Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I try to talk down a online client inquiring about Tufflex...

Client Inquiry-"I was just curious as to your opinion on a product called Tufflex. I have pretty much decided to use it as it seems remarkable and has seemingly the best warranty going. But then I ran into your site so I thought your opinion would be welcome"

Answer-  It's great unless you don't want a cheap water based rubber materials that is vulnerable to UV, need to be painted every year or two max, other wise self destructs within 4-7 years, depending on UV exposure, has no resistance to fire, sharp chairs, table legs, softens/re-emulsifies under rubber mats or tile and is not a recognized code approved roofing/decking material. 

Other than that...it's great. 

If you are in BC, get a Duradek dealer to install your deck system. 

Good luck with your project. Normally I send you back through our payment system as it takes time to write back...$25 is cheap to save you thousands later. http://deckexpert.com/services/deck-experts-advice.html It's voluntary  on this one, but always appreciated. 

Thanks! 

 




Saturday, August 4, 2012

Decks Gone Bad! From Bradenton Herald-Manatee inspectors deem two Willowbrook townhomes unsafe, more could come

A KB Homes project in Virginia... 
One look at the brick covering the decks and I'd guess that there's no drainage membrane underneath, minimal slope and crappy waterproofing...



" residents claim the flaws have led to water damage inside their homes and on balconies, which has led to mold and sagging floors.
The inspectors cited loose hand rails and a sinking balcony floor on Urbaniak's balcony. There are also signs of separation along the balcony door frame and the carpet in the corner of the floor by the balcony was removed due to water intrusion. Delgado's home was deemed hazardous, as entry to his balcony is nonexistent because of the missing floor on his balcony."


Monday, July 30, 2012

IMPORTANT flashing info in this article

http://www.intres.com/inpage/pub/deck_design_guide.pdf 

This is a great article on plaza deck waterproofing and applies equally to regular decks as well...there is a BIG issue about flashing! Read it carefully and make sure to use only bonderized flashings with your deck materials is what I'm reading and  that is discussed about 3/4 down the page... 

Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  interior and exterior concrete flooring by CCW
www.deckexpert.com Learn more about deck waterproofing at  
 
 Feeling Social?



Saturday, July 28, 2012

More Good Info On Sheet metal Flashings....

Bad news for bright shiny sheet metal flashing users...read this! Here's the link to the whole article.  http://www.intres.com/inpage/pub/deck_design_guide.pdf

When using galvanized sheet metal, always specify "mill phosphatized" (also called "bonderized") galvanized sheet metal. We is an issue with respect to membrane adhesion. Unless the contractor is particularly careful to use only bonderized product, what will be provided is probably passivated, also known as "chem-treated" and hexavalent chromium treated.
Passivated galvanized sheet metal is known to result in poor adhesion. Few people at the construction level are aware of requirements related to the removal of passivation treatments. Passivation is the use of hexavalent chromium on coil galvanized stock to prevent white rust stains during storage.
The supply chain for galvanized steel sheet used for architectural applications can have numerous links, including producers who hot dip or electrogalvanize coil stock, coating applicators that may bonderize coil stock, large scale distributors, regional or local warehousers, and finally, end users that include contractors and fabrication shops.
There is a remarkable lack of understanding among individuals representing various links in this supply chain about the end use of galvanized sheet metal for architectural applications and the issue of field painting.
The only reliable way for an architect to ensure membrane adhresion is to specify a bonderized finish, which is a phosphate pretreatment. Both zinc and iron phosphate are used. Iron phosphating is less durable but also less expensive.
Bondurized galvanized sheet metal is not readily available for fabricated products like fabricated structural roof/ceiling decking panels, so it is almost certain that these will be "passivated" or "chem-treated" with a chromate solution, which inhibits paint and coating adhesion. Chromium-based pretreatments may contain both trivalent and hexavalent chromium. Although there is a drive to phase these out for environmental reasons in favor of Zinc-phosphate pretreatments, and while hexavalent chromium is banned in Europe, the US has no such requirements. Hexavalent chromium leaching from PG&E cooling towers in Hinckly, CA, is what the movie "Erin Brockovitch" was about.
There are only three effective methods to prepare passivated galvanized steel for painting:
1. Weathering for 12-18 months to oxidize sufficiently.
2. Brush off blast cleaning
3. Chemical treatment with a product such as Henkel Galvaprep SG with a scotch-brite abrasive pad (Some consider this high risk)
None of these methods is easy for typical architectural sheet metal applications. Brush off blast cleaning is messy and expensive on a finished building, and few building owners are going to accept a 12-18 month wait for a building to be painted. Chemical methods are dependent on workmanship. But one of the three has to be done unless the fabricated components can be furnished non-passivated.
Bonderized finishes are not as widely available as passivated finishes, but they are readily available for sheet metal stock such as is used for fabricated flashings. There may be 10% to 15% cost premium for bonderized finishes, but the savings in paint-related costs is probably more than that. For more information:
• GalvInfoNote 2.10 Imparting Resistance to Storage Stain, GalvInfo Center email: info@galvinfo.com 1-888-880-8802
• GalvInfoNote 2.11 Preparing Galvanize for Field painting
• GalvInfoNote 2.12 Pretreatments for Metallic Coated Sheet



Sheet metal flashings- a critical choice for decks

Did you know galvanized sheet metal flashings should not be considered corrosion resistant for the life of the deck system?
Saw this great article at this link http://www.intres.com/inpage/pub/deck_design_guide.pdf on plaza deck design...

If you build waterproof decks, waterproof decks or want a leak free deck...read it. 

For HOA's with reserve studies, how does the sheet metal life effect your reserve study knowing the metal won't last the life of the system? 



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

New TV series casting for the next Mike Holmes...

You'll have to sign up for HARO (Help a Reporter) and get a free account first...

New TV Series Looking for the next Mike Holmes! Camera friendly contractors/Handymen 

Category: Entertainment and Media 

Email: query-2bgt@helpareporter.net 

Media Outlet: Anonymous

Deadline: 7:00 PM EST - 25 July 

Query: 

Major international television and distribution company is
looking for the next Mike Holmes for a new TV series in
development . If you or someone you know is a camera friendly
contractor, handyman or expert renovator we want to hear for
you! Canadians and Brits preferred, but open to all articulate
and funny reno experts. 

Requirements: 

If you are an articulate, funny contractor, handyman or expert
renovator, please respond to this post with your name, age,
country of citizenship, current city of residence, photo and a
brief explanation of why you are a reno expert