Building Fortified Homes (with Isaac Scott)
Isaac Scott, co-founder of Clare Homes, joins Structure Talk to discuss his company's focus on energy-efficient and resilient homes. The conversation covers the Fortified Home Program, the role of building science in sustainable constructi…
- Old, complicated houses take more time
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the complexities of inspecting and troubleshooting a 100-year-old house, specifically a challenging HVAC system. They highlight the importance of documentatio…
- The carbon footprint of concrete (with Gene Myers)
Gene Myers, CEO of Thrive Home Builders, joins Structure Talk to discuss the environmental impact of building materials, particularly concrete, and the concept of net-zero energy homes. The episode covers operational and embodied carbon, s…
- Why the U.S. Housing Market is Broken (with Sam Rashkin)
Sam Rashkin explains why the U.S. housing market is broken, citing issues like declining productivity, regulatory barriers, and the need for innovation. He suggests advanced manufacturing and a national roadmap as potential solutions.
- Low level CO detectors, hot and cold at kitchen faucets
Hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss building science in home inspections, AI in the industry, and training new inspectors. They also cover carbon monoxide alarms and confusion surrounding kitchen faucet standards.
- Bat poop, mouse poop, and wildlife control (with Matthew Eickman)
Matthew Eickman from Abra Kadabra Pest Control discusses pest identification, preventative measures for homeowners, and the challenges of wildlife control with Structure Talk hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry. The episode covers the im…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Paul Barraza)
Paul Barraza, a home inspector from Northern California, discusses regional inspection differences with Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry. Topics include energy efficiency, wildfire preparedness, earthquake safety, crawl spaces, HVAC systems…
- Inspection Fuel and Building Science (with Brad Lowery and Matt Brading)
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Brad Lowery and Matt Brading to discuss the home inspection industry and building science. They cover the Inspection Fuel conference, the importance of…
- Case Studies, Part 2
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts discuss AI in home inspection, personal experiences with gutter cleaning, and a homeowner case study focusing on water intrusion and mold issues. They cover building science, moisture problems, cond…
- Case study: Re-roof with a new water problem
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry explore Minnesota
- Top 10 Fixes for Sellers before the home inspection
This episode of Structure Talk covers ten essential fixes homeowners should complete before a home inspection, focusing on common issues like gutter maintenance, electrical safety, and functional alarms to ensure a smoother process and bet…
- Condo Inspections
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss condo inspections, covering complexities like common area access, pricing, and potential issues such as water heaters. They emphasize the importance of thorou…
- Findings from recent home inspection ride-alongs
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 o…
- The 5 Most Common Home Inspections in the Twin Cities
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…
- Home Inspection Attendance: Who should be there and who shouldn't?
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…
- Sewer Repair Methods, Part 2 (with Noah Gavic)
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 se…
- Dryerjacks, listener Q&A, and a few other topics
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 dif…
- Homeowner Questions and Answers, Part 3
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…
- Homeowner Questions and Answers, Part 2
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…
- Sewer repair methods (with Noah Gavic)
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 l…
- Homeowner Questions and Answers, Part 1
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…
- New ways to inspect air conditioners (with Mark Cramer)
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…
- More energy efficient home = less durable
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 seali…
- Personal problems with mold and IAQ
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…
- Foundation problems and Geotechnical Engineering (with Michael Simpson)
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 differen…
- Wildfires and home inspections (with Philippe Heller)
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…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Miki Mertz)
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 o…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Mark Cramer)
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,…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Charles Buell)
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 i…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Bryan Standley)
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 build…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Will Misegades)
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 m…
- Regional Inspection Differences (with Mike Casey)
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 conversa…
- Foundation Repair Secrets (with RK Bob Brown)
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 pitfa…
- Water heater anode rod replacement follow-up
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 o…
- Blower doors and more (with Jake McAlpine)
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 ro…
- A call to action over the proposed ASHI SOP (with James Katen)
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 pote…
- Over-reporting: how much is too much?
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 importa…