Category Archives: deck coatings

My Meeting With Mer-Kote

February 22, 2008 Bill Leys

I had a nice meeting yesterday with the new management of Mer-Ko, the division of Parex/LaHabra that manufacturer’s and sells deck coatings. You probably have seen my emails back and forth with Susan Foster, their business manager.

Well Susan was kind enough to extend an invitation to come in and sit down with her and Buck Buchanan, VP of Sales and Technical Director.

So off I went yesterday, meeting with them at their offices in Torrance.
We had a great discussion on decking and waterproofing, I got some of the history of the purchase of Mer-Kote and subsequent management consolidation, the business goals of Parex for Mer-Ko and vision for the company..

Mer-Kote got some good information from me on the industry, the past history of Mer-Kote from my viewpoint and what I do and all.

All in all, a productive meeting that leaves me feeeling better about Mer-Kote’s future and it’s goals and aspirations. The old guard is gone (David Mazor) and the new guard has it’s work cut out for themselves, but I see it all for the better.

Mer-Ko has new ideas, goals and a business model that will make them a stronger company. While I still don’t like the Weatherdeck and Shurdeck system compared to it’s competitors, improvements to the products are coming, as well as some new lines.

Stand by for improvements and new focus from Mer-Ko!

construction defects, deck coatings

Compilation of significant construction defect cases

December 23, 2007 Bill Leys

From the law offices of Castro & Associates, comes this list of top construction defect cases…

very interesting reading for those of you looking for knowledge and information.

construction defects, deck coatings

Sheet Metal Association Contractors (SMACNA) newlstter warns about deck coating and flashing problems

December 21, 2007 Bill Leys

From a 2001 newsletter, still relevant today though…

Most Residential Construction Defect cases start as a result of actual leaks in roofs, walls, decks, doors or windows. Some cases get started as a result of a clever attorney convincing a homeowners’ association that they might have leaks later on. Regardless, if you did any exterior sheet metal work, they want you. Short of not doing that work, your best protection is to do it right and to document your work with photos and written correspondence concerning flashing details, including any and all suggestions you might make as to improving flashing, especially those buried in deck or hot-mop roof assemblies. If you see a bad detail in the plans, discuss it, document it, suggest your improvement and price it. Any documented rejections of this type of proposed improvement could be your ticket out of a lawsuit if that flashing is questioned later on. Also document with photos and correspondence any problems with the work of related trades that touch your work, i.e., roofing, siding, stucco, deck coating, windows and doors.

deck coatings

We were pleasantly surprised to see…

September 12, 2007 Bill Leys

That our article on SB-800 and it’s effects on deck coating warranties, is the feature article for ECHOJournal’s September 2007 issue.

Kudo’s to Oliver Burford for the fantastic cover picture and the lead in for the article! It’s so perfectly an illustration of what Associations have (and other properties too!) laying on their decks-MONEY!

Spend a little maintaining them, or spend a lot replacing them.

Subscribe to ECHOJournal today, even if you are not in Nor Cal; ECHO’s magazine brings it to the HOA community…Call them today at 408-297-3246 for your subscription. Tell Dorothy I sent you.

Check your CC&R’s, see if you need to do inspections and documentation, call us if we can help-805-801-2380. We can help you write rules/regs for deck use, care and maintenance guidelines, inspections, we will save you money.