Today we talk about tips on how to manage melting snow and basement water. Reuben discusses where melted snow goes and how they penetrate through the basement or even the sewers. Tessa mentions that newer houses in Minnesota have a drain tile system then she explains how a sump pump works. They share tips to reduce the potential for water problems without a drain tile. Reuben shares a story about basement flooding while Tessa shares about a corrugated extension pipe that was used by squirrels to...
Apr 24, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Reuben recently received a message from a podcast follower who encountered an insulation scam. He shares that the company reportedly had a free dinner and offered multi-layer insulation and solar-power attic fans that are supposed to fix iced dams. Tessa highlights the red flags about the products. Reuben describes and defines the products and their cost. Tessa shares the code requirements and how insulation should be installed and worked. She discusses the building science of insulation in diff...
Apr 17, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Reuben talks about his electrical experiments. They discuss how much current it takes to overload a circuit and the effect of the panel's loose connections in circuits. Tessa mentions that the common melted wires are made of aluminum conductors. Reuben talks about the renewal of real estate agents' licenses and submitting their CE. He announces the availability of Structure Tech's in-person Continuing Education (CE) classes in the next quarter. These classes are also available online at Structur...
Apr 10, 2023•20 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Signs and notes are a great help to warn and inform the inspectors about the house. Today, Reuben shares their compiled notes, signs, and warnings that were left by home sellers during inspections from the last 15 years. They talk about hilarious signs and notes on toilets, switches, doors, panels, among others. Checkout the entertaining blog post here Signs, warnings, and notes left by sellers - Structure Tech Home Inspections ....
Mar 27, 2023•21 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Phantom loads, also called standby power, is the electricity used by appliances even when they are turned off. Reuben talks about the experiment he did at home with the Sense Home Energy Monitor. He shares using Kill A Watt meter, a device that measures the power consumed by an appliance. He then discusses the results and computed the monetary cost for the phantom load. Tessa mentions that the age of appliances is a factor in electricity consumption. Reuben enumerates the expensive appliances th...
Mar 20, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 12
What should you do with your house if you're leaving for a long time? Reuben first talks about plumbing. He recommends turning the water off and keeping the house humidifier and water heater running. Tessa highlights how some homeowners misuse humidifiers. They also discuss avoiding sewer gas from leaking into the house as well as what doesn't have to be done. In terms of electrical, phantom loads can be unplugged. However, Ruben mentions that these loads are very minimal and he prefers not unpl...
Mar 13, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Today Reuben and Tessa talk about how to determine the electrical service size at a home, mostly related to inspecting the main panel. Reuben explains that new construction homes use 150 to 200 amps service size panels, and which service sizes are no longer acceptable today. Tessa highlights the different things that home inspectors need to determine: the service size, what the panel is rated for, and how much amperage is coming through the panel. They talk about how to identify the size of the ...
Mar 06, 2023•19 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Today, Reuben and Tessa touch on some key points about radon. Reuben discusses what radon is, and addresses the biggest arguments about testing, and myths about it. He mentions that health authorities have claimed that radon is a silent killer that causes lung cancer. They talk about the statistics of radon elevation, as well as the normal and acceptable levels and standards in the US vs Canada and other countries. Reuben also talks about the Radon Disclosure Act which is a requirement when sell...
Feb 27, 2023•20 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Today is part 4 of the Window Replacement series. Today we're gonna talk about the big three window manufacturers. Ryan Carey first talks about a Minnesota company, Andersen, which is a more popular brand. He discusses the type of windows that Anderson makes: the 400 and 100 series, the regular, and the Renewal products. They talk about direct competition, Marvin, and why they have exclusive contractors that install windows. He also discusses the window options from the flagship brand Infinity, ...
Feb 20, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Another week with Ryan Carey ! In today's show, we're going to talk everything about window replacement. Ryan discusses the two main types and the difference in window replacements: the insert or retrofit window and the full frame. He also explains the window replacement process and which type is best for each window or type of house. They talk about replacing windows to address water intrusion and energy efficiency. Ryan also explains sash and glass replacements. Then he discusses the acceptabl...
Feb 13, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Ryan Carey of My 3 Quotes joins us for another week to discuss which type of window is the best. Tessa asks about low emissivity or low-E windows and the layers of coating. Ryan explains its effect on houses, the light, and the heat that comes into the house, especially in the winter. He discusses the cost of double and triple-pane windows as well as gas fills like argon and krypton. They highlight that improving the windows helps increase energy efficiency. Ryan discusses the difference between...
Feb 06, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Ryan Carey discusses the sales process of window companies and the mind-game tactics they use. Reuben and Ryan also reminisce about Department Supervisor Training from Home Depot, where they learned how to deal with different types of customers. Reuben inquires about the important stuff to understand and look for when choosing a window. Ryan discusses the U-value, EnergyStar rating, and highlights that the National Fenestration Rate Council rates windows. Ryan Carey can be reached at ryan@getmy3...
Jan 30, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 d...
Jan 23, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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 ...
Jan 16, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 automat...
Jan 09, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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 y...
Jan 02, 2023•11 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 th...
Dec 26, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 19
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 a...
Dec 19, 2022•29 min•Season 4Ep. 18
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 bran...
Dec 12, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 17
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...
Dec 05, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 16
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. R...
Nov 28, 2022•40 min•Season 4Ep. 15
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 discuss...
Nov 21, 2022•39 min•Season 4Ep. 14
The three-legged stool talks about new ideas from podcast feedback and projects and opposing perspectives. They talk about a listener’s feedback about the science of EMF. Bill gives an analogy about accepting new ideas and how Nate Johnson is ahead of his time. Reuben opens the discussion with an e-mail he received about water problems and saturated soil that affects the foundation. Tessa discusses beta-testing Healthy Homes Assessment, their services, processes, and reports. She shares their ca...
Nov 14, 2022•37 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Today we reconnect with a client to talk about their first home inspection experience and their path to becoming a diligent homeowner. Alex bought his house 10 months ago and has learned so much since. Alex shares about having zero knowledge about home maintenance and discovering Structure Tech. He also talks about his experience from purchasing his house, the home inspection process, the defects they found, and the challenges they encountered. They discuss walking through the inspection reports...
Nov 07, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 12
The home inspection industry is subject to lawsuits. Attorney Steve Laitinen , a litigator and a trial lawyer from Larson King Law Firm, joins the show to discuss home inspection legal issues. Steve discusses the typical lawsuits against inspectors. He mentions that cases vary in different jurisdictions- some have specific statutes of limitation for the type of claim. Reuben highlights that some of the claims don't come from direct clients. They talk about the role insurance companies play, the ...
Oct 24, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Bill sits with Rob Thomas of Sussel Garages to talk about garage works. They discuss replacing and rebuilding garages, ideal sizes for multiple cars, trusses, heating, and cooling. They also discuss installing solar panels in garages and building accessory dwelling units. Rob mentions that they build around 150-200 garages in a year and discusses the timeline for completing one project. They also talk about the challenges in building garages, costing, and the process of planning and designing th...
Oct 17, 2022•31 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Today’s conversation with Bill Oelrich and Nate Johnson , consultant for electromagnetic frequency issues is part two of the EMF assessment process. Nate discusses the four categories and exposure concerns that Newlight EMF looks at in the assessment. He talks about electric fields, magnetic fields, radio frequency, and the sub-categories of energy. He also shares that the assessment may take 4 to 8 hours. Then, Nate talks about the assessment process where he encourages homeowners to join durin...
Oct 03, 2022•39 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Today, the owner of New Light EMF , Nate Johnson and Bill Oelrich talk about electromagnetic fields, where they come from, how it affects our bodies, and how to remediate and reduce exposures. Nate describes what EMFs are and where these high frequencies and energies mostly come from. He highlights that there has been an exponential increase in these energies in the last 20 years due to wireless technology. Nate then shares about the medical condition that led him to discover man-made EMFs and d...
Sep 26, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Today the team digs in on some highlights about home warranties. They break down some topics from a discussion with Shelley Johnson with Home Warranty of America. Reuben discusses the basic and specific coverage for a home warranty. They talk about coverable cases for PEACH: plumbing, electrical, appliances, cooling, and heating. Bill highlights that home inspections help the warranty situation; warranty companies need to know that these units and equipment work before they provide warranty cove...
Sep 19, 2022•39 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Vickie Swenson , from Minnesota Mold Inspection joins the show to talk about smells and odors in houses. According to Vickie, the most common triggers for a mold inspection are molds found by inspectors, the homeowners seeing or smelling something, flooding, or getting sick. She mentions that they are mostly called for musty odors, mouse urine, cat urine, and sewer gas. Moreover, Vickie shares about materials, insects, and household areas that can produce strong odors, and why and how they devel...
Sep 12, 2022•39 min•Season 4Ep. 5
