UnBuild It Podcast

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 valuable feedback on how their homes perform over time.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Building Science 101 with Matt Risinger & Steve Baczek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QthBdsyxAN8

2. John Abrams' The Company We Keep - https://www.southmountain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SoMoCo_Feature_hr.pdf

3. Job Site Dehumidifiers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ladLLd_z1wo

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. Superior Walls - superiorwalls.com
NOTE: Jake/Steve/Pete are not aware of any other US companies that manufacture precast foundation wall panels.

2. BUILD SHOW Superior Walls - buildshownetwork.com/contents/in-depth-look-superior-walls?page=18

1. Actually 3 questions--can you/how do you/should you vent a pyramidal roof with dormers? (PS - I just had to look up the pronunciation of "pyramidal"--I found both pronunciations...). 

2. How do I configure for adequate air supply and noise control for a heat pump water heater (HPWH) in a 1400 square foot, tight home in Montana?

And then, I would like to apologize for Steve and his: "A polar bear walks into a bar..."

Resource(s):

1. Venting hip roofs - https://inspectapedia.com/ventilation/Hard_to_Vent_Roofs.php

2. HPWH ducting strategies (CZ 2 - 4) - https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy16osti/64860.pdf

3. Northwest testing of CO2 HPWH - https://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/Sanden%20HPWH_FINAL_rev%2011-24-15.pdf

4. BUILD SHOW Aarow Building (Jake) Fujitsu water heater - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQA-obhpKo

The boys INTEND to tackle TWO submitted questions but only manage one: Are open-joint claddings better moisture-managed better than traditional lap claddings? This episode is quite the mix of banter, building science, and building history. And note that the last resource in the list below is a great short video with Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation on open-joint claddings.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. wikipedia definition of cladding - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladding_(construction)

2. wikipedia definition of lapstrake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinker_(boat_building)

3. Open joint/rainscreen cladding history - https://www.climate-shield.com/european-climate-shield-history (Note 1st reference: "Rainscreen Cladding: A Guide to Design Principles and Practice."

4. "Cup of Joe - Open-joint cladding systems" - https://buildingscience.com/conversation/cup-joe-open-joint-cladding-systems

Listener Bill B poses this question and the boys run with it for the whole podcast: "Can you share the details and the reasons for installing flangeless windows in different planes of deep wall assemblies?" Lots to consider here in terms of ALL of the control layers and their continuity.

Pete's Resource(s):

- BSC Window Installation Sequence: https://buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0407-installing-a-window-with-building-paper-on-osb-over-wood-frame-wall/view

- Steve Baczek BUILD SHOW Build: Boston Ep. 8 - "Window installation Pt. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcoMihs6hHQ

- Steve Baczek BUILD SHOW Build: Boston Ep. 8 - "Window installation Pt. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzktfcFNVEA

- Pete's YouTube series "WIngnut Water Testing Windows" - https://www.youtube.com/@peteryost7876/playlists

You know the boys get weepy over water pretty easily, but Steve's focus on starting with the site drives this podcast. The site is the context for the building, and broadening to site water management can really take the load off of building assembly water management. This podcast is all about digging deeper into building (sorry, just could not resist...).

 Pete's Resource(s): 

1. Pete has a series of YouTube video clips on building assessment, with the first 3 dealing with water: groundwater, site surface water, and building load. Take a look...

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pL2KVsx9SCcqQBdEjbiYfI3AouC1CoL

 2. Superior Walls foundation system: https://www.superiorwalls.com

 3. Great Read: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angle_of_Repose

 4. This resource is more about land development at the community level, but cool site water management techniques, regardless: https://www.wbdg.org/resources/low-impact-development-technologies

We have a big announcement this week as we return to our first time having Matt Risinger on the podcast.

Jake and his builder team--Luke Mann, (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design)--work through all sorts of cool, key approaches to consider with your trades:

·      Paying subs in 21 days

·      Scheduling a site visit for a new potential sub

·      Pulling subs into the bidding process 

·      Using suppliers to evaluate potential new subs 

·      Trade team kickoff meeting to get everyone on the same page/schedule 

·      Setting up debriefs to keep things going well 

·      Reducing risk with a stronger trade team

Jake takes his builder team--Luke Man, (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High-Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design)--through this final topic with questions like:

- Do you want your company to grow? (These guys vary in size from 2 to 16...)

- How do you decide when to hire and who to hire? 

- Are you working in the business or on the business?

- Do you have a company culture that suits your team and clients?

- How do you delegate/empower/"let go" as your company changes or grows?

Luke Mann (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High-Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design) work through this topic with host Jake Bruton. Key concepts include carefully distinguishing punch list vs. additional scope of work; covering closeout in project-starting customer expectations document; an extended comparison of builder closeout process to a new car purchase; dealing with "closeout-creep."