Mold Prevention & Indoor Air Quality in New Construction
03/14/25 • 48 min
Matt welcomes indoor air quality (IAQ) expert Sean Harris to explore mold prevention strategies for new construction. They discuss key building science principles, including air sealing, moisture management, and proper dehumidification to prevent mold growth in hot, humid climates like Texas. Sean emphasizes the importance of moving ductwork into conditioned spaces, using AeroBarrier and AeroSeal technology, and installing dedicated dehumidifiers to control humidity. He reveals that 90% of the 140 homes he inspected in 2024 had mold in the ductwork, even in new homes, due to poor moisture control. Sean recommends dedicated return and supply duct configurations for dehumidifiers and suggests a separate attic dehumidifier for homes with spray foam insulation. They also cover air quality monitoring, humidity control strategies, and redundancy for long-term performance.
Thank you to episode sponsor Allura. Learn more at https://allurausa.com/.
Resources:
- “Ping Pong Water” by Dr. Joe Lstiburek (Building Science Corporation)
- Florida Solar Energy Center Study on Dehumidifier Installation Methods
- Positive Energy (HVAC Design & Building Science Consulting)
Find Sean Harris on the Web:
- Website: https://iaqtexas.com/
- Instagram: @aerosealofaustin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAQTexas/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @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 Dallax, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
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Matt welcomes indoor air quality (IAQ) expert Sean Harris to explore mold prevention strategies for new construction. They discuss key building science principles, including air sealing, moisture management, and proper dehumidification to prevent mold growth in hot, humid climates like Texas. Sean emphasizes the importance of moving ductwork into conditioned spaces, using AeroBarrier and AeroSeal technology, and installing dedicated dehumidifiers to control humidity. He reveals that 90% of the 140 homes he inspected in 2024 had mold in the ductwork, even in new homes, due to poor moisture control. Sean recommends dedicated return and supply duct configurations for dehumidifiers and suggests a separate attic dehumidifier for homes with spray foam insulation. They also cover air quality monitoring, humidity control strategies, and redundancy for long-term performance.
Thank you to episode sponsor Allura. Learn more at https://allurausa.com/.
Resources:
- “Ping Pong Water” by Dr. Joe Lstiburek (Building Science Corporation)
- Florida Solar Energy Center Study on Dehumidifier Installation Methods
- Positive Energy (HVAC Design & Building Science Consulting)
Find Sean Harris on the Web:
- Website: https://iaqtexas.com/
- Instagram: @aerosealofaustin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAQTexas/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @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 Dallax, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
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
Building Generational Wealth, Literally
Matt interviews Paul Atherton, CEO of High Spire, about how builders can create generational wealth by leveraging their construction businesses for real estate development. Most builders sell their companies for 1-2x earnings, which isn’t enough to pass down wealth. Instead, Paul outlines three wealth-building pillars: operating a profitable business, investing in real estate, and adding value to assets.
Builders have a competitive edge in real estate because they understand construction costs, materials, and labor, allowing them to budget more accurately than traditional developers. We can invest in land development, adaptive reuse projects, and value-add properties, turning older commercial spaces into high-yield investments. Paul stresses the importance of cap rates, IRR (Internal Rate of Return), and strategic financing; he recommends builders aim for 25% IRR on projects and seek off-market deals.
For those new to investing, Paul advises strengthening branding and marketing, setting anti-goals to maintain work-life balance, and networking with commercial brokers and private investors. Builders should analyze 20 real estate deals per month to understand market trends. While High Spire offers capital investment opportunities, the goal is to help builders become self-sufficient real estate investors.
With real estate offering long-term appreciation and cash flow, builders who reinvest wisely can secure financial freedom for future generations. For expert coaching and funding, visit HighSpire.com.
Thank you to episode sponsor Sugatsune. Learn more at sugatsune.com.
Resources:
- Visit highspire.com for coaching and investment opportunities
Find Paul & Highspire on the Web:
- Instagram: @highspireofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Highspire/61557059785564/
- LinkedIn: Highspire & Paul Atherton
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @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 Dallax, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
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
Prairie Sun & Timber
Matt welcomes fellow Build Expert, Travis Brungardt, to discuss the brand-new Build Original Series® Prairie Sun & Timber, which follows Travis as he builds a hybrid high-performance home blending Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and traditional framing. Travis outlines the project, noting that the upper level utilizes SIPs for insulation and strength, while the walkout basement level is conventionally framed with ZIP-R9 panels for flexibility.
Throughout the series (and build itself), a key focus is air-sealing and moisture control. To prevent common SIPs failures like ridge rot, Travis applied PROSOCO Cat 5, a liquid-applied WRB, continuously from foundation to ridge, ensuring an airtight and waterproof structure. Matt & Travis discuss SIPs challenges, particularly running electrical wiring. Instead of the traditional method of melting wire chases, Travis framed a service cavity inside the walls, making installations easier.
Matt and Travis emphasize the benefits of hybrid construction’s, proper air-sealing techniques, and ways to maximize performance while maintaining flexibility. Check out the first two episodes of Prairie Sun & Timber on thebuildshow.com.
Find Travis on the Web:
- Build Original Series®: Prairie Sun & Timber
- Travis’ Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/travisbrungardt
- Travis’ Instagram: @catalystbuilt
- Travis’ Website: https://www.catalystbuilt.com/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @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!
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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