Malki Construction, Inc. has announced the completion of major Exterior Elevated Element (EEE) repair and reconstruction projects spanning all ten Southern California counties, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s regional compliance and rehabilitation efforts.
The Orange-based contractor, which specializes in balcony, deck, walkway, landing, stair, and railing evaluation and reconstruction, continues to support multifamily property owners and homeowner associations navigating California’s building safety mandates under Senate Bills 721 and 326.
The company’s latest milestone reflects extensive coordination with structural engineers, architects, HOA boards, property managers, municipal building departments, and residents across the region.
Regional Compliance Across All Ten Counties
Malki Construction has delivered projects in:
- Orange County
- Los Angeles County
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
- Ventura County
- San Diego County
- Imperial County
- Kern County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Santa Barbara County
Across these counties, the firm reports completing hundreds of reconstructed balconies and decks, upgrading thousands of structural connectors and fasteners, and installing miles of modern waterproof membrane systems engineered to meet or exceed California building standards.
Exterior Elevated Elements — wood-framed structures extending beyond a building’s envelope — have become a focal point of statewide oversight due to safety risks associated with concealed structural decay. These assemblies include balconies, stairways, landings, and elevated walkways designed to support occupant loads.
Southern California’s environmental conditions present unique durability challenges. Coastal salt air, intense ultraviolet exposure, thermal cycling, pollution, moisture intrusion, and seismic activity all contribute to accelerated deterioration. Much of the resulting damage remains hidden until invasive inspection reveals compromised framing or corroded hardware.
From Targeted Repairs to Full Reconstruction
Through work on hundreds of properties, the company has identified recurring failure points, including:
- Ledger board deterioration due to failed flashing and water intrusion
- Hidden dry rot within rim joists and framing cavities
- Moisture absorption in cantilevered balcony beam penetrations
- Plywood substrate breakdown from UV exposure and standing water
- Corroded guardrail connections installed using outdated embedded-post methods
- Stair stringer base decay caused by prolonged moisture exposure
Each project begins with invasive inspection and structural probing to assess concealed damage. When deterioration is localized, crews may reinforce joists, replace corroded hardware with stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized connectors, upgrade flashing systems, and install advanced waterproof membrane assemblies.
When systemic degradation is discovered, full demolition and reconstruction often provide the safest and most cost-effective long-term solution. Comprehensive rebuilds may include:
- Complete framing replacement
- Ledger board reconstruction
- Guardrail systems meeting updated load and height requirements
- Drainage slope corrections
- Seismic anchoring enhancements coordinated with design professionals
The firm emphasizes that proper evaluation is critical to balancing safety, cost efficiency, and long-term durability.
Tailored Solutions for Southern California’s Microclimates
Material selection and installation strategies vary significantly by location. Coastal counties such as San Diego, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo demand enhanced corrosion resistance due to marine air exposure. Inland regions including Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and Kern face extreme heat and UV cycling that accelerate surface degradation. Urban environments introduce additional pollution-related corrosion variables, while hillside developments require precise drainage detailing to prevent water intrusion.
Recent large-scale projects illustrate the scope of work:
- A coastal Orange County apartment complex built in the mid-1970s required replacement of 36 cantilevered balconies due to salt-driven corrosion and concealed dry rot. The reconstruction included full ledger replacement, stainless steel hardware upgrades, and marine-grade waterproofing systems.
- A hillside condominium in Los Angeles County underwent structural stair and deck reinforcement with added seismic upgrades and improved moisture management.
- A 96-unit Riverside County apartment community required replacement of 52 elevated walkways after chronic ponding caused substrate failure. The redesign incorporated enhanced drainage and guardrail upgrades.
Beyond Compliance: Long-Term Asset Protection
While SB 721 and SB 326 have accelerated inspection cycles statewide, Malki Construction frames Exterior Elevated Element rehabilitation as a proactive asset protection strategy rather than merely a regulatory requirement.
Properly engineered exterior structures help:
- Protect resident safety
- Reduce liability exposure
- Preserve long-term property value
- Lower lifecycle maintenance costs
By integrating corrosion-resistant hardware, advanced flashing systems, UV-resistant coatings, improved drainage detailing, and moisture detection technologies, the firm aims to deliver structural assemblies capable of withstanding Southern California’s demanding climate conditions.
As aging multifamily housing stock continues to undergo inspection and renewal, Malki Construction reports ongoing investment in preventative maintenance practices and evolving waterproofing technologies designed to extend service life and reduce future structural risk.
For consultations or project information, the company can be reached at 714-296-4004 or through its website.
Originally reported by Malki Construction, Inc. in PR.
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