Outdoor living with Peace of Mind

This home owner like so many others was simply frustrated and upset that their "waterproof"deck was failing.  It was a concrete surface that had a nice pattern and looked great.  So what happened to it and why do they have to spend so much money to repair it now? We will try to answer these common questions. 

Concrete is a very durable product and has many uses but it is not waterproof itself.  In order to make it shed water a sealer or top coat needs to be applied to it on a regularly scheduled basis.  These sealers are applied to the top of the finished surface or the pedestrian surface.  The more you use the deck the quicker you will wear off the sealer thus needing to have it reapplied.  Often the warranty is tied to the owner ensuring they have had the installer re-apply the sealer as required.

But "they" didn't tell me that! 

The simple truth is you need to do some work investigating the product, the history and the companies that are involved.  Are they a local company? Have you been to their office? Exactly who will stand behind the product and the installation? 

A contractor has to agree to warranty their installation / labor for a minimum of one year here in Utah, this will vary by state.  So what if you have questions after that time frame?  I can only speak of our networks experiences, we want to hear from our customers regardless who the installer was after one year, five, ten or twenty.  Its simple, at Duradek we care. 

Donner Lake, Roofdeck by Duradek

This home owner had an ace in the hole when it came to finding the right solution for their new rooftop deck.  Their daughter is an architect! 

This beautiful cabin in Donner Lake California did not have a garage / work area and only a walk out patio in the rear.  During the design phase they had decided to open up the upstairs bedrooms, removing the old windows and adding doors opening right to the roof of the garage.  Very cost effective and added not just value but serious jealously form the neighbors too. 

 Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains there are fire concerns and a class A fire rated roof is required. A sheet of 1/2" cement board is installed over the wood substrate and the seams leveled with thin set. The building inspector was not familiar with Duradek and had some questions.  The following morning he received what he wanted direct from the Duradek Technical support staff.

This cabin has a nice rustic look to it so Duradek's PVC coated drip edge is used around the perimeter.  This allows for the membrane to be welded to it and yet form the ground you only see the face of the drip edge, complimenting the design.



















Fully adhered and thoroughly inspected by the local Squirrels (like the neighbors they were really interested in what was going on). Duradek is in use immediately and ready for whatever the weather may be. It was good thing too, mornings were very cold and frosty with certain snow by now this couple has piece of mind knowing they are protected.

Rock salt or ice melting chemical or even a shovel if needed will allow them to take advantage of this awesome roof deck year round.

Legacy Line

Duradek Announces Duradek Introduces the all new LEGACY line of Vinyl with Two Vintage Looking, Wood Inspired Finishes Legacy - Wood Look Vinyl Duradek, the original Walkable Roofing Membrane expands its response to market demands for naturally inspired textures and colors for outdoor living space and now, in its 40th year, launches a brand new line in its extensive collection of 60 mil vinyl colors and patterns. Discover Duradek Ultra Legacy...

Different for sure, but when you need really good waterproofing - We have you covered!

So what do you do when your pool design ha a really cool creek bed or stream that flows into the pool?  One way to do it is to use a liquid applied product that you can do over and over again each year, but that gets expensive, frustrating and sometimes just forgotten.  That's what happened to Red Pine Condo's in Park City; until Copper Canyon Construction came along.

During the discussion of ongoing maintenance and re-coating the creek every year Bob with Copper Canyon says "I have a product that you need to take a look at. I think we can fix your problem long term."  Red Pine Condo's loved the idea and Duradek's Ultra Marble Mocha was the perfect color combination to accent the creek bed.   As you can see a few stones were also added and they look almost natural too.

The creek bed fills up with several inches of water before overflowing into the pool.  A feature that attracts the swimmers, they just gotta play under the waterfall!

Regardless of your waterproofing needs, from a complex pool design, a flat roof or a plain old deck Duradek and Copper Canyon have you covered.

Duradek of Utah – Exceptional Performance

Duradek of Utah – Exceptional Performance

from left: Bob Ogilvie – Duradek, Samantha McClure – Dekmax
Matt McClure – Dekmax, John Ogilvie – Duradek.

The rarely issued Exceptional Performance award was resurrected this year for stand out performance for Duradek of Utah who may have not been the top volume performer, but has fully taken on the Duradek philosophy of educating people to “Doing it Right the First Time” and really embraced the opportunity to develop the roof deck waterproofing business in a region that historically not been recognized for roof decks but is now showing a growing number of new developments embracing this outdoor lifestyle advantage.
Check out these articles featuring notable projects from Duradek of Utah:

• Creating Value in Real Estate and Quality of Life
• Changing the Landscape in Salt Lake City One Roof Deck at a Time

The Duradek of Utah Mobile Showroom

Duradek of Utah is getting noticed. Besides these  great high profile projects that show Duradek doing exactly what it was meant to do, Matt has a few other unique, eye-catching techniques up his sleeve. The Dekmax truck has been transformed into a mobile showroom and the custom canopy Matt has made beautifully displays Duradek’s range of waterproofing membranes,  perimeter details, drain details and railing options. Really making his work truck work for him, Matt also put together a little YouTube video demonstrating the strength of Duradek seams by using his truck to tow a Ford F250 with a heat-welded piece of Duradek. It is really amazing to see the welded vinyl stretch as it pulls the F250..and the seams still hold.

Duradek of Utah Seam Strength Video

With these kind of initiatives and the excellent work Duradek of Utah is doing with educating the local architectural groups like the Salt Lake City chapter of CSI, Utah is poised to embrace roof decks as much as any major metropolitan harbor city.
 Congratulations to all of our top performers and thanks for your ongoing support of Duradek and bringing reliable low-maintenance roof decks to communities all throughout North America!

Ask the tough questions and check the answers

Not to long ago I was talking to a contractor that installs a liquid applied product.  We were just comparing products and the installation process.  After listening to what they have to go through I asked him if he would consider learning how to do the Duradek system since it was a simpler process reducing the labor cost.  He asked what our warranty was and I said 10 years for leaks and 5 years for appearance.  His reply was immediate and firm; "we give a 50 year warranty!" Wow, that caught me off guard that's a long time for a waterproof system with pedestrian traffic in an outdoor environment.  But, it is what is written in the warranty that counts along with the quality of the company providing it and their years in business.  Anyone can offer a long warranty but if the product has only been around a short time the warranty really doesn't mean much.

 So I go to work checking out the "competition" and this 50 year warranty.  In a nut shell what they will warranty is that in 50 years their product will be there.  There is nothing that cover water intrusion or leaks, took about 5 minutes to get a copy off the internet of the warranty. The contractor is selling the warranty and doing very well, that's scary.

Warranty -
Q- What does your warranty cover? 
Q- Who do I call if there are any leaks, damages or just concerns about the product itself?
Q- Can I see your warranty?

He is another "warranty" I found.  The installers say it is a ten year warranty but look at the red section.

 

XXX warrants that its products,

when properly installed by a state licensed waterproofing contractor according to XXX guide specifications and product data sheets over a sound, properly prepared substrate, will not allow water migration for a period of 12 months.

 

 

Ongoing maintenance requirements is another very common issue with home owners.  Way to often we get called out to take care of a leaky deck only to tell the home owner that the product they had installed required them to have it recoated annually. Had this requirement been followed they probably wouldn't of had the leaking and damages.  Make sure your getting what you want, waterproof, long lasting and no ongoing cost.

Ongoing maintenance requirements -
Q- Once your product is installed are there any required maintenance cost in order for the warranty to apply?
Q- If I fail to meet your annual recoating is there a "grace" period that allows me to catch up on the recoating?
Q- How do you keep track of the recoating process to know my deck has been done each year?

 

I wonder who determines what this means, who is responsible to make the decision?

subject to recoat procedures for normal wear and tear. 

 

Damages are not that common with most of the products available but it happens so it is a concern for every client. The sun or UV rays will cause fading, there are dyes involved so they vary based on the batch it was made from. 

Repairs -
Q- If there is a damage, how do you fix it?
Q - Is that warranted too?
Q - Will the colors match or do I have to re-do the whole thing?
Q-  Can you show me some samples of any repairs you have done?

 

Anyone who is in the waterproofing business will tell you that no matter which product or system is being used it is  All In The Details.  Honestly some of this is common just take the time to look at the installation details and ask the installer how they will be doing the waterproofing at the high risk areas.

Q - How do you flash the up wall (where the deck meets the house) so there is not a leak?
Q - Around the edge where the deck stops but the house continues, how do you tie into the moisture barrier (the paper wrapped around your house under the siding)

This product was installed right up to the wall then caulked to seal the edge.  Obviously water runs down the brick to the deck surface and the only thing stopping the water is caulk.  This is the home owners responsibility to maintain and re-do regularly.  So when the leaking began who was at fault?

Struggling to understand the cost of proper waterproofing?

This project first came to my attention more than a year ago.  The home owner wanted to make use of a flat roof addition, opening it up to and outdoor entertainment area.  These designs are becoming very popular and adds value to the home.  With the difficult economy in the past several years cost was a significant consideration.  As we began the conversation it was clear the home owner was somewhat skeptical about the installed cost of The Duradek membrane.  I recall being told there are numerous other products out there that do the same thing and are less expensive.   While I understand what products he was suggesting they are not even in the same game as the Duradek membrane. Specifically they are not roofing  products and therefore do not meet building code to be used as a roof alone.  As a part of some other built up system with a roofing product beneath it they may be able to meet the code requirements but now the cost would exceed Duradek.  We talked several times as they were building the new roof deck and then winter came so the project was on hold. 

The owner was doing the right thing by taking the time to seriously explore what options there were available and reviewing them toughly.  I admire these type customers, they don't just listen to what somebody is telling them they do the homework too.  Some of the triggers that brought Duradek back to the front of his mind were  -

• No ongoing cost (no required recoating at his expense every year or two)
• A warranty that covers both appearance and waterproofing
• Locally owned
• Meets or exceeds roofing codes
• Rock salt or ice melting chemicals can used on it or even shoveled
• Easily repaired

So, spring time comes around and we get a call,  seems the owner has also come around. 

Take a minute and shop around, ask the hard questions and investigate a bit.  Just a few months ago we had a contractor tell us that he only installs brand X because they give a 50 year warranty.  Really? So I use the internet pull up the company and product and sure enough they give a 50 year warranty!  Wow that's fantastic, so I  read the coverage and find that what is warranted for fifty years  has nothing to do with waterproofing or much else.  They would warranty that their product would still be there is fifty years and they excluded water intrusion, pedestrian traffic, scratches, and more. But, there is a contractor who is telling prospective clients he has a waterproof product that comes with a 50 year warranty.  More concerning is there are people who will simply listen and use it because what they are told. 


If you want the best, run with the leader: Duradek

First Tiledek, now Duradek. We have this house covered!

Earlier this year we wrote about an outdoor tile job -
Outdoor Tile, Can it Be Done? (3-17-14)

As mentioned in the original article the upper deck had so much water leaking through the deck that icicles were actually hanging down from the canned lighting all the way to the lower deck.  The home owner was true to her word and called back saying it was time to get the upper deck fixed before winter.  She had explored several other options and companies that do decks but what drove her decision was one simple issue.  We are water proofers, without the ongoing costs and maintenance requirements.

For the upper deck she was not interested in doing tile again, just a nice looking finish that would stop her water damages once and for all.  Here are the pictures throughout the work.

Since this had been a tiled deck that failed you can imagine the amount of water damage to the substrate.  It was removed completely and re-sheeted with plywood. Including the damaged area at the up wall intersection. The surface was prepped and the drip edge recessed.  

 Installation begins.  Notice the membrane is the flashing up the walls and the entire perimeter.  This again is a strength of Duradek membrane, all the details will "move" (expand or contract) at the same rate. Other products commonly use metal for the flashing and details and the different products means a higher risk of cracking etc as a result of movement on the surface.

 Notice the brick column.  Duradek is again used as the flashing thus protecting the drainage plain.  As you can see below after being properly flashed a cladding is used to make it match the rest of the exterior.

 

 The home owner has exactly what she needed.  A lower deck that is still tiled and waterproof while this deck is no longer tiled it is water proof and allows them to use rock salt or ice melt in the winter if needed.

The Sun’s UV Effects on Your Deck

 

By mid-May most of us are seeing an increased amount of sunshine and have started clearing, cleaning and preparing our decks for a much anticipated season of soaking up the sun and enjoying our outdoor living space. But does your deck love the sun as much as you do, or does the sun’s UV effects on your deck leave you resenting its rays?

While our love of the sun is pretty much universal with its mood elevating effects and increased dose of vitamin D, too much of a good thing can do us harm. The earth’s atmosphere blocks approximately 98-99% of the sun’s UV radiation, but that remaining 1-2% can have some undesirable effects. We are well aware of what sun exposure can do to our skin and we go to great efforts to protect it, but the truth is that the sun’s UV radiation will age anything that is exposed to it…and that includes our decks.

A common issue with any item that experiences permanent or prolonged exposure to the sun is fading or discoloration. We see this all the time with fabrics, paints or plastics on our outdoor items. There is simply no escaping those UV rays.
Our decks are no exception. If you’ve placed furniture or other large sun-blocking items on your deck then years later moved those items, the difference in color where the deck has been hidden from the UV rays can be evident.
With vinyl deck membranes you have the advantage of long-lasting waterproof protection without the need for maintenance, but it is important to remember that not all vinyl is created equal. To get the most out of your vinyl deck, chose a brand that has a proven performance history and has demonstrated that it stands up to the elements, including UV exposure.
Duradek vinyl deck membranes have demonstrated superior performance when compared to other vinyl brands in how well it ages from UV exposure. Certainly, like anything that is permanently outdoors, there will be some color fading over time but when tested against other vinyl brands, Duradek clearly stands out as one of the best vinyl options for maintaining its appearance from UV aging.

Accelerated Weather Testing (ASTM G-90) Results for Three Vinyl Options

The images below show the results of Accelerated Weather Testing (ASTM G-90) conducted by Atlas Material Testing Solutions on three different vinyl brands and shows the effects of 840 MJ UV which equates to about 2.5 years of Arizona sun exposure*. (These tests results are from the second round of tests conducted to corroborate the results of the first round of testing and have shown consistent results).

Vinyl-TD Results – Clear coat technologies are not yet advanced enough to avoid discoloration from UV exposure. These images show the effects of 840 MJ UV.

The vinyl brand above is clearly showing signs of darkening and in the first sample even shows visible cracks in the surface. This particular brand of vinyl uses a clear vinyl coat to protect its surface from scuff marks; however the appearance of scuffs may be preferable to the degree of discoloration from the UV exposure.

Vinyl-DR Results – Products available at a much lower price than similar products can often indicate inferior performance. This image is at 840 MJ UV, but this vinyl brand showed failure at only 140 MJ UV.

These two samples above are produced off-shore and started failing at 140 MJUV. This vinyl brand is being marketed as a cost-effective alternative for the budget conscious home owner or developer, but clearly the savings are not worth the end result.

Duradek Results – Duradek stands up to UV exposure better than many vinyl options. At 840 MJ UV there is very little change in appearance.

Duradek is the original vinyl membrane and has been installed on decks in all North American climates for 40 years. From the images above you can see that Duradek can handle the effects of UV exposure much, much better than the competition. There is almost no change in appearance after 840 MJ UV exposure, and even at 1820 MJ UV exposure the effects on the appearance are minimal.

Vinyl-TD and Duradek Results – This image compares the results of accelerated weathering tests at 1820 MJ UV. Duradek show very minimal appearance changes while vinyl-TD has changed drastically.

The image above shows vinyl-TD next to Duradek in comparing the effects of 1820 MJ UV next to a control sample. The difference is quite dramatic and a shocking example of why it is so important to choose a product you can rely on. It is certainly worth noting that Duradek offers an appearance warranty while many vinyl brands do not.
For a product you can rely on with professional installers who know deck waterproofing, contact a Duradek dealer in your area for a free, no-obligation estimate on your deck renovation.
To see results of previous tests, check out these articles:
July 10, 2013 - Nothing Last Forever But Duradek Outlast the Rest
May 15, 2013  – Choosing a Waterproof Membrane for Your Deck
May 8, 2013 -  When Choosing a Building Product, New Does Not Always Mean Better
April 30, 2013 – Duradek Confirms Superior Performance with Competitive Weather Testing

* source of UV exposure equating to annual sun exposure

Quailty guys fixing a Bad guys work

Unfortunately this happens to all of us at one time or another.  For whatever reason we take a chance or blindly believe what the "guy that showed up" has to say.  Well I have bad and good news for you.  It is common for somebody to not have facts, really understand your needs or simply just need to make "the sale".

Good News!  There are several things you can do about it, easy to do yourself and very little if any cost.  These steps will most likely save you plenty, money, time and frustration.

First off if you think that your deck is just some hunk of wood hanging off the house to hold up your BBQ you might want to reconsider.  At least in our area when somebody says "deck" the most common picture that comes to mind is a redwood/cedar deck with all those slots between the boards. Those gaps between the boards are there for a good reason, they let the air circulate around the boards so they can dry and maybe last longer.  This also allows them to shrink, you have wondered why the gaps got bigger, the wood has gotten smaller. At first you go out diligently ever spring, sanding and staining the surface so it looks new again.  Don't forget to get all those little gaps too.  Then as you get a little older and you time could be spent out with family or friends the upkeep fades and soon you find it better to just keep the door to the deck.

So to correct this problem and add some life to your deck you can use a composite material rather than wood.  Sounds like a great idea!  These composite boards won't rot so they must be better, right?  Better than wood, yes they are.  Much more expensive too. And only the composite boards are not going to rot from the water, but all the other wood like the joist or beams and the supports will rot.  Use pressure treated lumber (common suggestion) and they are right those take longer for water to damage but they are full of chemicals and those chemicals will leach into the ground during every rain storm causing who knows what type of reaction.  The other big draw to this particular product will be what you want the look to be.  There are all sorts of different patterns and colors or designs that can be made.  This is where some customers will begin to think more about appearances than what they want / need the deck to do for them.  Wonder if these will splinter, shrink, twist or become deformed after a few years?  Oh, he says they won't.

Perhaps those wants and needs are what should be most important? 

We get lots of calls about decks.  What is the best kind of deck to build? How can I fix my deck? Will you come stain our deck?
Of all these calls the ones that become our customers are the ones that say "Can you waterproof my deck?"  This is a customer that has learned, usually the hard way or possibly through a friend that wood, composite and liquid applied decks do work, but there will be ongoing costs and repairs with them as well.

Duradek is the leader in Canada and the USA when it comes to not just waterproofing but giving allowing you to use ALL of your homes space.  If the real estate fairy stopped by tonight and asked if you wanted 500 more square foot of space would you want it?  I am sure we all would say yes please!
Well with Duradek you not only get the 500 SF but at no additional cost you also get the 500 SF below your deck too!  It now become dry usable space great for storage or simply making room in the garage so you can park the car in there.

So how do you protect yourself and get what you want?

Decide what it is that you want to use your deck for.  If the answer is "a place to keep our BBQ" then a wood deck maybe the best for you.  If you have some extra, disposable income then a composite can take care of that too.

If your considering how to really get some use of the deck area then think about outdoor flooring / outdoor entertainment areas where you will  enjoy inviting the family and friends to dine with you in the great outdoors.

Take a minute and look into the product and company that your considering. 
Was the installer trained by the company? (this is much better than having your bother show you)
Is the "sales guy" a company employee or are they an independent rep making commission on your sale?
What does the warranty say? Read it, many don't even cover what you think is important.
Is the product your using repairable? How? Will the repair look different than the rest of the deck?
What's the life expectancy without any additional cost or maintenance?
Is the product made to and proven to handle this climate and temperature variance?

Most important is ASK, then ASK. then ASK and ASK some more if you want, your the customer.
Ask for -

• Installations details, printed out copies for you to keep.
• Copy of the warranty before the work is done
• References of work similar to yours, not just something typed up on the internet.
• Verify how long has the product and the installer been around?
• Who do you call in two or three or ten years after the job is done for assistance?

Duradek is Helping Change the Landscape of Salt Lake City - One Roof Deck at a Time

The Broadway Park Lofts are a victorious triumph in architectural achievement and urban residential development perseverance. These luxurious loft-style condominium units are refining urban lifestyle preferences and changing the landscape in Salt Lake City.

After a rocky start with the first phase of the project, construction halted when the housing market took a dive in 2009 and the promising development was left sitting as an empty shell. After a three year stalemate and a maze of legalities, the developers at ClearWater Homes acquired the project through grit, determination and vision which have culminated into a one-of-a-kind modern urban living experience which is truly the first of its kind in Salt Lake City.

The Broadway Park Lofts. Photo by ClearWater Homes

Located at 360 W Broadway (300 South) in downtown Salt Lake City, the two towers of the Broadway Park Lofts, named ‘Parkview’ and ‘Lanai’, hold a total of 82 units housed over 3 levels. Each unit spans 2 floors and range in size from 424 sq. ft. to 1,100 + sq. ft. (excluding Penthouse units) and they are available in one or two bedroom floor plans. The main level has received R2 zoning to allow for market units; perfect for coffee shops, yoga studios, art galleries and other community enhancing enterprises. The second and third levels perfect a sleek, industrial design with lanai style balconies and modern, garage-door-style floor to ceiling windows that open up the urban lifestyle to an outdoor living experience. But it is the 3rd level that really benefits from one of the most luxurious features in urban living…a private roof-top deck.

Garage door style windows open up each unit to the outdoors.

Accessed by an additional spiral staircase from the top level units’ second floor to the roof, each private roof deck spans an area of 300 sq. ft. and provides the additional outdoor living space that is so desirable but quite often under-utilized in many urban centers. Real estate agent, Connor Southworth reported, “These units are really cool, but they also cost about $40,000 more than the middle floor units. Well worth it, though, in my opinion.”

Preparing the roof deck substrate for the application of Duradek vinyl.

According to the American Institute of Architects, 63% of architects cite outdoor living space as the most popular ‘special function room’ in housing construction, and Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost-Vs.-Value Report includes multiple deck addition options in the ‘biggest gainers’ category. There is no doubt that outdoor living space is growing in demand in residential construction in both single family homes and multi-residential developments.

Roof decks sometimes bring hesitancy to developers as there are so many considerations to constructing them properly. When any outdoor pedestrian surface is situated over living space, a reliable walkable, waterproof surface is critical. ClearWater Homes boldly and confidently set precedence for roof top decks in Salt Lake City with this project by utilizing the specialized roof deck waterproofing provided by Duradek vinyl membranes. Not only was Duradek a proven, reliable, warrantiedsolution for waterproofing the roof decks, but it also provided a low maintenance surface for the owners of the units since Duradek vinyl does not require any maintenance to continue performing…just an occasional cleaning to maintain its aesthetic appeal.

Broadway Park Lofts garner some inspiration from its namesake and brings New York style luxury to Utah where roof decks are gifted with the amazing views found in the Salt Lake City skyline and amazing Utah sky. This developer has recognized that roof decks do not need to be restricted to harbour cities where they are traditionally found in greater numbers, and they can take advantage of the views and maximize space in any community.

ClearWater Homes’ V.P. of Strategy and Development, Matt Kidd says, “The value of having the rooftop deck is returned in spades for the home owner. Not only are they able to enjoy an extra 300 square feet, but it comes with panoramic views of the Wasatch front extending from the capital building north all the way to Thanksgiving Point and all parts west! Imagine enjoying an evening alone or with friends watching the sunset and city night life unfold before you while relaxing on your rooftop.”

The roof decks at the Broadway Park Lofts bring the ultimate urban advantage giving these Salt Lake City residents the ability to enjoy the sights of the Saturday Farmer’s Market, the 4th of July fireworks or the Twilight Concert Series right from the comfort of their own home. After all, lifestyle is really what this development is all about. With a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, residents can walk or bike to work, enjoy the local parks and enjoy gastronomic favorites right on the same block like Tony Caputo’s Market, Carlucci’s Bakery, Bruges Waffles and Frites; even Gateway Mall is mere walking distance away. Plus, when traveling, residents can enjoy leaving their car in the secure garage and walk to TRAX to hop the train to the airport and never have to rely on paying for parking.

If you are in the market for a condo purchase in Salt Lake City and want to snap up one of the penthouse units with a roof top deck you may be disappointed because those rooftop units currently support a long waiting list of potential buyers waiting to hear of the next release date for availability. However there are still some of the first and second level units available for affordable urban luxury. Currently there are 12 new residents (with a dozen more in the purchase process)already enjoying their new lofts and surrounding Warehouse District neighbours and local businesses.

ClearWater Homes of Utah has a mandate of building functional, beautiful and energy-efficient homes and this urban masterpiece in the heart of Salt Lake City is an incredible example of functionality meeting luxury. Now, with the cautiously optimistic resurgence in new build construction, ClearWater Homes has made The Broadway Park Lofts a shining example of the best in urban living by maximizing space in a desirable urban center and by meeting the growing demand for extending residential living space to the outdoors.

Matt Kidd from ClearWater Homes adds, “Knowing that our rooftop decks not only provide a unique experience for our residents but a long lasting waterproof protection for their investments gives us the peace of mind to continue this development model for all of our communities going forward.”

CSI Tour of Broadway Park Lofts

Join Duradek of Utah's (Dekmax) Matt McClure to get a sneak peak at these gorgeous rooftop decks and take advantage of making your inquiries on the unique features of roof deck waterproofing. Design professionals can get a detailed look inside the Broadway Park Lofts when the Salt Lake City chapter of the Construction Specification Institute (CSI-SLC) will conduct a tour on May 21st, 2014. The tour will cover the layout of the buildings and discuss the obstacles, successes and future of the final development which is expected to be completed mid to late summer 2014.

Have You Checked Your Deck? May is Deck Safety Month

Ahhhh, May! That favourite time of year when we really begin preparing our outdoor living areas in anticipation of the barbecues, games and luxurious lounging that is sure to follow in the coming summer months.

Having been around for 40 years with over 125 million square feet of vinyl decking installed throughout North America, Duradek wants to be sure that your deck is still the best it can be. While the obvious task of cleaning any organic debris, dirt and soil from the deck or patio surface is usually the first step for many home owners, be sure to include the critical step of a complete deck inspection.

Paying particular attention to the waterproofing details on and around your deck such as the caulking around posts and drains can help you isolate any vulnerabilities in your deck before weakening can occur or unfortunate accidents can take place.

 May is Deck Safety Month ®   
The North America Deck & Railing Association (NADRA) is the decking industry's most visible association, and they have a very strong consumer focus. Deck safety is a critical issue to NADRA, and the organization has a mandate of increasing public awareness of the necessity of regular inspections and maintenance of existing decks, and proper installation of new decks. This initiative prompted NADRA to declare May as Deck Safety Month ® in 2006.

 

NADRA estimates that there are 40 million decks in the U.S. that are over 20 years old, which means they were installed prior to today's building codes. This makes deck safety a critical issue that must be addressed and NADRA helps to make it easy by providing a Deck Safety Consumer Checklist and a Deck Safety Evaluation Form for builders. This is a fantastic free tool for keeping all your deck renovation assessment details together and can be very handy to reference  when getting estimates or discussing project options. You can get both of these very handy free tools on the NADRA website.

 Deck collapses happen far too frequently and when they do happen, they happen fast. For example, the Christmas Party in Indiana in December 2013 where a group photo on the deck was interrupted as the deck gave way with no warning, sending two dozen family members crashing to the ground. The family released security footage of the collapse and it is startling to see how sudden and unexpected the collapse was.
See the footage of the deck collapse on YouTube.



More recently, in April 2014 another family photo resulted in five out of sixteen family members suffering injuries when they fell 10 feet to the ground when the deck collapsed on a deck at a restaurant in Ontario. This wooden deck appears to have been left unprotected from the elements and seems to be yet another unfortunate example of a deck weakened by water infiltration to the point of structural insecurity.

Duradek is proud to be a member of NADRA and takes deck safety very serious too. Whether you are located in Canada or the United States, ensuring your deck meets building requirements is critical which is one of the many reasons it makes sense to have your deck build by a decking professional. Right from the initial construction of the deck to the condition of the substrate, the application of the waterproofing and the installation of the railings, each stage requires its own detailed expertise and is a major factor for Duradek recommending that you do not do the job yourself.

If you are considering renovating your balcony or deck to ensure your family photos are all taken safely, one of our Duradek trained waterproofing specialists would be happy to provide you with a free estimate on your decking project.

Is it Waterproof or pretty? Which do you really want?

For years we have been asked to come look at a deck that has failed and water is either getting into the home or there is rotting wood that is in need of replacement.  Over the years I have finally figured out why these decks are failing.  I am a professional water proofer providing solid surface rooftop decks or simple exterior decks.  We often get calls from a customer says they have a "waterproof" deck that is leaking, it took me awhile to get it but they really believed that the product used was waterproof. 

I don't like saying it but don't be so naïve as to believe everything a "sales rep" is telling you.  They are probably not lying to you, but maybe the whole truth isn't told.  We are going to walk through a type of product here and talk about the differences between these and Duradek. 

These other products are good products, when installed to manufacturers standards and recommendations by an installer that knows what they are doing and has experience.  The issue here is trying to be sure all of the above is what your getting. 

Here is a product that is often refereed to as waterproof.  There is nothing in this muti-layer system is waterproof other than the "top coat" or sealer.  It can be made to look very nice.  Some installers have the ability to make all kinds of cool designs and patterns that are very pleasing to the customer.  The top coat or sealer is applied as the walking surface, the more you walk on it or drag your furniture across it the quicker it wears off. 

                                                                               

          



This stunning home along the bench in Draper Utah had very nicely designed deck over a slab patio.  The owner had even had recessed lights installer around the perimeter adding a very nice touch of elegance to the deck.  I am sure entertaining out here was often, showing off the outdoor living area.  Unfortunately it seems the design was the priority here and the thought about protecting their investment with proper waterproofing probably wasn't a consideration until near the end of the build.

What you see here are the different layers of the product used. First a metal lath (heavy duty screen) was stapled to the wooden substrate.  According to the manufacture this is to be done every square inch, that's a whole lot of holes in the wooden substrate! This step is done to try and keep the wooden structure from moving or minimize it at least. 

 After the metal lath is stapled down a cement, or stucco like mixture is applied often in several steps, this varies by manufacture.  Each application needs to be done within the temperature requirements provided by the manufacture usually above 50 degrees during the entire curing cycle. Once these have been applied and properly cured the top coat or sealer will be applied.  Since cement and stucco are not waterproof this last layer is the only defense against water intrusion.  These can be done in different colors and designs drawing the owners attention to the appearance rather than it durability.

This type installation can be everything the home owner has wanted, BUT they also need to understand that these all have an ongoing maintenance program that requires the top coat to be re-applied every 1-3 years.  These requirements again vary by manufacturer.  As long as the owner follows these costly requirements then the warranty should be applicable if there are issues.

 Too often the top coat is never re-applied and within 3-5 years there are soft spots on the deck or sometimes there are little rust colored spots showing up.  This is from the water soaking into and through the cement / stucco materials and into the wood.  The metal lath will actually do a really good job holding the deck together, without it the deck would fall apart.

There are many products out there that can be used and all have one like requirement; the installer needs to have been properly trained.

To any home owner I strongly recommend that you take a minute and do some research on the product being used and the installer too.  Make and informed choice that will meet all of your needs.

Duradek's training, we take waterproofing serious

We see it way to often. 

Failed products, significant water damages, a home owner wondering what to do and the company that installed the "waterproofing" can't be found.  This is why Contractors are so happy to work with Duradek of Utah, we do the training and support them on the job site as needed. Home owners love the product and the fact that we are right here, local and ready to help.

 

If you have trouble viewing the video here please go to http://www.dekmax.com/media.cfm

Can Duradek be repaired?

Although it is rare to have a home owner damage the Duradek system it is possible.  The most important thing to do if you have a damaged spot is to call right away, it is a simple repair then.  Here is a repair that was done a few months ago.

This roof deck is over living area so the home owner knew Duradek was the best solution for waterproofing.  The installer had just finished three decks and they looked beautiful, the recessed seams were virtually invisible.  The next day the very large windows were going to be installed and during the set up or installation something was dropped onto the deck surface.  The membrane was punctured and the substrate was "dented" too.  The home owner was beside herself and called frustrated that it had been damaged. 

Reassuring her that she did the best thing by calling we sent a Duradek of Utah representative out the next day.  She was so impressed with how it was handled she was even video taping the repair. 

 

Since there was a dent in the plywood we needed to level it out not leaving a depression or bump once repaired.  The decision was made to take another piece of membrane cut it to the size of the indentation place it under the top sheet and then both pieces rolling them so the surface is flat again.   The pictures you see here were taken from about 12" off the surface, unless somebody was really trying hard to find this slight scar it may never be noticed. 

Outdoor Tile, can it be done?

YES!

There is one simple guideline.

Do it right the first time!

 

 Our professional, company trained waterproofing experts have been doing tile outdoors in one of the harshest climates in the country without any concerns about water intrusion.  Tile in an outdoor application is very popular with a home owner as it should be, it looks fantastic and adds a real touch of class to an outdoor living area.  So what's the problem?  It is very hard to find somebody to do the work, they may not tell you but there is a real fear of liability for the contractor so they shy away from this type work.  OR you may find somebody that wants to do the work, they only lack a proven system.  They are creating their own "system" that they are sure will work.  The end result is too often a frustrated and upset home owner stuck with a very costly mess. 

 

 

Here we are going to walk you through a failure that had occurred here in Salt Lake City.  As you can see this private residence is a high end custom home.  When we were first called out the home owner was beside herself with the amount of water leaking from the upper deck to the lower deck.  There were icicle's that actually hung from the recessed lighting in the soffit to the tile  on the lower deck.

Most important and in dire need of repair was the bridge that not only connected the deck to the pool

but is the only way to get to the pool and it had deteriorated so much it could not be walked on. 

You never know what you will find when tearing apart a failed project, we were not disappointed at all here.  There was actually two different ideas implemented but neither had to do with waterproofing!  All the effort was based on the tile finish and no consideration at all for durability, usage or longevity.

 

On the bridge we found two layers of 3/4 inch OSB. Above that was a metal lath with a thin-set  then a drainage mat, finally was the tile finish.  So lets break down the good and bad here.




The two layers of OSB and metal lath were an obvious effort to reduce deflection, that's the right thing to do.  Our testing showed that two layers of plywood would not work.  The metal lath idea probably came from other liquid applied systems and again can help reduce movement.  BUT it should be stapled every square inch.  Now the first question that I had was where is the waterproofing? There is nothing here that stops water from passing through the whole build up and soak right into the OSB, which quickly turns into a sponge soaking up all it can get.  That is why the upper layer looks like a pile of flakes. 

 

Now we have learned about the bridge and why it failed.  What about the lower deck?

Here we found a change in the game plan, there was no metal lath used on the deck surface. For some reason the decision was made to use a thick-set type installation and the drainage mat on top of that, then the tile finish.  I don't really understand why the change unless they thought the bridge needed to be the best plan but the deck would not have as much movement? Just a guess.

 

What we have here is a "tile setter" being the responsible party for this complete job, yet their effort and focus is in how to make the tile look best?  They are not skilled, nor trained in waterproofing at best they use their experience from installing tile indoors and try to apply it to outdoors.  The drainage mat is a sheet good and was butted up to the next layer.  The transition from the bridge to the deck was leaking quite a bit as you can see below.  The edge beam (doubled 2x's) are showing pretty serious water damage. The further onto the deck we go the lessor the damage but it is also covered so that makes sense.

This repair was not too difficult and that only made the home owner even more frustrated about the failure.  The tile was removed and trashed as was everything down to the joists.  To her, it was just like the beginning, again.  We sheeted it with 3/4" plywood (no OSB), used a bond coat of Mapei's Ultra Flex II, set and screwed down Durock Next Gen 1/2" CBU then fully adhered Duradek's Tiledek membrane. The tile was then bonded directly to the Tiledek membrane by the tile setter. 

Looking at these two different approaches there are a lot similarities lets break them down.

The failed installation was based on a tile setters experience. (Not a trained waterproofer)
The Tiledek product comes as a tested and approved complete system (ICC and TCNA)

The drainage mat helps to drain the water and is the anti-fracture product.
Tiledek is waterproof and is the anti-fracture membrane as well.

The metal lath reduces deflection but it also rusts as the water leaks through. (less cost)
Durock is better then the lath and is approved by the manufacturer to be used in the Tiledek system and was tested as a part of the system. (ICC and TCNA)

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE HERE IS WHO IS RESPONSIBLE / ACCOUNTABLE????
If you are in the industry you know exactly what I mean.  There are countless stories about how a leak with outdoor tile occurred and who is at fault. They are all the same in that all it becomes is a bunch of finger pointing at each others product or installation details, nobody takes responsibility and the owner is left with a mess and huge cost of repair.

We are not afraid of the liability that comes from waterproofing over living space what so ever.
Our installers are professional.
All are company trained.
We inspect every Tiledek project before the tile is installed and offer to flood test the surface first.
Our history goes back 40 years, this isn't some "new idea" or dream.  If you want a waterproof system that was designed specifically for a tile finish then we have you covered.  Offering the owner peace of mind that when a tile or stone pops or cracks it is a simple repair without the costly water damages.

To the tile setters credit, he was the only person / product that took responsibility on this job, he installed the tile at no cost to the owner. 

So how long did it take for the water to make its way through and cause all this? LESS THAN ONE YEAR!!! It was done in the fall, by spring it was replaced and done right.