Building Healthy Homes: Navigating Mold, Risks, and Solutions
04/05/24 • 47 min
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt revisits the reason he grew so passionate about building science: mold. Guest Cristina Greenfield recounts her family's ordeal with mold and its impact on their health, shedding light on the need for awareness and preventive measures. They delve into the specifics of mold proliferation, emphasizing the role of HVAC systems and proper insulation.
Cristina underscores the importance of education and proactive measures in maintaining a healthy home environment, advocating for effective communication and risk management in construction projects. They discuss practical advice for consumers and builders alike, stressing the significance of aligning goals and understanding risk profiles.
Both Cristina and Matt highlight the value of continuous learning and transparent sharing of information to ensure the creation of practical, durable, and healthy homes. Check out the resources below:
Resources:
- Build Science 101
- Building Science Fight Club: https://www.buildingsciencefightclub.com/
- Building Biology Institute: https://buildingbiologyinstitute.org/
- Healthy Home: Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker-Laporte
- Build Show LIVE
Find Cristina on the web:
- Instagram: @conscioushealthyhome
- TikTok: @conscioushealthyhome
- Facebook: Conscious Healthy Home
- Website: https://www.conscioushealthyhome.com/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshow
- TikTok: @thebuildshow
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshow
- Website: https://risingerbuild.com/ and https://buildshownetwork.com/
Join us at Build Show LIVE this November 7-9 in Austin, TX. Click here to stay in the know.
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt revisits the reason he grew so passionate about building science: mold. Guest Cristina Greenfield recounts her family's ordeal with mold and its impact on their health, shedding light on the need for awareness and preventive measures. They delve into the specifics of mold proliferation, emphasizing the role of HVAC systems and proper insulation.
Cristina underscores the importance of education and proactive measures in maintaining a healthy home environment, advocating for effective communication and risk management in construction projects. They discuss practical advice for consumers and builders alike, stressing the significance of aligning goals and understanding risk profiles.
Both Cristina and Matt highlight the value of continuous learning and transparent sharing of information to ensure the creation of practical, durable, and healthy homes. Check out the resources below:
Resources:
- Build Science 101
- Building Science Fight Club: https://www.buildingsciencefightclub.com/
- Building Biology Institute: https://buildingbiologyinstitute.org/
- Healthy Home: Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker-Laporte
- Build Show LIVE
Find Cristina on the web:
- Instagram: @conscioushealthyhome
- TikTok: @conscioushealthyhome
- Facebook: Conscious Healthy Home
- Website: https://www.conscioushealthyhome.com/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshow
- TikTok: @thebuildshow
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshow
- Website: https://risingerbuild.com/ and https://buildshownetwork.com/
Join us at Build Show LIVE this November 7-9 in Austin, TX. Click here to stay in the know.
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.
Previous Episode
Restoring the Past, Building the Future
This week, Matt welcomes Mark Bowe (Host of Barnwood Builders), particularly known for his expertise in revitalizing centuries-old buildings while preserving their historical essence. Mark shares his journey from disassembling barns to founding his own business, overcoming hurdles like finding buyers and navigating the industry's intricacies. Since he founded his company in 1995, Mark and his crew have reclaimed more than 500 pioneer-era structures.
They dive into the fine balance between traditional and modern construction methods, and Mark highlights the challenges in meeting evolving building codes and regulations.
The conversation shifts to the development of a revolutionary house prototype with an R200 insulation rating achieved through unconventional vacuum-sealed wall construction. (Mark and his team just received a patent on the project). Matt and Mark discuss potential benefits of such a design, including enhanced energy efficiency and durability in extreme weather conditions.
Tune in to get to know Mark Bowe and learn his favorite species of wood to reuse in his restoration projects (spoiler: it’s not what you’d expect).
Find Mark Bowe on the web:
- Instagram: @mark_bowe and @barnwood_builders
- X (formerly known as Twitter): @MarkBowe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkBoweTV/
- Website: https://www.markbowe.com/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshow
- TikTok: @thebuildshow
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshow
- Website: https://risingerbuild.com/ and https://buildshownetwork.com/
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.
Next Episode
Unlocking Perfect Plumbing: Expert Strategies for Efficient Water Delivery
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt delves into the intricacies of water delivery in homes with the “Hot Water Expert” Gary Klein, focusing on plumbing systems and hot water efficiency. Gary discusses minimizing water waste and optimizing hot water delivery, covering various strategies like circulation loops and on-demand pumps. They also tackle outdated plumbing codes and advocate for modernization to reflect water-saving fixtures and smaller pipe diameters.
Matt and Gary emphasize the need for collaboration between architects and plumbers to achieve efficient plumbing layouts and prevent leaks. Additionally, Gary highlights the importance of preventive measures like floor drains and discusses innovative solutions such as placing water heaters in semi-conditioned attics.
Resources:
- “Architectural Compactness and Hot Water Delivery”
- “Efficient Hot-Water Piping”
- “Inefficient Hot Water Piping Layouts Waste Hot Water”
Find Gary on the web:
- Website: https://www.garykleinassociates.com/
- Gary’s Articles: https://www.garykleinassociates.com/writings.html
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshow
- TikTok: @thebuildshow
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshow
- Website: https://risingerbuild.com/ and https://buildshownetwork.com/
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Join us at Build Show LIVE this November 7-9 in Austin, TX. Click here to stay in the know.
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.
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