Why does SB721 exist?
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On June 16, 2015, six students died and seven others were injured after a fourth floor balcony collapsed at University of Berkley. The apartments were built in 2006, making the structure only 9 years old when it collapsed. The cause of the failure was determined to be moisture intrusion causing dryrot/fungus to damage the structural load bearing joists.
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Dryrot is a common term for the wood destroying organism Fungus. Fungus spores are all around us constantly and when presented with the right conditions and moisture levels, will grow rapidly.
On wood, its best to think of it as cancer for wood. Once the conditions are right, it will grow like wildfire. The reason this fungus is commonly referred to as Dryrot is because when the moisture levels drop below that necessary for the fungus to grow, it will dry out and remain dormant until the moisture levels rise again. While the moisture level can drop to zero, the fungus will remain, dormant just waiting for the moisture to return.
In the context of construction, we often see dryrot/fungus on exposed wooden members but also in areas that are not meant to have moisture exposure like the structural components of balconies or decks.
Having moisture intrusion into an enclosed area like a balcony or deck is a recipe for disaster. This is why it’s so important to have regular inspections and maintenance completed so you can prevent damage before it gets too far.
What is Dryrot
Why Choose Us
With over 70 years of experience our termite and construction company is your one-stop shop for all California SB 721 compliance needs. From thorough balcony and deck inspections to expert repairs and termite treatments, we handle everything required to meet state regulations efficiently and affordably. With our licensed professionals and deep industry expertise, we ensure your property stays safe, compliant, and structurally sound.