One of the most interesting ways to accomplish a high-performance below-grade wall is with Precast Concrete panels. Both Steve and Pete have worked on projects using Superior Walls, the leading US manufacturer of these panels. Certainly, it is not the least expensive way to do a foundation, but this system has a ton of advantages: it is completely engineered by the manufacturer, no cast footing is needed, and it can be completed in a day (REGARDLESS of the weather…).Pete's Resource(s):1. Supe...

103 - Pre-cast Foundations

THE GOOD news: our homebuilding industry is jam-packed with new materials, new techniques, and new systems, and it’s so easy to get information online in an instant. THE&nbsp;

BAD news: How do we know what we can trust, what will work, and under what conditions? Where do we turn to separate the spin-and-hype from the true-and-square? We’ve got you covered! The UnBuild It Podcast is an industry-leading opportunity to get good information. UnBuild It podcast is a three-member team – Peter Yost, Building Scientist; Jake Bruton, Builder, and Remodeler; and Steven Baczek, Architect. We are nationally recognized industry leaders: Jake as a homebuilder, Steve as an architect, and Peter as a building scientist. You can find us at leading homebuilding industry events, in top-notch publications, and online media outlets. We believe that solid industry-related information has four key ingredients;

RELEVANCE: You need insight on your job site. Jake, Steve, and Peter are in the field regularly doing what we strive to do. We walk the walk – then talk about the walk. We have worked together long enough to build on each other’s expertise and not take ourselves too seriously. We are among the best at taking what may seem like complicated concepts, breaking them down, and turning them into job-site-ready breakthroughs.

ACCURACY: Jake is often quoted as saying, “Trust but Validate.” We don’t ask you to be the bleeding, leading edge; we develop trusted solutions based on our work in the field, pushing each other to practice what we preach. Our accuracy comes out of triangulation: building, design, and performance.

UTILITY: We guarantee that each podcast episode will move you from all ears to all action. Our information is born from our work. We pride ourselves on delivering information you can use the same day you listen to an episode.&nbsp;

CAMARADERIE: We work together because we love homebuilding, hitting the airwaves, and humor. We are not doing our job if you are not enjoying learning with us during each episode.

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How do you transform below-grade full foundations (also variously called pits, cellars, or basements and historically meant to be or tolerated as damp and cool and dark) into true living-conditioned spaces? We say add four continuous control layers, access to daylight and egress, thermal comfort, and good acoustics—make it a place to thrive as well as live (and even escape).Pete's Resource(s):1. Steven Baczek YouTube: "Dirty Basement" vs Clean Basement....How to Plan for it - https://www.yout...

108 - Basements as Living Conditioned Space

It's funny that Steve, a very nuts-n-bolts guy, hosts this largely philosophical episode. But all three of us agree:Separate symptoms from causes—It's easy to get distracted or engrossed in symptoms, but the causes lead to solutions.Solutions come much easier if you first identify the problem(s).Step back to move forward. It's always tempting to jump on the "obvious" solution, but it pays to understand completely before offering solutions.This episode's strength is how each of us—architect, b...

107 - Steve's Mantras: Go Slow to Go Fast & Identify Problems BEFORE Moving to Solutions

Who would have thought that our buddy Steve would be more than OK with both off-site building and the homeowner acting as their own General Contractor? But combining Superior Walls for the foundation with Harvest Homes for all of the framing means the GC homeowner is dealing with far fewer trade contractors. Steve, Jake, and Pete walk through the advantages and challenges of offsite building.Pete's Resource(s):1. Offsite framing company Harvest Homes: https://www.harvesthomes.com2. BUILD Show...

106 - WTF: Off-Site Building & Owner-GC?

1. What about whole-house ventilation systems (balanced, exhaust only, supply only) and their impact on pressure balance in homes? And do ERVs/HRVs accommodate pressure imbalances created by things like exhaust fans, stack effect, etc.?2. Per Steve: to butyl or not to butyl...For areas such as door sills, use butyl sealant or maybe acoustical sealant? We know how fond Steve is of Tremco acoustical sealant (a single-component, non-skinning non-hardening synthetic rubber sealant) so this topic ...

105 - Q&A: 2024 #4 - Ventilation Systems & Liquid Sealants

Tim Hill of Risinger build--Austin homebuilder for over 40 years--teamed up with Matt some 10+ years ago. Tim details his company's approach to architects, customers, and trades, including featuring building science in ALL aspects of their building company. The conversation aptly starts with the job site trailer carrying a Goodman mobile dehumidification unit parked just outside the build studio to the way in which Risinger build embraces remodeling in no small part because it provides such v...

103 - Pre-cast Foundations

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