3 EASY Upgrades for ANY Build (no skills needed)

With the help of my son, Will, let me show you how you can easily improve the water and air sealing of your next project. These are upgrades that require little to no skill and can be done in a few hours but will have a profound and lasting impact on the durability of your house.
Subscribe and follow my Podcast on Apple or Spotify!
Apple: apple.co/32AOwgU
Spotify: spoti.fi/3FXNg4X
Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter:
buildshownetwork.com/newsletter
To sponsor a video or advertise with us visit:
www.buildproductions.com
Want to learn more about building? thebuildshow.com/
The Build Show on Instagram: / thebuildshow
Huge thanks to our Show sponsors Builders FirstSource, Polyguard, Huber, Rockwool & Viewrail for helping to make these videos possible! These are all trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years and trusts their products in the homes he builds. We would highly encourage you to check out their websites for more info.
www.bldr.com/
polyguard.com/
www.Huberwood.com
www.Viewrail.com
www.Rockwool.com

[@superspeeder]

Child labor, love it! Tip: it’s much more economical to run a line of Zip tape around the bottom of the wall and then use a much thinner bead of liquid flash. The liquid is prohibitively expensive and may not cure properly if applied too thick. Also, if you’re applying the liquid flash over the tape make sure to wipe the tape with acetone; it has a release agent to keep the tape from sticking too well to itself, and will result in a poor bond with the liquid flash.

[@buildshow]

Excellent points! Thanks for noting these!

[@superspeeder]

@@buildshow it’s the least I can do after so many years of absorbing info from your channel, Matt! Glad I’m finally able to give a little back! Info from your channel and a few others gave me the confidence to start my own build. I’m getting ready to put the steel on the roof next week, and after that I get to seal up my Zip system envelope. Can’t wait!

[@susanmitchell4820]

Good to know!!!

[@susanmitchell4820]

Soooo.... put down liquid flash and then the tape! Will it stick to liquid flash ok?

[@superspeeder]

@@susanmitchell4820 I did it the other way. I put tape first, covering all the wood as close to the foundation as possible, then wipe the tape with acetone before caulking the gap with liquid flash. This method was confirmed with the Techs at Huber (they’re the ones who informed me to use acetone) and allows for minimal use of the expensive liquid flash. I did not ask about applying tape over the liquid flash. If this is something you need to do I would check with Huber first.

[@2AToday]

I don’t have kids but one day I hope to have a son as excellent as Will. So impressed by his maturity and work ethic. Well done Matt, you have a wonderful family!

[@crabkilla]

Love to see the kids coming up to the trades! We need more of them!!

[@FLPhotoCatcher]

It is! 👍 About the liquid flash and related products, how do we know that in a few years, using all that chemical liquid flash will not turn out to be a health hazard? Teflon and dozens of related chemicals are poisoning us and future generations. The companies promoting them were all like "it's fine!" when it was not. More testing is needed for *anything* that will offgas or leach into food and water.

[@Padoinky]

It’s cool that you’re engaging the younger generation into the family biz and the social media aspect of how to do a “how to do” show - kudos

[@philremmers2985]

Matt, it is great to see your son Will work alongside you!! Blessings to both of you!!

[@N_A_RLW]

Thank You, for helping " Stud Pack " and look forward to your collaboration ! 😎

[@buildshow]

Me too! Can’t wait to head down to Houston to see them.

[@SparklySpencer]

Actually it was super awesome seeing you interact with your kids. Learning a family trade, especially one that will serve him and his family well for generations is a beautiful thing - even if he grows up a little and makes up his own mind as to what he will do in the future. I am impressed and am reminded of the many times my grandfather and I worked on several construction projects together. Best wishes to you Will, and may you have a fulfilling career. From an outside perspective, your dad is really kind of cool, I have enjoyed learning about building science through his platform, and I am glad he is taking the time to pass his knowledge to you as well.

[@dreewarren3080]

Great video and teaching the younger generation. Just a tip, if you cut the white scraper in half, it will tool easier, stay cleaner as well. That’s what we do on our commercial projects

[@robertrisk93]

Wiil surely did a great job, both with the sealing and the talking. He looks a lot like the other Risinger KZbin star, the one who uses a white gown to work. Way to go.

[@an7h0ny88]

Where I am from Lexel is about $19 per tube. There's really no need to use $700 of Lexel on the inside on that plate when you're already doing such a thorough job on the exterior where your air barrier is. Keep the air barrier continuity on the exterior side and do your vapour control (if necessary) on the inside. Liquid flash and Lexel do not allow vapour transmission and will trap between the plate, sill gasket, and concrete. The ZIP Liquid Flash would be nearly $2000 for me as well. Using Siga Fentrim 430 you could have a quicker job completed for half the price. I know cost typically isn't an issue with Matts builds, but it's something I think people should look at..

[@joshuaschlies7751]

Up here in northern MN we would just use tubes of butyl on the inside and lay a bead down on the sill, doors and windows edges as we put up our 6mil vapor plastic. Then we can mush the plastic right into it to create a seal.

[@QuietRiverBear]

The ability of a family business to be passed onto the next generation requires: 1) a next generation, 2) training them to take over, 3) letting them take over, 3) letting them make mistakes, 4) and fix those mistakes, 5) giving them the tools and knowledge to take over, 6) giving them the complete control and ownership when the time comes, 7) not saddling them with debt buying the company from you, 8) you preparing your retirement funds without a windfall from selling the company. It’s your legacy, not your bucket list fund. If your business is your bucket list fund don’t even bother making it a family business. The debt will be a weight on your children and your [grandchildren]. [ed due to not checking auto-incorrect]

[@Robin-xe4yz]

True wisdom above. Society flourishes when old men plant trees they know they will not rest in the shade of. Seven-generation mindset. Thank you for putting in the effort to put this lesson to words for others.

[@atomicsmith]

So true about debt. Don’t make it generational. Also, your kids may not be suited to take over your business. Be open to selling your business and starting something new with your kids. I’ve seen two fathers do this, and it was incredibly successful.

[@FightinAggieFarmer]

Love to see your son out learning. So glad my father had me out working with him growing up. Even though I’m not doing the same thing he did, it built a foundation that’s really helped me over the years.

[@snowgorilla9789]

Great to see your kid learning the how's but way more important the why's builds a great work ethic. WELL DONE !

[@ManilaDave]

Having Will there is the best work you have ever shared. KUDOS to you and especially the Will.

[@poohbear4130]

Wills a natural, great to see young people involved in construction!

[@Casmige]

I’m in my 60s & I have fond fun memories of doing grunt work. It Gave me time to think, ruminate, & methodically evaluate the building process…. The what, why, where, when, & how of it all. I learned more doing grunt work & pulling wire than anything else. If American kids would get out & do the jobs that people say Americans don’t want to do? Not only will their self-esteem come up but they’ll lose baby-fat weight & they’ll have a trade that can’t be outsourced to Chynaaaah.

[@FallRiverHomesScott]

Great work by a Father and a Son! 👏👏🙌😎👍

[@c1neal]

Gah! It breaks my heart. The builder we chose said he knew how to install the zip system. He had no clue. Panels shot through and over driven. No roller was on site until I called the GC. He had the framers just tape over all the nail seams like I wasn’t going to check after I told him they had to be flashed and panels needed overnailing because it wasn’t up to code. Found out he didn’t have sill pans installed. Guy got fired for way more than that though. When I brought up sealing with liquid flash he almost had a heart attack.

[@crabkilla]

If you ask me, this is the biggest downfall of construction. Trades are unwilling to research their craft or level up their skills. “I have been doin' this for 30 years, and I know what I am doing!”

[@thebobbyflores]

There are definitely too many tradesmen and builders that just don't know or care to know about getting details like this right. We need the clients and owners like you to demand better so that quality work is not the exception, but the minimum acceptable standard. Sorry you had to go through that, but thank you for standing up to get the quality you deserve!

[@sethhernly6598]

One of my close friends hired a builder that was perceived as higher quality and higher end. He asked him to use zip and he did however no tape rolling, no window flashing, no liquid flash on the foundation… when asked he just seemed baffled. The bar is really so low unfortunately.

[@boeing757pilot]

That's not uncommon for many of the trades. Guys never crack a book to increase their knowledge.

[@Crusader1815]

Great job, Will. You have the gift of gab just like your dad. Well done presentation.

[@eh_bailey]

Matt, I love you are out there with your son. Would it be more cost-effective to use liquid flash on the concrete and the gap and then tape the bottom edge of the zip to meet it (after it cures)?

[@sleze]

Great simple video - much appreciated. Also, Will did great!

[@samvoyles2096]

Matt, way to go getting Will involved. Great tips!

[@paperburn]

Some of my best memories was working with my dad on the job site with my dad.

[@MonkeyFencing]

Love it! Great video and love to see another generation getting in the trade! Wishing you continued success!

[@danielstover3029]

Way to go Will! Nice job... 😁👍👍👍👍👍

[@johntorres1517]

Bugs! Another great reason to do this. Termites and other pests will have a harder time coming into the home. I like it. AS I have been remodeling I've made it a point to be friends with pest control to get into the spaces that typically don't have access. It feels good to know we are keeping the space bug free.

[@wrfarms9741]

Will is chip off the old block! Nicely done! 👍

[@GreenOnionGang]

Thanks for having me on the show dad. Hopefully more videos to come!

[@buildshow]

Well done Son! You’ll be replacing me before you know it

[@ScubaOz]

We used to run liquid nails along the base back in the day, products have come a long way since I was a youngster

[@effenfish661]

i like how you are demonstrating improvements to "ordinary" builds, not high-end ones.

[@thirstypilgrim97]

His typical job is 1,000,000 to 10,000,000 so maybe not quite "ordinary" but good info nonetheless.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

One suggestion, since you've had some recent skin issues, you need to give your crew better sun protection hats. Sun is to skin what water is to walls.

[@batmb1e]

"Bomber"! Great details Matt.

[@buildshow]

My favorite word!

[@ALLworldCONSTRUCTIONLLC]

Good job pops and son

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

OH! OH! LOL! A clone Matt Risinger.... "Onnnn The Build Show!!!" Well done Will 👍 ☺🇨🇦

[@jimz.438]

Your son did a great job!

[@buildshow]

I thought so too!

[@roBLINDhood]

How proud you must be of that young man!! Good job Will and good job dad!!

[@t.e.1189]

This was a great video. Good for you to get your son involved. We need more young people in the trades. Keep up the good work!

[@jimmystuckeysongs3859]

Awesome stuff Matt, thanks for sharing...Cheers

[@ttt12344]

Awesome you are getting your son involved!!!

[@XcessCapital]

That was awesome Matt. I used to go to work all summer with my dad. Great to see!

[@nebulousJames12345]

My first house I built alone. I covered all framing lumber completely with zip liquid flash. Zip 4.0 method. The second house I built with my son and his friends, we had full zip liquid coverage on all framing lumber and all sheathing, inside and out. Zip 5.0 has been working well on this house

[@ryansoo4000]

I have a question about the design of this house - what do you do when your experience as a builder (with regards to air-sealing, WRB’s, roof projections, flashing details, etc) collides with the architectural design? This house, although beautiful, has an endless variety of bump-outs, gable roofs, shed roofs, gable roofs intersecting shed roofs, different eave heights, dormers, overhangs, etc. - and the house doesn’t look to be that large. The one thing I’ve heard Architect Steve Baczek say, as well as forensic building scientist Dr. Joe Lstuburek and Martin Holladay from the Green Building Advisor site, is that with every corner, jog or change in material it becomes harder and harder to detail the exterior envelope correctly and that therefore buildings should have as simple a shape and as simple a roof design as possible. When you see a design like like the one for this house , do you ever advise the client that their design should be simplified and if so, how do they (and the Architect) react to that advice?

[@joeydementia7488]

Great having your son shadow you on the job

[@Rocco101]

Great video Matt keep them coming.

[@MyFathersBusinessLLC]

Hey Matt great work! Did you know that the liquid flash does not stick to zip tape? They said acetone will prep the tape if you have to👍👍

[@johnwhite2576]

Indeed… but zip tape will adhere to liquid flash thus leave bottom four inches of vertical zip tape loose and roll down over cured zip flash line

[@MyFathersBusinessLLC]

@@johnwhite2576 huber wood says not to leave tape exposed to dust particles. It will not adgere correctly. Even a single day is enough to ruin that bottom edge. The correct way to flash those is to cut your tape 4" above your liquid flash, let it dry then over lap the tape 3" above the horizontal seam.

[@chaplaindougpruitt9058]

Love seeing the next generation on the jobsite. Great job Will... and of course DAD!!

[@susanmitchell4820]

Loved seeing your son! He does a great job!

[@nannesoar]

Your son is kickin ass Man! He seems mature beyond his age which is one of the most valuable attributes a young person can have IMO

[@ronniebaker5093]

Love the Awesome crew!!!

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing.

[@guylambrechts2303]

Pro's in the making!

[@sen3990]

nice you brought the kids !

[@stevebaldrick9058]

Great seeing your son on board.

[@AaronHope_Sow]

Nothing like a sweet summer job!

[@ledebuhr1]

Looks like Will is putting Matt out of a job.

[@Highlos]

Ya 30 more years of experience 😂😂😂

[@thedirtprincess3293]

I bet that's the plan! 😁

[@solarcrystal5494]

"no skill needed"

[@ah244895]

It is called preparing for retirement

[@conniesisco6468]

That looks amazing!

[@moonshinewarrior]

Good job young man !

[@frankminisplitking]

Awesome, got the kiddos to work, bringing in the next generation of awesome builders! Cheers and happy 4th!

[@VillelaHN]

Awesome! Future home builder. 👍

[@hachiebaker]

Well done Will! Nice to see generational knowledge as a priority.

[@hassaanvault]

This Risinger Duet was pretty good. Keep it up boys 👍

[@atomicsmith]

An “air sealing service” could be a great summer business idea for young people. This is fiddly work that most trades don’t want to touch, and most builders would consider a waste of their time.

[@travismorgan4249]

Going to have my siding and WRB replaced on my house soon and saving this video for future use.

[@johnbolongo9978]

Nicely done.

[@pillowvision]

Easily the best Build show episode to date! Way to go Dad 👍🏾

[@peehandshihtzu]

Good job Will!

[@houseandmoney]

I'm only self building a small detached garage, but one day it may become an ADU (or the only thing standing after the big one) so all these details are going in now.

[@mariacifuentesmarrero8938]

I love this video!!!

[@MM-ub3jy]

Matt, Great to see you passing along the family trade to your son. You mention many times the little details that elevate performance of the envelope. In the exterior sill seal segment with your son explaining it, you guys might have wanted to go the extra step to seal off the nail indentation an inch above the sill sealing (8:27). Thank you for all you do with your work, the knowledge you and your crews share has been invaluable to my development.

[@buildshow]

Appreciate that. Agree that we could have tightened up a few more details

[@alexmills2043]

If you're going to be doing whole houses, investing in an auto-caulk gun is well worth it. Not great for tiny projects, but anyplace you're using whole tubes it's a game changer. Dewalt and Milwaukee both make them, and they come in multiple versions for different size tubes.

[@JL-hn6hi]

Summer job! ❤❤❤

[@samhelsper9130]

Excellent

[@marknaugle3832]

Hi Matt, great details as always! I'm curious as to why you need to go up so high on the osb with the liquid flash around the exterior perimiter? Isn't it just the gap under the bottom plate being addressed with this?

[@raytruesdell7873]

Good son 👍

[@ssmith2019]

Passing It On ! That RULES !😀

[@glennakam]

Matt, have you ever used zip tap on the bottom of white lumber instead of using pressure treated wood for a base plate in conjunction with a sill seal? Pros and cons would be appreciated. ❤ that your son is helping out 👍

[@paulcummings55]

LOL! So, does Will work at a 'family discount?' Nice to see family do thing together!

[@doomsdaypreppersofsouthcar9301]

Good job....teach them young

[@randyyaw]

Passing the torch

[@kenancatrules]

You don't feel it when you just watch the video. Everytime I'm squeezing that ZIP liquid flashing I just feel money is coming out....I tried it out at my recent job site and I bought two 29oz tubes, $50 a tube, plus some sweat equity, and those made it about 20ft and I called it quit. What's your typical cost estimate to do a house like that? And which trade do you use to do the application?

[@Tricksofatrade]

very nice

[@Charlieman.]

Awesome

[@wink9970]

No skills needed - - I'm in!!

[@StumperTX]

Wouldn't Fentrim be a more cost and labor effective solution for the exterior? you've used it before for this.

[@CapitanGreenhat]

Great video, you should have your kid on more

[@charlesviner1565]

👍awesome

[@crazysfx]

How many SF was that home you did the liquid flashing on/ How many liner ft was it? Doing a custom build in the next few months and I'm prepping in advance!

[@longtimber1]

Whats the best liquid flash for below grade?

[@hjc0706]

question is if its ok for the homeowner to do this on the job site

[@joshgastley175]

Love it what if the framer folded a piece of zip tape around the exposed edge before installing the sheathing?

[@buildshow]

I’ve done that on Zip R but not standard Zip. I like the concept

[@JH-mx4yc]

Anyone got any tips if my new house has ZIP R-9 cheating that is overhanging from the foundation? Just rip liquid flash all the way around the base plate under the ZIP-R? Or install some sort of treated wood and install a strip around the bottom first then liquid flash?

[@jaymatthiesen8927]

Would you use this method instead of Siga Tape? I saw an earlier show using Siga tape and thought that worked well?

[@samasmith89]

Matt is beaming with fatherly pride, lol!

[@TheSpatulaCity]

Could you use Elastomeric Flashing Sealant used for roofs and chimneys instead of that LiquidFlash? That stuff is quite expensive.

[@ToddBizCoach]

When will Will get to start put on roofing? Hopefully soon so we can watch his Dad demonstrate the process.

[@drumrboynoid]

What happens when water runs down underneath that zip shielding and pools up at the bottom. A wize man once said, "if it cant dry then it will die".

[@Sparkling.Fresca]

I agree, water and moisture should have a way to escape.

[@jcunningham2rcr]

That's my issue with these air tight builds. One small hole or crack in the system will cause some big issues pretty fast if moisture gets it.

[@JamesMateush]

Zip system liquid flash. Around 35-40 dollars a sausage. Thats why its liquid gold.

[@trp2413]

I find I get better penetration when I push the caulk gun & generally get a smoother look too.

[@johnwhite2576]

Word that’s the proper way direction to caulk plus usually less messu

[@steveanderson4768]

It’s a mini-me little dude will be taking your job

[@jetsetjoey]

Sealing the exterior Bottom Plate-to-Stemwall joint is warranted, BUT I would not have sealed the bottom edge of the Zip sheathing.