Tag Archives: Civil Code 5551

Deck Inspections, SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Railing Failure Illustrates the Importance of Doing Balcony Inspections

A 9 year old child is lucky to be alive and only suffered some relatively minor injuries when the railing on a deck he was playing on gave way and he fell from the second story deck to the ground.

Our screen grabs from a TV news channel shows just how bad a shape the railing that still remains on the deck is in.

Stiles on the right side of the deck are obviously in poor condition. The whole front part of the railing is gone, indicating widespread dry-rot and likely improper fastening of the railing to the posts.
The remains of the railing lay below the upper deck.

I’ve seen similar railings like this in the past where a carpenter uses a nail in the top of the railing and one on the bottom to attach the stile. This method is not a very good method to achieve a 200 pound resistance to someone leaning against it, and especially for small children who are probably leaning on the stile’s themselves. These cheap wood stiles will often rot out in a few years from being exposed to water.

On one inspection I did at a property for sale, I kicked the wood stiles with a bit of minor force and the stiles failed. The seller was furious that I “damaged” his property, but I pointed out that if his grandchild leaned on that railing he likely would have fallen 15 feet to a concrete sidewalk below. My answer was I probably saved someone’s life, so fix it properly.

A better method of protecting occupants is to use pre built railings that are made of metal welded together in the factory.

Falls through railings are unfortunately a common occurrence, and many result in death or severe injuries. Years ago a Board member of a condo I managed fell through a dry-rotted railing while on vacation, after a few days he passed away from grievous injuries.

This is another example of why we inspect folks.

When it comes to life safety, don’t fool around folks, the reason we inspect is to prevent accidents.

If you are buying a property with decks and railings, have it inspected by an expert like ourselves before closing.

If you are an HOA get your decks inspected by the experts at William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC. We guarantee that we have no conflicts of interest and that we only work for the associations best interests.

Deck Inspections, SB 326 Balcony Inspections

HOA in Big Bear Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC to Perform SB 326 Inspections on 90 Balconies & Stairs

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to perform a SB 326 inspection for a large HOA in Big Bear. With 90+ decks, stairs and landings the association knew they needed an expert with the experience to properly inspect their Exterior Elevated Elements.

The association manager found us through a referral from a fellow CAI manager, who told them about the positive experience they had with us.

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC was selected to perform balcony inspections in Big Bear!

We invite you to experience the professional and experienced licensed structural engineers and waterproofing experts that make up our team. Reach out today for your free EEE evaluation and proposal.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

An EEE Evaluation May Have Helped Stop a Stair Collapse

On Monday we were in Pasadena looking at an association for the purpose of counting how many decks stairs walkways they have so we could bid to perform a SB 326 inspection job. The property is in an older established area that has Magnesite decking in the stairs and decks.

One stairway caught my eye with the long large crack in the Magnesite rubbing down the stair stringer. This critical piece of framing behind the Magnesite has, in my opinion, been infiltrated with water, has swollen and caused the Magnesite to crack and is likely dry-rotted as well, creating a life safety concern should it fail with people in the stairs.

We alerted the Board of Directors and their HOA manager to have the stairs shored up until repairs can be made. We would be remiss if we did not.

An EEE evaluation is not an inspection of the decks and stairs, but it is important to do in person to see the actual site conditions… And who knows, maybe we’ll catch a potential life safety issue at your association while we’re at it.

This is why we inspect, to protect life/safety and preserve your Associations property. Feel free to reach out to us for your free proposal for an SB 326 Inspection.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Camarillo HOA Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC For Their SB 326 Balcony and Stair Inspection

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to perform the SB326 balcony inspection for a large community in Camarillo. With 48 decks and 90+ stairs and landings, the Board of Directors vetted three firm’s qualifications before choosing us as the best qualified inspection firm for the job.

Cantilevered decks like this need to be inspected under SB326
Although the stairs are concrete, these stairs are supported by wood and therefore must be inspected.

“We are pleased to be selected as the best qualified inspection company in Ventura County.” Our reputation as an ethical firm, with guarantees that our structural engineer is performing the inspection of the structural elements and not just robosigning a report assures our clients that they are getting the best value for their money.” said Bill Leys, president of William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC.

We invite your Association to put the expertise of William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC team of waterproofing experts and structural engineers to work on your balcony inspection project. Contact us today using the contact form on the right or call Bill Leys directly at 805-801-2380.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

San Luis Obispo HOA Retains William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC For SB 326 Balcony Inspections

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to perform the balcony inspections required under SB 326 by the Board of Directors of an HOA in San Luis Obispo.

Tumbling Waters HOA San Luis Obispo

The condominium association has 68 decks requiring Stage 1 inspections. Bill Leys, President of William Leys Waterproofing Consultants said he is extremely excited to see the number of Associations who are contracting with the firm for these important inspections. “We have a lot of deck inspections scheduled for most of the summer and are scheduling some jobs into October already, the demand is really ramping up.” said Leys.

Leys recommends that Associations start getting bids now and getting inspections scheduled ASAP. “There’s a point where we will reach full capacity and I anticipate we will be pretty booked for inspections through the end of the year and into 2024 within the next 4 months. There are not many inspectors and structural engineers who are doing balcony inspections and those that are, are telling me they’re booking up rapidly as well.”

Reach out to us today, drop us an email using the contact form on the left side of your screen, or call Bill Leys directly at 805-801-2380.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Pasadena HOA Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC For Their Balcony Inspections

We are excited to announce that we have been selected to perform the balcony inspections for an HOA in Pasadena CA by the Board of Directors.

Cantilevered decks in Pasadena will be inspected by William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC

The Associations cantilevered decks are subject to SB 326 requirements and we brought a very competitive cost to perform Stage 1 inspections. We are pleased to be the firm selected from amongst very worthy peers who also bid this project.

When your Association is ready to get a proposal for balcony inspections we hope to reach out to us. We guarantee that we have no conflicts of interest, we guarantee that we only use a Structural Engineer who will inspect and then sign your report and we do our best to bring you the best price in the industry. Contact us today using the contact form on the left side of this web page or call Bill Leys directly at 805-801-2380.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Santa Barbara HOA Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC For Their SB 326 Balcony Inspections

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected by an HOA in Santa Barbara to perform their SB 326 Balcony Inspections. The 29 + EEEs, including decks stairs and walkways will be inspected by our licensed structural engineer and Bill Leys, a qualified waterproofing consultant who has been inspecting decks since 2007.

This job marks the 6th contract we’ve signed with the management companies HOA clients. They know when their clients contract with William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC that they are getting a company that has great references, no conflicts of interest and a commitment to our industry and HOA clients to do what’s right.

Contact us today for your free EEE evaluation and proposal. I walk every job before we bid, we know your property and we know how to do your job efficiently. There’s a reason we are becoming the deck inspection company to rely on. Contact Bill Leys today and get started on working with a company that has your interests first.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Palm Springs HOA Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC To Perform SB 326 Inspections on Their EEEs

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to perform inspections under SB 326 for a property in Palm Springs CA. With over 70 EEEs to inspect, the association sought inspection quotes from some of the best inspection companies in California. We are honored to be thought of as highly as Sigler & Associates, A7 and Focused Inspection Group and asked to bid this job.

The Board of Directors interviewed each company after reviewing their proposals. I specifically told the Board during my interview that if our company lost the job, that I knew they had competent bidders that had no conflicts of interest and that I could sleep soundly knowing that they would be in good hands if they selected another company. I continually warn my managers that there are unsavory deck inspectors that are only seeking to take advantage of unsuspecting HOAs that are easy marks. We guarantee that we have no conflicts of interest. Some deck inspectors own waterproofing companies that want to do the repairs without you getting three competitive bids…

People say I’m crazy to talk up my competitors, but I don’t look at these companies as competitors, I look at them as peers worthy of respect and that they represent our industry well. I’m happy that we were awarded the job… And look forward to bringing your Association competitive bids against my worthy peers. May your association win the best inspection it deserves.

Your association deserves the best inspector who has zero conflicts of interest.

Call me, Bill Leys the Deck Inspector at 805-801-2380 for a fast free quote on your SB 326 inspection. We’ll be happy to bid against our peers and so will they.

Deck Inspections, SB 326 Balcony Inspections

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC To Perform SB 326 Inspections for A Camarillo Condominium Project

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to perform an SB 326 balcony inspection for a 100 unit condominium complex in Camarillo. The association has multiple decks and stair/landing combinations that are required to be inspected under the balcony bill.

We have no conflicts of interest, and we guarantee that in writing. We are here to protect our clients and we work in their best interests, not ours.

There’s a reason we are in demand and it’s because HOA managers are realizing that we are one of the best inspection companies in the market. We are on a very short list of inspection companies on Davis-Stirling.com. If a company that you are considering isn’t on that list, there’s probably a good reason. Don’t take chances, get the best you can. Bill Leys has been inspecting decks since 2007. Call us today.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Bill Leys Completes Continuing Education Webinar on External Elevated Elements Provided By Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger

Bill Leys, president of William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC received a Certificate of Completion from Simpson Gumpertz and Heger after attending their recent webinar “External Elevated Elements: Are You Sure That Your Balcony Is Safe?”

The hour-long program focused on the Berkeley balcony collapse tragedy that claimed 7 lives in 2015. Six other young adults survived, but sustained serious life threatening injuries that continue to create health issues to this day.

Leys contributed to the reporting of the balcony collapse with his expertise to the LA Times, The Mercury, The Irish Sun, SF Gate and other news outlets. Leys also testified at the CA Senate hearings on the proposed balcony bill brought by Senator Jerry Hill. Said Leys “I said back in 2016, and I still say it today, wood decks with waterproofing must be built to exacting standards and the highest workmanship in order to remain waterproof and safe. Inspections, maintenance and repairs must be performed to keep people safe on raised decks. Those students should never have lost their lives if people had done their job.”

Today Bill Leys continues to advocate for deck safety, performing SB 326 balcony inspections for HOAs throughout California. “We are one of a few companies that performs these inspections free of any conflicts of interest.” said Leys. “Many so called balcony inspectors are using SB 326 as a backdoor method to take advantage of unsuspecting HOAs who aren’t aware that their inspector is actually a waterproofing contractor. Worse yet, we know of several individuals who have complaint disclosures on their license they hold with CSLB that prey on HOAs under the guise of being an independent balcony inspector.”

Leys points out that his firm guarantees in writing that they have no conflicts of interest, with no ownership or interest in any company that performs construction work or manufactures waterproofing materials. “We work only for the HOAs best interests and when we work with our clients to get their decks repaired, we always use a written scope of work and obtain a minimum of three bids from contractors. Anything less is not acceptable to us.” said Leys

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC was formed in 2020 and concentrates on working with HOAs in southern California. The firm is a member of the CAI Coachella Valley chapter as well as the Channel Islands Chapter. Please contact Bill today for a free EEE evaluation and proposal.