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Structure Talk

Structure Talk
Author: Reuben Saltzman
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© 2025 Structure Talk
Description
Structure Talk is a podcast about houses, home maintenance, home ownership, buying and selling houses, and of course, home inspections.
The show is hosted by Reuben Saltzman at Structure Tech and Tessa Murry, the House Coach.
Our podcast is sponsored by Inspector Empire Builder.
Email us at podcast@structuretech.com
283 Episodes
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To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/cYcD91eX5rQ In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry engage with Paul Barraza, a seasoned home inspector from Northern California. They discuss the nuances of home inspections, including energy efficiency, wildfire preparedness, and earthquake safety. Paul shares his journey into the home inspection industry, the importance of community forums, and the challenges faced in California's unique climate. The convers...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/iRw-dmE8GpA In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome guests Brad Lowery and Matt Brading to discuss their experiences in the home inspection industry, the importance of building science, and the role of podcasting in connecting with the community. They explore the upcoming Inspection Fuel conference, share insights on effective home inspection practices, and emphasize th...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/C6MC7V08nS4 In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss various topics related to home inspection, including the impact of AI on the industry, personal anecdotes about gutter cleaning, and a detailed case study involving a homeowner's water intrusion and mold issues. They explore the complexities of building science, the importance of proper installation and maintenance, an...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/hBY-5QroZsQ In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry explore a range of topics, including air quality concerns in Minnesota, the evolving role of AI in the home inspection industry, and a detailed case study involving a homeowner's struggles with a new roof and moisture-related issues. They delve into the intricacies of building science, emphasizing the importance of proper insulation and ventilation, and discuss ...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/NJ0uDa2aL7w In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry explore the essential fixes homeowners should tackle before a home inspection. They share practical tips and personal stories about common issues like gutter maintenance and electrical checks. The discussion highlights the importance of addressing these simple tasks to ensure a smooth inspection process and improve the overal...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/iIWheUyrBvk In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss their summer adventures and dive into the complexities of condo inspections. They share personal anecdotes about water heater issues and the importance of understanding the inspection process for condos, including the challenges of accessing common areas and the nuances of pricing. The conversation emphasizes the need f...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/noKM0Ijpafg In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss various topics related to home inspections, including the impact of weather on home maintenance, the integration of AI in home inspections, and the importance of building relationships with team members. They share insights from recent ride-alongs, highlighting unique home features, safety upgrades, and challenges such as backdrafting and peeling paint. The conversatio...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/LzP_zb7BsGQ In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss various common home inspection issues, focusing on the top five problems that often arise in older homes. They delve into the importance of water management, electrical safety, chimney maintenance, gas leak concerns, and sewer problems. The conversation highlights the importance of home buyers being aware of these issues and adjusting their expectations ...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/Skx7vjdsdo8 In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the dynamics of home inspection attendance, exploring who should be present during inspections, the roles of buyers and agents, and the impact of these interactions on the inspection process. They share personal experiences and insights on how attendance can affect the quality of inspections and the overall experience for clients. The conversation also to...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/B4lgieKGvtI In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome back Noah Gavic from Brothers Underground to discuss various sewer types and cleaning techniques. Noah shares insights on the most common pipe types, including cast iron and clay tile, and explains the importance of proper cleaning methods like chain cleaning and jetting. They cover the risks associated with DIY drain c...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/jwVDbI86XKs In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry share personal updates, including recent travels and experiences in different climates. They discuss the challenges of home inspections, particularly regarding insurance and aging roofs. The conversation delves into the impact of summer heat on homes and the potential damage it can cause. The hosts provide insights and advice ...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/2cNHgOFCes0 In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry engage with listener questions, discuss the growth of their inspection team, and share insights into their training process. They also highlight an upcoming conference for home inspectors and delve into specific home maintenance topics, including rim joist insulation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication...
To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/MVcLWet9gqw In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss various topics related to home inspection, including the latest trends in home inspection tools, a Q&A session addressing homeowner concerns, and the importance of combustion air in furnace safety. They also delve into the specifics of octopus furnaces and provide options for upgrading heating systems to ensure saf...
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Noah Gavic from Brothers Underground. The conversation delves into Noah's extensive background in plumbing, the various techniques used in sewer line repair, and the challenges faced in the industry. Noah shares insights on the importance of technology in plumbing, the pricing structures for different services, and the unique challenges of working in the sewer repair field. The episode concludes with ...
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss various homeowner questions, focusing on health effects related to sleep deprivation, the intricacies of high-efficiency furnaces, crawl space concerns, and the importance of proper ventilation and insulation. They emphasize the need for safety in home systems, particularly regarding carbon monoxide risks, and explore best practices for insulation techniques, including the concept of beam fill in basements. In this conversation, Tessa Murry and Reuben...
This podcast contains a handful of visuals that we thought would be helpful, so we've published a video version of this podcast at https://youtu.be/NZ2qp06oET8. The Testo 605i that Mark mentioned can be found at https://amzn.to/41TYFjs To find the chart that Mark referenced, go to https://efficientcomfort.net/charts/. Check this link to IEB Unite: https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBUnite2025 You can find Mark at https://besttampainspector.com. Reuben Saltzman, Tessa Murry, and Mark C...
In this new episode, our hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the intricate relationship between energy efficiency and durability in home construction. They explore how increasing energy efficiency through insulation and air sealing can lead to potential moisture issues and reduced durability if not appropriately managed. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding house systems and the need for a holistic approach to building performance, especially in changing clima...
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss the transition into spring, personal life updates, and mold remediation challenges. Tessa shares her firsthand experience with mold issues in her boyfriend's apartment, while Reuben talks about his HVAC problems and the importance of air quality. They also touch on industry trends in home inspection and the significance of maintaining healthy living environments. In this episode, Tessa Murry and Reuben Saltzman discuss various aspects of indoor air qu...
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Michael Simpson, a geotechnical engineer, who shares insights into forensic engineering, the impact of water management on foundations, and the differences between serviceability and safety in structural integrity. The conversation emphasizes the need for proper assessment and management of foundation problems, particularly in residential settings. Michael discusses the complexities of foundation settlement...
Click this link to learn more about the Business Mastery Class for Solo Inspectors: https://events.iebcoaching.com/BusinessMasteryforSoloInspectors25 In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Philippe Heller, a seasoned San Diego home inspector. Philippe shares his journey from corporate life to running a successful home inspection business, emphasizing fire safety in California. They discuss new regulations on defensible space, fire-hardening features, retrofitting older home...
Really enjoying this podcast series.