Building Industry Show November 13th and 14th!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the annual Builders Show at the Long Beach Convention Center!
Since 1988, the BIS Show brings manufacturer's and builders together.

It'll be interesting to go and hear what is happening in the new construction world; it's been a little slow, but homes are being built and bought, so there is some activity going on...

Register online and get a free pass using promo code A3M85

Picture of the Week-A Reminder That October is Fire Safety Month, and so is every month of the Year!

I don't know what started this fire, but the owners are lucky.
The siding on the house is burned up, there is plastic melted on the deck and the building has probably sustained 10l worth of damages...easily.

Please please be careful!

San Diego Chapter of ICC Presents 2007 CBC Chapter 7 Fire Resistance Rated Construction Seminar

Here's a very relevant seminar put on by San Diego's ICC chapter; the seminar will address fundamental concepts of fire performance and types of construction as it relates to acceptable materials limiting the impact of fire.

Upon completion, participants will be better understand the definitions ie: Fire Wall, Fire Barrier, Horizontal Assembly etc.

Handbook and lunch included, recommended for Building Officials,. Plan Check Engineers, Plan Examiners, Architects and Designers...and deck coating manufacturer's, applicators and interested parties.

$120.00 for non ICC members...register at ICC San Diego by clicking our headline.

Date-Friday November 7, 2008 8-4 pm.

Fun Facts About Our Website and Visitors...

I like looking at my stat engine and the various other tools that as web master I get access to for my website and Blog. While a lot of stuff is mind numbing stuff the techies eat up, I just like to see who came by and what they looked at...and if we could help 'em out.

I see a lot of folks who come by on web searches, the favorite search engine by far is Google, and the top search words are "deck coatings", followed by "deck coating" The word "waterproofing", in conjunction with other search words like plywood, deck or decking is very popular as well.

I'm gratified to see that over 53% of our visitors mark us in their bookmarks, indicating that we are hitting a good number of the visitors we want, visitors who find our information relevant!

Links from other web pages are always a big help in bringing visitors, the Forum Pages at JLC send me the most, at over 500 visitors from their site alone! www.deckindustry.org sends us a bunch of visitors too, follwed by Residential Contractor, www.condoissues.blogspot.com and a host of others...

Thank you to all of you who follow our bog, read our website, patronize our Google ads and our website sponsors; keep on reading!

CSLB Press Release - 10/17/2008 Homeless Shelter Project Lures Phony Contractors into Woodland Sting Operation

WOODLAND — Twelve people were arrested for contracting without a license after they showed up to bid on projects Wednesday at what they thought was a proposed homeless shelter. It was, in fact, a joint undercover operation conducted by the Contractors State License Board, the Yolo Unlicensed Rapid Apprehension Team (YoURAT), Woodland Police Department, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Department of Insurance (DOI), and the Employment Development Department (EDD).

The suspects were selected from complaint files and illegal advertisements. They bid on projects at the commercial site in Woodland for landscaping, painting, flooring and drywall jobs. The twelve face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license. DIR’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement issued civil fines against six of the employers. Another contractor was fined by EDD for paying employees under the table.

"Unlicensed operators are part of a multi-billion dollar underground economy that takes jobs away from legitimate contractors, and tax dollars," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "They seldom offer insurance for their workers and offer no guarantees for the property owners who use them. Property owners have little recourse if something goes wrong with an unlicensed operator."

The CSLB urges consumers to follow these tips when hiring a contractor:

• Be especially hesitant when approached by someone offering home improvement services door-to-door.
• Verify the contractor's license by checking online at www.cslb.ca.gov, or via CSLB’s automated phone service at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).
• Don't pay more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.
• Don't pay cash, and don't let the payments get ahead of the work.
• Check references; get three bids and a written contract.
• Contact the CSLB if you have a complaint against a contractor.

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California's 316,000 contractors, and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually. In fiscal year 2006-07, the CSLB helped consumers get almost $45 million in ordered restitution.

Sting Operation Details

12 arrests for contracting without a license
8 Citations from Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) totaling $9,500
2 Criminal filings for violation of Labor Code 3700.5 (Workers Compensation)
1 Administrative citation

RCI So Cal Presents-2008 Building Code Update! Waterproofers take notice!

Attention all trades people in waterproofing/deck coatings! You better attend this class! This is an important update to what the new codes say, what your responsible for and what designers and manufacturer's are responsible for...

Tell 'em you found out about this class here!

See you in San Francisco...Click our Headline to go to RCI So Cal and Register!

So Cal Chapter of RCI, Inc.

Monday, November 17, 2008 2008 Calif. Building Code Update San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf Roofing, Waterproofing and the Building Envelope SPEAKERS: Waterproofing Code Update: Chris Nelson of DNG Group. Roofing Code Update: John D. Shepherd, RRC, of Shepherd Consulting Services Building Envelope Code Update: Don DeGroot, IBA Consultants West, LLC The new California building code, which became effective statewide on January 1, 2008, is based on the 2006 International Building Code and not the 1997 Uniform Building Code that we have all become accustomed to using for the last 10 years. The new IBC and CBC have many specific changes that effect roofing, waterproofing and building envelope professionals. Most significantly, the old Codes generally required that the construction (builder) prevent water intrusion to the interior. The new Codes have been changed to make them more stringent and specific. Language has been added in the Codes that requires both "design and construction" to meet the intent of the codes, not just construction. As a result, the new codes shift more liability on the design professional, requiring them to properly design the building envelope systems. In regards to water intrusion and water damage, new codes include vapor barriers and vapor migration within an assembly. This seminar will include a side-by-side comparison between the old code and new code as related to roofing, waterproofing, exterior walls and building envelope systems. Liberty Lewis, PE, is a Project Manager with PIE and will be presenting Ventilation of Low Slope Roof Assemblies. Steven Mack, PE, is a Project Manager with PIE and will be presenting on Adhered Stone Veneer. RCI Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs) from RCI 5 AIA Learning Units (LUs) from the American Institute of Architects 5 Registration and Location Registration Time: 12:30 pm Program: 1 pm to 7 pm An afternoon break and a light dinner will be provided Registration Fees: RCI / AIA / CREIA Member: $100 Non-Member: $125 Parking: $17 plus tax Location: The Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf 1300 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133 Hotel Reservations: (800) 942-7348 To register, go to www.RCISoCalChapter.org Questions call: 866/914-4RCI

ELITE CRETE LA Offers Training Classes for Epoxy Flooring

Advanced Coatings and Acid Staining Class October 25th and 26th 2700 Rose Ave Unit D Signal Hill, CA 90755 310 612-2502 Reflector Color Chart New Color Reflector and Spartic All Demonstrations to be focused on this weekend Oct 2008 This weekend's training will put Special Attention on the Interior Epoxy Flooring Residential, Commercial & Industrial Epoxy Coating Systems: This training we will be covering the E100-PT Series Epoxy Coating in great detail. We will cover every thing from the shot blasting and diamond grinding to the application proceedures to clean up. We will also teach the ever popular full broadcast of decorative quartz and full flake systems. These are great applications to offer in the colder orwinter months as the westher doesn't allow exterior work. With Elite Crete Systems E100-PT and the new one day Spartic - All optionyou can do every thing from the simple garage floor all the way up to a large industrial floors and offer a color for every job and clear uv resistant epoxy for a top coat. E100 Color chart SPARTIC-ALL RM SPARTIC-ALL RM is an extremely high solids, clear protective coating based on the popular polyaspartic ester technology. No protective coating is stronger or resistant to wear. This product will eliminate a lot of costly down time on the job because it dries so quickly and recoat time in 2 to 3 hours. The job can be opened to foot or vehicular traffic the next day. Released just a few months ago, SPARTIC-ALL RM is already being specified by by architects for high end commercial and retail flooring projects where extreme durability is required yet downtime must be minimal. Attend training and see where the future of clear coatings is heading... REFLECTOR Enhancer No product release in the history of Elite Crete Systems has received more compliments that REFLECTOR Enhancer has. Engineered from proprietary oxychloride crystal powders, REFLECTOR Enhancer is designed for creating completely unique and wild color variations, metallic type finishes and iridescence hues in a multitude of clear sealers and coatings. Architects and designers are already giddy over the possibilities that REFLECTOR Enhancer has to offer. Let us teach you and your company to be one of the first in California to use REFLECTOR Enhancer and watch your profits soar. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter. If you have any questions on any of the Elite Crete Systems products please feel free to give us a call or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you at a training in the near future. Sincerely, EliteCrete Los Angeles (310)612-2502. wagner@elitecretesocal.com www.elitecrete.com

Paying It Forward For CAI LA -Casino Night is Coming! Sign Up Now!

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Dear Bill,

...REMINDER... We still have some tickets available, so SIGN UP TODAY! Come to Casino Night at the COTTON CLUB We're re-creating the speakeasy nightclub atmosphere, complete with jazz entertainment for you, on Saturday, November 1... and you'll need a key to enter... BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY AND CALL THE CHAPTER OFFICE TO RECEIVE YOUR EXCLUSIVE ENTRY KEY ... We are selling out fast! IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT EVENT!! 9TH ANNUAL CAI-GLAC CASINO NIGHT

BUY YOUR TICKETS! November 1 6:00 p.m. Sportsmen's Lodge Studio City $105 per person $30 Texas Hold 'Em Pre-event Buy-in Enter the TEXAS HOLD 'EM TOURNAMENT... TOURNAMENT WINNER WILL ENJOY A 2-NIGHT, 3-DAY WEEKEND GETAWAY AT ONE OF 26 POSSIBLE LOCATIONS.

Click for more information & ticket purchase details.

Public Service Announcement-RCI SoCal Chapter Brings Title 24/Cool Roof Seminar to Long Beach October 20th!

So Cal Chapter of RCI, Inc.

Monday, October 20, 2008 Leed and Title 24: Roofing Issues Long Beach, CA California Title 24 Cool Roof: The focus of this class will be on new requirements involving the inclusion of roofing for residential and certain institutional entities and the new requirements for sloped roofing, shingles, tiles and metal panels. Both of these areas where previously excluded from Title 24 Cool Roof requirements. The last topic for Title 24 Cool Roofs, will be the 3 year progress updates on how the reflectivity of Cool Roofs has played out in the field and how it will impact any revised requirements. These portions of class will be presented by John A. Goveia, President of Pacific Building Consultants, Inc. and Philip D. Dregger PE RRC FRCI, President of Technical Roof Services, Inc. LEED: This session will provide a brief overview of the LEED program and process. Then lead into a more in-depth look at how roofing and waterproofing are involved in the LEED process. This portion will be presented by Peter Barsuk, Gensler. RCI Continuing Educational Hours (CEHs) from RCI 5 AIA Learning Units (LUs) from the American Institute of Architects 5 Registration and Location Registration Time: 1:30 pm Program: 2 pm to 7:30 pm Registration Fees: RCI / AIA / CREIA Member: $100 Non-Member: $125 Registration fee includes course handouts, beverages at registration and a light dinner. Parking: FREE Location: The Grand Event Center 4101 East Willow Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 426-0555 To register, go to www.RCISoCalChapter.org Questions call: 866/914-4RCI

REMINDER-OCTOBER IS FIRE SAFETY MONTH!

Earlier this week I was in So Cal, watching fires seemingly burst out of no where in the San Fernando Valley-the Porter Ranch area in particular. A business acquaintance was telling me yesterday how the fires reached his yard before being turned away. His only loss, a wheelbarrow.

For many others, they lost a lot more...homes, possessions, the memories those homes held inside...

Click our headline to go to the non-profit Home Safety Council's website to find out how you can help protect your property, and more importantly you and your family's lives, in the event of a house or wild fire.

For us here at Deck Expert Central, we recommend that you check your decks and adjacent areas for leaves, dead plants, flammable items such as lighter fluid (never ever ever store gasoline on your deck!)

Deck coatings (most anyway) are designed with fire resistance in mind; indeed the only types of coatings I'll use are Class A and One Hour Fire Rated Assemblies. My favorites to use are Desert Crete, Dex-O-Tex, Pli-Dek and Mer-Kote. See ICC's website for fire rated decking systems,

So many times I go onto decks and find large piles of dried leaves on them; an ember blowing over the hill from a fire nearby would easily ignite such a pile, and the leaves give the flames time to find other flammable items to burn. Clear out gutters of leaves/debris too!

The few minutes spent doing this and other fire clearance prevention measures may help save your home next!

Decks/Homes at Atascadero Habitat for Humanity Project Moves Forward

Working in conjunction with many other trades who are trying to finish their skilled trade projects-insulation/drywall, elctrical...I am working to dry in the decks for the painters to be able to finish painting the trim and siding...

The posts and railings are in and I have finished applying the base coat/fiberglass coat of the DESERT CRETE decking system from Hill Brothers.

Just in time too, as we got an early October rain storm last week...

Next week I'll be back to texture and seal the decks for their final finish. The volunteers will be coming in to do the landscaping and other work so that families can be moved in hopefully by Christmas.

Lowry's Opens 6th Location in Phoenix

HA Lowry's a wholesale distributor of waterproofing, sealants and deck coatings in California, has expanded this year out to Phoenix AZ, to support the growing market in the area.

Contractors and tradesmen can find them at

Sales Office and Warehouse
3230 E. Roeser Rd., Suite #3
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Tel: 602 268 7901
Fax: 602 268 7909

Lowry's carries it's own private labeled brands, as well as nationally known brands such as Carlisle, Neoguard, Dow Corning, Vulkem, Sika, CIM, WR Grace,
Polytuff, Tremco and many others.

Lowry's other locations are in California; in Anaheim, Arleta, Sacramento, Hayward and San Diego.

Click on our headline to go to Lowry's website...

More on the Vegas Case...

A former property manager is now coming forward saying she saw problems with the person at the center of the HOA investigations, Leon Benzer. New video and phone calls show some violent hired muscle willing to cross the line.

Allegations are flying back and forth in this case. Now there's proof it could get a lot worse.

From rigged elections and cushy contracts, to junkets to Cabo San Lucas and six tough guys acting as enforcers who would rough up anyone that would get in the way. The tale is the videotape, and it's one tale Diane Wild wishes she could forget.

"You recognize bad when you hear bad," she said.

READ THE REST BY CLICKING OUR HEADLINE....

Why Scuppers Need to Be Flashed on the outside wall

I posted a couple pictures of a job we're doing in Grover Beach earlier this week; there is dry-rot and structural damage, quite a bit and it's all because of (mostly) the scuppers allowing water past them, as seen in this picture.

You can see the rusted plate right below the opening, building paper is visible, but no counter flashing was installed over the scupper, which would allow the lather to put paper behind, then down over the counter-flashing...

This $50.00 to install item, by deleting it, caused $5,000 in damages...

Insist your scuppers get counter-flashed on the outside, it's one of those differences between me and my competitors...I put them in, most of my competitors don't.

For a job done correctly every time, where, when it comes to waterproofing, compromise is not an option , call me, Bill Leys at 805-801-2380

Iowa Supreme Court Extends Implied Warranty of Workmanlike Construction to Subsequent Homebuyers

Wow, I thought California was tough on defects...Iowa has a 15 year defect law that extends to subsequent buyers too...

Posted by Dave Seitter on October 1, 2008
October 01, 2008
Iowa Supreme Court Extends Implied Warranty of Workmanlike Construction to Subsequent Homebuyers

The Iowa Supreme Court recently held that a subsequent buyer of a home could recover from the home builder for defective construction under an implied warranty of workmanlike construction in the case of Speight v. Walters Development Co., Ltd., 744 N.W.2d 108 (Iowa 2008). The facts revealed that a newly constructed home was sold to the original buyer in 1995. The home was subsequently sold twice, with the plaintiffs purchasing the home on August 1, 2000. Sometime after purchasing the home they noticed water damage and mold which a building inspector determined was the result of a defectively constructed roof and defective rain gutters. The homeowners filed suit against the home builder on May 23, 2005 alleging a breach of the implied warranty of workmanlike construction. The implied warranty of workmanlike construction is designed to protect an innocent home buyer by holding the experienced homebuilder accountable for the quality of construction.

Read the rest at Dave's blog by clicking on our headline!

Nevada Supreme Court rules on construction defect lawsuit

DEl Webb faces more than 700 homeowners ona construction defect suit after the court ruled in the owners favor...

By Cy Ryan

Mon, Sep 29, 2008 (5:49 p.m.)

CARSON CITY – An estimated 700 owners of homes in the Sun City Summerlin Community in Las Vegas can join in a construction defect suit, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled.

They are part of a group of 1,200 owners that have sued on grounds effects exist in the exterior stucco of their residences.

The developers, including Del Webb Communities, Inc., maintained the 700 could not be part of the suit because they were not the original owners of the property.

But the court, in a unanimous opinion written by Justice Jim Hardesty, said the interpretation by the developers leads to “unreasonable results.”

The 1,200 owners sued the Webb company; Nevada State Plastering, MS Concrete Co., Pratte Development Co., and Dean Roofing Inc. They maintained that the 700 owners were not the original purchasers and were not entitled to join in the suit.

But Hardesty wrote that “the apparent fact that many homeowners in the underlying constructional defect action are not the original owners of their homes does not preclude those homeowners from obtaining the remedies available under the law for any constructional defects present in their homes.”

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON OUR HEADLINE!

Governor Signs Priority Legislation to Strengthen California's Struggling Housing Industry

Today's news, Arnie knows how to write his name on bill!

No seriously, Arnold signed legislation...

Assembly Bill 2738 will reduce the defense costs of lawsuits filed against trade contractors in construction defect claims. It also will ensure that builder-controlled insurance policies are fair and equitable and include adequate limits to protect trade contractors and consumers in construction defect situations.

"Through the leadership of Assemblymember Jones, trade contractors, home builders and insurance brokers worked out a compromise that will allow the parties involved in a construction defect lawsuit to quickly and efficiently manage and resolve the alleged defective claims," added Diede. "And, best of all, California consumers positively will benefit from this legislation."

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON OUR HEADLINE!