Waterproof deck leaks cause billions of dollars of damage annually across the U.S. Not to mention the health problems associated with the moisture left behind. After a storm, the water has trouble getting up and over the end of the decks surface.
The metal flashing at the end of the deck creates a dam that water can’t get over. A puddle is then formed and over time, corrupts the integrity of the deck. The coating decomposes over time and the leaks begin. Once the wood has been compromised by moisture, then come the termites. Termites use the affected wood as an entrance into the frame of the house. Once inside, they nest, and then the real fun begins.
Mold spores also become a health concern, water can’t evaporate and remains trapped in the framing and insulation of the home. Soon, heat of the sun refracts onto the decking surface off the glass door off the deck.
Like a magnifying glass increasing the suns power, soon, water comes to a boil. The liquid turns to a gas and forces its way out of the interior in the form of steam. The steam has a decomposive affect on the wood that softens up the wood such that it becomes unsafe.
Over time a deck will fail, often resulting in injury when the foot crashes through the plywood and into the drywall below. In the last few years over 50 people have been killed by catastrophic deck collapse and over 1350 injured, and many incidences go unreported!
Once the decking surface has been removed, the damage revealed is incredible. The wood itself seems as though it has been through a fire. Both the plywood and framing is so “cooked” its color has turned from a light wood color to a charcoal color. The wood has the appearance as though it has been charred or burned. It is not a good sign when you can drill a hole with your index finger into rotted wood.
Technically, these decks are called pedestrian membrane surface coatings. They include metal flashing, plywood, metal lathing, cementitious rubberized acrylic mortar, fiberglass cloth, epoxy resin coating, safety texture and finally, four coats of an elastomeric waterproof deck coating is then applied. These complicated decking surfaces meet new stringent fire codes and allow for over one hour burn time. Older coatings often are the cause of fire from burning embers from barbecues. The universal deck coating code also includes a pitch of a minimum 1⁄4 ” per foot, so as to allow for proper drainage.
If you choose your color too light, it will blind you from the reflection off the sun, (White) and will show the dirt and dust as it accumulates. Should you choose a black surface color, or too dark of a brown color, the deck will show the light color of the dirt and dust and burn bare feet! Tan’s- beige’s and grays or ” earth tones ” are used most often, but terracotta and Hunter green have also been used. All the layers combined form a laminate, redundantly impermeable by water.
Tired of unexplained illness, headaches and breathing difficulties? Just maybe it is the integrity of your deck that is the problem. Tired of putting out the pots and pans to catch the drips every time it rains? Have a licensed contractor fix the problem and use those pots and pans to prepare a great meal enjoyed out on the deck. Soak in the view, rather than being soaked by the view. Contact Christopher Doctor, Owner Delphi Construction, to see how we can help you.
Chris Doctor is a licensed general contractor in the state of California.
Owner of Delphi Construction # 631583
Celebrating 20 years of building.