In today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss garage door opener safety and inspection practices. They emphasize key aspects like the proper height of the wall button to prevent children from operating the door, ensuring the electrical connection is directly plugged into an outlet, and inspecting the auto-reverse sensors within six inches of the floor. The hosts share experiences, including the impact test for older garage door openers and the importance of an emergency release kit for garages without alternative entry points. They also touch on potential issues like power outages and tripped GFI outlets that can leave homeowners locked out of their garages. The episode provides valuable insights for home inspectors and homeowners alike.

In this podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry host Kyle Miller from All Around, exploring the nuances of home inspections within Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Kyle emphasizes the critical importance of understanding the division of responsibilities between homeowners and the association, shedding light on financial obligations, liabilities, and the prevalence of water intrusion issues during exterior renovations in multi-family buildings. The discussion covers the need for potential buyers to assess the external maintenance standards of HOA-managed properties, the necessity of inspecting exteriors despite being assumed to be covered by the association, and the challenges of outdated construction methods leading to water-related problems in almost every renovation project. Practical insights on roofing, siding, and window selection offer valuable guidance for potential homebuyers navigating HOA-managed properties.

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry delve into the unique challenges of home inspection in Arizona with Home Inspector Paul Staron. Their exploration encompasses the distinct nuances of newer constructions, the prevalence of unvented attics, and the transitioning trend towards electric heat pumps within the region. They emphasize the influence of extreme heat on inspections, address air quality concerns in energy-efficient homes, underscore the significance of adhering to safety standards for pools, and stress the value of performance-driven assessments over rigid code compliance. Despite these distinct challenges, the inspection landscape in Arizona exemplifies a remarkable degree of adaptability when compared to colder climates. The discussion sheds light on how these factors contribute to the intricacies of home inspection in the state.

In today’s episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Chad Fabry from StructureSmart. The discussion focuses on the unique challenges and characteristics of home inspections in Western New York, particularly in areas with historic homes dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. Chad Fabry shares his expertise in dealing with older houses, highlighting issues related to basements, and crawl spaces, and finishing these spaces. The importance of understanding building science and relying on reliable sources of information for home inspections is emphasized. Chad also discusses his role in teaching continuing education classes for home inspectors in New York. The conversation provides valuable insights for both home inspectors and homeowners dealing with older homes and regional differences in home inspections.

In this podcast episode, Reuben Saltzman of the Structure Talk podcast is joined by Jon Bolton from Inspectagator, a Florida-based home inspection company. They delve into various aspects of home inspections in Florida's unique climate and construction landscape. Florida's hot and humid climate presents distinct challenges, from stucco problems to moisture management. They emphasize the importance of understanding building science principles and the need for proper building materials to withstand weather conditions. Inspectors in Florida must pay close attention to issues related to moisture infiltration, fungal growth, and insulation, especially in hot attic spaces. The conversation also touches on insurance-driven inspection requirements in Florida and how copper water piping can impact coverage. Overall, the discussion sheds light on the intricacies of home inspections in the Sunshine State.

In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Jim Katen, a seasoned home inspector from the marine climate zone in Portland, Oregon. Jim offers valuable insights into the region's unique housing characteristics and challenges. Notably, he highlights the relatively young housing stock in Oregon, with few homes predating 1890, and the desirability of Craftsman-style houses from the 1920s. Basements, common in older homes, pose occasional water intrusion issues due to the rainy season. 

Jim discusses the evolution of home construction quality and the shift towards electrification in heating systems, causing challenges in homes with limited electrical capacity. The conversation touches on the home energy score system, climate-specific considerations like rain and wind, roofing materials, and vapor barrier placement. Overall, it provides a comprehensive look into the distinctive features and challenges of home inspections in the Pacific Northwest's marine climate zone, shaping the future of home construction in the region.

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Dusty Jameson, a seasoned home inspector of Inspector Cluseau which is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Together, they delve into the unique challenges posed by the mixed humid climate in their region. Dusty sheds light on critical aspects of home inspections such as heating and cooling systems, crawl spaces, radon detection, and insulation methods. The pervasive issue of humidity in crawl spaces is a key focus, with Dusty advocating for encapsulation as a solution. Mold and mold sensitivity, common concerns in the area due to the climate and construction practices, are also discussed. The conversation underscores the interconnectedness of building systems and the importance of adaptability and diversification in the ever-evolving field of home inspection. Dusty shares how he has adjusted his business to address market challenges, emphasizing the significance of customer education and convenience. The episode underscores the value of learning and collaboration within the home inspection community.

In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, Reuben Saltzman shares a recent experience with a water heater and the importance of installing a leak detection system to prevent potential damage. He recounts a previous incident where a water heater leak caused significant harm to his house, underscoring the necessity of early detection. Reuben also delves into water heater warranties, discussing the warranty process and offering tips for handling warranty claims. The conversation shifts to the maintenance and replacement of anode rods in water heaters, with a focus on Reuben's challenging experience with a specific brand, Bosch. 

He emphasizes the importance of reviewing user manuals and warranties before purchasing water heaters and advises against buying water heaters with stringent maintenance requirements. The hosts also touch on a listener's unfortunate experience of being overcharged for a water heater replacement, stressing the need for obtaining multiple bids and ensuring fair pricing when hiring contractors. They tease an upcoming series where they will interview home inspectors from different regions to discuss regional differences in home inspections.

In this podcast, Bruce Stahlberg, an expert in HVAC systems and energy efficiency, highlighted the paramount importance of accurate testing and diagnostics for HVAC performance. He emphasized the significance of static pressure testing over temperature rise testing in assessing furnace performance. Reuben, Tessa and Bruce discussed challenges like sheetrock dust infiltrating A-coils during home renovations, potentially causing efficiency issues. Bruce suggested methods to detect blockages in the A-coil, emphasizing the need for accurate furnace sizing and the benefits of two-stage systems in maintaining optimal airflow. He introduced a new tool, a digital flow plate, for precise airflow measurement, aiming to enhance efficiency in air conditioning systems. However, Bruce noted that the tool is not yet widely adopted in the HVAC industry. 

Overall, they underscored the necessity of informed testing and diagnostics to ensure HVAC systems operate efficiently, delivering comfort, durability, and energy efficiency. They also highlighted the challenges in adopting advanced testing techniques in the HVAC industry and stressed the importance of educating contractors and homeowners about the benefits of accurate testing and proper system sizing.

In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Adam Barthel from Rum River Construction Consultants. They explore fire separation standards for homes and townhouses, focusing on the wall between the house and garage. The conversation covers crucial details such as material requirements, gap considerations in drywall, and proper installations. They emphasize the nuances and complexities of fire separation codes and stress the importance of following local building codes diligently. The hosts appreciate Adam's insights and suggest future discussions on building codes.