Wednesday, March 26, 2014

New Article By DeckExpert.com's Bill Leys Published By Journal of Light Construction

A new article by Bill Leys, where he discusses drains and scuppers for decks has been published by The Journal of Light Construction, a Hanley-Wood magazine.

Scuppers and Drains for Waterproof Decks


My company specializes in installing waterproof decks, but I often also get calls to fix existing decks that are leaking or coming apart. Many times, these jobs are familiar. They are ones we had bid on to build originally, but didn't get—probably because we had priced the jobs to use the best materials available and install them correctly.




The March issue of JLC is out now, subscribe today or you can read the article by clicking here http://www.jlconline.com/decks/scuppers-and-drains-for-waterproof-decks_o.aspx?dfpzone=general

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Did A lack of Waterproofing on Elevated Concrete Walkway Cause the Failure That Killed a Firefighter?

I have to wonder after reading this article at D&D Durability & Design

"Significant deterioration, weathering and corrosion caused a walkway collapse that killed a firefighter last month at the University of Missouri, engineers have found.

A "concrete shear failure" was responsible for the collapse of an elevated exterior walkway Feb. 22 at the University Village housing complex in Columbia, MO, according to a recent report by structural engineers, authorities and local news outlets.

A 23-year veteran of the Columbia Fire Department died while working the accident scene."

A copy of the "Cause of Failure Report" is available here.

“In general, the walkway support beams, metal deck and concrete slab were all found to be significantly deteriorated,” structural engineer Patrick Earney, PE, wrote in the report.



That sounds like a lack of waterproofing to me, even without reading the report completely. 

What do you think? Can your Association or Apartment Community risk failure of a walkway and the death of someone simply from poor or a lack of waterproofing? 


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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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
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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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)
805-801-2380
www.concretefloorstore.com  gallery of concrete flooring, installed by CCW
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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
 Learn more about deck waterproofing at  www.deckexpert.com
 
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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

comments (0)February 27th, 2014 in Blogs
 
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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)
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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