UnBuild It Podcast
Science Podcasts
THE GOOD news: our homebuilding industry is jam-packed with new materials, new techniques, and new systems, and it’s so easy to get information online in an instant. THE
BAD news: How do we know what we can trust, what will work, and under what conditions? Where do we turn to separate the spin-and-hype from the true-and-square? We’ve got you covered! The UnBuild It Podcast is an industry-leading opportunity to get good information. UnBuild It podcast is a three-member team – Peter Yost, Building Scientist; Jake Bruton, Builder, and Remodeler; and Steven Baczek, Architect. We are nationally recognized industry leaders: Jake as a homebuilder, Steve as an architect, and Peter as a building scientist. You can find us at leading homebuilding industry events, in top-notch publications, and online media outlets. We believe that solid industry-related information has four key ingredients;
RELEVANCE: You need insight on your job site. Jake, Steve, and Peter are in the field regularly doing what we strive to do. We walk the walk – then talk about the walk. We have worked together long enough to build on each other’s expertise and not take ourselves too seriously. We are among the best at taking what may seem like complicated concepts, breaking them down, and turning them into job-site-ready breakthroughs.
ACCURACY: Jake is often quoted as saying, “Trust but Validate.” We don’t ask you to be the bleeding, leading edge; we develop trusted solutions based on our work in the field, pushing each other to practice what we preach. Our accuracy comes out of triangulation: building, design, and performance.
UTILITY: We guarantee that each podcast episode will move you from all ears to all action. Our information is born from our work. We pride ourselves on delivering information you can use the same day you listen to an episode.
CAMARADERIE: We work together because we love homebuilding, hitting the airwaves, and humor. We are not doing our job if you are not enjoying learning with us during each episode.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Science Podcasts
Description:
THE GOOD news: our homebuilding industry is jam-packed with new materials, new techniques, and new systems, and it’s so easy to get information online in an instant. THE BAD news: How do we know what we can trust, what will work, and under what conditions? Where do we turn to separate the spin-and-hype from the true-and-square? We’ve got you covered! The UnBuild It Podcast is an industry-leading opportunity to get good information. UnBuild It podcast is a three-member team – Peter Yost, Building Scientist; Jake Bruton, Builder, and Remodeler; and Steven Baczek, Architect. We are nationally recognized industry leaders: Jake as a homebuilder, Steve as an architect, and Peter as a building scientist. You can find us at leading homebuilding industry events, in top-notch publications, and online media outlets. We believe that solid industry-related information has four key ingredients; RELEVANCE: You need insight on your job site. Jake, Steve, and Peter are in the field regularly doing what we strive to do. We walk the walk – then talk about the walk. We have worked together long enough to build on each other’s expertise and not take ourselves too seriously. We are among the best at taking what may seem like complicated concepts, breaking them down, and turning them into job-site-ready breakthroughs. ACCURACY: Jake is often quoted as saying, “Trust but Validate.” We don’t ask you to be the bleeding, leading edge; we develop trusted solutions based on our work in the field, pushing each other to practice what we preach. Our accuracy comes out of triangulation: building, design, and performance. UTILITY: We guarantee that each podcast episode will move you from all ears to all action. Our information is born from our work. We pride ourselves on delivering information you can use the same day you listen to an episode. CAMARADERIE: We work together because we love homebuilding, hitting the airwaves, and humor. We are not doing our job if you are not enjoying learning with us during each episode.
Language:
English
Website:
https://unbuilditpodcast.com/
Episodes
112 - Confused spaces? Garages
7/18/2024
Pete, confused? Pete takes the lead on garages and tries hard not to confuse Steve and Jake (not very successfully...). It's all about how garages are "conditioned" (heated, cooled, dehumidified, ventilated, and filtered) and just what uses the garage is designed for in comparison to the expectations homeowners have in terms of their use(s).
Pete's Resource(s):
- BSC Information Sheet 802: buildingscience.com/sites/default/files/migrate/pdf/BSCInfo_802_Wrong_Unsealed_Cavity_Between_Garage.pdf
- GBA Details for a “High-Performance Garage:" greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/details-for-a-high-performance-garage
STAY TUNED on Pete's Resources: Pete promises a brand new resource in one podcast on this topic (a resource he has not written but will!).
Duration:00:28:10
111 - Sills - Where Windows Meet Walls & Walls Meet Foundations
7/4/2024
Listeners picked up on two places where perhaps Steve and Jake do not agree (can you imagine....?): Face-seal vs. Drained-rough-opening window/door installations and details at sill plates. After considerable "silliness" (that would be Steve's not Pete's pun...), Jake & Steve reconcile these apparent disagreements with lots of UnBuild It love for each other (WHAT???).
Pete's Resource(s):
- John Straube's drained rough opening sill detail: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Straube/publication/281442777/figure/fig23/AS:487352062746624@1493205194072/6-Drained-air-sealed-and-thermally-continuous-window-installation-for-a-loadbearing.png
- Jake BUILD Show flanged window installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fED4foylHXY
- Steve & Matt BUILD Show flangeless window installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAnJq3UH0ro&t=701s
- Steve BUILD Show mudsill to foundation install - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up5oAh819y0
- Steve BUILD Show SIGA Fentrim mudsill install: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/air_barrier_tape_siga_fentrim
Duration:00:36:12
110 - Deciding Insulation Levels & Structural Implications of Floor Sheathing Fastener Type & Schedule
6/20/2024
Great questions from our listeners!
Pete's Resource(s):
https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/capture-green-value-over-time-not-short-term-payback-analysishttps://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/capture-green-value-over-time-not-short-term-payback-analysishttps://www.huberwood.com/uploads/documents/technical/Installation-Manual-AdvanTech-Subflooring.pdfhttps://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2017/06/13/ps2-04.pdfNOTE: This is about as dry a resource as we would ever recommend, but it has great technical info on all manner of structural floor sheathing installation, including bond and mechanical fastener performance.
Duration:00:26:25
109 - Clients - Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em...
6/5/2024
Client involvement is critical in any building project, but this can be a double-edged sword. We need our clients engaged and to manage their expectations, particularly given how much information/stuff is available online. The boys each give their perspective on the importance and the corralling required for client involvement.
Pete's Resource(s):
- Custom Builder May 2006 - "Guiding Customer Expectations" - https://www.custombuilderonline.com/guiding-customer-expectations
Duration:00:40:22
108 - Basements as Living Conditioned Space
5/16/2024
How do you transform below-grade full foundations (also variously called pits, cellars, or basements and historically meant to be or tolerated as damp and cool and dark) into true living-conditioned spaces? We say add four continuous control layers, access to daylight and egress, thermal comfort, and good acoustics—make it a place to thrive as well as live (and even escape).
Pete's Resource(s):
1. Steven Baczek YouTube: "Dirty Basement" vs Clean Basement....How to Plan for it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB2nD-0eUZs
2. NDSU Extension Service "Foundation Insulation Effectiveness:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwn0Vjw_ji0
3. BSD-103: Understanding Basements - https://buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-103-understanding-basements
4. Hammer & Hand basement details: https://hammerandhand.com/residential/remodeling/basements/
5. Negative Side Waterproofing (GBA blogs): https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/author/peterbilt
Duration:00:33:49
107 - Steve's Mantras: Go Slow to Go Fast & Identify Problems BEFORE Moving to Solutions
5/2/2024
It's funny that Steve, a very nuts-n-bolts guy, hosts this largely philosophical episode. But all three of us agree:
This episode's strength is how each of us—architect, builder, building investigator—uses the approach above to improve our jobs.
Pete's Resource(s):
https://buildingscience.com/bsc-document-type/building-science-insightshttps://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/building-science-101/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Buildings_Learn#Bookhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Buildings_Learn#TV_series
Duration:00:31:41
106 - WTF: Off-Site Building & Owner-GC?
4/18/2024
Who would have thought that our buddy Steve would be more than OK with both off-site building and the homeowner acting as their own General Contractor? But combining Superior Walls for the foundation with Harvest Homes for all of the framing means the GC homeowner is dealing with far fewer trade contractors. Steve, Jake, and Pete walk through the advantages and challenges of offsite building.
Pete's Resource(s):
1. Offsite framing company Harvest Homes: https://www.harvesthomes.com
2. BUILD Show episode on Pre-fab & Panelized Construction: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/how-building-professionals-can-incorporate-offsite-prefab-and-panelization-into-their-projects
3. Modular Construction & Affordable Housing: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/increasing-affordable-housing-stock-through-modular-building/
Duration:00:33:21
105 - Q&A: 2024 #4 - Ventilation Systems & Liquid Sealants
4/4/2024
1. What about whole-house ventilation systems (balanced, exhaust only, supply only) and their impact on pressure balance in homes? And do ERVs/HRVs accommodate pressure imbalances created by things like exhaust fans, stack effect, etc.?
2. Per Steve: to butyl or not to butyl...For areas such as door sills, use butyl sealant or maybe acoustical sealant? We know how fond Steve is of Tremco acoustical sealant (a single-component, non-skinning non-hardening synthetic rubber sealant) so this topic gets the big guy on his horse...
Pete's Resource(s):
1. great info on residential ventilation and pressure balancing: https://basc.pnnl.gov/building-components/ventilation & https://basc.pnnl.gov/building-components/pressure-balancing
2. Pete's BuildingGreen blog series called "Sticky Business" (including a couple or so blogs on liquid sealants): https://www.buildinggreen.com/stickybusiness
Duration:00:32:15
104 - High Performance Homebuilding in Austin TX with Risinger BUILD's Tim Hill
3/21/2024
Tim Hill of Risinger build--Austin homebuilder for over 40 years--teamed up with Matt some 10+ years ago. Tim details his company's approach to architects, customers, and trades, including featuring building science in ALL aspects of their building company. The conversation aptly starts with the job site trailer carrying a Goodman mobile dehumidification unit parked just outside the build studio to the way in which Risinger build embraces remodeling in no small part because it provides such valuable feedback on how their homes perform over time.
Pete's Resource(s):
1. Building Science 101 with Matt Risinger & Steve Baczek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QthBdsyxAN8
2. John Abrams' The Company We Keep - https://www.southmountain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SoMoCo_Feature_hr.pdf
3. Job Site Dehumidifiers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ladLLd_z1wo
Duration:00:33:36
103 - Pre-cast Foundations
3/7/2024
One of the most interesting ways to accomplish a high-performance below-grade wall is with Precast Concrete panels. Both Steve and Pete have worked on projects using Superior Walls, the leading US manufacturer of these panels. Certainly, it is not the least expensive way to do a foundation, but this system has a ton of advantages: it is completely engineered by the manufacturer, no cast footing is needed, and it can be completed in a day (REGARDLESS of the weather…).
Pete's Resource(s):
1. Superior Walls - superiorwalls.com
NOTE: Jake/Steve/Pete are not aware of any other US companies that manufacture precast foundation wall panels.
2. BUILD SHOW Superior Walls - buildshownetwork.com/contents/in-depth-look-superior-walls?page=18
Duration:00:35:08
102 - Q&A: 2024 #3 - A funky Arkansas roof & a heat pump water heater install in Montana
2/15/2024
1. Actually 3 questions--can you/how do you/should you vent a pyramidal roof with dormers? (PS - I just had to look up the pronunciation of "pyramidal"--I found both pronunciations...).
2. How do I configure for adequate air supply and noise control for a heat pump water heater (HPWH) in a 1400 square foot, tight home in Montana?
And then, I would like to apologize for Steve and his: "A polar bear walks into a bar..."
Resource(s):
1. Venting hip roofs - https://inspectapedia.com/ventilation/Hard_to_Vent_Roofs.php
2. HPWH ducting strategies (CZ 2 - 4) - https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy16osti/64860.pdf
3. Northwest testing of CO2 HPWH - https://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/Sanden%20HPWH_FINAL_rev%2011-24-15.pdf
4. BUILD SHOW Aarow Building (Jake) Fujitsu water heater - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQA-obhpKo
Duration:00:33:05
101 - Q&A - 2024 #2 - Open Joint Claddings
2/1/2024
The boys INTEND to tackle TWO submitted questions but only manage one: Are open-joint claddings better moisture-managed better than traditional lap claddings? This episode is quite the mix of banter, building science, and building history. And note that the last resource in the list below is a great short video with Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation on open-joint claddings.
Pete's Resource(s):
1. wikipedia definition of cladding - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladding_(construction)
2. wikipedia definition of lapstrake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinker_(boat_building)
3. Open joint/rainscreen cladding history - https://www.climate-shield.com/european-climate-shield-history (Note 1st reference: "Rainscreen Cladding: A Guide to Design Principles and Practice."
4. "Cup of Joe - Open-joint cladding systems" - https://buildingscience.com/conversation/cup-joe-open-joint-cladding-systems
Duration:00:36:39
100 - Q&A - 2024 #1
1/15/2024
Listener Bill B poses this question and the boys run with it for the whole podcast: "Can you share the details and the reasons for installing flangeless windows in different planes of deep wall assemblies?" Lots to consider here in terms of ALL of the control layers and their continuity.
Pete's Resource(s):
- BSC Window Installation Sequence: https://buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0407-installing-a-window-with-building-paper-on-osb-over-wood-frame-wall/view
- Steve Baczek BUILD SHOW Build: Boston Ep. 8 - "Window installation Pt. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcoMihs6hHQ
- Steve Baczek BUILD SHOW Build: Boston Ep. 8 - "Window installation Pt. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzktfcFNVEA
- Pete's YouTube series "WIngnut Water Testing Windows" - https://www.youtube.com/@peteryost7876/playlists
Duration:00:28:31
99 - Site Hydrology? Steve puts on his hydrologic engineer hat; Jake & Pete add their thinking caps...
1/4/2024
You know the boys get weepy over water pretty easily, but Steve's focus on starting with the site drives this podcast. The site is the context for the building, and broadening to site water management can really take the load off of building assembly water management. This podcast is all about digging deeper into building (sorry, just could not resist...).
Pete's Resource(s):
1. Pete has a series of YouTube video clips on building assessment, with the first 3 dealing with water: groundwater, site surface water, and building load. Take a look...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pL2KVsx9SCcqQBdEjbiYfI3AouC1CoL
2. Superior Walls foundation system: https://www.superiorwalls.com
3. Great Read: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angle_of_Repose
4. This resource is more about land development at the community level, but cool site water management techniques, regardless: https://www.wbdg.org/resources/low-impact-development-technologies
Duration:00:32:38
98 - A very special Matt Risinger throw back episode and Special Announcement
12/21/2023
We have a big announcement this week as we return to our first time having Matt Risinger on the podcast.
Duration:01:08:15
97 - Custom Builder Round Table - "Subcontractors: Vetting, Getting, Keeping and even Honing Your Build Team"
12/7/2023
Jake and his builder team--Luke Mann, (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design)--work through all sorts of cool, key approaches to consider with your trades:
· Paying subs in 21 days
· Scheduling a site visit for a new potential sub
· Pulling subs into the bidding process
· Using suppliers to evaluate potential new subs
· Trade team kickoff meeting to get everyone on the same page/schedule
· Setting up debriefs to keep things going well
· Reducing risk with a stronger trade team
Duration:00:38:02
96 - Custom Builder Round Table - Company Structure
11/16/2023
Jake takes his builder team--Luke Man, (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High-Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design)--through this final topic with questions like:
- Do you want your company to grow? (These guys vary in size from 2 to 16...)
- How do you decide when to hire and who to hire?
- Are you working in the business or on the business?
- Do you have a company culture that suits your team and clients?
- How do you delegate/empower/"let go" as your company changes or grows?
Duration:00:35:54
95 - Custom Builder Round Table - "Closing Out A Project"
11/2/2023
Luke Mann (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High-Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design) work through this topic with host Jake Bruton. Key concepts include carefully distinguishing punch list vs. additional scope of work; covering closeout in project-starting customer expectations document; an extended comparison of builder closeout process to a new car purchase; dealing with "closeout-creep."
Duration:00:35:00
94 - BS Summer Camp 2023: Kohta Ueno
10/19/2023
This is Q&A with Adult Supervision: Kohta Ueno. Kohta is so efficient we nailed SIX building enclosure questions: Listener Gagan - reconfiguring existing walls with new control layers; Listener Bill: the need for dedicated vent space with vertical metal siding on ICF walls; Listener Michael - rainscreens for roofs instead of walls; Listener Sean - best detail for using mineral wool (exterior continuous rigid insulation) on a roof; Listener Miles - hip roof in Arkansas best practice: vented roof, vented attic, what type of insulation; Pete asks Kohta's cut on ORNL's new BuildingScienceAdvisor.
Pete's Resource(s):
1. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 1 - Air) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/?s=how+to+look+at+a+house+like+a+building+scientist
2. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 2 - Heat) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-look-at-a-house-like-a-building-scientist-part-2-heat
3. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 3 -Temperature, Humidity & HVAC) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-look-at-a-house-like-a-building-scientist-part-3-temperature-humidity-and-hvac-systems
4. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 4 - Water) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-look-at-a-house-like-a-building-scientist-part-4-water
5. Building Science Advisor: https://bsa.ornl.gov
Duration:00:39:16
93 - Custom Builder Round Table - "Ideal Client"
10/3/2023
Jake hooks up with the same custom builder team
https://www.rangelinehomes.comhttps://jacksonandrewsbuilding.comhttps://www.buildpatriot.comFor a roundtable discussion on the ideal client. Key topics include vetting clients by matching company strengths to client expectations and budget; the two-way street of trust and respect; the importance of references or background checks (they go both ways); pre-construction services to move the project forward; and finally, red flags...as both warnings AND opportunities.
Duration:00:30:46