Project Overview
- Service Type
- SB 721 Inspection · Structural Repair · Waterproofing
- Location
- Sacramento, CA
- Property Type
- Apartment Building (16 units)
- Timeline
- 1-day inspection · 15 working days reconstruction
- Completed
- March 2026
Project at a Glance
The Problem
The building failed its initial SB 721 inspection: moisture probes and exploratory openings revealed severe dry rot in the cantilevered joists supporting six of the fourteen second-storey decks. Fungal decay had spread from a long-failed waterproofing membrane into the ledger connections — several joists had lost more than half of their bearing capacity.
Because the damage threatened occupant safety, the city required immediate action. The owner needed shoring, engineered repairs, and re-inspection — fast enough to avoid daily penalties and unit closures.
Under SB 721 — Health & Safety Code §17973 — findings that threaten occupant safety trigger immediate repair obligations, so waiting was not an option. Our SB 721 inspection service covers exactly this scenario end to end.
The Solution
Our crew shored all affected decks within 48 hours of the report, then opened the assemblies and removed every compromised member. New pressure-treated Douglas fir framing went in with upgraded Simpson Strong-Tie connections, followed by a full Westcoat ALX waterproofing build-up and redwood fascia.
Because inspection, engineering, and reconstruction stayed in-house under one CSLB license, the entire project — from failed report to final city sign-off — took just three weeks.
- SB 721 inspection & written report
- Structural shoring & selective demolition
- New pressure-treated framing
- Westcoat ALX waterproofing system
- Code-compliant railing reinstallation
- City permits & final sign-off
How the Project Ran
-
Inspection & report (Day 1)
Moisture probes and borescope openings on all 14 decks; six flagged with structural dry rot and documented in a same-week SB 721 report.
-
Shoring & permits (Days 2–4)
All six decks shored and closed off within 48 hours; engineered repair drawings filed with the City of Sacramento.
-
Reconstruction (Days 5–18)
Compromised joists and ledgers cut out and replaced with pressure-treated Douglas fir on new Simpson Strong-Tie hardware, followed by the Westcoat ALX build-up and redwood fascia.
-
Re-inspection & closeout (Days 19–21)
City inspections passed on the first visit; the owner received a photo-documented compliance file for the six-year cycle.
Materials Used
- Pressure-treated Douglas fir framing joists, ledgers & blocking
- Westcoat ALX system multi-layer walking-deck waterproofing
- Simpson Strong-Tie connectors hangers, straps & hardware
- Redwood fascia perimeter trim & finish
Before & After
Passed all city inspections — full SB 721 compliance restored.
ABD had shoring up two days after the failed report and handled every city inspection for us. Fourteen occupied units, and not one tenant complaint through three weeks of construction.
Questions About This Project
How fast can repairs start after a failed SB 721 inspection?
On this project, shoring went up within 48 hours and full reconstruction started on day five, once permits and engineered drawings were approved. Unsafe conditions are stabilized immediately.
Did tenants have to move out during the reconstruction?
No. Work was phased two decks at a time, so every unit kept a safe entrance. Only the deck under active construction was closed off.
What does a project like this cost?
It depends on how far the rot has traveled — framing damage drives the price far more than the waterproofing itself. An inspection with moisture readings gives you a firm scope before any commitment; our compliance check is free.
