Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Botched Tile Install Wastes Thousand of Dollars...

We recently consulted with a client on a tile deck job...
Take a look at these pictures and see what happens with a bad tile contractor who fails to lay out his tiles to install first and figure out the layout first, and then his failure to follow instructions...


Picture one-there is a large gap at the edge under the tile. Water rolling off deck will roll back under tile. The back of a tile is supposed to have 95% thinset coverage on exterior tiles to eliminate tile popping off from water under them...


Picture two My keys slip under tile an good two inches...of no coverage on the back of the tile


Picture three There are several things to look at here...
First, note the tiles in the forefront of the pic...see the stains around the grout areas? 
That's from using a sponge on the grout on unsealed tiles instead of sealing the tiles before installing them,
 then bag grouting the tiles in after setting. 

Second, note the outside edges of the tile. In the front of the picture the tiles are cut in half, 
towards the back of the side the tiles are full sized tiles. Someone 
didn't lay out their job first...


Picture four And here's the final proof an idiot did this job...the tile installer 
finished the edge on this side of the deck with grout,
 BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LAY OUT HIS JOB FIRST!

OUR VERDICT- THIS JOB SHOULD BE REJECTED.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section...



Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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From Duradek's Blog - Duradek Invites You to ABX 2013 – Free Admission

Saw this from their Facebook post...

"One of the largest events for the design and construction industry in the country, and the largest conference and trade show in New England, Architecture Boston Expo (ABX) is just around the corner!
Duradek will be there, represented by Duradek of New England / Railing Pro's decking expert Steve McTaggart who can share with you the many benefits of making Duradek your decking materials provider."

So, if you are in the New England region and want to discover the advantages Duradek can bring to your projects, visit Steve at the Duradek booth #608. You can register online with promo code...Click here to read Duradeks post and get your special code http://www.duradek.com/duradek-invites-you-to-abx-2013-free-admission/

Tell 'em we sent ya!
Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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Monday, October 28, 2013

Congratulations! Duradek's Tiledek to Be Featured on Upcoming HGTV Episode

Tiledek Included in Upcoming Income Property Episode – HGTV PVR Alert!

HGTV's award winning lifestyle series 'Income Property' is in it's 8th season, and Duradek is proud to be a supplier for the upcoming episode 'Nick and Karen' on November 7th on HGTV (check you local listings).

Host, Scott McGillvary's hands on approach to renovation and real estate has enabled him to build his own real estate empire with dozens of properties and hundreds of tenants. Scott takes his knowledge and experience to help cash-strapped homeowners and teaches them how to generate income from their existing residence. A big part of that is starting with the right products for home renovations.

Duradek is the ideal solution to invest in a home's value by creating a beautiful and waterproofed outdoor living space and ensuring the area below is dry. While adding dry space below any balcony is advantageous, it is particularly important when a deck is situated above living space. Protecting the structure of the home is of the highest importance and the Duradek system of waterproofing does just that.

READ THE REST HERE http://www.duradek.com/duradek-income-property-hgtv-pvr-alert/

Find out more about deck waterproofing at www.deckexpert.com 

Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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From NJ Star Ledger on POS Waterproofing Contractor

Bamboozled: Waterproofing, GPS units, bomb shelters? Man of many companies goes on the attack

Bamboozled works because you, faithful readers, come forward to share your experiences.

Sometimes your tips prompt us to reinvestigate a case, even when we thought it was long over.

Such is the case with Al Demola, a man profiled several times in this space because of his involvement in three basement waterproofing companies — Aqua-Dri, Thrifty Waterproofing and Water Shield — that shut down. They were the subject of multiple consumer complaints.

Your tips are how we know Demola opened another business.

Four more businesses, actually, at least three of which have been the subject of gripes on consumer chat boards.

This column was initially going to be an update on the latest efforts of Jack and Aleta Heir, the Freehold couple who won a $200,000 default judgment against Water Shield, to be made whole by Water Shield's insurance company.

Read the rest here on this POS http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2013/10/bamboozled_waterproofing_gps_u.html

Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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Friday, October 25, 2013

Last week for discounts by Duradek

FROM DURADEK-
Reminder...this is the last week for Eastern US residents affected by hurricane Sandy to contact Specialty Building Systems to receive a discount on Duradek vinyl for rebuilding you storm damaged deck.
http://www.duradek.com/when-rebuilding-duradek-helps-bring-calm-after-the-storm/#more-11599


When Rebuilding, Duradek Helps Bring Calm After the Storm

It has been almost a year since hurricane Sandy tore apart the east coast, but affected residents are still rebuilding and dealing with the frustration of gapping the bridge between insurance adjusters and contractors to get their homes back. Duradek wants to remind you that we are here to help.

Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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Welcome to My (Waterproofing) Nightmare - Hell Hath no Fury Like a Dry-Rotted Home

"Welcome to my nightmare
I think you're gonna like it
I think you're gonna feel you belong"

Read more: Alice Cooper - Welcome To My Nightmare Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

A client called our sister firm, Central Coast Waterproofing several weeks ago for "a roof deck that needed a little work before winter gets here..."

We looked at the deck, agreed some repairs were necessary and warned the client that after opening the deck, some other repairs might be needed...so for about $4,000 in repairs and a new deck coating system we should be back in business...

Well, this being October, and it's Halloween, time to scare the kids and all...well here's something that should frighten the adults with roof decks... 

so the deck got opened up, we looked inside and we said Holy &^%$!       Look at the dry-rot...

Now, step into my clients nightmare...


Inline image 1
It started with a small area that needed repairs.
We have rusted flashing and dry-rotted plywood visible after cutting back the deck coating.

The owner is notified and we proceed to demo the deck and stucco walls further...

Inline image 2 
Inside the wall cavity we discover a bad case of fungus. 
Further demo continues to explore the extent of damage...

Inline image 3

We've opened the wall from the tile covered cap to the floor. 
It's getting worse by the minute...what could have caused this issue?

Inline image 4

At the top of the parapet wall we find Bituthene® or "peel n stick" membrane.
Just above my thumb is a penetration from a staple through the membrane...
There is rust around the hole and the hole appears large enough to let water in...

Inline image 5
Under the Bituthene® /peel n stick membrane we find no evidence 
of water intrusion from penetrations through the top of the wall, only 
evidence that water leaked through the vertical portion.

So yes, this is bad news and the bad news is at this point the repairs are far beyond replacing a little plywood and a joist or two...the owner is called in to inspect and a contractor is called in to make repairs after continuing to demo back damaged materials to find good materials.

We got off the job and yesterday I stopped back in to see how things were going...to find that it's gone to Hell and mated with Satan to create dry-rot spawn of uncalculated proportions...

Inline image 6
So here's the current state of things...this is the exterior
 back wall looking up from the ground.
Enlarge it only if you have a strong stomach and the sight of dry-rot doesn't make you sick.

Yep, that's a bad case of dry-rot you have there...
all from failed waterproofing. 

All of this damage has festered for years, hidden behind stucco walls and tile capped walls that showed not a shred of external evidence that something evil lurked within. 

Estimated damages now exceed 100K. Dwell on that for a bit and see if you don't want to vomit...

It's a fact that waterproofing is often given short thrift when it comes to building homes...these pictures should present a pretty strong argument that waterproofing should be high on the list of priority items. What do you think? Let is know and submit your comments. 
 

Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-545-8300 Central California
424-235-3196 S California
831-244-0874 N California
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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