Tag Archives: waterproofing consultant

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.

We’ll be performing visual inspections along with thermal imaging and moisture testing in our investigation to determine the causes of the water intrusion along with recommendations for remediation of the moisture intrusion. Medical buildings need to be free of potential sources of mold and mildew due to patients who may be adversely affected by spores and toxins associated with moisture intrusion on drywall and other building products that need to be dry and free of mold.

“We are grateful that our experience, expertise and being local have helped us rise to the top of the contractors choice of consultants to investigate the moisture intrusion issues.” said Bill Leys, president of William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC.

As building envelope consultants, William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC brings 20+ years of experience in leak investigations to the table, and with our experience in waterproofing technology will help solve the issues the building is having.

If your building is experiencing water intrusion, reach out today for a free conversation on how we can help you with solving the problems with our expertise in waterproofing. Call Bill Leys today at 805-801-2380.

leak investigation, Quality Assurance Observations, Roof Inspections and Consulting

Pesky Leak to Be Investigated By William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC’s Leak Investigation Sleuths

Where’s the leak? That’s why we were hired, to find a pesky leak that has evaded detection of its source for several years.

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC has been retained to provide leak investigation services by a large builder of medical buildings in California. The pesky leak has caused several offices in the building to be vacated during the rainy season due to concerns over potential mold hazards, never a good thing for patients visiting the building.

We will be using a spray rack to water test the facade of the building in San Luis Obispo county this week. The facade features store front windows and a stone finish on the 4 year old building. Leaks can often hide in such situations and the building’s owners and its construction team that built the building hired us to assist in the leak investigation due to our history of expertise in leak investigations and building enclosure experience.

If your building is experiencing leaks, reach out to us to have a discussion on how we may be able to assist in determining the source and make recommendations for repairs. Our leak investigation experts are ready to assist! Call today 805-801-2380

While we were inspecting the roof, we found the roof drain sump pit clogged up with debris. We also found that the TPO roof has reverse laps that buck water flowing towards the drain.
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.

Details are still light, however residents of a condo building in Santa Clara have been ordered to leave the building until temporary shoring has been installed to support portions of the building that engineers are concerned about.

NBC 10 is reporting that concrete has come loose from the building and city engineers determined that the building needs to be repaired.

Judging from reviews that I found on Google, Villa Bella Condominiums, located at 1850 El Camino Real has had persistent leak issues since it was built. Robert S said in part on his review “One of the most concerning problems is the persistent water leaks in the parking structure. The developer insists that repairs can only be made when it’s dry, yet even after supposed fixes, the leaks return with every rain. This raises serious concerns about the quality of construction and whether these issues are actually being resolved or just patched up temporarily.”

Screen shot from an NBC 10 News story

This is just speculation but I would think that structural issues are a result of water intrusion into the below grade garage and has likely eroded support for columns and walls. That’s typically what I see when I do inspections with my engineers.

All in all, this is another reason why quality assurance inspections should be required on all buildings while they are being built to ensure that they meet all requirements by manufacturers of waterproofing products as well as structural inspections being done especially when footings, columns and walls are being poured or erected.

If you are a developer, architect or contractor who would like more information on quality assurance, inspections of your waterproofing systems being installed, reach out to us for a conversation about how we bring great value to your project.

Deck Inspections

A Video Message In Time To Help Keep Your Thanksgiving Safe!

Watch this quick video about using fire pits, turkey fryers and grills on combustible decks… To ruin the plot line, do not use turkey, fryers, fire pits or grills on any decks.

Please be safe this Thanksgiving holiday and don’t grill, use a fire pit or fry the turkey on your deck!

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Signal Hill Condo Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC To Perform Their SB 326 Inspection

  • Board Treasurer Says Our Detailed Proposal Stood Heads Above Competing Firms
  • Our Expertise & Guarantee That Our Structural Engineer Performs the Inspection Stands Out Over Other Firms

We’re happy to announce that we were selected to perform balcony inspections at a mid rise HOA in Signal Hill by the Board of Directors. Our detailed proposal and years of experience gave the Board of Directors the confidence that we were the best choice out of the five firms bidding.

Cantilevered Balcony at A Signal Hill Condo Association

We are so happy to hear strong praise like this as it reinforces our belief that we are one of the best qualified firms in the balcony inspection industry.  Our guarantee of no conflicts of interest, our guarantee that a structural engineer personally performs the inspection and that our 20+ years of prior experience in waterproofing as deck contractors is a deciding factor, along with competitive rates for Boards faced with enormous pressure to get in compliance with SB326’s requirements to inspect.

Let us show you why we are one of the best firms in the balcony inspection industry and let us earn your business with our professionalism and expertise. Get in touch today by calling 805-801-2380 and talk to Bill Leys with no obligation.

SB 326 Balcony Inspections

Why You Should Hire William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC For Your Balcony Inspections

Here’s why William Leys Waterproofing Consultants, LLC stands out as your best choice for balcony (SB-326) inspections:

What Makes Us the Ideal Choice

1. Strong Experience & Genuine Expertise

A deep background in waterproofing.
Bill Leys brings more than two decades of hands-on experience, beginning in 2003 as a waterproofing contractor and working for a leading engineering/architect firm- Allana Buick & Bers in Palo Alto.

2. Trusted
Bill has been a licensed deck waterproofing contractor since 2007, actively installing waterproof deck coatings across California for HOAs, apartment complexes, and residential projects. Hundreds of clients over the years have trusted Bill to waterproof their decks.

3. Extensive deck inspection history
Since 2007, Bill has conducted deck inspections for HOAs, apartments, and real estate transactions—bringing 17+ years of field knowledge to each inspection.

4.  Ethical Integrity & No Conflicts of Interest

5. Strict ethical standards
We guarantee in writing that there are no conflicts of interest—we do not bid on repair work, nor are we tied to any alternative revenue streams.

6. Transparent and fair bidding
Instead of pushing repair contracts, William Leys encourages clients to obtain three competitive bids, maintaining the free market and transparency.

7. Compliance with SB-326 Requirements

8. Engineer-led inspections
We require that a licensed structural engineer be physically present during inspections—this ensures full compliance with SB-326, which mandates a qualified professional conduct the inspections.

Supplemental waterproofing reports
While the structural engineer handles the official inspection and report, we provide a supplementary waterproofing report that is appended to the engineer’s sealed report—creating a comprehensive and technically rigorous report.

9. Comprehensive, Client-Focused Service

100% sampling on EEEs (Exterior Elevated Elements)
Unlike some providers meeting only minimum statistical thresholds, we inspect 100% of all categories (decks, stairs, walkways), delivering a thorough, confidence-building evaluation.

Specialized for HOA needs
Bill’s previous experience as a CMCA-certified HOA manager gives him insight into reserve studies, ongoing maintenance concerns, and association priorities.

Relevant geographic coverage
Serving a wide area—from Paso Robles to Bakersfield, Orange County, and Palm Springs—we’re locally accessible and familiar with regional building conditions.

Insurance and protection
We carry robust General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and Errors & Omissions insurance—valuable safeguards for HOAs and associations.

10. Proven Reputation & Client Trust

Positive client feedback
One HOA manager shared:

“I’ve received high praise from the Board that they really respect your findings and knowledge of the inspection process.”

Trusted repeat selection
We’ve been chosen by multiple HOAs—such as in Santa Barbara and Palm Springs—because of our reliability, ethical stand, and expertise.

In Summary

Experience & Expertise 20+ years in waterproofing, licensed, deeply technical
Ethical Integrity No repair bidding; transparent client-focused approach
SB-326 Compliance Engineer on site; dual-report method for structural and waterproofing insights
Thorough Service 100% EEE inspection; HOA management savvy; wide service area
Client Trust & Reputation Praised by HOAs; chosen repeatedly for key projects

In short, William Leys Waterproofing Consultants excel through their blend of deep technical knowledge, unwavering ethics, regulatory compliance, and client-centric service. They provide both peace of mind and exceptional quality—making them a standout choice for balcony inspections under SB-326.

Reach out today for a free quote on your inspection.

Roof Inspections and Consulting

ASTM Standardized Water Testing Proves That Construction Defects Exist at a Condo in Los Angeles

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC was recently retained by an upscale condominium complex in Los Angeles to investigate leaks from one recently repaired deck and stucco wall on one condo unit that was claimed to be leaking into an adjacent unit, causing damages to the home.

Using ASTM approved water testing methods, we set up a spray rack that sprays up to 2 hours of rain in a twenty minute period to mimic actual weather conditions.

A spray rack set up against the wall imitates rainfall against a building in an industry standard testing method. These racks are calibrated and tested to meet requirements under ASTM testing methods.

Using our methodical testing approach, we were able to prove that the wall shown in the photograph above was in fact leaking. Using litmus paper and visual observations during the methodical cyclic testing as prescribed by ASTM showed conclusively that the newly repaired wall was in fact leaking at four locations.

Litmus paper has changed color, showing that water is leaking through or past the weather resistant barrier, and water is visible on the right side of the photograph where improper laps leave the stucco wall exposed, allowing water to enter dry space.

With this proof in hand, the Association can now move ahead with correcting the deficiency and fix the interior space. Liability on the proper responsible party that created this defect can now be established and legal counsel can now move forward with making claims against the contractor and his insurance company. Without standardized ASTM testing their claim would be very difficult to support in a court room.

A Flir Thermal Imaging camera shows the path of water in blue. Thermal cameras are important to use in leak investigations as they provide secondary evidence that supports the primary evidence.

When your buildings leak, call us first to establish where the leaks are coming from and with our investigative team of water intrusion experts, we can help you determine the source of the leaks, why they leak and who is responsible for the leaks. Don’t wait or let your contractor deny responsibility, put us on your team!

Reach out for a free conversation on how William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC can help you.

leyswaterproofingconsultants@gmail.com
805-801-2380
Deck Inspections, SB 326 Balcony Inspections, SB 721 Inspections

You Gotta Read the Fine Print! HOA’s Need to be Careful of Companies Advertising “Free” or “20% Off” Type Offers on Balcony Inspections

Many companies are offering deals that have hidden motives behind them. Before buying, you need to know what it’s really going to end up costing your HOA.

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC was recently contacted by a member of an HOA in Ventura County where that member had learned that his association’s Board of Directors were considering passing a special assessment in the range of 2 million dollars for repairs to balconies and stairs.

Information we got from the owner was that a large nationwide HOA reconstruction firm told the HOA that they had 13 emergency repairs and 300+ non emergency repairs to do and the budget was apx 2 million dollars for this work.

The resident also learned that this nationwide HOA reconstruction firm had waived the $41,000+/- Stage 1 inspection fee provided they were given the repair work. We believe that to be highly unethical and so does that owner. We provided a letter of opinion that the association could self finance the non emergency repairs over a period of several years, taking on a couple buildings at a time to make repairs.

We’re also seeing  companies now advertising “free inspections” and “20% off” specials. With all of these offers, there is always fine print, and fine print never benefits the consumer. If you’re going to buy into these offers, make sure your legal counsel is protecting your interests by reviewing their contract before you sign.

One thing these companies have in common is that they are larger firms with a lot of overhead and with the slowdown of inspection requests coming in they need to churn business. Due to the other services that we offer, we are staying busy with work that they don’t offer such as construction monitoring and building envelope inspections.

At William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC, we provide upfront honest bids on SB326 inspections. We strictly follow SB 326 requirements by guaranteeing that an engineer is physically present at the inspection and inspecting the structural elements. We have competitive prices that are straightforward without fine print in our contract. We have a waterproofing expert who writes the waterproofing report which is then appended to the engineers sealed and signed report.

Our strict ethical standards demand that we only inspect and report for the benefit of our clients, not ourselves. We believe that inspectors should not be bidding on repairs.

Reach out today for a discussion on how we can assist you with your balcony inspection requirements. Call us at 805-801-2380

Download our free inspection certificate and ask every inspection company you are considering hiring to sign it. This will rapidly separate the legitimate inspection companies to the top when the contractors who also inspect don’t want to sign it.

Inspection Certificate-1Download
SB 326 Balcony Inspections

High Compliments From an HOA Client

It is always nice to get unsolicited compliments from our clients and the one that we received yesterday from Joseph in Los Angeles is very appreciated.

We try very hard to bring the best in service and stay on top of current trends in the industry to make sure our clients get the very best advice that we can give.

If your HOA needs help in balcony inspections, roof consulting or building envelope water intrusion issues, let me help you. Reach out today for a free discussion on what William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC can bring to the table in value for your community.

From an HOA client in Los Angeles, we sincerely appreciate the compliments!
Quality Assurance Observations, Roof Inspections and Consulting

How A Building Envelope Consultant Can Add Value to Your Residential Building Project

Long term leaks into this building has destroyed the framing behind the siding and because it is so rotted, the siding doesn’t have anything left to be attached.

As building envelope consultants we are often hired to determine where why and how a roof, siding or windows are leaking. After doing destructive testing and finding what caused the problem, it’s often an installer error that created the problem. Yes sometimes it’s defective waterproofing products, but that’s the exception, not the rule.

For architects and their home building clients, one way to ensure that the building envelope is going to perform correctly for it’s expected life span is to hire a waterproofing consultant to review the architects building envelope details, and to perform quality assurance inspections while the building is being dried in. Drying in a building entails roofs, below grade waterproofing, building paper over the plywood covered walls, window and door flashing for example. All of these need to be installed in a sequence to work together for the building to remain leak free.

Whether you are building tract homes, commercial/residential, condos or a spec home, a small add to the project budget to include a waterproofing consultant to assist in keeping your project leak free is a good investment. Consider the costs when a building does leak; there’s investigative costs, loss of use, possible mold claims, expensive repairs and everyone is aggravated.

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC is here to help you with making your building project a success. Reach out today for a discussion on how we can help bring value to your project.