Tag Archives: construction defect experts

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

SB 326 Inspection Specialists William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC Discovers Hidden Dangerous Railing Defects at a Redondo Beach Condo

As deck inspection experts who concentrate on SB 326 inspections for condos, we see a lot of defects in our line of work.

This week was no different, at an inspection we performed with our engineering partners at Critical  Structures Inc we found numerous railings that were structurally compromised. The wood railings on 16 decks were assembled using nails to fasten the stiles to the railing frame.

We don’t like nails for structural railings meant to prevent falls from the deck. In the past, nails were the method most often used, whereas today structural screws are required. At this property we check the railings by pushing on them and with a light kick at the bottom. To our horror, we discovered numerous railing stiles were not able to withstand a light kick without pushing out with the nails.

Watch our 30 second video to understand

Hidden railing dangers found by Deck Expert Bill Leys!

Our biggest fear is that a child leaning against the railing stiles might fall if the nails fastening the stiles pull out of the wood rail bottom piece. With these decks over the concrete driveway and being 14′ high on the lower deck and 24′ tall on the upper deck, any fall from that height would probably have fatal consequences.

This discovery highlights why HOAs need to hire the best qualified inspection company instead of the least expensive company. Yeah the cheap company, if they missed these defective railings and an accident happened, would get sued. Small comfort for the victim if they were seriously injured or killed.

At William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC, we are very thorough in our inspections, ensuring with our checklist that we check every critical life safety items. Call us today for a free conversation on how we can help you with getting the most thorough inspection at a competitive cost. Call Bill Leys at 805-801-2380.

leak investigation

San Luis Obispo Contractor Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC To Investigate Leaks at Santa Maria Medical Offices

We Will Be Investigating the Source of Water Intrusion on This Medical Center in Santa Maria

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC is pleased to announce that we’ve been selected to investigate the source of water intrusion into a medical building in Santa Maria CA by a well respected local contractor.

The building has been subject to water intrusion over the last several years and is now ready to undergo repairs and upgrades to the facility. As a local consulting firm, William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC offers competitive pricing, building envelope expertise and 20 years of experience in the construction industry.

Continue reading San Luis Obispo Contractor Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC To Investigate Leaks at Santa Maria Medical Offices →
Deck Inspections, SB 326 Balcony Inspections, SB 721 Inspections

Railing Failure in Boston Sends Two People to The Hospital

This is another reason why EEE inspections are necessary!

At William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC, we take balcony inspections very seriously as life safety is paramount! Don’t wait until an accident happens, even though no one died in this accident, we’ll bet good money that one or both victims of this railing failure will bring a lawsuit against the building owner. A good inspector likely would have flagged the railing as being unsafe.

Here at William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC we have found many structural deficiencies over the years on EEEs we have inspected. We have had to post notices informing residents that the balconies were off limits until repairs were made.

Our warning notice to not use the deck until it is fixed
When decks fail structural inspections, they need to be closed from use until repairs are made.
Continue reading Railing Failure in Boston Sends Two People to The Hospital →
leak investigation

Century City Condominium Retains William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC to Investigate Leaks

We’re pleased to announce that a landmark high rise in Century City (Los Angeles) has retained us to investigate leaks at several units that remodeled their decks into living space with storefront type windows enclosing the deck. The leaks occur during rain events accompanied by high winds.

Previous investigations identified what were thought to be several flaws in the window installation, however the repairs failed to remedy the problems as the leaks returned in the next storm.

Our experience and success in leak investigations helped convince the Board of Directors to retain us to investigate and recommend steps the Association can take make repairs after identifying the cause(s).

If your HOA is experiencing leaks from rain events and you need assistance to identify the cause reach out today for a free conversation about how we can help you! Call Bill Leys, the Deck Expert at 805-801-2380.

We aren’t quite superman as we can’t fly to the top of tall buildings, but our thermal imaging camera can “see” through walls and our moisture meter can detect moisture that ordinary mortals cannot!
Quality Assurance Observations

“Structural Issues” Cause Bay Area Condo Building to Be Evacuated Until Temporary Shoring is Installed

UPDATE AS OF 3/19/26

We spoke with reporter Kevin Nguyen at the SF Standard regarding this property after he reached out to us asking about this property. We were the source that alerted Kevin to the fact that the picture below by  Anna Nevskaya showed failed post tension cables poking out from the building.

Turns out that post tension cables that support the podium deck slab have failed. I saw a review on Google by an owner at the property and knew instantly this building is F’d.

I’ll now predict that the slab can’t be fixed and the building will have to be demolished. What engineer in their right mind would believe that the other cables that aren’t broken are ok and just recommend repairs to the failed cables? No one in their right mind would in my opinion.

Post tension cables have broken in numerous places in one area as seen in this photo taken by Anna Nevskaya (and republished here for public knowledge.) The cause is unknown but is likely related to either damage caused by a massive fire that occurred during the construction, water damage or both.
Continue reading “Structural Issues” Cause Bay Area Condo Building to Be Evacuated Until Temporary Shoring is Installed →
SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Instagram Featured Video Stair Rebuild by One Structural/Balcony 1 Shows Multiple Construction Defects Being Installed in Real Time!

“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle…”

A recent Insta video posted by One Structural/Balcony 1 reminded me of the lyrics from a 1972 song by Stealers Wheel… And after watching the video several times I wondered why I wasn’t having a stroke over the numerous defects in their work. The video purports to show their expertise in rebuilding a set of stairs and waterproofing them. (The video appears to have been removed from their profile located here https://www.instagram.com/onestructural?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)

In the video it showed a timeline of rebuilding a set of stairs. As I watched it play out I screenshot a few pics, see below.

Starting with the framing rebuild, we can see water/fungus damaged stair stringers that weren’t replaced, damaged sheathing on the wall that wasn’t replaced and new wood that looks like my 3 year old nephew installed.
Continue reading Instagram Featured Video Stair Rebuild by One Structural/Balcony 1 Shows Multiple Construction Defects Being Installed in Real Time! →
Roof Inspections and Consulting

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC Helps Clients Whose Property Has Been Damaged Caused By Construction Defects Recover Financially

Even before William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC was formed, President Bill Leys has been assisting clients throughout California recover financial damages from contractors who caused construction defects that led to water intrusion and property damage. As an expert waterproofing consultant serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern and Los Angeles counties, we’ve helped clients recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past few years.

Our expertise in building technology and waterproofing methods, investigative skills and ability to document and report on the problems, the causes and suggested repairs needed have allowed our clients to convince the Contractors State License Board, the contractors at fault and their Bond companies to act. We’ve seen great success with the CSLB investigating complaints, contractors agreeing to repair defective work and have bond and insurance carriers pay on claims made by our clients.

Some recent success stories include helping a client in San Bernardino recover 5k+ in damages caused by faulty deck waterproofing work by a contractor from Palm Springs. Our investigation found that the contractors “expert witness” actually had business ventures with his client, leading to the Judge concluding the contractors witness had implicit bias in favor of his client. In other words, his testimony was rejected by the Court. Our client got a court order that the contractor had to remove a lien on their home and could not collect $5,000 they claimed our client owed.

No blocking between the old and new plywood is a defect that will cause any waterproofing to eventually fail.

Another success story found us assisting a client in Avila Beach whose recent kitchen addition was apparently leaking. Our investigation found windows were leaking from faulty installation, deck flashing that leaked from faulty installation and as a result of our testing and report, the client was able to successfully initiate a claim against the contractors general liability insurance and recover funds to repair their damages. The client made a confidential settlement with the insurance company for well over 6 figures.

Continue reading William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC Helps Clients Whose Property Has Been Damaged Caused By Construction Defects Recover Financially →