The Holistic Homes Podcast

Can you imagine a house without windows? Sounds more like a prison to me and my guest today, Peter Duppenthaler AKA @FenestrationGuy. Windows serve a purpose for the occupants mental health. With no sunlight streaming into a space, it can become depressing - fast. They also provide access to fresh air! And aesthetically, they’re an important aspect of your home.

So when you’re in the building or renovating process, you want to make sure that you’re having informed conversations with your contractors. Because while windows serve a purpose, they’re also one of the most vulnerable spots of the home. I often refer to them as a hole in the middle of an otherwise solid building envelope. So Peter is joining us to give us the inside scoop on all things windows!

Peter has been in the window industry for over decade and has found a passion for the connection between windows and building science / building envelope! He’s great with the technical details so get ready to take lots of notes.

Believe it or not, choosing the right windows for your home isn’t always straight forward. So I want you to walk away with a comprehensive understanding of how to approach all of your options. From choosing your frames to picking the right glass options, you’ll feel empowered to make the right choice for your home. We even uncovered a decision I made with my windows which may have lost me a manufacturers warranty. So tune in to avoid a mistake like that!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• What is R Value and UL Value?
• The four tiers of window frame options: Vinyl, Composite, Fiberglass and Wood Interior/Aluminum Clad Exterior (or all aluminum)
• How your choice of coating can effect the efficiency rating of a home
• Your window options if privacy is a big concern for you
• When conversations about the window details should happen in the building process
• The #1 issue Peter sees with windows (hint: it’s NOT leaks)

Connect with Peter:

• Follow him on Instagram
• Check out his website

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

Many of us get into this industry because we have personal horror stories with mold. For me, I bought a home that had floor to ceiling mold in the kitchen. It was completely invisible to the naked eye, until we started the renovation process and took walls down to the studs.

For today’s guest, Megan Carson, she was reaching a sever level of mold toxicity and couldn’t identify the source until having an ERMI test and an inspection. Luckily, she was able to get out of her lease and high tail it out of there! But that led her down the path to becoming the founder of Guided Well LLC.

She is a certified mold inspector and IEP with a specialized focus on client education and building defect identification related to poor building science and design in relation to indoor air quality issues. After her own four walls made her sick, she’s making it her mission to help other people out of that sort of situation.

For any of you home renters out there, we’re starting this conversation with some safe guards that all renters need to know about. From getting your own inspections (not through management) to discussing additional clauses in the lease to guarantee a way out if water damage becomes an issue. Then, we’re chatting all things remediation so you don’t have to go into the process already overwhelmed.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why Megan became a mold inspector
• The importance of good testing and validation before remediation
• How to vet a mold inspector
• What the sampling process should look like (hint: it’s not supposed to just be air samples in the middle of the room)
• Learning the difference between restoration and remediation
• Why encapsulation should only be used as a last resort

Connect with Megan:

• Instagram

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

Windows are a uniquely vulnerable spot in your home. Essentially, you’ve got a stable structure with holes in the middle to let in light. So as you can imagine, all sorts of problems can present themselves if your windows aren’t constructed properly. It’s incredibly important that your windows are properly constructed to protect against water damage!

Before you can make any big decisions about the windows in your home, you need to know what type of windows you’re working with. So first, I’ll be differentiating the two types of windows you may be working with. From there, you’re going to get the full rundown on considerations that you need to make with your team. So if you don’t know what I mean when I say “head flashing, back dam, or slope sill,” you’re in for a treat.

But we’re not stopping there, I’m even covering what to do once your windows have been installed. You’ll want to make sure the windows are leak tested before you wash your hands of this step and move on. Have a hands off installer? No problem! This is something you can do yourself and I’ll tell you exactly how in this episode.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The two different types of windows (new construction and retrofit)
• The problem with retrofin windows
• Why I suggest new construction windows on an existing home
• Why I would caution against sky lights
• Different considerations for windows in new builds
• How to conduct a leak test

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

“The housing market is crazy, can I skip the inspection?” I hear this all the time. And truth be told, I’ve skipped the home inspection before. But I would NOT suggest doing this (you’ll have to tune into the episode to find out why I did).

Today, I’m joined by Tori McGee, a holistic realtor based in Atlanta, Georgia. This episode was so fun to record. We dove into the nitty-gritty of buying a healthy home and let me tell you, inspections are key! Tori shared her wisdom on the must-dos, from checking the roof to testing for radon and mold. She's all about making sure our homes are safe havens for our health and happiness.

I also really loved hearing about how a holistic realtor can be the buyers advocate. From asking the hard questions about what chemicals will be used in remediation to spotting foundational cracks, your realtor can speak up when you’re feeling intimidated. Plus, she gave us some great tips on finding a like-minded realtor and resources for a non-toxic living space. It was such an informative episode, and I can't wait for you to hear her advice.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The specific steps in an in-depth home inspection
• How a holistic realtor can help you understand next steps after an inspection report
• Suggested inspections for new build homes
• Warning signs to look out for pre-inspection during the house searching process
• How to navigate conversations about healthy homes with big builders
• How you can find a holistic realtor in your area

Connect with Tori:

• Website
• Instagram

Connect with me:

• instagram

I’ve seen people rip their homes down to the studs in an effort to get rid of mold. And the worst part is, sometimes they do all of that and they still don’t find what they’re looking for. So today, you’re in for a treat because my friend PJ Harlow, owner and CEO of PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc. is joining us.

PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc is a virtual, IICRC-certified consulting firm specializing in holistic mold removal, decontamination & remediation. As the founder and curriculum director of The Academy for Holistic Home Health & Mold Sciences, she also offers bespoke online courses for homeowners, renters, and professionals!

We’re talking about how to maintain a health fungal ecology in the home. Just like your gut has a microbiome, so do the four walls you live in! And if you’ve been considering investing in an ERMI test, please listen to this episode! We don’t want you to go out and get a result that you can’t interpret. And turning to Facebook is not the answer! You’ll have amateurs catastrophizing and telling you to tear down your house.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• how to maintain healthy fungal ecology - is there such a thing as being “too clean”
• Step number one when you think you have a mold problem
• Why failed remediations are so common
• What the remediation process actually entails
• What is fine particulate cleaning?

Connect with PJ:

• For 10% off, go HERE and use the code "christine10"
• Website
• Instagram

Connect with me:

• Instagram

How do you come up with a figure for your renovation budget? I know allocating funds can feel really stressful when you’re being thrown so many options. So in today’s episode, I’m giving you a bird’s eye view of the budgeting decisions I would urge you to make.

At the end of the day, we want to use the renovation process as a way to avoid bigger headaches down the line. It might feel fun to focus a lot of our attention on fixtures and finishes! But I’m going to be pointing you towards some more integral processes to prioritize first.

I’ll be pointing you towards details that you may overlook otherwise. For example: access doors are incredibly important! Without access doors, you’re making it ten times harder to pinpoint issues as they pop up. And we’re not shying away from the big picture overhauls that might need to happen. If you’re already doing a renovation and you have plumbing from the 1950s, it’s probably time to address that before a pipe bursts a year from now.

I hope this episode gives you a solid place to start when you sit down to create your budget. just remember, it’s easier to deal with the big picture now and small, aesthetic issues can always be replaced later.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The big items you need to factor into your budget
• Why you might want to replace the plumbing
• Why it’s almost impossible to totally clean a duct system without replacing it
• What I would do if I was in charge of a renovation budget
• Why I would minimize costs in fixtures and finishes
• The importance of access doors

Connect with me:

• Instagram

What does a passive home look like? Well, imagine a home that is completely energy efficient without breaking the bank. Today’s guest, Casey Grey, is the founder of the award-winning sustainable building company, The Conscious Builder.

Casey began passive home building after the birth of his first child. Knowing he wanted to leave the world better than he came into it, he took his background in construction and dove into building research to create a more sustainable future. Get ready to take notes with this episode because Casey is sharing a lot of knowledge! Even I learned something new about how to take an existing, older home and bring it up to today’s standards.

We’re getting the inside scoop on his processes and some of his favorite products for energy efficient home building. If you listen to this episode, you could save yourself from a major headache later down the line!

Casey is also the host of The Conscious Builder Podcast and The Conscious Builder Show on YouTube and the founder of The Conscious Builder Academy, an online course hub for future-focused builders who want to create better businesses. So go check him out!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Understanding the difference between a vapor barrier and an air barrier
• How airtight remodels work
• The difference between an HRV and an ERV
• Why an airtight home can become problematic if the mechanical system in overlooked
• An insulation option that is mold and fire resistant
• The number one mistake homeowners make when communicating with their contractors

Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency.

Connect with Casey:

• Instagram
• The Conscious Builder’s Youtube
• Linkedin

How can you have a productive conversation with contractors? A lot of people will shy away from really digging in with their contractors because they get intimidated by all the jargon. But it’s a really important first step to getting that healthy home you dream of!

So today, I’m laying out exactly how you can approach these conversations. We’re even breaking down what it means to define the scope of the project. I’ll be asking questions that can give you an idea of what decisions need to be made before you talk to your contractors.

And how do you find the right contractor for you? Too often, people will just go with who their best friend or neighbor used. But finding the right contractor is a step that shouldn’t be rushed through. So I’ll be taking you through the red flags to watch out for in your search. For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen and you’re being charged a lump sum - that’s cause for concern. What materials are being used? What’s included vs. excluded, etc?

So if you’re nervous because you’re not sure what questions to ask your contractors - this episode is for you. If this episode is helpful for you, spread the word to friends and family who are about to embark on this process too!

Today, we’re chatting about:

• Defining the scope of the project
• Reverse engineering the budget for your project based on the scope
• Why I suggest getting at least three proposals or bids from prospective contractors
• Contractor red flags
• Why you need to have every communication in writing

Resources Mentioned:

• How to Interview a contractor checklist

Connect with me:

• Instagram

One of the biggest misconceptions about mold is that your house needs to experience a massive flood to be at risk. In reality, mold can grow and thrive with minor leaks and excessive humidity. But how do you know when it's time to call an inspector? And what precautions can you take to make sure you don't have to go through the nightmare of chasing mold down to the studs of your house?

Today's guest, Anna Branch, is a mold inspector based in Southern California. She is my number one trusted source when it comes to all things mold. After living in a mold infested house herself, Anna is a testament to the fact that once you remove yourself from exposure, your health can thrive. Now, she's made it her mission to help other families live safely in mold-free homes.

So whether you're looking to build a home designed with mold prevention in mind, or you've spotted mold in your house and want to get to the bottom of it - this episode is for you. I'm particularly passionate about this subject. After going through the nightmare of buying a home and realizing it had a huge mold problem after making the buying decision, I know the value of the work Anna does. We're touching on everything from common misconceptions to actionable tips

In this episode, we're chatting about:

• Common misconceptions about mold
• The role that maintenance plays in preventing mold
• When is the right time to call an inspector?
• What is it like working with a mold inspector?
• How you can prevent a mold catastrophe in your home

Is your home making you sick? Of course, when it comes to illness, the walls of our home are not usually the first place we look to find the offender. That’s why today, i’m laying out the three biggest ways your home could be making you sick.

It’s important to look at your home from a bird’s eye point of view. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is water damage. Water damage can, of course, lead to mold growth and negatively affect our indoor air quality. Considering how much time we spend in our home, air quality is extremely important to take seriously. I’m going over a few safeguards, but if you’re concerned about mold, go ahead and listen to episode three with mold inspector, Anna Branch!

Second, radon or carbon monoxide. These are two invisible forces that can barge in and rapidly decline our health. Carbon Monoxide usually has some odor to it, so it can be easier to detect. But radon will go completely unnotices without a detector. So check out the radon map in your area to determine the risk your home is under.

And third, the product we’re bringing into our home. Cleaning products, detergents, etc. For some reason, even our trash bags are scented these days! Fragrance is something we want to avoid as much as possible. I know the buying decisions you make are personal to you and your needs, but keep this in mind with anything you’re bringing into the home.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why water damage can negatively affect our health
• How to avoid water damage
• What is radon and how do you know how much is in your soil?
• Why does it matter what products we buy?