Structure Talk

Reuben and Tessa advise looking for a good, competent, and qualified contractor by getting help from trained and certified professionals through Building Performance Institute (BPI Contractor and Test Center Locator | Building Performance Institute, Inc.). Tessa highlights that a good contractor should discuss air sealing, attic bypasses, and attic ventilation with the homeowner. 

They review crazy ice-removal methods such as hatchets, ice picks, hammers, and salt tablets in pantyhose. Reuben discusses the effective way to remove the snow by using a roof rake and doing it in segments. They talk about Steve Kuhl's The Ice Dam Company which does ice dam removals by steaming and installing heat cables before the snow comes. They discuss the pre-covid podcast dubbed ''Roof de-icing with Steve Kuhl''.

Visit the podcast notes and the three-part series on heat cables. Links below:

Podcast: Heat cables with Steve Kuhl - Structure Tech Home Inspections

Should you install heat cables to prevent ice dams? - Structure Tech Home Inspections

Not all heat cable is created equal - Structure Tech Home Inspections

Heat Cable Installation - Structure Tech Home Inspections

Snow was heavy in Minnesota last week. Today, we will talk about what causes ice dams, and how to prevent and fix them. 

Tessa explains what an ice dam is and how they are formed. She shares that most houses can fix this through proper air sealing and insulating of the attic space. Reuben adds that most people think this can be improved by adding ventilation to the roof but this is different. 

They talk about various roof designs and valleys that are prone to ice dams, as well as locations of air penetrations in the roof, bath fans, and how they contribute to the dam formation. Moreover, they discuss air flow and leakage, attic bypasses, and the importance of adequate attic ventilation. Reuben enumerates the types of vents and other heat sources. Tessa highlights that fixing air bypasses can be a very difficult and messy job. 

Dr. Ben Franske joins the show to speak about the internet of things and technology around your house. 

Ben discusses home automation and the software that helps him control various disparate devices such as HVAC control and thermostats, security and alarms, and door locks, among others. He also talks about devices that communicate through the cloud and localized systems. Reuben asks about installing permanent custom lights, the system, and how much they cost. Tessa asks about the cost of automating a new property.

Reuben mentions that wifi-controlled devices could be difficult for home inspectors. They discuss how the technology works and the challenges that may arise when properties are sold to new homeowners. Ben introduces Matter- reliable and secure connectivity for various devices such as Android and Apple.

Welcome 2023! It's a new year, a new podcast. The two-legged ladder, Reuben and Tessa, host the show. 

Tessa shares her journey with Structure Talk and leaves the company after 7 years. She shares about her new adventure. 

Reuben talks about how the new show will go. He highlights that there will be shorter episodes and shares exciting topics in the coming weeks. 

Check out our recent blog at structuretech.com and show notes at https://structuretech.com/podcast-structure-talk/. 

Whatever platform you're listening from, rate us and give us a review! Send your feedback, suggestions, and questions to [email protected].

The home inspection industry is male-dominated. Today, Uli Sommers and Jaymie Paternoster join the show to talk about the presence of women in the field.

Reuben recalls the multitude of feedback he received from his blog post entitled ''Home Inspectors don't have to be old white guys''. In the blog, he mentions that there is a huge demand for female home inspectors in the industry that needs to be met. 

Uli tells her story from practicing nursing to becoming a home inspector; from remodeling their first house in the U.S., taking the ASHI school, to getting the general contractor's and home inspection licenses. She highlights the significance of attention to detail and communication in the industry. She also shares the advantage of being a woman in the industry and having an extremely supportive home. 

Jaymie talks about getting tired of working in facility management and finding her passion for home inspection. She shares about becoming a home inspector and the excitement of empowering homeowners to make well-informed decisions. She advises having confidence in the journey, knowing yourself and your boundaries, and having fun. 

Tessa shares about having the podcast as a platform to inspire listeners who aspire to become home inspectors. She tells her story about meeting Reuben and receiving an offer to become an inspector. She highlights that finding mentors willing to help is a big part of her success. 

Reuben asks about their home inspection experiences while pregnant. Tessa reads some letters that women had written to the podcast. They discuss motherhood, multitasking, burnout, and proving their worth in the industry. Also, they talk about the future of home inspection, smart-home energy, and news in the Role of Delineation Study.

Bill bids farewell to Structure Talk. 

Get more advice and inspiration from Reuben's blog through this link: https://structuretech.com/home-inspector-training-advice/

Today we're going to talk about new construction inspections and why it's different from the standard home inspection. 

Reuben shares about their team inspection experience with a new house. He talks about pre-drywall inspections which require knowledge in codes and blueprints. He highlights that home inspectors look at a completely different list and specialized inspectors in other states take four to six hours to complete the job. He then shares his observations, questions, and clarifications about the building in progress.

They talk about defects they found in new home inspections that cause a great inconvenience for everyone involved in the building process. Tessa asks about the acceptance and pushback among builders. She also shares about a case with a deck attachment issue that opened up an investigation of all the houses in a new development. Then they discuss another inspection that focuses on improper installation, clearances, spacing, inadequate levels of insulation, siding errors, etc. They also talk about 10- or 11-month warranty inspections.

Reuben also talks about other competitors and the difference between the inspection reports. He highlights the importance of apple-to-apple comparisons in choosing an inspection company.

Send your show comments, suggestions, and questions to [email protected].

In today’s show, we talk about specialized and expensive home inspection equipment and our preferred brands. Eric Houseman, inspection manager at Structure Tech joins the discussion.

They talk about telescoping ladders, Xtend+Climb ladders, and Little Giants. Eric shares about his preferred brand, the Werner 28-foot fiberglass with the Glidesafe technology. Then they talked about combustible gas detectors or gas sniffers that work like magic. Reuben talks about infrared cameras and the new brands and features in the market like the HIKMICRO Pocket2 and B20.

Reuben and Tessa discuss moisture meters and their mechanism. Other fancy tools that they talked about are combustion analyzers and flashlights. They also talk about the convenience of using suspenders during home inspections.

Eric and Reuben share the tools they carry in their tool pouches during inspections. Then they talked about specific tools such as the outlet tester, voltage sniffer, and thermometers. They also share home inspector must-have tools.

Reuben has written about some of these tools in his blogs, visithttps://structuretech.com/home-inspector-tool-list/.

Continue to e-mail your feedback, questions, and suggestions to [email protected].

This week, we continue to talk about home inspection mishaps, misadventures, and costly mistakes which we learned valuable lessons from.

Reuben starts by sharing a shocking story about finding valuable items before or during the testing of dishwashers and ovens, changing thermostat settings in appliances, and getting locked out of the house. He and Tessa also talk about testing GFCIs and remember breaking into a garage after testing GFCI outlets on the outside.

They also talk about ladder safety on roofs, attics, and decks. They share amusing experiences about falling from roofs, walking on wet wood roofs, putting ladders on wet and icy surfaces, and the use and dangers of A-frame and telescoping ladders, and forgetting to tie down the ladder on vehicles. They also talk about horrific truss stories, paying for damaged ceilings, and exploding propane fuel.

Reuben hilariously remembers inspecting the wrong house and finding out halfway through. They talk about leaving behind tools and belongings and losing them. Tessa shares momentous experiences with cats; from escaping the house during a showing inspection, herding the cat out of the attic, and cats attacking agents and clients.

To see some of the photos that accompany these stories, check out Reuben’s blog post on this topic: Top 20 Home Inspection Mistakes (I’ve made)

Share your home inspection mistakes. Send your stories to [email protected].

Structure Tech is reaching its 25-year milestone! Today we're joined by Neil Saltzman and reminisce about great stories and learning experiences from Home inspection flubs.

Neil shares about inspecting bad electric panels and furnaces. He talks about a poor judgment call in entering a house with a gas leak and leaving running water. Neil and Tessa also talk about inspecting a roof, getting stuck, and challenges in coming back down. They also chat stories about losing keys during an inspection.

Reuben fondly shares how Neil started home inspections, crawling in the attic, looking professional, and wearing a suit and tie. He also talks about an embarrassing practice and learning to find cracks in heat exchangers by dismantling the furnace. He also shares about calling a colleague for rescue to fix a leaking radiator handle. They share about losing their cell phones and tools in the attic.

They exchange thoughts about the hardest part of being a home inspector.

More stories to tell in the next podcast! Send your reactions and suggestion to [email protected].

Today we will deconstruct the five recent blogs by Reuben as he shares his inspiration for writing his blogs.

Reuben talks about gas safety, sediment traps, lighting a gas fireplace, and other gas-burning appliances. Bill asks about serious gas-related incidents that happened to them.

They also talk about moisture testing vinyl siding. Reuben shares that newer stucco homes must be tested. He talks about the best time to test them, how they are tested, and the technology used.

Reuben also discusses some of the biggest mysteries about floor drains, especially about floor drains backing up.

If you have any suggestions for show topics, please email them to [email protected].