We have been through this so many times but for many customers it is the catalyst to making a purchase so we visit it again.
When you are talking about something as serious as roofing and waterproofing you should do a little homework yourself and investigate the product(s) and the contractor you are using. Yes trust them, to answer your questions clearly and in a manner that you understand and don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. Does this come with a warranty? What are the exclusions? What is the history of this product in this area? What is your labor warranty? When you think you have found something that is too good to be true it almost always is. Rather than just turning a blind eye and thinking you got a steal we recommend you take a minute and investigate, it could save you in the long run or confirm that you are getting a great deal.
There are some significant changes pending when it comes to approvals and a products approved uses. These changes are a direct result of the numerous failures and issues related to installation and durability. I understand that it can take years for these changes to become know to the contractors and building community in general. Yet, they can be found easily with a few minutes on the Internet. Simply go to the agency that is there to protect you - http://www.icc-es.org/reports/index.cfm You can do the research or demand that the contractor provide it for you, then take a minute and read it and it will tell you all about the product and what it can be used for.
Why do we ask you to take the time to learn these things? Often when one of our dealers is meeting with a client the topic is a result of a failed product and the resulting damage. When you have water damage especially over a living area the cost can be very high. Imagine your roof deck leaking into your dining area or living room. Tear out and replace the sheet rock, paint, could be removal of carpeting etc, the list just goes on. That is the first thing the owner fixes since it is in the home, the odor alone makes you want to hurry up and fix it. Then after the money has been spent to get the inside damages fixed it is time to fix the problem, once and for all. Now is not the time to look for the least expensive product on the market. After all had the right product been used you would not have just spent $$$$ fixing the damages.
Another example is not listening to those that have the knowledge and experience, rather a less expensive option is available so you "cheap out" and you think you save a couple hundred dollars. A customer has a tiled deck that is over living space, the dining room is right below the deck. When the tile was originally installed they did not use the proper system and it failed allowing water to get into the dining area. The home owner wants to replace the tile on the deck but is clear they want no more water issues! Duradek's Tiledek membrane is investigated and chosen for the work. We meet several times and talked about the project with the owner, his general contractor and the dealer (contractor) installing the membrane. Installation goes well and the work looks great, then there is a problem. About six months after the work was completed we get a call about a meeting at the home and all the sub contractors that worked on the project are going to be there. Everyone shows up and we are shown the water damages along the outside of the home. Immediately the membrane is thought to have failed. I can understand the jumping to conclusion, after all it was an expensive to repair all the damages.
Bottom line was the failure did not come from the membrane, it was failure to listen to our strong advise and poor installation of the railing. We had told the owner and the general contractor that we very strongly recommend fascia mounting the railing rather then using the same vinyl railing that was taken off. The dealer also asked that the stairs up to the deck be pulled off so they could waterproof the upper area properly. In both cases the owner was advised by the general contractor that they could both simply stay the way they were. The railing was re-installed on the surface by the general contractor with the old surface mounted posts, drilling through the tile. The Duradek detail for rail installation was provided to them yet they failed to follow them and the hole they drilled was allowing water in. Second the stair's had not been waterproofed properly and as a result the exterior was showing the signs of damages.
This could have been avoided by simply doing it right the first time. The home owner was upset that after spending $20, 000 to repair his failures, then a similar problem happens. What I find so frustrating about things like this are -
The general contractor he used was not a general contractor, he is a handyman. There is a big difference and it cost them.
When an expert in a field strongly suggests not doing something there is a good reason, check it out. One call to anyone that does tile and they would confirm you should not surface mount rail on tile.
Waterproofing, do it right the first time and remember it's all in the details!
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