Structure Tech Home Inspections
Most old houses in Minneapolis and Saint Paul have masonry chimneys. Some of them serve wood-burning fireplaces, but many of them only serve as a chaseway for a gas appliance vent. When these chimneys need service or repair, it gets surprisingly expensive. The good news is that there's an alternative…
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…
You just had your roof covering replaced, and you paid a permit fee to the city to have your roof inspected. What exactly does the city do for this fee? It's probably a quick check from the ground and a review of photos taken by the roofing contractor. Municipal…
This training video shows how to use a moisture meter, both in pin probe mode and scan mode. The moisture meter I used for this video is a 2nd-generation Protimeter Surveymaster. The newest version of this moisture meter can be found here: https://amzn.to/42J0UYy
A powervent water heater uses a fan to get the exhaust gases out of the home. They're great because there's almost zero possibility of backdrafting, a common problem with natural draft water heaters. Most powervent water heaters use a 3-inch PVC pipe to get the exhaust gas out of the…
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…
If you have a problem with frost in your attic, you're not alone. With the recent cold snap of weather here in Minnesota, I've talked to many contractors who are dealing with frost in their clients homes. Nobody knows or cares about the frost until it gets warm, like last…
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 discuss the challenges and experiences of home inspection with Miki Mertz, a pioneer female home inspector. They explore the unique advantages and challenges faced by women in…
Joist hangers are metal brackets that support deck joists. It's almost impossible to build a deck without them, and there is a ton of stuff that can go wrong with the installation. Today, I'll cover the most common defects we find as home inspectors. Simpson Strong-Tie® is the largest manufacturer…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray interview Mark Cramer, a seasoned home inspector from Florida. They discuss Mark's journey into home inspections, the evolution of training in the field, and the challenges modern inspectors face. They also cover regional differences in home…
Is your attic free of frost? Are your ducts dutifully connected in the attic? Is there anything shocking in your electric panel? Is your sump system up to snuff? Do you heed your HRV's homeowner guidelines? Do you have an HRV?? Most homeowners are fuzzy on these details. While it's easy…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Charles Buell, a veteran in the home inspection community. They discuss Charles's journey into home inspection, the importance of accurate information in the industry, and the unique challenges posed by the marine climate in Seattle. The…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Bryan Standley from Inspect KC to discuss the unique challenges of home inspections in Kansas City. They explore Bryan's journey into the field, the lack of state licensing and building codes, and the implications for home inspectors and buyers. The conversation…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Will Misegades from Redfish Inspections in Houston, Texas. They discuss the unique challenges of home inspections in hot and humid climates, the merger of Redfish Inspections with Magnolia Home Inspections, and the importance of a…
Happy New Year! I'm delighted to share our Top 20 Home Inspection Photos. I've been compiling our top photos of the year since 2011, meticulously pouring over all of the crowd-favorites from our Facebook and Instagram pages. Enjoy! Attic time-out chair - child behavior problems plummeted after moving the time-out chair to the…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome back Mike Casey to discuss the unique challenges and building practices in hot and dry climates, particularly in Southern California. The conversation covers various topics including housing stock, building science issues, post-tension slabs, plumbing materials,…
The average home inspection fee in Minnesota is $438. This is based on a price survey of all the home inspectors we could find in Minnesota. We conducted this survey during the fall and winter of 2024. Who are these Minnesota home inspectors? Because there is no licensing…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry joined with RK Bob Brown, an expert in foundation repair, who shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry. He discusses the common pitfalls homeowners face when dealing with foundation issues, the importance of hiring…
This is a re-blog from two years ago with more details. I continue to get emails and messages from home inspectors and homeowners with questions about high-efficiency furnace venting details, which makes me realize I have a bunch of other stuff that still ought to be covered. High-efficiency furnaces use…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss personal health changes related to diet and cholesterol management, followed by a deep dive into water heater maintenance, specifically focusing on the importance of anode rods. They share personal experiences and insights on the effectiveness…
Water heater manufacturers tell you to remove and inspect the anode rod yearly, but seriously, who does this? Nobody! An anode rod is big stick of aluminum, magnesium, or zinc that comes with your water heater. It's there to prevent the tank from corroding away. The less noble metal corrodes,…
In this episode of Structure Talk, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Jake McAlpine from the Energy Conservatory. They discuss Jake's journey from the music industry to building science, the importance of energy efficiency, and the role of the Energy Conservatory in advancing building standards. The conversation delves into the…
While I was teaching about chimney inspections to a group of home inspectors in Maryland last week, one of the inspectors in the audience asked me a technical question. Do you need a video camera to perform a Level II chimney inspection? The short answer is yes. To be more…
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has proposed a new Standard of Practice (SOP) for home inspections. I strongly oppose many of the changes, and I urge all ASHI members to read the standards and voice their opinion. Here are the key details: The existing SOP was written in…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the recent changes to the ASHI standards of practice for home inspectors with guest Jim Katen. They explore the implications of these changes, the necessity for updates, and the potential impact on home inspection reports and client service. The conversation emphasizes…
Never skip the home inspection, even if the house is brand new. I don't care what the builder tells you; you need a home inspection. There's too much at stake, too much that can go wrong, and too much gets missed with municipal inspections. I'm not knocking municipal (city/county/AHJ) inspectors;…
If you're like me, you were raised to never (EVER!) turn on a garbage disposer without first running water down the sink. Just a few seconds of this dastardly deed could be enough to overheat and fry the motor. But is there really any truth in this? What the…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the nuances of home inspections, focusing on the balance between technical reporting and addressing homeowner concerns. They explore the evolution of infrared technology, the importance of understanding client needs, and the standards for reporting issues during inspections. The conversation emphasizes the…
I'm frequently asked about nasty-looking vertical cracks in wood deck posts. Is this a problem? Is the deck going to fail? How big of a crack is too big of a crack? It's called Checking The appropriate term for these so-called cracks is "checking". This happens when big wood timbers…
In this conversation, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss the importance of proper HVAC sizing and the upcoming refrigerant changes that will affect the industry. They are joined by Robin Johnson from High Road Heating and Air, who shares insights on the significance of manual J calculations for HVAC systems,…
It's the best time of year to share these photos. Be warned: some of these have a high creep factor. Enjoy? Shh... don't wake the sleeping bat. In the bedroom. Don't worry about waking this one. It's a bit crispy. BHAS = Big, Hairy, Audacious Spider. This is a…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss the growing trend of four-point inspections in Minnesota with guests Eric Houseman and John Bolton. They explore the history and origin of four-point inspections, particularly in Florida, and the challenges homeowners face in securing insurance. The conversation delves into the implications…
The folks at Thermal Master sent me a new infrared camera to test out. Dubbed the world's second-smallest infrared camera, it's called the Thermal Master P2. If you're curious, I also reviewed the world's smallest, the InfiRay P2 Pro. The Basics This camera is tiny, and it works through…
In this episode of Structure Talk, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss the impact of natural disasters on communities, particularly in light of recent storms. They are joined by Tim Hammack, co-owner of Paul Bunyan Plumbing, who focused on water heater maintenance. The discussion covers personal experiences with water heaters,…
Fall is officially here, so it's time to get your house ready for winter. We've compiled a comprehensive list of fall maintenance items to help you remember everything you’re supposed to do as a Minnesota homeowner. I'm also including a podcast episode where we discuss most of the stuff on…
In this episode of Structure Talk, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Tim Hammack from Paul Bunyan Plumbing to discuss the plumbing industry, focusing on tankless water heaters. Tim shares his journey into plumbing, the benefits of tankless systems, and the importance of proper installation and maintenance. The conversation…
I installed a new 2.5-gallon point-of-use water heater under my kitchen sink exactly one year ago. My old one failed after less than three years, and it wasn't covered under warranty because I was supposed to inspect the sacrificial anode rod every year, and replace it at least every two years. My…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, the hosts welcome special guest Mike Casey, an experienced home inspector and educator. The conversation focuses on the topics of grounding and bonding in electrical systems. Mike explains that grounding connects the system to the Earth, maintaining a reference of 120 volts…
Many years ago, one of the home inspectors in my company met with an electrician to discuss having him teach at an upcoming home inspector meeting. The electrician expressed some hesitation about teaching a class for home inspectors because he was under the impression that home inspectors aren't allowed to…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Ruben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Michael Bartus. They discuss the recent legal settlement involving the National Association of Realtors and its impact on the real estate industry. The conversation explores the challenges of navigating the new regulations and provides…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Ruben Saltzman interviews Dennis Fiorilli, the Director of Product Excellence at Sherwin Williams, about a product called Loxon Concrete Masonry Coating. The conversation revolves around the challenges of painting stucco homes and the traditional belief that stucco should not be painted. Dennis…
Today's topic is a frequently asked question about home inspections in Minnesota. In short, no. Home inspectors do not need to be licensed in Minnesota. Those cheeseheads in Wisconsin require licensing, but we don't. It has always been this way in Minnesota, and I hope it stays this way. Yep,…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa share stories about storm damage and water problems in their homes. Reuben talks about door knockers who claimed hail damage on his roof, but he discovered that the damage was not significant enough to warrant an insurance claim. Tessa shares her experience with a…
CE Class Request We’re excited to offer free in-person CE classes for your team! We kindly ask that at least 10 people attend to ensure a valuable and engaging learning experience. We offer a range of courses, from 1 to 3.75 hours, designed to provide your team with the latest…
Unnecessary roof replacements are out of control, and they're driving homeowners insurance rates sky-high in Minnesota. Everyone needs to take a chill pill when it comes to roof replacements. From a home inspection perspective, here's how it affects me: We inspect a home, we say the roof is in…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Michael from Standard Water about helical piers. They discuss the process of stabilizing homes using helical piers, the different applications for helical piers, and the cost associated with the installation. They also touch on the benefits of helical piers for decks…
While cruising through my local Home Depot the other day, I stopped and did a double-take in the smoke alarm section. Almost all of the smoke alarms had been replaced with a single model: the Kidde Detect. Do you see what I'm seeing? They come in many options, such…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Steve Grohn, owner of Standard Water, who shares his expertise on basement waterproofing and other related services and they discuss basement water issues and the importance of proper drainage. They also address common misconceptions and scams in the industry, emphasizing the…
In this episode, Skip Walker joins Reuben and Tessa to discuss the current state of smoke alarms and the standards that govern their manufacturing. They delve into the UL 217 standard and the challenges of updating it. They also explore the role of manufacturers in the standards process and the…
One of the most critical parts of a home inspection is the structural part, and we're frequently asked about exactly what this entails. Home inspection standards of practice don't clearly define what this means, so I can understand why people want to know about this. The short and sweet answer…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Tim Molgren from Woodlands Insurance Group focuses on the insurance problems in Minnesota and the changes happening in the industry. The main topics discussed include the increase in insurance premiums due to severe weather events and rising construction costs, the introduction…
It's perfectly acceptable to install a high-efficiency furnace with one pipe. Just flip through the pages of any high-efficiency furnace installation manual, and you'll find the answer. I'm blogging about this because many homeowners have asked me about it. And now the rest of the story. Why Two Pipes…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss various topics, including their summer experiences, illnesses, and home updates. They also discuss the challenges of finding contractors and the shortage of skilled trade workers. Reuben shares some interesting findings from recent home inspections, including corroded galvanized water pipes and structural issues in…
Attention Home Inspectors: The IEB Summer Mastermind is coming up on August 2nd. Details here: https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBSummerMastermind2024#/ In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray discuss dryer ducts and the importance of fire safety. They cover the materials and thickness required for dryer ducts, the size…
4-Point Inspections At Structure Tech, we offer comprehensive 4-point inspections exclusively for insurance purposes. Our inspections cover the essential systems critical for insurance assessments: What's Included in a 4-point inspection? Electrical System: Inspection of electrical panels, wiring, outlets, and switches. Plumbing System: Inspection of pipes, fixtures, water heaters, and drainage…
I constantly see the rules about dryer duct safety and dryer transition ducts being brought into question, mostly on home inspector forums. If it's tough for home inspectors to keep this stuff straight, it's gotta be really tough for average homeowners. Products and rules are always changing, so if you…
Attention Home Inspectors: The IEB Summer Mastermind is coming up on August 2nd. Details here: https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBSummerMastermind2024#/ In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss repairing ungrounded three-prong outlets. They explain the importance of testing three-prong outlets and the dangers of ungrounded outlets. They discuss the different options for updating two-prong outlets…
Bryan is fascinated by materials and mechanics… especially how wood, steel, copper, and sweat come together to make a home. As a child, he took apart & reassembled anything he could: his Speak & Spell, the kitchen faucet, and eventually cars and appliances. He holds two design patents. His housing…
Buying a home in Saint Louis Park? I have some helpful information for you about the home inspection. Our company is based in Saint Louis Park and we've inspected over 1,200 homes here in the last decade alone. Point-of-Sale Inspections Before a home is sold in Saint Louis Park (SLP),…
In today’s episode, Reuben, Tessa, and Pat discuss heat pumps and their use in heating and cooling homes. They discuss the different types of heat pumps, including air-to-air and air-to-water systems, and the advantages of using heat pumps, such as energy efficiency and reduced fossil fuel emissions. Overall, they highlight…
Casement windows, aka crank-out windows, often fail where the hardware connects to the sash. The wood takes on water, the wood gets soft, and the screws holding the hardware in place come loose. When this happens, the windows don't crank open and shut properly. The image below shows an example…
In today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss their recent experiences with house-sitting and caring for pets. They also discuss their participation in outdoor activities like disc golf and the Tough Mudder. The main topic of the conversation is about dishwashers and the use of double traps. Reuben shares his findings…
Here in the Twin Cities metro area, running a separate water line for unsoftened cold water to the kitchen is standard procedure. I don't like it, and I think this trend should change. But that's just my opinion. When I used to live in Minneapolis, this was a non-issue.…
In this podcast, Reuben and Tessa discuss the problems with chimneys and the venting of exhaust gases from appliances. It highlights the issues with older masonry chimneys and the need for proper venting with more efficient appliances. They also discuss the importance of chimney liners for gas appliances in older…
There are a million ways to plumb a sink drain incorrectly, and it's almost always the result of ignorance. It's not stupidity or malice; it's just a lack of knowledge. And most of the time, these improper installations work pretty ok as long as they don't leak. As home inspectors,…
Ungrounded three-prong outlets are a very common defect found on home inspections of old houses. Thankfully, repairing this issue is not a huge deal, and today, I'll walk through the different repair options. Disclaimer: this blog post gives an overview of how to repair an ungrounded three-prong outlet. This is…
In this podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry discuss their allergy experiences and the necessity of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. They move on to the major topic of deck safety, emphasizing the importance of correct attachment to the house as the leading cause of deck collapse. They refer to…
I've used a dishwasher the wrong way for most of my life. I used to scrape and rinse my dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, which was a waste of time and heated water. Thanks to my two teenagers, who do most of the dishwasher chores in my…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry cover various topics related to home inspections, attic access, and home inspectors' challenges. It also delves into the importance of accessing attics and crawl spaces during home inspections and the impact of contractual obligations on the inspection process. The conversation covers the…
In this conversation, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry interview Neil Carlson, a public health specialist with expertise in indoor air quality and mold. They discuss various mold-related topics, including its causes, identification, and remediation. Neil shares insights into his work in commercial and residential buildings, highlighting common problem areas such…
The guts of your toilet need to be properly installed to avoid a cross-connection between the water in your toilet tank and the water you drink. If you're selling a house in Minneapolis and don't have this little detail correct, the city will require repair as part of their Truth…
Discharging your sump pump into the city's sanitary sewer system is bad news. While this might seem like an easier and more attractive option than running a discharge tube from the sump pump to the exterior, it's illegal in most cities here in Minnesota when the home is connected to…
In this conversation, Reuben and Tessa discuss their professional mentors and influencers. Reuben talks about his dad, who taught him construction and home inspections, and Dwayne Erickson, a colleague who taught him to be curious and observant. Tessa mentions Pat Hellman, a building science expert who taught her about risk…
Sealed attic access panels are a bane to home inspectors. Nothing about home inspections causes more consternation than 'sealed' attic access panels; not just for the home inspector, but also for the buyer, the seller, and the real estate agents involved in the sale. Here at Structure Tech, we've worked…
In this today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Eric Larsen to discuss mold testing and inspection. They cover topics such as national standards and credentials for mold inspection, the importance of certifications, the different types of mold tests, and the limitations of mold testing. They also touch on…
May is Deck Safety Month, so it's a good time to discuss deck inspections. The best way to know if your deck is safe is to have it professionally inspected. If you're not keen on hiring a home inspector or carpenter to inspect your deck professionally, you can still inspect…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Eric Larson and Jaden Ghylin to discuss the impact of mold on homeowners. Jaden shares his personal experience of discovering mold in his newly built home and the health issues it caused for him…
We frequently get emailed the same series of questions from potential clients of ours. The exact. Same. Questions. I started wondering where people were getting this information, so I did a Google search for questions to ask your home inspector. I found a ton of them, and they were all pretty…
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, Reuben and Tessa discuss gas leaks and how to detect and document them during home inspections. They talk about the different tools and methods used to find gas leaks, including electronic gas detectors and liquid soap. They emphasize the importance of only…
In this conversation, Reuben and Tessa discuss various home improvement projects that Reuben has undertaken, highlighting both successful and unsuccessful experiences. Reuben shares stories about remodeling his story and a half house, including a catastrophic water leak, as well as his bathroom remodel hacks. He also talks about installing a…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss spring maintenance for homeowners. They cover topics such as gutter maintenance, gutter guards, downspout extensions, and sump pump discharge. They emphasize the importance of keeping gutters clean and ensuring that water is directed away from the house to prevent water damage and basement…
From the early 1980s until the mid-1990s, many homes across the country were plumbed with plastic tubing called polybutylene, aka PB. It looks like PEX tubing, can have similar crimp rings at the fittings, and is installed in a very similar manner. All was good with this stuff... until it…
In this episode, our hosts are joined by Tom Harris, a spray foam insulation expert, who discusses the topic of hot roofs and the proper installation of spray foam insulation. He explains the concept of hot roofs, where the thermal boundary is moved to the roof deck, and the different…
In last week's blog post on transite heat, I explained that most sub-slab ductwork is not transite. It's not transite heat, it's not transite ductwork, and it should not be labeled as such unless the ductwork is actually made from transite. If it is, that means it contains asbestos. The biggest concern…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa are joined by Tom Harris, who discusses the importance of a clean surface before spraying spray foam and compares it to preparing a surface for house paint. He also explains the need for adhesion testing and the different surface preparation requirements for various materials.…
If you mention the word transite to about 90% of the population, they either think of HVAC ductwork installed below the concrete floor in a basement, or they assume you added an "e" onto the word transit. This ought to change. The vast majority of sub-slab ductwork is not transite, and…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Tom Harris, an expert in spray foam insulation. They discuss the challenges and complexities of spray foam application, the common applications of spray foam, and the training and certification required for spray foam installers. They also explore the qualifications…
Spring is officially here, so I've created a Spring Checklist. I've shared a fall maintenance checklist forever because there's a ton of stuff for Minnesota homeowners to do before winter. For spring, however, we get to take it easy. Mostly, just enjoy the weather. But there are a few things…
Failed sump pumps lead to flooded basements. While it's important to have a backup plan in place for a failed sump pump, it's also a good idea to test your sump pump in the spring. Today I'll show you how. You need access Most sump baskets have a plastic…
In this conversation, Reuben Saltzman and Doug Nething from Dean's Tank discuss the history and concerns related to fuel oil tanks. They cover topics such as the transition from coal to fuel oil after World War II, the introduction of natural gas, the shelf life of fuel oil tanks, the…
One home inspection item that consistently causes panic for both buyers and sellers is a gas leak. Gas companies around the country are crystal clear on this topic: "If you smell gas, get out fast." Believe it or not, small gas leaks are actually quite common at old houses, and…
Many home inspectors like to carry gas leak detectors in their tool bags. We call 'em gas sniffers. We don't use these devices during every inspection, but if we smell gas, it can be handy to use one of these tools to help narrow down the leak's location. As I've…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss the importance of mold testing and the transition to offering mold inspections. They introduce the guests from All Dry Services, a company that specializes in mold remediation. The conversation highlights the need for mold inspections as a precautionary measure and to address health concerns.…
Every home inspector uses an outlet tester throughout the entire home inspection. The most diligent home inspectors will test every outlet they can access to ensure the outlets are properly wired. Because we use this tool so often, it's nice to have one that is ergonomic and quick on the…
Special thanks to Tom Feiza at How to Operate Your Home for providing several of the illustrations below. We find a lot of problems with gas appliances vented into masonry chimneys. While modern gas appliances have their own plastic or metal vents to get exhaust gas out of the home,…
In this conversation, Reuben, Tessa, and Ben discuss Ben's recent plumbing project and the challenges he faced. They then delve into the topic of security cameras, covering different types, wired vs wireless options, and considerations for nighttime performance. They also discuss the importance of wiring needs in new homes and…
I'm convinced that most moisture issues with skylights are condensation issues that are misdiagnosed as leaks. To start with, skylights are notorious for leaks among roofers. I've heard roofers say "There are two types of skylights: those that leak, and those that are going to leak." I think they're usually…
In this podcast episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Dr. Ben Franske to discuss various aspects of smart home technology. They cover topics such as the marketing of smart home products, the integration of AI in smart home devices, and the considerations for permanent installations. They also delve into the security…
As soon as I'm in charge, there will be no more venting of clothes dryers through the roof. I think the roof is a stupid spot to terminate clothes dryer vents because it's difficult to clean, and it's a major contributor to ice dams. Clothes dryers should be vented through…
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa welcome Anna Saltzman, who is part of the leadership team at StructureTech. They discuss the topic of deal killers and the reputation that home inspectors have for potentially killing real estate deals. Anna shares her experience in her role overseeing the growth department…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss the trending topic of cold plunges or cold water exposure. They share their personal experiences with cold plunges and provide insights on creating a cold plunge at home. The benefits and considerations of cold plunges are explored, along with alternative methods for cold…
This week’s question comes from a thousand other home inspectors, including just about everyone in my company. What happens when we get a request to inspect a house a second time? The most common scenario that triggers this situation is when someone from my company inspects a home, the deal…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa are joined by Sue Gardner, a retired firefighter, to discuss fire safety. They cover topics such as the causes of house fires, the difference in fire behavior in old and new houses, the importance of smoke alarms and fire escape plans, and the use…
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Cold plunges and ice baths are all the rage. I don't go more than a week without a conversation about cold plunges; they'll give you boundless energy, you'll never get sick, you'll live to 150, and you'll have superpowers. Or something like that. I won't try to convince you of…
In this conversation, Reuben and Tessa interview Joshua Kerber to discuss the optimization of radon systems in homes. Joshua shares a case study of optimizing a radon system in a new home, highlighting the importance of properly sizing and selecting fans for radon mitigation. To follow along with the case…
Happy New Year! It's been a few years since we shared our top "Feel Good" home inspection photos, but we had a ton of them to share this year. These were all things that made us smile. If you like this kind of thing, please check out our Facebook and Instagram pages.…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa do a year-end wrap-up, discussing their favorite episodes and guests from 2023. They also share personal and professional highlights from the year and give a sneak peek into what's coming up in 2024. The top five most popular episodes of the year are revealed,…
It's the hap, happiest season of all! It's time to share our top 20 home inspection photos from the past year. If you like this kind of thing, please check out our Facebook and Instagram pages. We share these all year round. Crazy wiring Backward splash block If you love something, let…
If you have a finished basement, it's important for this space to stay dry. If water leaks into your finished basement, it can lead to hidden mold and rot, which is bad news. The good news is that most basement water problems can be fixed from outside the house. …
In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa interview Jeff May, an expert in indoor air quality and mold. They discuss various topics related to indoor air quality, including whole-house humidifiers, furnace filters, UV filters, standalone air purifiers, heat recovery ventilators, mini-split systems, and carpet cleaning. Jeff provides valuable insights and…
Here at Structure Tech, we love our moisture meters. We use dual-purpose moisture meters that have both pin probes and scanners, and we use them all over the house. We scan floors around toilets, suspected wet areas at walls and ceilings, we use our pin probes on carpet tack strips…
In this episode of the Structure Talk Podcast, Reuben and Tessa delve into the world of basement waterproofing companies and the often-misunderstood use of moisture meters. Reuben shares a frustrating experience with installing permanent LED lights, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned. The hosts discuss the common misconception that drain…
We home inspectors use a lot of the same language. We use words that are everyday, common terms for us, but some of these can leave first-time homebuyers scratching their heads. "So is my home inspector saying this is a good thing or a bad thing?" We try to read…
In this insightful podcast episode, Reuben and Tessa delve into an array of technical terms crucial in the realm of home inspection. They elucidate terms such as GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter), mold, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), crawl space, R-value, efflorescence, and flashing, providing…
Sub-Slab Ductwork Inspections Our Sub-Slab Ductwork Inspections As moisture intrusion into sub-slab ductwork can lead to mold growth, impacting indoor air quality, our sub-slab duct inspection is designed to address these concerns. While a home inspector can only view a limited section of the ductwork by accessing HVAC supply registers,…
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…
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Here at Structure Tech, we struggle with the phrase "end of life expectancy". This phrase strikes fear in the hearts of first-time home buyers and sometimes leads to expensive demands from home buyers to home sellers. So what the heck does that mean, and what is a buyer supposed to…
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…
Check out the photo below. Can you guess what's missing? Here's a hint: this garage doesn't have a service door, but it does have an automatic garage door opener installed. If you said "pizazz" you would be correct, and you might also make a good home stager, but that's not what I'm…
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…
Is your garage door opener safe? The Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) has a technical data sheet giving instructions on conducting a comprehensive inspection of your overhead garage door and garage door opener, which you can download here: Garage Door Safety Checklist. While this is a great list,…
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…
This is the best time of the year to share some of our creepiest home inspection finds. Enjoy! I'd hate to be the last person to use this bathtub. Blue man head. Seriously, someone had to put this here to creep us out. Please move, we're trying to work.…
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…
Google Lens is a fantastic tool that every home inspector should know about. It's a free mobile device app to help you identify stuff. You take a photo with the app, and Google searches the internet for similar images, giving you pretty good results. Check out the examples below:…
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…
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…
I've had a point-of-use water heater leak on me twice now, and it was less than three years old both times. I shared those stories in a couple of blog posts: My kitchen disaster, and Kitchen disaster... averted! I'm somewhat familiar with water heater warranties; I've helped many friends replace…
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…
I had a nasty water leak in my kitchen about two years ago. My cute little point-of-use kitchen water heater sprung a leak, and it did some major water damage to the room directly below. You can find that story here: My kitchen disaster. To help ensure this would never…
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…
Water Testing Services At Structure Tech, we understand the importance of clean and safe drinking water for you and your family. That's why we offer comprehensive home water testing services to ensure the quality of your water supply. Expertise You Can Trust Our team of technicians is dedicated to providing…
Many large plumbing companies are charging an outrageous amount of money for a simple water heater replacement. I have no problem with a company charging more money when they deliver more value, but that's not what's happening here. Outrageous, you say? Let me explain, and then you can decide for…
Toilets are a divisive topic, but today I'll set the record straight once and for all on three important toilet topics. First, the toilet paper roll: overhand or underhand? There's only one right answer, of course, and it's overhand. There's no point in even discussing this one. Toilet seat: up…
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…
Don't ever skip the home inspection, even when it's new construction. While new means new, it doesn't mean perfect. There are a lot of steps required to put a house together properly, and stuff always goes wrong. I could talk all day about the reasons for this, but it in…
In this engaging podcast episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murray welcome Scott Dorn, owner of BOGO Pest Control, for the second time around as their esteemed guest. Scott shares his invaluable insights into ethical pest control practices and underscores the significance of leadership and integrity in the industry. The discussion…
In this podcast episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss a variety of bathroom upgrades and remodeling tips to enhance both the functionality and luxury of your bathroom space. They delve into the advantages of installing heated floors, particularly in tile-floored bathrooms, for a cozy and comfortable experience, while acknowledging the potential…
In today’s episode, Reuben and Tessa engage in an insightful conversation with mortgage expert Mike Louden from Mortgage Avenue. The episode centers on the nuances of the real estate landscape, encompassing mortgage rates and homeownership. Louden stresses the role of advisor over loan officer, drawing from his extensive experience since…
We include infrared inspections along with our home inspection. We stopped charging extra for this service many years ago and simply incorporated it into our standard inspections because we find so much value in this inspection. One of the things we do with our infrared cameras is to scan the…
In this episode, Reuben starts off by sharing exciting news about Structure Tech's recent recognition as the "World's Greatest Home Inspection Company" on a TV show called "World's Greatest." He explains how the company was featured and highlights its focus on providing high-quality services to home inspectors and supporting the…
At almost every home inspection with a sump system, we make recommendations for improved safety, performance, or both. Here are five common sump system defects, in no particular order. 1. A loose or missing sump basket cover This is a safety issue because a small child could drown if they…
As of July 1st, Minnesota adopted the 2023 National Electric Code (NEC), which brought many changes. I had retired Chief Electrical Inspector John Williamson join my podcast to discuss many of the more notable changes that home inspectors will want to be aware of, and you can find that podcast…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss the factors that can affect the duration of a home inspection. Tessa mentions how complicated houses with multiple additions, large square footage, and older construction can significantly extend the time it takes to complete an inspection. They also talk about the challenges of…
If a home inspection takes a long time, is this good or bad news for the seller? Or neither? Great question. The quick answer is there are so many variables that affect the duration of a home inspection that the time of the inspection alone won't give much meaningful information…
In today’s podcast, Reuben and Tessa are joined by John Williamson, a retired Chief Electrical Inspector and electrical expert from Minnesota. The main topic of discussion revolves around the adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) in Minnesota and its impact on residential properties and its date of effectivity.…
In this episode, Reuben and Tessa welcome Eric Houseman, Structuretech Home Inspection’s service manager, as a special guest. They discuss various topics, including truck organization for home inspectors. Eric describes his customized truck setup, making it an efficient and well-organized vehicle for inspections. He utilizes a roof rack to carry…
About once a year, our chimney inspection comes to an unexpected grinding halt. It's all about a federally protected bird called a Chimney Swift. [caption id="attachment_1309040" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo credit: Wikipedia[/caption] I've heard my daughter talk about "swifties" a lot lately, and I'm pretty sure she's referring to obsessive…
One of Structure Tech's most experienced instructors, George Ury, joins the show to talk about wood foundations. Geoge discusses the preservatives used in wood foundations-these are an integral part of the wood foundation that needs to be protected. He shares his experiences in inspecting wood foundations. They discuss the common…
Check out the photo below. Do you see the problem? The white pipe sticking up out of the roof is a plumbing vent. The rubber boot at the base of the plumbing vent is part of the flashing kit for this vent, and the boot has dried out and…
One of the most common type of plumbing vent caps in Minnesota is a two-piece frost-resistant plumbing vent cap, which has a piece of lead that can be bent to fit over a plumbing vent, preventing water leakage. They're easy to install, there's no rubber flange at the bottom that will eventually split,…
Fenix has a new headlamp to beat all headlamps, called the HM71R. It's very similar to the HM61R headlamp, but it comes with a more powerful battery, and it boasts a max lumen rating of 2700, which is blinding at close range. Front-heavy Most headlamps have a battery pack…
It has been a long hiatus! We're back to talk about the importance of gas fireplace safety. Reuben shares that he has been too casual about child safety with fireplaces. They talk about how the fireplace glass surface can get very hot and potentially melt skin very quickly. Would you…
InfiRay recently contacted me to review their new smartphone infrared camera, called the P2 Pro. The Basics This camera is a direct competitor to the Seek Thermal CompactPRO camera or the FLIR One Pro. It's a tiny infrared camera that plugs into your phone and retails for $299. They…
If you have little kids and you have a gas fireplace at your house, be warned: the glass front of a gas fireplace gets scary-hot. If a toddler puts their hands on this glass, their skin can melt instantly, causing life-altering injuries. I used to flippantly say that if…
I grew up doing construction work with my dad, and my first "real" job was at a hardware store, so I've spent my life assuming everyone knows what a hollow wall anchor is. But after seeing handrails, anti-tip brackets, towel bars, TP holders, shelves, and countless other items improperly fasted…
Last week I wrote about what combustion air ducts are and why houses need them. This week I will follow up with some of the most common problems and solutions related to combustion air duct installation and maintenance. By far, the most common problem that occurs with combustion air…
Reuben and Tessa share some advice, recommendations, and guidance for new home inspectors and business owners. Reuben shares that home inspection certifications and licenses aren't enough to become a good inspector. Tessa mentions shadowing and learning from seasoned practitioners in the industry will help inspectors get good at the job…
Have you ever noticed a big insulated tube dropping down next to the floor near your furnace or boiler in the basement? If you trace this duct down, you'll find it connects to an opening at the exterior of the building. This is basically a hole in the side of…
Today we discuss direct and power vents and combustion air. Reuben and Tessa discuss an inquiry about a contractor's advice to install a direct vent for their water heater replacement. Reuben explains that this was extremely unusual. He defines a power vent and a direct vent. Tessa inquires about changes…
I shared my must-have tool list for every homeowner, and I received many more great suggestions from readers, mostly on the Structure Tech Facebook page. To all of you who weighed in, thank you! Channellock® pliers - Yes, Channellock is a brand name. The generic term for this is…
Today we talk about the recommended must-have tools from podcast followers. Reuben and Tessa go over the list of suggestions. They talk about Channellock vs Robo Grip pliers, an impact driver vs a drill, electric vs gas-powered saws, as well as various hand saws and reciprocating saws, wet-dry vacuums, pry…
Maybe everyone else already knew this, but I recently learned that bleach goes bad. My daughter wanted help making a pattern on some clothing with bleach, so we put some bleach in a cup and she used a paintbrush to draw the pattern. And nothing happened. We repeated the process,…
Reuben and Tessa go over a list of tools every homeowner must have in the house. They talk about flashlights, drills and bit sets, socket sets and wrench adapters, screwdrivers and wrenches, tape measures, utility knives, hammers, pliers, and ladders. Reuben highlights that these tools are very useful for DIY…
For last week's blog post I shared one of my favorite tool accessories, a hex head bit set. That got me thinking about all of the other must-have tools for every homeowner, so I put together a list for every new homeowner to chip away at. Enjoy. Flashlight. Get an…
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…
Hex wrenches, aka Allen wrenches, need to go. Everything takes forever when you're stuck using a hex wrench. I made my own set of hex wrenches for a drill by cutting off the ends of several hex wrenches, but you can also buy these sets online for under $10.…
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…
I recently heard about an insulation contractor here in Minnesota who is selling what amounts to snake oil. Oh, and they're charging a ton of money to do it. I'm going to bash a couple of products today, so I know I'll get plenty of hate mail, but that's ok.…
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…
We're practically giving away seven on-demand continuing education (CE) classes for licensed Minnesota Real Estate Agents. The Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce has approved each one, and the classes range from 1 hour to 3.75 hours, for a total of 14 hours of education. If you're a Minnesota Real Estate agent…
The spring market has sprung for real estate in Minnesota. For the third year in a row, some home buyers are skipping the home inspection to make their purchase offer more attractive. We don't advocate this, and most real estate agents don’t like it either, but it's still happening. …
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,…
I recently blogged about stuff to do when you're leaving your house vacant for a while. I touched on plumbing, heating, and general stuff, but I didn't mention anything regarding electricity usage. After writing that post, someone told me it's a good idea to unplug stuff all over the house…
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.…
As home inspectors, we come across many signs and warnings left by home sellers. I assembled a compilation of my favorites, and I hope you find them as amusing as I did. Winterized, kinda. The handwritten part that says "Best Possable" reduces my confidence by about 90%. Copper Stolen. Don't bother…
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…
I listen to a ton of audiobooks on Audible, and I share many of these books with friends, family, and colleagues. I did a blog post sharing many of my favorite books back in 2019, and it's time for an update. These are some of my favorite reads from the…
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…
One of the inspectors on our team here at Structure Tech recently asked the rest of our team to help identify the size of this old fuse panel. Take a look at the photos; what do you think? Is this a 60-amp service or a 100-amp service? Usually, the fuse…
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…
This week's question comes from one of our readers, asking what to do with their house during the winter if they're going to be gone for an extended period. That's a great question! I'll break up the answers into plumbing, heating, maintenance, and "no, duh" categories. And of course, I'm…
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,…
This is a guest blog post by Ryan Carey, of My 3 Quotes. The cost of window replacement can be quite a shock to homeowners. It is a huge business in the Twin Cities with the extreme weather we have, and customers almost always ask about a window's energy efficiency…
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…
Recessed lights need to go. I love recessed lights, but most of them create a ridiculous amount of heat in attics, which can lead to ice dams. Until I started performing infrared inspections in attics, I never understood how much heat recessed lights contributed to attics, but now my eyes…
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…
This is a guest blog post by Ryan Carey, of My 3 Quotes. How important is a well-known name brand for you? That is a big question, and the answer greatly affects our buying decisions. For example, when several in-home window presentations by high-pressure salespeople are giving you a headache,…
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…
If you're buying a home in Minnesota, get it tested for radon. There are two reasons I give for having radon tested; lung cancer and money. A few quick facts about radon Radon is a gas formed by the breakdown of uranium and radium, both of which are found…
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…
This is a guest blog post by Ryan Carey, of My 3 Quotes. If you didn't call My 3 Quotes and you've just been through three very long and very painful window sales pitches, your head is now spinning. One salesperson told you all vinyl windows are junk, one told…
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…
Ice dams are literally dams of ice that form on roofs and cause water to back up. Ice dams form when the snow that touches the roof melts, and then that water freezes again before running off the roof. This usually happens at the edges of roofs, but not always.…
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…
This is a guest blog post by Ryan Carey, of My 3 Quotes. Time for window shopping? Get ready for the product that was absolutely made for the kitchen table sales pitch. Windows are a salesperson's dream, chock full of parts and pieces that can be handed to the homeowner,…
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…
Drumroll please: it's time to share our favorite home inspection photos from the past year. They keep on coming, and this is possibly our best year ever for photos. We share these photos on Facebook and Instagram throughout the year, so please follow us on those platforms if you like…
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…
It's important to have new construction homes inspected; not just used houses. And these houses should be inspected by private home inspectors, not just the municipal inspector.* Home inspectors have the luxury of time, and we find a ton of stuff during our new-construction inspections. Unfortunately, many homebuyers don't get…
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…
As a home inspector, I look for three main things when I inspect the wiring to an electric water heater: protection of the wires, a service disconnect, and proper circuit size. Today I'll explain all three. Protection of wires The wires coming into a water heater must be protected…
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…
Every home inspector ought to carry around a two-lead electrical tester. For last week's blog post, I shared the list of home inspection tools that home inspectors at Structure Tech use. One of those items was a two-lead electrical tester, and today I'm going to share how I use mine.…
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…
This is a tool list for home inspectors at Structure Tech. I put this together many years ago, but tools come and go over the years, and it's time for an updated list. For the record, this isn't a must-have tool list for all home inspectors. There's a lot of…
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…
We help homebuyers purchase with confidence. Structure Tech provides the most thorough home inspections in Minnesota. Get Our Agent Toolkit ✓ Easy Inspection Process ✓ Build Trust and Rapport ✓ Close With Confidence Your buyers shouldn’t worry when it’s time to close on their dream home. We know you have…
This is a guest blog post by Matt Roach with Barrier Construction. If you’re in the market for new windows, you’ll probably get a handful of quotes from different window replacement contractors before you make a choice. While there are varying levels of window quality to choose from that will…
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…
Most water heaters come in two varieties; gas or electric. Gas water heaters use a flame to heat water, while electric water heaters use an electric heating element to heat the water. But there's a third type of water heater available, which uses heat in the air to heat your…
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…
How is a home inspector supposed to inspect a 240-volt outlet? Home inspection standards of practice don't go into this level of detail, so it's up to each home inspector to decide for themselves what the proper standard of care should be. Here at Structure Tech, we check to make…
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…
I've made more stupid mistakes than any other home inspector on the planet. At least, I'm pretty sure I have. As I sit here adding them up, I feel pretty confident with my claim to shame. When I talk to new home inspectors, I often say "Always do this" or…
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We see a lot of creepy, nasty, scary, and cringe-worthy stuff as home inspectors. This is a great time of year to share some of our favorites. Enjoy! Here's a bat caught in a screen door. Poor guy (or girl). Here's a bat skeleton. C'mon, clean your basement, will…
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…
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…
This week's question comes from Jeremy, asking how to light the pilot on his gas fireplace. Some homeowners turn off the gas to their gas fireplace after winter, which means the fireplace needs to be lit again in the fall. I'll return to that topic at the end of this…
One of the most common defects at old Minneapolis and Saint Paul houses is a missing cleanout plug in the floor drain. When we find this during a Truth In Sale of Housing Evaluation in Minneapolis, it's actually a required repair item. A missing cleanout plug can allow hazardous sewer…
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…
If you're selling a house in Minneapolis, get some vacuum breakers. When you have a place for a garden hose to connect to the municipal water supply, you need some type of backflow prevention, and that's what these devices are for. This is one of the required repair items for…
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…
While we do most of our moisture testing on stucco homes, moisture testing isn't just for stucco and stone veneer. Moisture intrusion can happen with any type of siding, and it's always an expensive repair when left unchecked. Not long ago, some friends of mine expressed concern about some dirt…
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…
The HIKMICRO Pocket 2 infrared camera might be the new standard for home inspectors at my company. I reviewed the HIKMICRO B20 "pistol" style infrared camera a few months ago and said I'd follow up with a review of their new pocket camera as well. Selling for $599 on Amazon,…
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…
Why am I so obsessed with flashlights? It doesn't matter. I've been a fan of the Fenix brand of flashlights for a long time, and I've accumulated a lot of their flashlights over the years. Today I'll share a quick summary of my most frequently used flashlights and why I…
I just got my hands on the all-new Fenix HT30R white laser flashlight, which retails for $279.95. Unlight a traditional LED flashlight, this flashlight throws out a concentrated beam of light almost a mile. Crazy, right? As a home inspector who loves new flashlights, I couldn't wait to test this…
Jessie Green, former president of the North Star Chaper of American Association of Radon Scientist and Technologists (AARST), and present owner of American Radon Mitigation joins today's session to discuss radon systems. Jessie mentions that there is radon in every house, but the levels vary. Tessa highlights that high levels…
When it comes to energy usage, I think with my emotions. When I wake up to a light left on in the kitchen, I imagine my energy meter spinning and I dread the gigantic electric bill we'll get next month. When one of the kids leaves the patio door open…
Dr. Allison Bailes, author of the Energy Vanguard blog joins the show to talk about air return ducts. They talk about heating and air conditioning systems. Allison discusses that the most affected are the bedroom and it's important to have a return air pathway to help with better airflow. He then talks…
We get a lot of questions from home buyers about asbestos. Will we identify the presence of asbestos? Can we test for asbestos? Does this or that material contain asbestos? Are my kids safe? And so on, ad infinitum. These are valid concerns because asbestos exposure can cause serious health…
Today’s show is about the top inspection defects that could make buyers think twice before sealing the deal. Reuben and Tessa discuss various foundation problems which can be caused by failed water management systems. This led them to talk about soil conditions in the Minneapolis area. They tackle their inspection…
In last week’s blog post about three simple AC maintenance items, one of the items I mentioned was to check on your AC condensate drain line regularly. Condensate clogs can lead to a mess, but it's usually not a catastrophic issue. For most Minnesota homes, the condensate collection part of…
People want to maximize space in the house, the bedroom included. What are the allowed appliances in the bedroom? The trio talks about having a gas fireplace, natural gas furnaces, room and water heaters, decorative appliances, and others. Reuben establishes that gas appliances are not allowed in sleeping rooms and…
According to my friends who work on air conditioners, there are three basic maintenance items for AC units that people overlook. And these three items comprise a large portion of easily preventable equipment failures. These consist of the condensate line, the air filter, and the condensing coil. The Condensate…
A quality bedroom makes a house more marketable. This episode talks about qualifications, the technical and practical aspects of a bedroom. Reuben defines what a bedroom is. Tessa talks about the qualified dimensions, floor area, ceiling height, and headroom. They also talk about the practical and technical requirements such as…
Every home inspector probably wonders this the first time they see a furnace in a bedroom. Or to take this question a step further, is it legal to install any type of gas appliance in a bedroom? Yes, it's legal and safe to install a gas appliance in a bedroom,…
Mike Twitty joins the show to talk about electrical questions that were accumulated from listener emails. Reuben asks about surge protection devices. He mentions that Structure Tech doesn't add information in reports about surge protectors. Mike explains the types of surge protection devices, what they do, where they are installed,…
Today, Reuben talks about simple air conditioning maintenance items for indoor air quality and air comfort. Reuben shares three maintenance tips. He first discusses the importance of changing furnace filters and how it can lead to restricted or reduced airflow. He and Tessa then talk about how an oversized AC…
Transite asbestos was a common product used to vent gas appliances such as furnaces, boilers, and water heaters in older homes in Minnesota. It was also used for sub-slab ductwork, which I wrote about here: Transite vs. Sub-slab ducts. This material is no longer used because the interior of the…
Today's show is about handyman services and its business difficulties. Daniel Felt of Kura Home shares that they ventured into providing handyman services for more than a year. While it was booming it also encountered manpower and financial challenges. He mentioned that one of their major challenges is managing expectations…
We recently received a frustrated-sounding email from a real estate agent asking us why we offer mold testing. Hi- I’m an agent and frequently recommend you guys for inspections. I’ve recently seen every client I send your way ask me about MOLD. And for no reason other than they saw…
Realtor Joe Schwartzbauer from the Grey Duck Properties team joins the show to talk about real estate market updates. Joe mentions that the market is starting to get back to normal from the limitations of the pandemic. He talks about the rising interest rates and possible rate-lock, the seller's behavior…
If your home has an active sump pump, be warned: your sump pump will not last forever. I promise. It probably won't give you any warning before it fails, either. It'll be a silent event that happens in the middle of the night during a heavy rainstorm. You'll know it…
Today's podcast covers bad electric panels, as well as panels with bad reputations that really aren't bad. This includes a discussion of Challenger panels, Bulldog/pushmatic panels, FPE Stab-Lok Panels, and Zinsco/Sylvania panels. E-mail podcast@structuretech.com for your questions, comments or other correspondence. TRANSCRIPTION Bill Oelrich: Welcome everyone. You're listening to…
Every once in a while, we run across flexible vent connectors on water heaters or furnaces. They basically look like a flexible dryer duct, and there's no way this could be a proper installation. But they're actually just fine. Vent Connectors Before I dig into this, I need to…
Founder of Zsako Home Inspections Inc., Istvan Zsako joins today's show to talk about sewer inspections. Istvan is a fellow home inspector and entrepreneur from New Mexico, with over 22 years of experience in Home Building, Remodeling, and Home Maintenance. He shares how he got into sewer camera inspection and…
Challenger brand electric panels are not a concern. That's my stance, and it'll be my stance until I read something of substance that changes my mind. Over the past few years, home inspectors have started making a big to-do about nothing fuss about Challenger brand electric panels, because there's…
Today's show is part two of red flags that buyers should look out for to avoid big and expensive issues when checking out properties. Windows is one to look at first, especially the type of windows that potentially are going to rot. Tessa advises giving windows a gentle push or…
The folks at HIKMICRO recently reached out to me about testing one of their infrared cameras, and they sent me a B20 camera to try out. The specs look pretty comparable to the FLIR E6-XT, but this camera retails for $549 on Amazon, which is about a quarter of the…
Today's show is about red flags buyers should look out for when buying a property. Reuben and Tessa run through tips and recommendations when checking a house. Tessa shares where and how to look at the roof for any defects, damages, or irregularities. Reuben adds that there's a lot that…
High-efficiency furnaces use PVC pipes to vent the exhaust gases out of the home, and manufacturers are very specific about how the installation should be done. As a home inspector, how far should I go to make sure the vent is properly installed? Of course, I'd report on a vent…
Today, the three-legged stool breaks down and digests the recent podcast about insulation with Patrick Huelman. Tessa starts the discussion by talking about Patrick's applied research and development in residential houses with the Building America Program that is led by the Department of Energy. This program focuses on energy efficiency…
The President of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), John Wessling, released a letter this month to discuss walk-through consultations. Many home inspectors are interpreting this letter to say home inspectors should not conduct walk-through consultations, but that’s not at all what the letter says, nor is it meant…
Brock Verville shares his unique perspective as a home inspector and a firefighter for the City of Albertville and talks about fire safety and fire codes. Brock quotes that fire codes are written in blood. He explains that the purpose of codes is to correct something that caused injury or…
Having a rip-roaring open-flame wood fire in your living room is serious business. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), nearly 18,000 fires are caused by wood-burning appliances every year. That's just crazy. Chimney fires are a very common occurrence, so we're diligent about recommending specialized chimney inspections.…
Owner of Inspection WerXs and Appraisal WerX, Lanny Freng joins the show to talk about the property appraisal industry. Lanny talks about the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and the Appraisal Management Company (AMC) and how it changed the industry and the appraiser's relationship with mortgage companies since 2008.…
Real Estate Agents We’ve been working with real estate agents since 1997, and we understand your needs very well. From our initial point of contact when the inspection is booked, to the follow-up communication a week, month, or year down the road, we’re here for you and your clients every…
If you're buying a new construction home, there are three basic types of home inspections for you to consider. Each home inspection is dependent upon timing, and I'll shine a light on each type. Before the drywall goes up: Pre-Drywall Inspection If you're involved in the purchase of a…
Reuben and Tessa are joined by Patrick Huelman, an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota, to talk about insulation. Patrick Huelman shares his extensive background in architecture and building science. He talks about their recent experimental work with the Department of Energy through Pacific Northwest National Laboratories to investigate…
New does not mean perfect. We do a ton of new construction home inspections, and our clients never regret hiring us for the home inspection. I could wax on and on about the importance of getting a home inspection on a new construction home, but I'd prefer to let our…
Today we're going to talk about giving context and putting things into perspective for buyers and homeowners. Reuben and Tessa talk about the factors needed to be considered when reporting about different kinds of houses: the age and condition of the house and the unique or typical defects. Tessa shares…
All modern windows have insulated glass units, which means you have a glass sandwich with gas in the middle. This gas is sealed in between two panes of glass, and no air or moisture shalt find its way betwixt, as long as the seal is intact. When this glass seal…
Today we're going to deconstruct critical items of a home inspection and how the home inspection is integrated and overlaps with building science. Tessa shares that home inspectors look at specific separate systems and structural things and then identify potential defects. While the industry is chopped into specialized systems, Tessa…
Commercial Inspections Retail Stores Warehouses Restaurants Churches Medical Buildings Office Complexes Multifamily Dwellings Hotel/Hospitality Request a Commercial Inspection Commercial Inspection Information Our commercial inspectors are trained by CDW Engineering, the leading Building Condition Assessment firm since 1997. Our reports follow the ASTM Standard E2018-1 for Property Condition Assessments (PCA). These…
Vinyl siding can melt when exposed to high temperatures, and we regularly run into this as home inspectors. There are two common causes for this: grills and reflected sunlight. Grills When we find vinyl siding melted about chest-high near a patio or deck in one concentrated area, it's surely…
Bill starts the show by talking about the City of St Paul’s decision to get rid of lead supply lines. Reuben shares that around 28% of the city or over 26,000 properties are using lead supply lines. Also, the city will be funding the 10-year program and will be spending…
The general public has been much more concerned about lead in their drinking water ever since the Flint water crisis. Homebuyers frequently ask us about this during home inspections, and NPR had a great piece on this many years ago. Just recently, Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) announced a…
Travis McKenzie, Sales Director of Aquarius Homes Services joins today's show to talk about Soft Water and the Kinetico Water System. Aquarius Homes Services, formerly Aquarius Water Conditioning, specializes in heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and water treatment. They provide a water treatment and conditioning system and offer free consultation and…
We recently accompanied a homebuyer on a showing to do a walk-through consultation on an investment property. The property was a flipped house that had been completely remodeled inside. All new plumbing and electrical fixtures, new appliances, granite countertops, new flooring, and more. The seller did a nice job on…
Today we will talk about ways to improve home performance by installing proper insulation. Tessa shares that there are more ways to insulate a house and discusses how to better insulate and improve home performance. She defines pressure boundaries and thermal boundaries. Bill shares that ''project overcoat'' adds years of…
The Twin Cities real estate market is crazy insane right now, and it seems like everyone is skipping the home inspection to make their purchase agreements more attractive. But it only seems like it. Homebuyers are still getting home inspections, and many real estate agents are pulling out all of…
Today's topic is about the trends in the market and the importance of getting a home inspection for buyers and sellers. Reuben reads an email from real estate agent Sharlene Hensrud, about a buyer who brought up concerns about a house after closing the deal. This incident was a learning…
I've added a new continuing education class to our lineup of on-demand classes! This class is titled A Decade of Defects, and it covers the most egregious, surprising, and distinct home inspection finds from the last decade of inspecting houses. I follow the standard home inspection reporting method for this…
Today I'd like to draw attention to a little-known section of the building code related to making cuts in treated lumber. Every time you cut or drill through treated lumber, you need to re-treat it. Insert long, dramatic pause. Yep, you read that right. I think most people who work…
Bill talks about Open Access, a new project, and a training program where they learn more about houses. Open Access is a venue where inspectors answer questions from real estate agents. He mentions the session is appropriate for real estate agents with the same climate zone. Tessa explains the training…
Home inspections are not ‘Code’ inspections, and a lot of home inspectors treat the word Code as taboo. They call it the ‘C-word’. Today I'll share the arguments that home inspectors make against inspecting To Code, and then I'll share my two cents on all of this. The case against…
Today, the three-legged stool talks about Reuben's new project and side hustle. Inspection Services is a one-stop-shop solution to the service needs of home inspectors in the Twin Cities area. Reuben shares that they can do radon, sewer inspections, level 2 chimney inspections, stucco testing, and mold testing. They also…
What should home inspectors looks for when we find adjustable steel columns? We recently shared a few photos of some adjustable steel columns on our Facebook page, and this kicked off a great discussion about these columns. It made me realize that there are a lot of rumors out there…
Phil Whiteford, the owner of Omega Force Appliance Repairs, attends the show to talk about the proper use of appliances and their company's warranty program. diagnostic calls and an appliance protection plan that covers eight appliances for $30 a month. They go over the common issues with refrigerators, front-load washing…
When there's a long period of sub-zero temperatures in Minnesota, plumbing vents often stop working. The problem is that plumbing vents can get completely blocked shut with frost when it's very cold outside for a long period of time. I previously wrote about why houses need plumbing vents, which should…
A senior realtor in the Minneapolis market, Rhonda Wilson, joins the show to talk about real estate in 2022 and strategies for clients to win negotiations. Rhonda explains that it's difficult for buyers to get units; clients need to be prepared and have a good downpayment. She also shares some…
This week's Q&A question comes from me, Reuben. That's right, I have a problem with my house and the title of this blog post gives it away. I have boxelder bugs all over my house, and they've been here all winter. I almost swallowed one that snuck into my water…
The principal author of Code Check and Electrical Inspection of Existing Dwellings, Douglas Hansen joins the show to talk about building codes and home inspections. Douglas started in the industry as a carpenter in the 1960s, and he was also a teacher and a home inspector. He was tapped by…
With today’s ridiculously competitive real estate market, many home buyers are forgoing their rights to a home inspection in order to make their purchase offer more attractive. Of course, we don't advocate doing this, and most real estate agents don’t like doing this either, but the market is forcing these…
In today's show, Jeremiah Broz of Energy Advantage Roof and Solar joins to talk about solar roof panels. Jeremiah starts by talking about the incentives and rebates that solar power owners can get from the federal level, state level, energy companies, and manufacturers. They talk about the size and number…
We're an education company disguised as a home inspection company. We love teaching, that's our jam. For a limited time, we're offering one of our most popular Continuing Education classes for FREE to licensed Minnesota Real Estate Agents. This is a one-hour class on New Construction Home Inspections. We've lowered…
Today, Leonard Segal joins the show to talk about tactics, questions, do's, and don'ts in hiring employees. Leonard starts by discussing the three federal vaccine mandates: employer vaccine mandate, contract or sub-contractor mandate, and healthcare worker mandate. He mentions that only the latter is in effect. He further discusses private…
If you're thinking about adding attic insulation to your home this year, please read this first. Many homeowners go about re-insulating their attics all wrong. What's far more important than simply adding attic insulation is to have air-sealing performed first. This is the labor-intensive part of an attic insulation job…
Kyle Miller from an exterior general contractor called All Around, joins today's show to talk about roof problems. Bill opens the discussion by describing their neighbor's roof damages and inquires about the responsibilities of homeowners and contractors in fixing the damages. Kyle shares that most damages are caused by installation…
I shared my favorite tech tips several weeks ago, and it went over so well that I'm doing part two. And no, this has nothing to do with home inspections. High-Resolution Monitor Most computer monitors have a resolution of 1920 x 1080, but Ultra High-Definition (UHD) monitors have a…
In today's show, Tessa, Bill, and Reuben talk about the hazardous locations for glass windows. Reuben shares the hazardous places to install glass and discusses the use of tempered glass and safety film for glass. Bill confirms that using safety films is more cost-effective than replacing broken windows and sash.…
This is a re-blog by guest author Ryan Carey, of My 3 Quotes Condensation can turn wood windows black and make a mess of window sills. It's a very common occurrence here in Minnesota. The typical homeowner goes online to read numerous articles about how they must be doing something…
In today's show, Reuben, Bill, and Tessa talk about urinals, spray form, and tiled showers. Bill shares that his cabin is in the phase where they are finishing the bathrooms. Reuben remembers that the urinal (http://www.structuretech1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Urinal.jpg) he installed in the basement of his last home helped sell the house. They…
It's possible to join ABS to PVC, but it's only supposed to be done with a mechanical coupling, not glued. If you just came here for the answer, you can stop reading... but I think you want the whole story. Here goes. Today, there are two commonly used plastics…
Today's show is about carbon monoxide (CO). Improperly ventilated appliances in enclosed spaces may allow CO to accumulate to dangerous levels. Reuben shares that Appendix D of the International Residential Code (IRC) stipulates the standards in testing fuel gas-fired appliances for safety. Tessa mentions that there are various methods and…
Today marks the 10th anniversary of our Top 20 Home Inspection photos post! We did our first Top 20 compilation back in 2011. These are all photos we've taken at home inspections that made us laugh, cry, or gasp. We share these photos on our Facebook page throughout the year,…
Happy Holidays! In today's show, Reuben shares his toptech tips and hacks that help improve productivity and security in everyday life. Reuben has always been tech-savvy with influence from James Bond and Back to the Future films. He shares that he spends the entire day on the computer and enjoys…
At the end of each year, we post our Top 20 Home Inspection Photos. Those are some of the most egregious or hilarious things we've found throughout the year... but we like to switch it up sometimes by sharing cool or funny home inspection photos that don't depict problems. We…
Today's episode is part 2 about mold conversation. Vickie Swenson shares the top 10 areas where mold usually hides. According to Vickie, molds mostly grow in the base basement carpet, rim joist insulation, air exchanger intake ducts, attics, cement walls and basements, leaks under sinks, dark crawl spaces, insulation in…
Most Minnesota homeowners know it's important to winterize the outside faucets to prevent them from freezing. Freeze damage can destroy the faucet or lead to a burst pipe, or both. The problem is that many people don't quite get it right; winterizing the outside faucets in the fall seems like…
Minnesota is a moldy state and there are around 59 places where mold can hide! Today, Vickie Swenson from Minnesota Mold Inspections, LCC and Neil Saltzman from Inspection Services, help us unpack some questions about mold. They talk about how to find mold, how it develops, and how to prevent…
I recently had a major water leak in my kitchen which turned into an expensive problem. But I could have avoided the whole mess had I followed my own blog's advice. Check it out. Back in 2019, I installed a point-of-use water heater below my kitchen sink. I did…
Today, Reuben, Bill, and Tessa go over a checklist for the winter. How well are you prepared for the winter? Reuben shares his recommendations for the use and disposal of batteries. They talk about preparing salt in the garage, disconnecting and draining hoses, daylight savings, and batteries for smoke alarms.…
As home inspectors, we find a ton of crazy stuff in attics. Rodents, contraband, creepy dolls, unmentionables... it's all here. This compilation represents our favorites finds from the past decade. Enjoy! Aw, look at that cute little bat... trying to bite me! I told you there's be unmentionables. There's surely…
Today's show is about mysterious siding stains and air exchangers. Bill raises his concerns and clarifications about air quality as it is one thing that homeowners must start working with starting the fall season. Reuben names and distinguishes the three types of mechanical ventilation: positive ventilation strategy, exhaust-only or point-source…
I find myself sharing a lot of my favorite technology discoveries over and over again. Today, I'm putting my top 5 technology tips into a blog. The savviest techies surely know all of this already, but there's probably a nugget or two here for the rest of us. Fill, sign,…
At my house, we say "Go Big or Go Home." Bigger is better when it comes to a lot of stuff: snow forts, leaf piles, power tools, PC monitors, towers made out of Duplos... but not furnaces. When it comes to sizing a furnace, there are a lot of reasons…
Today, Jason Brozen from Electrical Power Safety Company (EPSCO) joins the show to talk about electrical safety. He shares his experience of surviving an arc flash accident. Check out live footage from his accident at https://youtu.be/oFhssQtv0tY. Jason starts by narrating what transpired during the incident and describes the injuries he…
Back when I first started doing home inspections, I was under the impression that roof ventilation was the cure-all for everything. I would look at a lot of problems and quickly point to insufficient roof ventilation as the cause, and I'd recommend more roof ventilation as the cure. Blistered shingles?…
Kevin Strandberg, one of the owners of BWS Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning joins today's show to talk about the industry supply chain. He discusses the shocking price increase as well as the difficulty in sourcing some parts and products. Reuben notes that there is around a 47% increase in…
I received an email from a curious reader about 5-1/2 years ago, asking exactly which brand of battery to use in smoke alarms. He heard a rumor that smoke alarms wouldn't function properly if the wrong brand of 9-volt battery was used. I've never paid any attention to this, so…
Today, Leonard Segal joins the show to talk about Covid-19 vaccine mandates. How will this affect the home inspection industry? Is vaccination required among inspectors? Can clients deny services from non-vaccinated providers? Reuben highlights that vaccination against Covid-19 is a common subject among small business owners and employees. Leonard shares…
There is zero educational content in this post. It’s all gross or creepy stuff we’ve seen over the past year as home inspectors. We've shared several of these photos on our Facebook page, but certainly not all of them. We've saved up a bunch for this post. Enjoy! Bat guano…
Ryan Carey from My3quotes.com joins the show to talk about different window types and manufacturers. His company provides customers with an unbiased review of different products from different stores and contractors. Reuben recalls one of the most popular blogs by Ryan about Andersen vs Pella Vs Marvin. Then, Ryan talks…
Today's show is about household maintenance that needs to be done before a long winter. Bill, Tessa, and Reuben talk about what to check and clean. They highlight the under-maintained areas of a house. They start by discussing the water system from sprinklers or lawn irrigation systems; how to properly…
Today I'll cover the rules for CSST bonding. Nobody cares about any of this stuff until it concerns a house you own or you're buying, and then it's really important. If you came here looking for some easy and helpful tips for handy homeowners, please try again next week. I'll…
Today's show talks about how home inspectors go beyond the call of duty and help homeowners more than expected. Reuben explains wood foundations and moisture testing, polybutylene plumbing and leaking. Tessa talks about health and safety issues such as drafting at combustion appliances, microbial growth in houses and elevated levels…
There’s a very good chance that the smoke alarms in your home won’t save your life in the case of a house fire. Nearly 3,000 people die every year in house fires, but approximately 2/3 of those deaths could be prevented simply by having the right type of smoke alarms.…
It's Fire Prevention Week! Skip Walker, the owner of Walker Property Evaluation Services from San Bruno, California, joins today's show to talk about fire safety. He is one of the authors of the Code Check series and is well-rounded about home inspections and building codes, and is multi-awarded by ASHI.…
Today I'll cover the basic rules for putting holes into I-joists. I discussed notching and boring for dimensional lumber in last week's blog post, and it was easy to cover because the rules are the same for everything. When it comes to I-joists, the rule in the codebook is even…
Today Ryan Carey, the owner of My 3 Quotes, joins the show to talk about getting the best provider for your building needs. Ryan shares how he provides customers an unbiased review of different products with 3 quotes from 3 different contractors. They fill the space between a homeowner and…
Every carpenter, electrician, plumber, HVAC contractor, and home inspector should know the rules for allowable cuts and holes into floor joists. Cuts and holes are known in the trades as notching and boring, respectively. The rules for notching and boring come from section 502.8 of the International Residential Code, which…
Today Mark Parlee, The Building Consultant, joins the show to talk about cladding- what works and what doesn't. Cladding is an exterior siding of a building. It can be stone, brick, steel, vinyl, or an Exterior Insulating Finishing System (EIFS). And it’s definitely pronounced “EEFS”, not “EEFUS”. According to Mark,…
One of the most common defects we find with asphalt shingles is improper nailing. Manufacturers of asphalt shingles give specific instructions on how to fasten shingles, and they're all about the same. Unfortunately, following those instructions seems to be a difficult thing to do. The two most common nailing defects…
The northern part of the USA has a different situation in terms of pests. Scott Dorn, the owner of BOGO (Buy One Give One), Pest Control , joins the show to talk about managing pests. Scott talks about the history and foundation of their company. He hates using poison, and…
One of the easiest ways to check the health of your own furnace is to do a temperature rise check. You don't need to be a "handy" homeowner to do this test, and you don't need any special equipment; just a meat thermometer. The job of a forced-air furnace is…
Today we are joined by the friends and colleagues of Rick Norling to honor and remember him. Rick Norling was one of the original founders of Structure Tech, back in 1987. Before he passed away, he was a full-time radon technician. He also founded Operation HighGround, an organization that identifies and…
Today I'll cover the basics of shut-off valves; we'll discuss different types and the pros and cons of each. We'll start with my least favorite valve first. And yes, I have favorites. Stop Valves Stop valves, aka globe valves, are only meant for water. They're commonly found at plumbing…
Bill is thinking about installing a tongue & groove ceiling at his cabin, but Tessa and Reuben give his idea no love. Tessa shares that air leakage and moisture getting into the attic can be prevented in multiple ways. However, the climate zone, amount of air leakage, humidity levels in…
I've been doing this home inspection thing for a couple of decades, and I have yet to sit through a single class where the teacher is 100% on-point when it comes to combustion testing of furnaces. I've heard a ton of conflicting information from so-called experts in the field. So…
Carbon monoxide (CO) leaking inside the house is a serious concern. How are they tested? What harm will it cause? How do you properly manage a furnace? According to Reuben, experts in the field conflict with each other on how to properly test CO on furnaces. While it is not…
I'm not a fan of gas log fireplaces because they waste energy and they're a potential safety hazard. These fireplaces start out as wood-burning fireplaces, but at some point, someone decides that building a wood fire is too much work and artificial firelogs are ugly, so they have a gas…
Fireplaces are decorative and give beautiful ambiance, but what are the safety issues? How do we address and prevent them? How do we inspect fireplaces? Reuben mentions that gas log fireplaces are the closest to the real thing. However, he doesn't recommend this kind of fireplace. He discusses the differences…
I'm not sure if it's handy homeowners or negligent contractors who are responsible, but we find the same installation defects on water softeners over and over again. The installation instructions for water softeners are pretty much the same for all of the different manufacturers, so the information I'm giving here…
Today's episode is about windows. How easy is it to identify window problems? What causes these problems? How are they inspected? Do you need new windows? Reuben and Tessa discuss their observations about the kinds of windows that are usually damaged due to poor moisture control, condensation, and temperature or…
Have you ever brushed your hand up against a dimmer switch and noticed that some of them get quite hot? I've done this many times while inspecting houses, and whenever I do, I look into the reason for the heat. Sometimes it's nothing, but other times I find an overloaded…
It's the final stretch for the talk about Structure Tech's home inspection process series. Tessa, Reuben, and Bill start by talking about the top 5 things that they specifically look for when walking inside a house. They follow a step-by-step flow process that they stick to, in order to avoid…
I recently repaired a rotted window sash at my own home, and I'm not sure if it was a good use of my time. Today I'll share the process for repairing a damaged window sash. This isn't meant to be a full "how-to", but rather a discussion about repair versus…
Today's episode is a continuation of Structure Tech's home inspection process. Bill opens the show by asking about getting permission from the homeowners to open attics. He also touches on the topic of having minors in the house during the inspection. Reuben highlights that the real estate contract in Minnesota…
Handrails are impossible to install correctly... without a little bit of knowledge. While stairway handrails might seem like a piece of cake, there's actually a lot of planning that goes into them. If you're planning to sell a home in Minneapolis, you need to have handrails installed at all of…
Today's episode is part one of Structure Tech's home inspection flow process and why we do things this way. The standard process has been developed and enhanced since the start of the company. Tessa shares the process flow which starts from a pre-inspection call. Tessa continues to share that from…
My official position on solar tubes: they rock. They're easy to install, they're inexpensive, they bring in tons of light, and they don't cause problems. For the most part. What's a solar tube? A solar tube is a fantastic alternative to a traditional skylight. It consists of something installed at…
Today, Josh Kerber from the Minnesota Department of Health will talk about radon gas. He is a research scientist who does applied research in building construction, specifically with indoor air. Tessa checks the statistics of existing vs newly constructed homes that have radon. Reuben clarifies the action level to…
An improperly installed dishwasher drain hose is the most common defect we find with dishwasher installations, but it's also one of the easiest things to get right. In the photo below, which was featured as a Structure Tech Photo of the Day on our Facebook page, there are several…
Reuben Saltzman joins Waypoint Real Talk as a guest. He talks about how Structure Tech started and how its online presence since 2008 has helped the company grow. He shares that blogging on the company website allowed them to reach their market as well as other home inspectors. He also…
Today I'll set the record straight on tandem circuit breakers. I'll explain what they are, when they can be used, and how a home inspector can figure all of this out. This is an updated version of an article I wrote for the ASHI Reporter back in 2011. First, a…
Welcome to Structure Talk episode 100! Kevin Wagstaff, one of the founders of Spectora, joins today's show to talk about their company. Spectora is the fastest, easiest, and advanced home inspection software that is currently assisting around 5,000 home inspectors in the US. He shares that their focus is…
When we inspect houses where an amateur has been doing electrical work, there's a good chance we'll find outlets with reversed polarity. This happens when the hot and neutral wires get flipped around at an outlet, or upstream from an outlet. Reversed polarity creates a potential shock hazard, but it's…
Today’s session revisits the purpose of the show and discusses the plan to realign its focus to more specific and technical topics. Reuben shares that the show was originally designed for diligent homeowners who want to learn more about their house, real estate agents, and home inspectors. We're considering a…
Andy Schreder, Chief Building Officer of Rum River Construction Consultants joins today’s session to talk about ‘’Structural Insulated Panels’’ or SIPs. These are insulated foam cores with an OSB or plywood glued on each face; it acts as a structural component as an exterior wall assembly. Currently, their company is…
When I take a step back from my day-to-day activity and think about what I can do to have the biggest impact on my business, I believe it all comes down to personal growth. My business will never get bigger than me. If I want my business to grow, I…
Every time I see an article published on a national website that has something to do with home inspections, I see some version of a guy wearing a hardhat and holding a clipboard. If you think I’m exaggerating, do a google image search for “home inspector” and see what pops…
For today’s episode, the gang will talk about the checklist one should consider when moving into a new house; what is important and what should be fixed? The show starts off with Tessa sharing her experience when she went under inspector duty to assist her parents when they moved into…
The average home inspection fee in Minnesota is $395. This is based on a price survey of all of the home inspectors we could find in Minnesota. Who are these Minnesota home inspectors? Because there is no licensing here in Minnesota, there is no way to get an official list…
Reuben shares a recent water disaster with his kitchen water heater. He tapped 24Restore, a service company that specializes in emergency damage caused by water, fire, biohazards, and storms. He then shares the process and his full experience with the dispatch team of Jesse and David. Jesse Jackman shares that…
This is a guest blog post by Steve Grohn, CEO of Standard Water Control Systems. We occasionally publish guest blog posts by invitation only. Today we’ll discuss basement waterproofing systems. But before you even consider installing a basement waterproofing system there are several other considerations. Check your gutters and downspouts to…
May is the National Deck Safety Month. In Today's podcast, Reuben shares his experiences in building decks and home inspections. He explains the attachment methods, how to prevent deck failures, maintenance and deterioration, and safety. While decks are good D-I-Y projects to add living space, some components must work together…
This is a guest blog post by Steve Grohn, CEO of Standard Water Control Systems. We occasionally publish guest blog posts by invitation only. Considering a new sump pump or backup system? Here’s what you need to know. Your sump pump is the heart of your basement drain tile system,…
Building and renovating houses is getting expensive! In today's podcast, Bill shares that the cost of materials has been rising. Capacity, logistics, and tariffs issues contribute to the increase in prices. Reuben shares about the current prices of lumber in the market. The use of structural insulated panels, even a…
While writing my blog post about how to inspect your own deck, I stumbled across a ridiculous amount of crazy deck photos. I have to share them. Please enjoy our very first top-twenty compilation of deck photos from past home inspections. And remember, May is Deck Safety Month. And that's…
Today’s episode digs into the topic of electricity. Tessa leads the technical talk about the difference between grounding and bonding: “why we have it,” “what it means, ” and “what it does.” At the same time, Reuben explains the distinction between being electrocuted from being shocked. He also explains the…
Dan Sibinski with Keller Williams Classic Realty joins the show to discuss whether or not we’re in a housing bubble. Dan discusses the housing market trends in Minnesota, with a deep dive into inventory, interest rates, and how those affect the market. There are a lot of numbers and trends discussed…
Most single-family homes in Minnesota have a split system air conditioner. This consists of a big boxy-looking thing with a fan that sits outside the house, which is connected to a box that sits on top of the furnace through two refrigerant lines; one line is small and will be…
Daniel Felt, the owner of Kura Home Maintenance, joins the show for the second time. He catches up with Bill, Tessa, and Reuben about the secrets to the thriving success of their business. He shares about providing the various needs of their clients as they are expanding in promising states nationwide.…
While a thorough furnace inspection is best left to a pro, there are a few basic things that homeowners can inspect to help prevent safety and operational problems. To inspect your furnace, start by taking a look at the filter and replace it if it's dirty. Religiously replacing the furnace filter is…
Brendan Ryan, the president of the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) joins the show to talk about the National Home Inspection Exam (NHIE). Brendan explains the complexity and importance of taking a psychometric exam for a home inspection license. Passing the high-stakes examination is an advantage in the…
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Walk-Through Consultations With today’s ridiculously competitive real estate market, many home buyers are forgoing their rights to a home inspection in order to make their purchase offer more attractive. Of course, Structure Tech doesn't advocate doing this, and most real estate agents don’t like doing this either, but the market…
Service Providers This is a list of professional service providers that is maintained by Structure Tech. Everyone on this list has been added because of personal experiences that we’ve had with these service providers. We do not accept requests from service providers to be added to this list. Appliance Repair…
The most important job of any plumbing system is to deliver clean water and to keep that water clean from sewage and other contaminants. This makes up the first and second of the basic plumbing principles in the Minnesota State Plumbing Code, which read as follows: A. All premises intended…
When we talk about real estate real agents, usually they would convince people to buy the property because of this and that. May it be in the seller’s market or buyer’s market, we never heard of them telling anyone anything other than “Why now is the good time to buy!”…
Dirk van Reenen, the co-founder and owner of Inspector Empire Builder (IEB) joins the show to talk about the business of home inspections. The show starts off with Dirk introducing himself and his company. He shares how they work with other companies by opening up the lanes of growth in…
If it's leaking, fix it. The end. But seriously, today I’ll share some home inspection tips and tricks that homeowners can use to identify plumbing problems. You'll want to use a good flashlight for your plumbing inspection, as a lot of this work involves looking underneath sinks and tub drains.…
Earlier this month I discussed the unfortunate trend of home buyers skipping the home inspection in order to make their offers more attractive in an incredibly competitive real estate market. In response to this trend, we’ve started offering walk-through consultations to home buyers as a stop-gap service to help people…
Steve Trumble, the owner of Chimney Doctors in the Twin Cities, joins the show to talk about all things related to chimneys. The show starts off with Steve introducing himself and his company. He also discusses a metal fabrication company which he owns. Then, Steve, having a massive amount of…
For this mega-series in DIY home inspections, I started with the inspection of almost everything on the outside of the home. I covered roofs, chimneys, water management, siding, and everything else in-between. Today I'll cover electrical. There is a ridiculous amount of stuff that could be covered with this topic, and…
Today’s episode features George Ury, a licensed Truth in Sale of Housing evaluator and one of the finest home inspectors at Structure Tech. Today’s focus is on Minneapolis Truth-in-Housing Evaluations, and the whole new energy component that was added last year. George discusses how the new TISH evaluations are going…
In last week’s blog post I gave advice about homeowner siding inspections, based on the most popular types of siding in the Twin Cities. For this week's post, I'll cover the things a homeowner can do to inspect the rest of the exterior of their home. This will cover such items as foundation…
The show starts off with Peter Troast, the founder and CEO of Energy Circle, sharing a little bit about himself and his company. He joins the show to talk about the concept of healthy homes and indoor air quality and some of the changes that people are starting to think…
This is part three in a multi-part series of How to Inspect Your Own House. In part one, I covered how to inspect your own roof and chimney. In part two, I covered the inspection of the exterior water management, which is one of the most critical parts of preventing…
Kevin Wagstaff, the co-CEO of Spectora, joins the show to talk about home inspection software, the home inspection industry, and company culture. The show starts off with Kevin introducing himself and how he decided to get into the home inspection industry from a technology perspective. He then answers the following…
With today’s ridiculously competitive real estate market, many home buyers are forgoing their rights to a home inspection in order to make their purchase offer more attractive. Of course, I don’t advocate doing this, and most real estate agents don't like doing this either, but the market is forcing these…
Today’s episode starts off by digging into the local real estate market with our guest, a Realtor® extraordinaire at RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Jim Starr. He shares what the real estate market’s like in the Twin cities in the last week of February. He shares a couple of listings they had,…
In last weeks blog post, I gave advice on how homeowners can inspect their own roof and chimney. For this week's post, we’ll dig into exterior water management. Roof Water Management Roof water management is HUGE. Experienced home inspectors can drive up to a house and instantly know where there…
Joseph Whitters, a second-generation sewer guy and the owner of Drain Busters joins the show to talk about the importance of maintaining sewer systems for homes. Sometimes, trouble with a sewer system can turn into a major problem that may show itself quickly and can be due to a damaged…
Today’s episode is a very timely topic that is related to the very cold weather that we are experiencing right now. The gang will be talking about frozen faucets and some of the plumbing that runs through the exteriors of houses. The gang will also be sharing “what to do”…
When it comes to getting your house ready for a home inspection, there are two schools of thought. The first is to make everything in your home ready for the inspector to come through, as I mentioned in last week’s blog post, How to prepare your home for the inspection.…
Reuben has been meaning to blog about the subject of this episode since 2014. He was finally able to create and post it when it was brought up by an internal team question. Today, the gang will be talking about the issues of rotted rim joists, beam fill, and floor…
This is a follow-up to last week's post, which gave a home inspection checklist for the exterior of homes. The goal of this checklist is to prevent homebuyers from being blindsided by some easy-to-spot home inspection defects. This is not a complete nor technical list, but it covers a lot of…
For today’s episode, the gang talks from their own experiences about the things a professional home inspector should and shouldn’t say when dealing with clients. They discuss some of the language that should be avoided along with legal details and technicalities. Choosing an experienced home inspector can help guarantee not…
Preparing your home for an inspection can mean two things to people. The first is to get the house in tip-top shape, making sure that the home inspector won’t have to write a long list of minor repairs that take five minutes each. It’s a great thing to do, but…
Christine Williamson, building scientist and the person behind Building Science Fight Club, joins the show to talk about the different ways to integrate new knowledge into building durable and efficient structures and designs with the help of building science. She also discusses how this is a tool to solve specific…
If you’re a home buyer or real estate agent and you’d like to conduct your own cursory home inspection, look no further. I’ve assembled a list of the largest items to look out for while house-shopping. This covers many of the largest problems that come up during home inspections. Of course,…
For this episode, we will be learning different ways to add value to our homes with home improvement tips from the gang through some of the projects that they’ve been working on. The show starts off with Bill sharing his experience on how he tried to fix his house on…
To whom it may concern: I would like to compliment your company on a professional and thorough home inspection. Our inspector was very knowledgeable and thorough. Even in the inclement weather, he still managed to inspect the roof and all outside areas of the property and do a fine job.…
I know that today we as consumers seem to only mention poor customer service when we receive it, and it seems to be happening more often. But I wanted to comment on how extremely happy I was with our inspection. Our inspector was thorough, very helpful and nice to boot.…
Thanks again for doing such a great job!
Thanks so much for doing this inspection for Adam and Cheryl. Your reports / pictures / timeliness are excellent!
Wow — very extensive! It’s great! Again, we thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. We feel very familiar with the house now. Best wishes for you in the future, and I’ll keep your card handy :^)
I do also want to pass along Mr. (omitted)’s comments. He was VERY impressed with your report and the thorough nature of the work. Thank you for doing such a great job! Regards,
just wanted to thank you for your services and for preparing this report. It is concise, comprehensive and will undoubtedly serve me well as I make the necessary corrections to the house.
Thanks very much — I am impressed with the completeness of your report and your attention to detail. It was a pleasure taking a crash course in home operations. I definitely learned a thing or two!
Thanks again for the stellar inspection and ‘war & peace’ style report. We were thrilled with the service!
Thank you for teaching me so much about our new home!
…and thanks especially for going the extra mile to get up in that crawl space to find the rotted joists. I’m glad your sense of smell suggested something amiss under there!
Once again, you’ve done a fine job. Jeff and Andrea were impressed with you and even complimented me on choosing you. I can’t thank you enough for the work you did.
Thank you for putting this together and getting back to us so quickly. The report is very thorough and will help our position in the purchase of this home. I will recommend you to friends and family. In fact I gave your contact info to my sister who will be…
This report is extremely thorough and will be a great guide for us as we move in and continue to monitor and fix our first home. Thank you again for all your help and information. If you ever have need for a reference please do not hesitate to call. Regards,
I just wanted to thank you for such a detailed report! It’s definitely going to be a useful tool for us! Thank you
Thank you for your services. The inspection process and report produced from it may have been the most professionally done service in the entire process of purchasing our home. Although our agent Jon has been great, too, and I credit him for referring us to you. Quick response, comprehensive inspection,…
Thank you very much. The Inspection was very helpful and was done wonderfully. I was really impressed with how detailed you were and how you explained everything. The report we got back the next day was great as well. Thanks again, I will highly recommend you to anyone that needs…
Thank you for the time and energy you put into the inspection!!! It was very helpful to go through the house with you and learn what will be needed for maintenance and upkeep of the house. Your inspection report will now become my husbands “to do” list : )
Thank you very much for the Inspection report. Also thanks for coming down and inspecting our home. We are very happy about the way the inspection was done. Excellent job. The inspection process was very informative and educated us about the systems. Thanks again for all the help.
Adam and I really appreciate all that you did and explained for us. We are very pleased with the inspection and close on the house August 8th. We don’t know anyone at the moment that is looking to buy a house but when we do your services will come highly…
Thanks for the excellent report. Of the three home inspections I’ve had done in the past ten years this is by far the most thorough and professional. I have no doubt that the report will pay for itself through solid preventative maintenance rather than waiting for many of the minor…
I wanted to thank you again for your informative and detailed inspection. Structure Tech will be highly recommended to anyone I know seeking home inspections in the future.
I purchased a house and needed a home inspection. I went with a person someone referred me to for it and he was absolutely horrible (this wasn’t Reuben!). It was so bad and incomplete that I got another home inspection after I closed on my house (Reuben did this second…
Thank you for the inspection yesterday and for following up so quickly with the report. Despite the heavy doses of carbon monoxide, I still managed to learn a few new words, of which my favorite is “flue.” It was great to meet you; thanks again.
Thank you for doing such a detailed inspection and report. Nice touch having photos.
This is an OUTSTANDING report!! Thank you for providing it…the scope and timeliness are excellent! I will highly recommend your services to anyone I can. Much appreciated!!
Thank you so much for all your help and your expertise. I was and am very impressed with the completeness of your inspection. Thanks again
You can guarantee that I will recommend you to everyone I know that is purchasing or selling. I think you did an excellent job and thank you so much as your report gave me the confidence to back out of the deal……………….God Bless
Thank you for your inspection and report. Mary was right it is most thorough and detailed. It is helpful now and going forward in the future. This may be more than anyone should know about their house. Thank you again for your service.
Thanks, that is an incredibly detailed and comprehensive report. Money very well spent.
Thank you so much for the most thorough report I have ever seen. I will use you in the future and recommend you to my friends.
Thanks so much for the excellent inspection and prompt work. I will definitely recommend your services to others.
Thank you very much for such a wonderfully detailed report! You are great at what you do!! It was also a pleasure meeting you and I appreciate the time you took to answer all my questions so frankly. I wish you all the best!
Thank you for the very detailed report. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend today however you explained everything very well in your report. Thanks again,
Thanks a ton! Your work was incredibly thorough and this report is a fantastic take-away of everything we discussed this morning. It was a pleasure working with you.
I wanted to confirm receipt of the photos, and also thank you again for your work yesterday. You were very thorough and knowledgeable, and saved us from some very big potential headaches in the future. Julie and I feel a lot more “educated” after yesterday’s experience! The decision to walk…
I never did get to THANK YOU for such a wonderfully thorough and informative inspection. We have finalized the deal and had a contractor in yesterday. We are using your report to update and improve our new home. Thanks again. You are terrific! I will recommend you whenever I have…
I was extremely pleased with the professionalism of the inspection and the down to earth approach when explaining the details of the findings, I appreciated very much the obvious expertise that Duane has, and his matter of fact approach. He was very helpful in being available over the weekend to…
I wanted to thank you again for the inspection. We really appreciated the detail and explanation. We will definitely recommend you to anyone who needs an inspection. We may have that Level II [chimney] inspection done. Do you have anyone you can recommend? Thank you,
I was really impressed by how timely and thorough Structure Tech was in completing the inspection I requested. As a result of their excellent service, I felt much more confident about the purchase agreement I signed.
Thank you to the team for your great inspection work. Duane inspected my new house and was very thorough in finding all the issues. He also provided a great lesson on the various maintenance items I should do on an ongoing basis. He answered questions as I negotiated the final…
My mortgage gal (Rebecca) will be calling you for her clients in the future… and there will be more referrals out of me to everyone in the home buying stage. Milind is golden for good business and you are rare with your knowledge and patience and ability to clearly explain…
Thank you and very much appreciate the incredible job Reuben did for us. Very professional, very detailed, and frankly exceeded our expectations by far. You guys are heads over tails better than the inspector we hired for our last home purchase. Reuben made it clear that we could call any…
Hey Reuben! It was so nice to meet you a few weeks ago at xxx Xxxxxxxx Avenue. You blew away our expectations with your thorough and detailed inspection. Anyhoo, we are indeed buying the house and going to update the electrical ourselves (everything else the sellers are actually taking care…
Thank you for a job well done. I was so impressed once I downloaded the report. Being unable to attend the inspection myself, the pictures and how well it was organized and how easy it was to read was wonderful. Made going back to the seller very easy and precise.…
Just wanted to say thanks for doing a great job with our home inspection on Friday March 4th. It was very informative, and we appreciate the time you took to explain things to us. Thanks again,
I just wanted to say I am SO INCREDIBLY impressed with this report. Very thorough, and absolutely love the fact that you provide links and diagrams explaining why something is an issue. You do an amazing job!!! Keep it up!!!
Reuben, I read your report 5-6 times already in the past 2 years! So encouraging to track progress on our fixer-upper. You were right on top with many hidden issues which would’ve (and some did) turned into huge disasters. We follow your thorough report like home improvement bible
Thanks so much for your time and expertise today with our inspection. We were pleasantly reminded once again why we decided to call you back after six years to inspect another property. Your thoroughness was appreciated and your willingness to help educate us about the home was tremendously helpful. I…
Thank you very much for your help today, your professionalism and significant knowledge were greatly appreciated. Jess and I could not have asked for more. I just finished reading through the report and it is very detailed and complete. Again, thank you for all your work, you gave Jess and…
Hi Reuben, Thank you for the thorough inspection – we greatly appreciate it!! I’m disappointed in that the house has so many “issues” — I’m delighted you found them before we made the purchase! Thanks again for your expertise. Warm Regards,
We wanted to take a moment to thank you for an outstanding job – you have certainly exceeded our expectations. Your company is the best we have seen towards any home inspection. The attention to detail with photos and illustrations on the report were easy to follow – and provided…
Reuben, your report was spectacular. Steve and I want to make your inspections a regular occurrence wherever we end up living. I just want to say “wow”!! Thanks,
Thank you so much!!! Your report is thorough and detailed but also readable and understandable. We are far more than simply “satisfied” with it — we couldn’t ask for more. We are unlikely to buy this house, but we will definitely be hiring Structure Tech again and we’ll be spreading…
Bob and I are grateful for the detailed inspection you performed on our patio home in Chaska. We delighted in your joy and willingness to teach us how to care for and maintain our home and thank you for sharing your vast knowledge and expertise. Your detailed written inspection report…
Hello Lisa, Last week I started the process in calling companies that do home inspections. Your company was recommended to me by my realtor. You helped me schedule the appointment today and were my first contact with Structure Tech. Today I met Nick Pickert out at a home in Ramsey…
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and thorough inspection of our new home. You made the process so easy. You explained your observations in a way that we understand our checklist of tasks to ensure we address any safety concerns. We also know how to take care of our…
Hi, I wanted to toss over a quick note of thanks. We had our inspection about a year ago on a house that we were planning pretty serious gutting/renovations on and got a super thorough and great inspection. Just this week a co-worker was looking for an inspector for a…
“I just wanted to reach out to you and commend you for having an amazing team of Milind and Brett. Milind in particular (but Brett as well!) was courteous, handled all of my questions professionally and really conveyed his expertise at all times. I got the feeling he was inspecting…
“Hi, We are writing to let you know how pleased we were with our inspection done by George Ury. We enjoyed interacting with George. He was very professional, answered all of our questions, and had a great sense of humor. We would highly recommend him to everyone.”
“Just wanted to write a quick note thanking Milind Angolkar for his very thorough inspection on our home in south Minneapolis. His attention to detail gave us peace of mind as we went through the whole inspection. He spent more time than required answering all our detailed questions. It was…
“I want to let you and Structure Tech’s management team know what an outstanding job George has done for my husband and me! On the first inspection, his careful work and attention to detail kept us from making a very costly mistake in purchasing a house that had some serious…
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Michael Conrad II, the CEO of Diligent, a Home Inspection and Environmental Testing company in Nashville, joins the show to talk about how home inspections have evolved over the years. The show starts off with Michael explaining how the company began, and how it grew into a trifecta of home inspections,…
I’m SO excited to announce the launch of a new learning platform for licensed real estate agents in Minnesota. Up until this year, we’ve been teaching free continuing education classes at real estate offices throughout the Twin Cities in-person. Once Covid hit, we quickly switched our classes to webinar style.…
CONTACT US If you have any questions or you’d like to request an inspection service other than a home inspection, such as radon testing or a stucco inspection, please reach out to us. (952) 915-6466 info@structuretech.com 4205 Raleigh Avenue SouthSt. Louis Park, MN 55416 Monday - Friday: 8 am -…
This week’s question comes from every person buying a home in the dead of winter in Minnesota: “How do you inspect a snow-covered roof?” The short and bitter answer? We can’t inspect it. Defects with roofs can be subtle, barely noticeable. Even a small amount of snow can be enough…
This podcast was recorded in the studio in mid-February of 2020, pre-covid. We brought on a special guest for this episode, residential Realtor® Michael Bartus of Lakes Sotheby’s International Realty. The topic was buying a house in the winter, and how to deal with a roof that’s covered in snow,…
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And it’s also time to share our favorite home inspection photos of the year. As always, it’s tough to narrow down our favorites. We share these photos on our Facebook page throughout the year, and these were some of the best. Enjoy!…
Since we are nearing the end of the year, today’s episode is a little bit of a recap about what the year was like here at Structure Tech. The show starts off with the gang expressing their appreciation and gratefulness that in spite of how challenging the year was, the…
The owner and founder of Complete Building Solutions, Robert Vassallo, joins the show to talk about his expertise as a structural engineering consultant. The show starts off with Rob explaining about his company and what they do to find problems and how to solve them. He then answers some specific…
Real Estate Education Reuben and Tessa teach FREE continuing education classes to real estate agents and currently have five different courses that have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Due to COVID-19, we are currently teaching our 1-hour and 2-hour CE classes live, online. Click on any of…
Today I’m going to discuss rotted rim joist mysteries, and I’m going to introduce a term that I’ve never mentioned in this blog: beam fill. I wrote this blog post many years ago, but I never published it because I didn’t feel like I had the full story. I still…
Education Classes Calendar
This form is used to request a Truth-in-Sale of Housing Evaluation Once we have received a request to schedule a Truth-in-Sale of Housing evaluation, we'll contact you as soon as possible to confirm the day and time. Requests for full home inspections can be made here.
HOME INSPECTION: WHAT'S INCLUDED What’s Included All of our home inspectors are proud members of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. As such, we abide by the ASHI Code of Ethics, as well as the ASHI Standards of Practice, which sets forth the minimum requirements for a home inspection. The list below incorporates…
Buyer's Home Inspections A typical home inspection will take typically 4 hours to conduct, depending on the size and condition of the home, and how many questions our clients have. For first-time buyers, our home inspections provide an excellent education on ownership and maintenance of the house. What’s Included All…
Preventative Maintenance Plan Inspections To view a sample report, please click HERE. Plan Your Maintenance Inspection
INSPECT WITH THERMAL VISION INCLUDED WITH STANDARD HOME INSPECTIONS Infrared cameras show surface temperature differences, which can give clues to a host of different problems with houses. We offer infrared inspections as part of our standard home inspection, as well as for single-item troubleshooting inspections. We do not offer stand-alone…
Home Maintenance Inspections A home maintenance inspection is essentially the same as a standard home inspection, but the inspection is done for the current owner. Most of these homeowners have been in their homes for over five years, and they may or may not have had their home inspected at…
Seller's Home Inspections While many cities in the Minneapolis / Saint Paul area require inspections to be done before listing a house for sale (see Truth In Housing Requirements and Truth In Housing Basics), more and more smart home sellers are choosing to have their homes inspected by a private inspector before putting…
Investor Inspections We’re pleased to offer a variety of home inspection services, including à la carte home inspections, investor inspections, and investor consultations. Investor inspections are streamlined assessments that focus solely on identifying major defects in a property. For those who prefer a verbal assessment without a written report, our…
New Construction Home Inspections If you’re buying a new home, you should have it inspected. We’ve heard every possible argument against hiring a private home inspector, and none of them are valid. We find numerous issues at nearly every new-construction inspection that we do, and the best home builders appreciate…
Our Commercial Inspectors are trained by CDW Engineering and follow the ASTM Standard E2018-01 for property condition assessments. A commercial inspection covers the following: The structure The electrical system The heating system The air condition system (weather permitting) The ventilation system The plumbing system and fixtures The roof surface (weather…
Mold Inspections Our Mold Inspection Services We understand the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, which is why we offer two distinct options tailored to your specific needs. Whether you have concerns about mold or simply want to be proactive, our experienced team is here to assist…
Single Item/Troubleshooting Inspection If you have a problem or concern about a single issue or area in your home, we can help identify the problem and suggest actions for correction. For most single-item inspections, we begin by discussing the history of the problem with the owner. We ask questions about…
The ASHI Standard of Practice for Home Inspections requires home inspectors to report on components near the end of their service lives. To figure this out, we need to determine the age of appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, and boilers. Once you know where to look, it’s…
OUR PRIVACY POLICY Your privacy is very important to us. At Structure Tech, we have a few fundamental principles that we follow: Structure Tech (“Company,” “we,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy governs your access to and use…
Stucco and Moisture Testing What is Moisture Testing? Moisture testing is a crucial process to detect water intrusion issues in homes, especially those with stucco exteriors. Water penetration can cause significant and costly damage, so early detection is key. Moisture testing assesses the moisture content within your walls to identify…
Level 2 Chimney Inspections Having an open-flame wood fire in your living room is serious business. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), nearly 18,000 fires are caused by wood-burning appliances every year. That's just crazy. Chimney fires are a very common occurrence, so we're diligent about recommending…
Sewer Inspections Sewer inspections are important because any problems with the main sewer line are the financial responsibility of the owner. If there are problems with the sewer line that routine sewer cleaning won’t solve, the repairs will be expensive. No age of a home is immune to sewer problems.…
CONTACT US If you have any questions or you’d like to request an inspection service other than a home inspection, such as radon testing, walk-through consultation or a stucco inspection, please reach out to us. (952) 915-6466 info@structuretech.com 4205 Raleigh Avenue SouthSt. Louis Park, MN 55416 Monday -…
Additional Inspection Services We offer some of the widest selections of ancillary services in the home inspection industry. Call us today to schedule any of these services as a stand-alone service or in conjunction with your home inspection. Our team is ready to provide expert advice and support throughout the…