Structure Talk

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/c9hch5yyc-U In this episode, Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry are joined by Structure Tech’s Services Manager, Eric Houseman, for a wild home‑inspection story that starts with a simple missing bath‑fan termination and snowballs into a major discovery. What begins as routine training turns into a dramatic game of telephone between inspectors, agents, sellers, and contractors—and ends with one of the most shocking ventilation mistakes the team has ever seen: a bathroom exhaust fan tied directly into a power‑vent water heater exhaust. Along the way, the trio talked about communication pitfalls, the importance of clear reporting, the routine inspection steps that prevent safety issues, and the unexpected discoveries that even seasoned inspectors don’t see coming. It's an episode filled with lessons, surprises, and plenty of inspector banter. Here's the link to Inspector Empire Builder: https://www.iebcoaching.com/events Check out this link to our new favorite Combustible Gas Detector, the TPI 720b: https://amzn.to/3NgZtv7 Takeaways Clear communication during inspections is essential—verbal explanations can easily be distorted. Always wait for the published report, which is the most accurate representation of the findings. Words matter: “exhaust gas leak” is not the same as “gas leak.” Inspectors should avoid paraphrasing defects; copy the exact language from the report when relaying information. Even “routine” findings require careful verification—small details prevent major hazards. A bath fan must exhaust to the exterior, and improper venting can create serious safety risks. Creativity in home projects isn't always a good thing—especially when it involves exhaust systems and combustion appliances. When something seems off, dig deeper; sometimes the truth is hidden behind drywall. A well‑written report, complete with photos and precise language, is a home inspector’s best protection. Even experienced inspectors learn new things—sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Chapters 00:00  Introduction and Minnesota’s heavy current events 01:07  Shifting to lighter topics and home‑inspection talk 02:35  Combustible gas detectors: retiring the TIFF 8900 05:00  The new winner: TPI 270B 07:21  Show sponsor shout‑out: IEB 08:35  Reuben’s reverse osmosis saga (and user error) 11:35  Tessa’s stinky well‑water updates 13:31  Introduction to Eric’s “thrown under the bus” story 14:25  The inspection setup and counting exhaust points 16:45  The missing basement bath‑fan termination 18:14  The telephone game between clients, agents, and sellers 19:37  HVAC contractor conflicts with the findings 20:55  Re‑inspection and detective work 22:17  The shocking discovery: bath fan tied into water‑heater exhaust 23:59  Why this is dangerous: carbon monoxide risk 25:11  No apology, but valuable lessons 27:33  How communication gaps amplify issues 28:44  Importance of clear reporting and avoiding paraphrasing 30:33  Wrapping the episode; preview of next topic 31:48  Closing remarks