Tuesday, March 11, 2014

From PlasticsNews.com via Pro Deck Builder Magazine

Three lawsuits alleging PVC decks made by Azek Building Products and its parent company, CPG International, Inc., contain design and manufacturing defects and were deceptively marketed are being consolidated in New Jersey.

The decks are susceptible to cracking, discoloring, fading, chalking and degrading shortly after installation, according to the most recent lawsuit filed in January by a married couple in Massachusetts.

READ THE REST HERE http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20140228/NEWS/140229911/deck-lawsuits-against-azek-consolidated-in-new-jersey#

Do you have an AZEK deck? Tell us your experiences with it. 


Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

CSLB Sting Nabs Unlicensed Contractors For Deck Repairs

CSLB Press Release - 2/27/14

Ragtag Assortment of Suspects Arrested in Pioneer CSLB Undercover Sting

Six cited include registered sex offender and two repeat offenders


SACRAMENTO — A half-dozen men illegally operating as contractors were cited during an undercover sting operation conducted in Pioneer on February 25, 2014, by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) with assistance from Amador County District Attorney investigators, and the Department of Insurance.

During the eight-hour sting, officers held one suspect at gunpoint after he refused to cooperate, ran from investigators, locked himself in his vehicle, and made threatening movements. Another suspect was found to be on probation for making terrorists threats, while still another suspect was found to have prior criminal history as a sex offender. Two suspects had been arrested in previous CSLB stings.

“Inviting an unlicensed contractor into your home is like playing with a stick of dynamite, definitely not worth the risk,” CSLB Registrar Steve Sands said. “You always should check CSLB’s website to see if the person bidding on your job has an active contractor license that is in good standing.”

CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) held the operation at a single-family home in the Gold Country town of Pioneer, along Highway 88. Investigators requested bids for deck repair, landscaping, and exterior painting. High bids received during the sting were $6,000 for deck repair, and a $4,200 bid for exterior paint. Suspected unlicensed operators were found advertising on flyers, newspapers, and online bulletin boards, including craigslist.org.

All six suspects received misdemeanor citations for contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code section 7028). In California, all home improvement jobs valued at $500 or more (combined labor and material costs) must be conducted by a company or person with a CSLB-issued license. First-conviction penalties for contracting without a license include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines. Penalties escalate with successive violations.

Four suspects were cited on a misdemeanor charge of illegal advertising (Business and Professions Code section 7027.1). State law requires contractors to place their license number in all print, broadcast, and online advertisements. Those without a license can advertise for jobs valued at less than $500, but the ad must state that they are not a licensed contractor.

Suspects receiving notices to appear (NTAs) are scheduled for arraignment at 8:00 a.m. on April 7, 2014, in Amador County Superior Court, 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson CA 95642 (Map).

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Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
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Saturday, March 1, 2014

Sika Corporation Announces Contractor Project of the Year Winners

Winners of the annual Contractor Project of the Year competition were announced today by Sika, the worldwide market leader in thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing membranes.

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Music City Center, Nashville, TN

In the Sustainable category, Baker Roofing Company of Raleigh, NC, won for the Music City Center in Nashville, TN.

"Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Contractor Project of the Year competition," said Brian J. Whelan, Sika Executive Vice President. "Each entry is judged on project complexity, design uniqueness, craftsmanship, and creative problem solving."

Canton, MA (PRWEB) February 28, 2014

Winners of the annual Contractor Project of the Year competition were announced today by Sika, the worldwide market leader in thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing membranes. A winner and two finalists were recognized for outstanding workmanship in four categories: Low Slope, Steep Slope, Waterproofing and Sustainability for projects completed using a Sika thermoplastic membrane for roofing or waterproofing applications.

"Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Contractor Project of the Year competition," said Brian J. Whelan, Sika Executive Vice President. "Each entry is judged on project complexity, design uniqueness, craftsmanship, and creative problem solving. We salute the winners for their dedication to the roofing industry and installation excellence."

Low Slope Category Winners 
HRGM Corporation of Washington, D.C., won first place for installing a sustainable and visually strikingSarnafil® EnergySmart Roof® on historic Cardozo Senior High School. This Gothic Revival structure is noted for a series of peaked skylights, full-height windows, and carved limestone details and is widely considered to be the most architecturally complex public school building in the District of Columbia. The second place winner was W.S. Aiken Inc. of Chelsea, MA, for a university campus building in Cambridge, MA. Third place went to ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing of North Hollywood, CA, for the Los Angeles Forum Renovation in Inglewood, CA.

Steep Slope Category Winners 
Rowland Roofing & Cladding LLC of Boston was awarded first place for their work on St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, MA. This project called for Sika's distinctive Décor Roof System and involved four full domes, two half domes and three barrel roofs. Rowland built mock assemblies before construction to ensure that all roof components conformed perfectly to all of the Church surfaces. Central Roofing Company was the second place finisher for the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN. Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii Inc. of Waipahu, HI, was the third place finalist for the Harbor Court building in Honolulu.

Waterproofing Category Winners 
Tecta America Zero Company LLC of Cincinnati, OH, took first place in the Waterproofing class for Mercy Hospital West in Cincinnati. The company utilized the Sarnafil G476 waterproofing membrane to install the largestvegetated green roof in Ohio. It spans 2.5 acres and features more than 65,000 plants. It will absorb storm water runoff, help curb energy costs and serve as a therapeutic oasis for patients. Second place in this category went to Milwaukee-based F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Company Inc., a Tecta America Company, for the Milwaukee School of Engineering Soccer & Parking Facility. Charles F. Evans Company Inc., of Elmira, NY, took third place for Princeton University's Jadwin Hall in Princeton, NJ.

Sustainability Category Winners 
In the Sustainable category, Baker Roofing Company of Raleigh, NC, won for the Music City Center in Nashville, TN. This stunning, iconic addition to the city's landscape relies on both Sarnafil roofing and waterproofing membranes and totals 2.1 million sq. ft. The undulating roof surface features a four-acre vegetated green roof and is designed to mimic the rolling hills of Tennessee. The vegetative system provides natural insulation and building officials project an annual savings of up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. In second place was Fidelity Roof Company of Oakland, CA, for Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery in Sebastopol, CA, and in third place for this grouping was Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii Inc. of Waipahu, HI, for the Unicold Storage Facilities in Honolulu.

Nearly 30 contractors from around the U.S. submitted projects for evaluation in the annual Sika Contractor Project of the Year competition. First place winners were awarded cash prizes and all finalists will be presented with recognition plaques.

SIKA AG CORPORATE PROFILE 
Sika AG, located in Baar, Switzerland, is a globally active specialty chemicals company. Sika supplies the building and construction industry as well as manufacturing industries (automotive, bus, truck, rail, solar and wind power plants, façades). Sika's product lines feature high‐quality concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, damping and reinforcing materials, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring, as well as roofing and waterproofing systems. Worldwide local presence in 80 countries and more than 16,000 employees link customers directly to Sika and guarantee the success of all partners. Sika generated annual sales of CHF 5.14 billion in 2013.

For more information about Sika Corporation in the U.S. including Canton, MA, visit http://usa.sarnafil.sika.com/.





Posted by Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-801-2380
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Composite/Wood Deck Buyers Be Careful- Eastman Drops Perennial Wood Decking Line

If you are thinking about buying Perennial wood, you may want to stop and rethink that. The company just announced that they are halting production of the product. 
Once it's gone, it's gone and if something happens to pieces of your deck, you won't be able to find a match...

From Fine Homebuilding Magazine comes this article....


Eastman Drops Perennial Wood Decking Line

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ScottGScott Gibson, contributing writer







The Eastman Chemical Co. is throwing in the towel on Perennial Wood, a line of outdoor wood products preserved through acetylation rather than pressure treatment with more familiar copper-rich chemical formulations and has been distributed in the Northeast and South Atlantic regions.

The Kingsport, Tenn., company introduced Perennial Wood just two years ago at the 2012 International Builders' Show. Eastman announced at the end of January that it would discontinue the product line, leaving the acetylated-lumber business in the U.S. solely to Accoya.




Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
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Subject: Evaluating Concrete Decks in Preparation for Waterproofing Membrane Application

From Western States Roofing Contractors Association comes this technical bulletin on liquid applied membranes to concrete decks. Moisture present in concrete slabs creates numerous problems for liquid membranes. Read how and why and what to do to avoid problems-by testing moisture levels, drying concrete and prepping it properly. 



To: Waterproofing Contractor Members Winter 2013 
 
From: WSRCA Waterproofing Technical Committee 
 
Subject: Evaluating Concrete Decks in Preparation for Waterproofing 
Membrane Application 
 
*****************************************************************
After receiving reports from member contractors describing problems with 
waterproofing membranes maintaining adhesion to concrete decks, WSRCA's 
Waterproofing Committee has prepared the following Technical Bulletin to 
provide basic guidelines for evaluating new and existing concrete decks, prior to 
waterproofing. 
Factors that can affect short-term and long-term adhesion of waterproofing 
systems to concrete decks include the dryness of the deck or actual moisture 
content of the concrete, surface profile or finish, and use of curing compounds, 
surfacing agents and/or additives in the concrete mix. This bulletin also describes 
optional methods of mechanically drying wet or damp concrete decks to facilitate 
adhesion of waterproofing materials, and working with the concrete contractor to 
prevent an improper surface finish or use of concrete curing compounds and/or 
surfacing agents that inhibit drying or are incompatible with the waterproofing 
membrane.



Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-801-2380
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Deck collapse victims sue homeowners group and builder

The lesson is here for HOA's and any building owner is lessen and assign risk by inspecting decks, railings, balconies and stairs regularly. From The Courier Journal...

Deck collapse victims sue homeowners group and builder


A group of family members who were injured in a deck collapse during a December Christmas party in Floyd County now are suing the homeowner’s association and a homebuilder for negligence.

Barbara and Alexander Latuch of Charlestown and 23 relatives filed suit this month in Floyd Superior Court claiming Wolf Lake Homeowners Association Inc. and Schuler Homes Inc. failed to properly inspect and maintain the deck. They’re seeking unspecified damages for medical expenses, pain and lost wages.

Several video images taken by surveillance cameras document the moment when the deck gave way and family members crashed on top of each other onto a concrete patio a story below, beside a large, covered swimming pool.


Don't be a statistic, get your decks inspected and be sure!

Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
NEW PAPERLESS FAX # 805-856-1528 (by Hello Fax)
805-801-2380
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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