Home Improvement Guide 2022

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

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The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

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Welcome TO THE

Home Improvement Guide After spending so much time indoors these past few years, there’s no better time than now to consider sprucing up your humble abode with new décor or just making certain upgrades to protect your investment.

Allow us to assist with our Home Improvement Guide, in which we help you explore ways of giving your household, both inside and out, a fresh look, as well as offer some insight on home foundation matters. For our latest guide, we dove deep into our bag of gardening tools as we explore the benefits of converting lawns into more drought-tolerant landscaping. Doing so can help homeowners save money and water amid the state’s ongoing drought. We also chat with the good folks at Plant Depot to gather some tips on how to prepare your garden for the fall, as well as get their recommendations for beginner gardeners who have begun their journey into indoor gardening. Though summer is nearing its end, pool maintenance is a year-round responsibility for many homeowners. Fortunately for you, we talked to some local professionals to give their expert advice on properly caring for your pool and keeping the water healthy. Dive into these helpful stories and more as you deservedly work on improving your home.

Renters & Renovations Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Upgrades and Alterations

By Shawn Raymundo

H

ome is certainly where you make it.

But what if your home is also a rental? As a tenant, you certainly have considerable latitude when it comes to decorating your space and laying out your furniture.

As for making renovations and alterations, well, that’s where things get a bit more complicated.

Those who practice and write about real estate emphasize the importance of conferring with the rental agreement before getting started on any major project.

While most lease agreements are fairly standard and include boilerplate language, there may be certain conditions regarding renovations.

As Rick McIntire, an Orange County-based real estate agent, previously explained to Picket Fence Media, even a good-intentioned installment can end up being costly for the renter when they are looking to move out.

Likewise, the home and property owners of rentals should also first review their agreement with their tenant before starting any sort of construction, Rose Morrison, a real estate writer, explained.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

Communication is also key—and that goes both ways. Whether it’s the renter or the property owner who’s looking to make upgrades to the home or apartment, both should communicate their wants and needs.

For renters, gain the approval of the landlord before nailing that first hammer (figurately speaking); and for owners, let the tenant know that construction crews are about to go to work outside of their window.

Though communication is important for all parties involved to maintain a positive relationship, tenants should know that in California, landlords can enter the premises for several reasons, including emergency situations, or “to make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or other improvements,” according to the state’s guide for tenants.

As for the topic of repairs, well, that’s a whole other laundry list of details that we can’t fit into this one article. But for information on the subject, you can check out the tenants’ guide at courts. ca.gov/documents/California-Tenants-Guide.pdf.

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Outdoor Tunes San Clemente-Based Sonance Creates Intimate Soundscapes

By C. Jayden Smith

S

ince 1984, Sonance has been an industry leader in providing high-quality audio equipment to residences, businesses, and everything in between.

The company has progressed significantly since the days of cofounder Scott Struthers and his partner working in a garage with a hot glue gun and crude tools, to an entity comprising teams of acoustic and engineering experts all working in tandem to create the best possible products.

High-end, audio-video equipment was Struthers’ initial focus in 1983, before finding that there was a desire in the home design market to put speakers in the walls.

“It had to be a blend of the high-fidelity speakers, but it also had to be unobtrusive, so the interior decorators or whoever was running the design of the house (could have) something that more or less (went) away,” Struthers says.

After a couple of years passed, in which Sonance fielded requests from around the San Clemente area to install audio systems in unique areas such as light fixtures, the company began to take a commercial approach.

It made appearances at trade shows and hired independent representatives for marketing purposes, and “it took off like a rocket ship” as a result, according to Struthers.

“For years, we’d been doing a few hundreds of thousands of dollars (yearly) in contracting work, and then the first year we ever really got serious about Sonance, which was a speaker company, it went up to $850,000 the first year,” he says. “It was just on fire.”

As analog speakers grew in popularity, so did Sonance’s business and production. The team built speaker switchers and learned how to apply numerous pairs of speakers to amplifiers, earning a significant role in the industry as founding members of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA).

The growth of the industry of designing luxury audio systems, home theater, and other in-home entertainment options occurred around the time in which Sonance was well-positioned to take advantage, Struthers recalls.

An increasing number of competitors joined the company as makers of in-wall speakers, but through an established brand and a relationship with electronics company Bang & Olufsen, Sonance pressed on.

The team signed B&O representatives from across the country to carry their products and expand Sonance’s reach further.

“At that point, we were 25 years old, and we were able to basically cover the whole The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

Photos: Courtesy of Sonance

United States within one year,” says Struthers.

“I think for a bunch of guys without a lot of experience, we were able to get a lot of speakers sold really quickly, especially when it was a new category.”

The move toward creating outdoor equipment began around the 1990s, when Sonance-produced speaker systems were designed to fit under eaves, or the parts of a roof that extend beyond the side of the building.

In the 2000s, the company created speakers that could be hidden near bushes and other places around a yard.

Struthers remembers that one specific factor within the production process held more

significance than others.

“Outside, you’re now getting hit by ultraviolet light, so getting the plastic that stood up to the outdoor environment was a big deal,” he says of the speakers. “The grill material was a big deal, because some of the original materials were like aluminum or something, and until you found the right metal, they corroded terribly.”

He added that the advantages of being able to move speakers all around a yard included not subjecting them to being placed over a hot surface, such as a barbecue grill, and equally spreading the sounds across the landscape instead of having multiple quiet

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areas during an event.

Hiding the equipment from view is another aspect Sonance regards highly.

“Like what we were inside, outside (the speakers were) now designed to disappear,” says Struthers. “That’s one of the biggest premises of our company.”

Homeowners can benefit from having the pleasures of creating an intimate soundscape for various occasions and elevating the activity.

“You can put it around your basketball court, you can play music, put it around your picnic table in your backyard, whatever you want to do,” Struthers said. “Now you can really have an acoustic soundscape that matches the design of whatever your activity (is) outside.”

In an email, Sonance representatives add that the speaker placement faces toward the listening area instead of toward neighboring yards, delivering an “even blanket of sound throughout the space.”

In terms of the design and installation process, Sonance uses independent companies such as Audiovisions, which specializes in smart home technology solutions. Like Sonance, some have been around for decades, allowing for company leaders to build experience and evolve to having luxury showrooms.

The companies that Sonance works with, Struthers says, have a lot of experience working with interior designers and architects.

As the home design industry has evolved, so too have the “wonderful products” that those companies have created over the years, he adds.

The Sonance brand has continued to grow toward the present day, expanding its manufacturing capabilities by acquiring the James Loudspeaker speaker company in 2020.

“Sonance is offered through direct dealers who specify custom integration systems, and the brand also has a strong presence in retail through spaces like Best Buy,” the company said. “Sonance partners with both the Custom Integrator and the retail channel to support a successful implementation of the audio experience for both aesthetics and installation.”

With the company’s global stature, its established tenets serve as a solid ground as the future approaches, according to the email.

“Looking forward, Sonance leans on its 4 foundational pillars for guidance: Develop technology that is Designed to Disappear, cultivate relationships that demonstrate an Authentic Partnership, continue to build upon a Heritage of Innovation, and leverage our position in the community to take steps toward Making the World a Better Place.” thecapistranodispatch.com

ECO-FRIENDLY APPLIANCES

How to Upgrade with Efficiency in Mind

By Keaton Larson

Home renovations are top of mind for many Americans this year. About 55% of homeowners renovated their homes in 2021, according to Houzz and Home survey—the highest number over the past four years—and the trend looks similar for 2022.

When renovating a home, upgrading appliances can be a large part of the conversation.

But how can the appliances we upgrade save us money in our pockets and resources like energy and water for our region?

One of the best ways to understand the energy efficiency of a product is by checking their Energy Star, a government-backed certification that helps consumers and businesses understand how environmentally friendly a product is.

For example, dishwashers that are certified with an Energy Star can save more than 8,000 gallons of water a year, according to SoCalGas, and about $130 annually on your utility bills.

Energy Star-certified appliances like clothes washers, too, can see similar benefits.

These certified models can use 25% less energy and 33% less water and can keep about $370 in your pocket each year compared to a regular clothes washer.

The Municipal Water District of Orange The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

County offers a rebate starting at $85 for high efficiency clothes washers, and SoCalGas also offers rebates for energy efficient appliances across the board.

Energy Star-certified natural gas ovens, dryers, water heaters, fireplace inserts, and pool heaters are all products that SoCalGas offers rebates for.

For those of us who like to relax by a fireplace during the winter—there are some of us in California—SoCalGas offers a $300 and a $500 rebate for natural gas powered fireplaces.

Wood burning fireplaces might have a sense of nostalgia to them, but the health benefits of an alternative like natural gas are worth the switch. Burning wood can spread unwanted particles, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds into the environment and throughout your home that can be negative to your health and lungs.

Even something as simple as replacing old light bulbs inside your home with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), which use about 60-70% less energy than incandescent bulbs, can help reduce your energy costs overall.

Both Energy Star and SoCalGas have marketplaces, as well as tips and advice on upgrading, that allow you to search and compare appliances to find a product than suits your budget and energy efficiency preferences.

Also, stores like Dewey’s in San Clemente are local options to compare the benefits of appliances in-person.

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Weathering the Storm Alpha Structural Gives Insight, Advice on Home Foundation Matters

By Collin Breaux

H

omeowners in California face unique challenges when it comes to making sure their house is in order—quite literally.

Whether it be making sure it sits on a stable foundation, ensuring its drainage systems are not clogged and seeing that walls stay standing and uncracked, people living in the Golden State—particularly the coastal area with its bluff-side homes— have a lot to monitor.

Fortunately, Alpha Structural is ready to help.

The foundation repair company serves Orange County and the wider Southern California area. CEO Dave Tourjé says most foundation repairs can be tracked back to water problems, which, in turn, come from a lack of control when rain

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

occurs.

“The first thing is control of water and water flow,” Tourjé says.

When rainfall is left uncontrolled and unhandled, the soil then moves. One way that homeowners can start to handle drainage is by having roof gutters, Tourjé says. Which roof gutter is best for a home depends on the individual home’s design, says Tourjé, adding that expensive homes primarily have copper gutters, which he considers the best material for them.

Alpha Structural can fix issues with roof gutters, or even if a home has sunken.

An issue that can pop up with homes built in the 1980s, or before then, is that they may have more of a tendency to sink because their building standards were less stringent in comparison to today’s.

“The soil engineering standards are

different,” Tourjé says.

Most homes Alpha Structural fixes are from the 1980s and older. Tourjé advises those homeowners to be mindful of their surroundings.

“The earlier you get, the more you should be paying attention,” he says.

Warning signs of a bad foundation include floors sloping, cracks forming on walls, and doors that “stick.”

“These things only happen when a home is sinking,” Tourjé says.

Alpha Structural is celebrating its 30th year of business, and Tourjé has been licensed since 1998. The process for homeowners to potentially have Alpha Structural work on their homes is by first calling the company, which will then book an appointment to come out to the home for an inspection.

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Alpha Structural’s assessors look over the home, propose next steps, then give a cost estimate that factors in engineering work and construction costs.

In addition to construction, Alpha Structural also does engineering. It designs and builds foundation improvements.

“Sometimes, it’s just a very simple repair,” Tourjé says. “If we install straps to a foundation that isn’t moving that much, it’s a few thousand (dollars).”

Major foundation work can top two, three or four thousand dollars. Alpha Structural is already looking at six-figure jobs in Orange County.

Tourjé stresses that his company does not paint, handle drywall work or do other miscellaneous home improvements.

More information can be found at alphastructural.com.

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FLOORING

Wood v. Tile v. Carpet: What to Know

By Keaton Larson

H

omeowners looking to make home improvements have numerous questions, and one of the more expensive decisions to make can relate to flooring.

How does one choose between wood, tile, or carpet flooring? How do you know which choice is best for your needs and budget?

First, wood and tile flooring are more durable than carpet and likely healthier.

Yes, you will pay a higher cost for wood and tile options, but these floors will have longer lifespans than carpet.

Solid hardwood floors are one of the most durable options on the market, yet they are generally the most expensive. The installed cost could range from $5 to $10 per square foot, according to Consumer Reports, but the floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times.

If hardwood floors are too expensive, there are several options that maintain the style and have similar durability such as engineered wood, laminated flooring, vinyl, or tile.

Tile flooring can be just as durable, if not more, than hardwood, and ranges from $8 to $15 per square foot. Ceramic tile tends to resist the wear of daily life, moisture, dents, and stains better than most other flooring options. The humidity and moisture of an area, and the type of wood used, can affect wood floors unlike ceramic tile.

Carpet will likely require the most maintenance from a homeowner. More accidents and spills are trapped in carpet, requiring more cleaning. Carpet floors are more comfortable to walk on, though, and they can be some of the most cost-effective options.

However, the American Lung Association (ALA) advocates homeowners choose hard-surface flooring when they can because of pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mold spores, pesticides, dirt and dust that can get trapped inside carpet.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

These pollutants and small particles disperse into the air when vacuuming or doing something as simple as walking through your home.

If you decided to purchase carpet flooring, the ALA recommends looking for a product with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—gases found in flooring products and installation processes.

These chemicals can be harmful to a homeowner, and when purchasing products with VOCs, always ask to air the new carpet outside before installation.

Hardwood and carpet are still the most popular options for homeowners, though, with about half of consumers updating their look to one of those two options in 2021, according to Floor Trends Magazine.

Carpet is quiet and soft, and comfort is still a big factor in the decision-making process, especially after spending so much time at home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whatever decision you end up making, it is always best to understand the look you want, the cost you are willing to spend, and the durability for which you are hoping. Nailing down those three factors will make it easier to narrow down your choices.

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PLANT DEPOT RECOMMENDS

Five Easy Starter Plants for Any Beginner Gardener

By Breeana Greenberg

S

tarting one’s journey into indoor gardening can be daunting, but building confidence by choosing forgiving, resilient and easyto-care-for plants can help ease worries of not having a “green thumb.”

Plant Depot owner Jennifer Kittle recommends beginners use well-draining soil so that plants are not sitting in water between waterings.

“Pick a day of the week that’s like your day to care for your plant babies, and make that your day,” Kittle says. “It helps to avoid the overwatering, because there aren’t very many house plants that need water more than once a week.”

Plant Depot also recommends using seaweed extract every time you water to give your plants an extra “health and vitality” boost.

Keeping your plants’ leaves clean also helps to keep them healthy, Kittle adds.

Wiping down your plant’s leaves will decrease their likelihood of getting pests and diseases.

1 / SNAKE PLANT These are one of the most resilient plants for a beginner gardener. Snake plants are hardy and can handle both overwatering and underwatering, lowand bright-light conditions.

However, they prefer bright indirect light and infrequent waterings.

Plant your snake plant in a well-draining potting mix or cacti mix and allow the soil to dry out between waterings—generally, about once a month.

2 / DRACAENA This slow-growing plant prefers bright indirect or filtered light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Plant your Dracaena in a well-draining soil mixture and allow the soil to dry out between waterings, generally once a month.

3 / ZZ PLANT Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also known as ZZ plants, are a great “neglect and

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

forget” plant, as they are very low-maintenance.

This slow-growing plant prefers bright indirect light but can tolerate lower light.

Plant your ZZ plant in a well-draining soil mixture and allow the soil to dry out between waterings, generally, once a month.

4 / POTHOS With so many varieties of Pothos, these easy-to-care-for vining plants make a great addition to a beginner’s collection, from the variegated “N’Joy,” the freckled “satin Pothos,” to the vibrant “neon Pothos.”

Pothos prefer a humid environment but can tolerate a drier environment well and are forgiving of neglect or overwatering. Plant your Pothos in a well-draining soil mixture and allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings.

Pothos like to be displayed in bright, indirect light; however, they will also tolerate lower light. Direct light may burn its leaves.

5 / MONSTERA DELICIOSA Large, leafy Monstera Deliciosa make a great focal piece for any home. These tropical, fast-growing, vining plants prefer warm, humid environments; however, they can tolerate a drier environment.

If your Monstera develops browntipped leaves, it may be a sign of too little humidity. Plant your Monstera in well-draining soil and water roughly once a week when the top of the soil is dried out.

Monstera like to be displayed in bright, indirect light.

Snake Plant

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D rought-Tolerant Landscaping Saves Water and Money

By Breeana Greenberg

R

eplacing lawns with California Native and drought-tolerant landscaping can be a great way for homeowners to save both water and money as the state endures years of drought.

Dana Point resident Kathryn McClelland, who converted her front garden into California Native landscaping, recommends planting plants such as milkweed and butterfly bush to attract pollinators.

McClelland planted a patch of milkweed in her front garden to attract Monarch butterflies and has had to extend the patch into her backyard to be able to feed all of the caterpillars that have visited her garden.

California Native landscaping can be overwhelming to people who are unfamiliar with it, McClelland says, so she recommends starting small and hiring a professional.

“If you’re not well-versed in it, there are landscape architects that can help you,” McClelland says. “There’s lots of resources, and if you feel like you can start small, just start in a small area.”

Matt Johnson, owner of Western Garden Designs, Inc., explains that there are lots of great native and pollinator plants available for homeowners to plant.

“We do like to use natives; we can also mix in some other plants that do well in our climate,” Johnson says. “The good thing about our climate is there’s a lot of areas around the world that have similar climates.”

“There’s a decent variety to choose from,” Johnson continues. “A lot of people have this

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

PLANT DEPOT OFFERS TIPS ON P R E P P I N G YO U R G A R D E N FO R FA L L Now is a good time to mulch. Early fall tends to be the hottest time of the year, so Plant Depot recommends that homeowners mulch to help control the temperature of the soil and help retain some moisture.

In helping soil retain its moisture, mulching can be helpful to decrease watering needs.

Though it’s a little too early to start pruning, Plant Depot owner Jennifer Kittle says that fall is a great time to weed and feed your garden.

Now, Kittle adds, is a great time to plant a second round of summer vegetables during this seasonal transitionary period.

Kittle also noted that early fall is a great time to get your garden ready for your winter crop.

impression of native landscapes as kind of like a desert state or something like that, but there are a lot of plants that will flower, attract

birds and hummingbirds and stuff that you want in the yard.”

Homeowners have a wide variety of flowering, California Native and drought-tolerant plants to choose from to attract pollinators.

Hummingbirds and butterflies tend to be attracted to red, yellow, orange, and pink flowers.

“I think that’s really important to have the flowers that bring in the birds and the bees and the different things that pollinate, because it’s good for the plants and nice to have those creatures in your yard,” Johnson says.

“So, definitely, butterfly gardens are popular.”

The No. 1 reason to plant native landscaping, Johnson explains, is that native plants thrive in local soil and watering conditions.

Homeowners looking to replace their lawns with waterwise landscaping can also apply for turf replacement rebate programs.

“We basically live in a desert, and so watering is on everybody’s mind,” Johnson says.

For homeowners choosing to replace their lawns with drought-tolerant and California Native landscaping, the first step is to remove the existing lawn and its roots. With more invasive varieties of grass such as Bermuda and Page 17

St. Augustine, not watering and removing the dead grass will not get rid of it, Johnson says.

In these cases, homeowners may need to use a product to kill the roots.

“Once you’ve gotten rid of the grass and you’ve cut it all out, then you can introduce different plants in that space or you can design it in a way where there’s alternatives for grass,” Johnson says.

Buffalo Grass is a California Native grass that requires less water and less maintenance than a traditional lawn, Johnson explains.

There are also low-growing, ground-cover plants that can give the look of a grassy area without the same watering and maintenance needs of traditional lawns.

“It’s a matter of what space you have, how you’re going to utilize the space,” Johnson says, adding: “I always recommend hiring a designer and getting a consultation with the landscape designer who can come out, give you their opinion of the space, talk you through the process, understand what is involved and what our goals are, so they can design the space accordingly, whether it’s to your budget or to your use.” thecapistranodispatch.com

A Deep Dive into Pool Maintenance Expert Tips on How to Care for Your Pool Year-Round

By Hayze Law

The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

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T

he laundry list of pool care chores is enough to make anyone’s head swim. If you dive in without becoming properly informed, you may just find yourself in over your head.

To avoid that sinking feeling, there are several resources to pool, like the help of local professionals and quality equipment, to maintain proper care and ensure the overall health of your water.

Serge Simard, owner of Plumeria Pools, is a local pool expert who has been in the business for more than 20 years. Speaking with Picket Fence Media, Simard outlined his top tips for maintaining a pool—from balancing chemistry of the water, to caring for and utilizing proper equipment.

First and foremost, a healthy pool is dependent on the balance of the chemicals in the water, he says.

“When the chemistry is off-balance, it becomes corrosive to the equipment and to the surface of the pool,” Simard says.

For those who opt to test the water on their own, he recommends using a professional-grade toolkit for inspection, though cautioning to check that the bottles are not expired to avoid an inaccurate reading.

Beyond just checking the chlorine and the pH, toolkits also check the total alkalinity, which acts as a buffer to control the pH in the pool, and the conditioner that stabilizes the chlorine, so it lasts longer.

Another method for checking the chemical levels in a pool is by using strips; however, once those are opened and exposed to oxygen, they are no longer accurate after about a week.

For those just starting out, Simard recommends calling a professional, to assist in the process and set you on the right foot. From there, it is best to test pool water at least once a week, if not more, to ensure the levels are balanced, and to keep the sanitizer at optimal levels.

In reference to the balance of the pool, it is also important to keep in mind the hardness of the water, which is particularly hard in Southern California because of warm weather, mineral content of the groundwater, and lack of regular rainfall.

This creates a “shell” of sorts, making it difficult for the chemicals to permeate the water, according to Simard. To combat this, he recommends pool owners empty their The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

pool every seven to 10 years for an acid wash, which cleans the surface of the pool.

In the meantime, he cautions against buying products for the pool, beyond the necessary balancing chemicals.

“The more stuff you put in your pool, the harder your water is going to get over the years, so only add what you need,” Simard says.

Aside from pool chemistry, pool owners should know how to care for and utilize their equipment—specifically, the pump, heater, and filter.

At the heart of the pool system is the pump, which circulates the chemicals evenly throughout the pool, and can be a costly use of energy.

During the summer months, for the average home, Simard recommends that pumps run a minimum of eight hours a day for proper filtration. As a general rule, the higher the usage, the longer the pump should run.

As the seasons float by, for folks who would like to save money on electricity, he suggests his clients invest in a variable speed pump, which is more energy-efficient than the traditional ones.

For those with saltwater pools, saltwater-compatible heaters are crucial, because the high levels of calcium in the saltwater carry gritty sediments that corrode regular heaters over time.

As for filters, Simard says, “There are many different filters out there, but the best ones nowadays are cartridge filters; they are easy to clean and do a good job.”

For all equipment, he suggests covering it with burlap because most are made of fiberglass, which begins to shed over time, under the exposure of the sun.

To maintain a pool overall, Simard suggests that an insured and licensed contractor visit the home once a week, to check the balance, clean, and make sure everything is working properly.

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Alpha Structural – Setting the Standard for the Last 30 Years Alpha Structural, Inc., a leading structural engineering and construction firm based in Los Angeles, celebrates its 30th year in business serving homeowners and commercial property owners in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Founded in 1992 by Owner and Chief Executive Officer Dave Tourjé, Alpha Structural Inc. got its start in the hills of Northeast Los Angeles.

Tourjé started with foundation repair on hillside homes, failing retaining walls, and seismic retrofitting. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the trade of structural repair and foundation work was not what it is today. Tourjé reflects on the difference in the trade between the early days and now: “It was an unformed trade ...There was no consciousness of it, it wasn’t in the Real Estate community like it is now; it just wasn’t a known problem.”

This was prior to the major earthquakes that were about to erupt through Southern California and change this field of construction forever. In 1987, Los Angeles residents experienced the Whittier earthquake at a magnitude of 5.9. Then in 1994, the Northridge earthquake destroyed infrastructure and apartment buildings with a magnitude of 6.7.

Tourjé recalls the change in the structural industry that came after these natural disasters: “It kept evolving where there were more earthquakes, more floods, more problems … and the need [for structural repair] just became more and more evident.”

Pretty soon, new building codes went into effect requiring property owners to address the structural issues that plagued Southern California buildings. Since then, thousands of properties have been reinforced, brought up to code, and deemed safe per today’s standard. Alpha Structural is proud to have had a large hand in accomplishing this for Southern California property owners as the trusted structural specialists of 30 years.

Alpha Structural is one of the few, if not the only, company in Los Angeles & Orange County that is licensed to both engineer and build every job. Each project is taken care of under one roof by in-house engineers, draftsmen, permit expeditors and then project supervisors and crews. This is a much-preferred method according to property owners, where the alternative is separate engineering firms and contractors, which can add time and money when there are questions once construction starts.

In addition to what their clients say about them, Alpha Structural, Inc. is also a proud awardee of the famed Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company award multiple years in a row, among many other recognitions. Additionally, they have received countless commendations and recognitions from city mayors such as those from Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Irvine, Yorba Linda, Los Angeles, and more. They were recently honored by the California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino for their dedication to safeguarding city residents through their work.

The key to Alpha Structural’s continued success is their motto of quality first. They strive to deliver more to their clients than they expect and will continue to do so for years to come.

323.258.5482 alphastructural.com | @alphastructural

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The Capistrano Dispatch August 26–September 8, 2022

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