The Ride Along: A Home Inspection Podcast

What causes mold in brand-new homes before anyone even moves in? In this episode of The Ride Along: A Home Inspection Show, hosts Brad Lowery and Matt Brading sit down with Jordan Mason to break down one of the hottest topics in the inspection industry: lumberyard mold, microbial growth in new construction, and what inspectors need to know before calling it out. From attic sheathing stains to full-scale mold remediation, this conversation dives deep into the real-world challenges home inspectors face when evaluating moisture intrusion, ventilation problems, and indoor air quality concerns. Jordan shares practical insight into mold testing, soda blasting, chemical remediation methods, building science principles, and how poor moisture management can impact both health and property value. Whether you're a home inspector, mold assessor, remediation contractor, realtor, builder, or homeowner, this episode delivers actionable insight you can apply in the field immediately. Topics covered in this episode: ✔️ Lumberyard mold vs active microbial growth ✔️ Mold in new construction homes ✔️ Moisture intrusion and humidity control ✔️ Mold remediation methods explained ✔️ Soda blasting vs chemical treatment ✔️ Ventilation and attic airflow issues ✔️ Building science for home inspectors ✔️ Indoor air quality and health concerns ✔️ Mold testing and inspection best practices ✔️ Protecting property value during real estate transactions If you're serious about becoming a better inspector and staying ahead of industry trends, subscribe to The Ride Along: A Home Inspection Show and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. 👍 Like the video 💬 Drop your thoughts/questions in the comments 📲 Share this with another inspector or contractor Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthy Homes and Mold Awareness 10:20 Understanding Lumberyard Mold and Its Implications 28:31 The Risks of Dormant Mold and Air Quality Management 30:33 Building Community in Home Inspections 31:58 Addressing Mold Concerns in Home Inspections 34:40 Inspector and Builder Responsibilities 38:21 Understanding Mold Remediation Techniques 42:09 Innovative Solutions for Mold Issues 49:27 The Importance of Context in Mold Testing 55:13 Preparing for Future Storms and Mold Risks The links: Register for Inspection Fuel this Sept 28-30 in Louisville, KY: http://www.inspectionfuel.com.register Sign up for the newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter Leave us a VOICEMAIL here: https://www.theridealong.show

In part two of our ISN product feature from Inspection Fuel 2025, we hang out with Lindsay Grimm... the Head of Product for ISN. As one of the key product vendors at Inspection Fuel, it was awesome to hear not just what's happening on the software side, but also on the product feature side of ISN. Including things like an AI Voice Assistant and improved online scheduling. The TLDR: - ISN has made the FlexFund fee more transparent, leading to increased adoption among inspection companies. - big update and improvements to Zapier Integration, allowing for more customizable and efficient operations for users. - Digilatics Integration: Lindsay explains the one-way sync with Digital Addicts, streamlining operations and enhancing marketing insights. - AI Voice Assistant Development: The team is working on an AI voice assistant to handle client calls after hours, ensuring no call is lost. - Order Form Overhaul: ISN is redesigning its order form to modernize the user experience and improve backend stability. - Premium Time Slots Feature: A new feature allowing inspectors to charge more for high-demand time slots, offering greater control over scheduling. - Commitment to User-Centric Innovation: Lindsay emphasizes ISN's focus on developing features that respond to user needs and enhance the inspection process. The Links: Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter And leave us a voicemail here: https://www.theridealong.show Find out more about ISN at: https://www.inspectionsupport.com

Inspection Fuel 2025 was FIRE... pun intended. And if you were there, we hope you were able to attend the first ever live recording of The Ride Along podcast! But in case you weren't, don't worry. We've got you covered because you can see the entire thing right here. We get into everything from Building Science and the importance of deepening our understanding of homes can be made more durably and efficiently... and we also get into the best ways to present our knowledge as inspectors via social media. Travis Jones and @Inspector_Fletch are two guests you DO NOT want to miss. So, watch the whole thing, and be sure to like and share. Also: Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter And leave us a voicemail here: https://www.theridealong.show

If you're a brand new home inspector and looking to break out in the industry, you're not alone! In fact, we get comments from new inspectors all the time asking for tips whether it's about the job on-site or about growing a business. So, if that's you, then you'll love our guest Ashleigh Flores from Horizon City, Texas. Because she's in her sixth month of doing just that! We get into the ins and outs of starting a career in home inspection, the importance of consistency, and the tools of the trade. Ashleigh shares her journey, offering insights and advice for new inspectors. And if she can do it... so can you! ALSO... WE'VE GOT SOMETHING REALLY COOL HAPPENING THIS MONTH ON OUR INSTAGRAM! Go follow @theridealongshow on Instagram so you can be part of it :) The Links: Register for Inspection Fuel (September 8-10 in New Orleans) here: https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register Sign up for our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.theridealong.show

Y'all had some STRONG thoughts on our episode about PEX last year, so who better to straighten things out than Master Plumber Eric Aune of @mechanical-hub and @buildshow ?! If you haven't followed him yet, he's a plumbing and heating expert from Minnesota... and you absolutely should follow him! On top of hosting and contributing on both sites, he's also the host of the Make Trades Great Again podcast. In a nutshell, if you have questions on plumbing, this guy has answers, and this week we discuss the evolution of plumbing technology, particularly focusing on PEX and its comparison to Polybutylene. Eric shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry, including the importance of adapting to new technologies and the challenges faced by professionals in the field. The conversation also touches on the significance of audience engagement through social media and podcasts, highlighting the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the plumbing industry. The Links: Register for Inspection Fuel (September 8-10 in New Orleans) here: https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register Sign up for our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter Check out @mechanical-hub there. Check out The Build Show Network here: https://buildshownetwork.com The TLDR: Discussion on the evolution of plumbing technology. PEX is often compared to Polybutylene, but they are not the same and one is vastly superior. The industry has learned from past mistakes with Polybutylene. Engagement with the audience is crucial for industry professionals. Social media plays a significant role in sharing knowledge. Continuous learning is essential in the plumbing field. Innovations in water heating technology are emerging. The importance of adapting to new technologies is emphasized. Eric likes a hybrid system and installs both PEX and copper.

YOU SHOULD BE CHARGING A $1000 AVERAGE FEE FOR YOUR INSPECTIONS! At least that's what many leading inspectors and inspection company owners are saying. Ben Gromicko, COO of InterNACHI, is one of them. And while we fully support the idea... we want to know how it can be done and how feasible it is for the average inspector around the country. And that's why we brought on Ben! Watch the whole thing, because we get into the importance of understanding the value of home inspections, the role of marketing and consumer perception, and the psychology behind pricing strategies. The conversation also touches on the significance of community engagement and generosity in building long-term client relationships. We also get into how InterNACHI is growing their educational content to train inspectors on natural disasters, modern technologies, water management, and innovative building techniques. The Links: Register for Inspection Fuel (September 8-10 in New Orleans) here: https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register Sign up for our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter Learn more about InterNACHI here: https://www.nachi.org The TLDR: Home inspectors need to understand the value they provide to clients. Raising prices can lead to working less while earning more. Marketing to the local community is essential for home inspectors. Consumer perception can be influenced by social media and reviews. Home inspectors should differentiate themselves from competitors. The home inspection industry can support higher pricing through perceived value. Networking with real estate agents can enhance visibility and credibility. Generosity in times of crisis can build long-term client relationships. Understanding market competition is crucial for pricing strategies. Business success requires a combination of skills, including marketing and psychology. Home inspectors can play a crucial role in disaster recovery efforts. Leveraging trained home inspectors can help address inspection shortages after disasters. InterNACHI continuously updates its coursework to include modern technologies. Understanding water management is essential for effective home inspections. Innovative practices in crawl space management can enhance home safety. Home inspectors should charge based on their individual business needs, not just competition. Effective marketing strategies are crucial for communicating the value of inspections. Home inspections should not be limited to buyers; there are other opportunities in the market. Home inspectors need to measure their marketing efforts to ensure profitability. The health of occupants is directly linked to the quality of their home inspections.

You'll have to forgive us for being a bit starstruck... but as home inspectors we're construction and building science nerds. And this week we go in studio with a freaking building science LEGEND... IN HIS OWN STUDIO! So, join us as we sit down with the one and only Matt Risinger in The Build Show Podcast Studio for a deep dive into the world of high-performance home building! 💪🏡 From smart moisture management to cutting-edge construction techniques, this conversation is packed with expert insights and real talk about what it really takes to build homes that are healthy, durable, and built to last. We tackle big topics like affordability, future-proofing, and why building science matters more than ever. Whether you're a home inspector, contractor, builder, architect, or just love geeking out on next-level construction, you won't want to miss this one! Be sure to subscribe to Matt Risinger's channel at: http://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@buildshow⁩ or check out his website at: www.thebuildshow.com. The TLDR: Water is the number one enemy of the house. It's not about keeping water out, but letting water out. Healthy homes are built to avoid problems. We need mechanical ventilation 24/7. Just because something is code compliant doesn't mean it's going to perform well. We should be saying, look, there is a minimum standard. We can absolutely do that, we just decide not to. High performance houses cost too much? We need to think about smaller, better-built homes. The perfect wall is about keeping the framing dry. The links: Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss a single episode: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter Inspection Fuel '25 is happening this Sept. 8-10 in NOLA! Be sure to register at: https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register Read more on the ISN blog at: Read more on the Palmtech blog at:

It's a Super (Gold) Star showdown this week as we're joined by Trey Hill of Gold Star Inspections in Houston! Modern social media content strategies have changed over the years but they boil down to one thing... authenticity! And you won't find anyone who embodies that better than Trey. So, if you're a new inspector and don't know where to start when it comes to content marketing... YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH! Especially if you've ever wondered what makes for GREAT content, and how the best in the industry fit video making into their workflow on site. Trey also shares his journey from traditional marketing to becoming a social media influencer in the home inspection space, highlighting the importance of making educational content entertaining. This episode's Drink of the Day is also a lil different than previous ones, as we get into personal health and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance in a demanding profession. We also get into the controversial concept of having a 'villain' in home inspection video content, as well as the significance of community engagement when it comes to building an audience. Trey also shares his personal experiences with getting hacked and rebuilding his online presence. SO! Like and subscribe, obviously share. And lastly... subscribe to the newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter The TLDR: Trey Hill has been in the inspection business for over 10 years. Social media has transformed how home inspectors market their services. Creating engaging content requires balancing education and entertainment. The inspection process should always come first before content creation. Unique challenges exist for home inspectors in creating content on-site. Networking with realtors is crucial for business growth. Trey emphasizes the importance of a structured inspection workflow. Content creation can be spontaneous but should remain relevant to inspections. Home inspectors often face the challenge of staying focused during inspections with clients present. Maintaining personal health is essential for long-term success in the inspection industry. Content creation can be awkward and challenging. Taglines can significantly enhance brand recognition. TikTok has become a powerful platform for viral content. Engagement with followers is crucial for growth. The villain concept in content can be effective but isn't for everyone. Authenticity is key in content creation. Social media platforms are constantly changing. Rebuilding after setbacks requires community support. Humor and relatability can make content more engaging. It's important to be true to oneself in content creation. The Links: Sign up for Inspection Fuel at https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register Subscribe to our newsletter at: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter Get more from the ISN blog at: https://www.inspectionsupport.com/inspectors-on-social-media-trey-hill-interview/ Get more from the Palmtech blog at: https://www.palmtech.com/social-media-inspection-success-trey-hill/