Failed coating turns into beautiful tile.

This beautiful home located on the Bountiful bench has an external deck that was completely finished adding a nice touch. The only problem was the original deck had been covered with a cement like coating that was not waterproof. In fact during the tear off you could see the multiple layers and how they had failed, even the metal lath stapled to the plywood was rusted.
The home owners wanted to be able to use the deck to relax and watch the sunset with invited guests, without the concern of water damages again.

Here you see Duradek's Tiledek membrane has been installed providing a waterproof barrier as well as the anti fracture membrane for tile. This was after the experts at MBL replaced all the rotted materials from the old deck and it was extensive. What your seeing in these pictures is very close to a complete rebuild, even the joists had to be removed as a result of the extensive water damages. The system is fairly simple - 3/4 T&G plywood - 1/2 cement board - Tiledek membrane - Tiled right to the membrane.

Who wouldn't be proud to show this off to friends and family? Outdoor entertainment areas are fast becoming very popular ways to improve your home and when done right they can last for decades without concern of water damages. MBL has a great staff and as a general contractor they understand the value of doing it right the first time. Over the years they have continued to send new employees through our training programs so each individual on the job clearly understands the system.

Keep the wood look but reduce the upkeep.

Cottonwood Custom to the rescue! This home along the bench in south Salt Lake city had two decks, one over the other. Tired and frustrated with the constant dripping of water and debris onto the lower deck not to mention the damaging wood it was time to call on a pro.

In order to maintain the same wood appearance yet eliminating the water issue Cottonwood Custom cam up with a great solution. They left the current railing attached and used Duradek's Ultra Cork to waterproof the deck, stopping the dripping water below and keeping the desired look the home owner wanted.

Boy, wouldn't it be nice to get up in the morning and walk out to this. Relax and enjoy that first cup of coffee taking in the view, confident your water worries are over.

Why others fail

Getting ready to install a gutter system, there was not on before and that meant all the water run off was running down the fascia.

Duradek's Classic Barley is installed over the existing failed coating.


Obvious water leaking into the storage room below.
This had been going on for a few years all the way down the supporting columns to the cement slab below.

These had been covered with Stucco. All the support columns had to be replaced simply from water getting in there and rotting the OSB and dimensional lumber.

The water was running off the deck for the most part, a few puddles but around the stairs and over the edge is where all the trouble came from. It is the details that fail most often.

This coating was applied over the drip edge and when it was taken off you can see the discoloration from the water. It was leaking through the coating and getting under the drip edge, then all the way down to the ground. What was going to be a simply covering of the deck turned out to be a very expensive repair.

What is more important, Waterproof? or Appearance?

This project was in Jeremy Ranch / Park City. The home owner had found us on the Internet and inquired about what we can do to help with their deck. They were just sick and tired of spending money each year to clean and maintain the old wood deck. As suggested they did some looking around and found other products that they liked to look of and thought it would go well with the design of the home.

This is where the questions began. They wanted to know how to stop the water damages and rotting lumber. With the Duradek system and a company trained installer like the professionals at MBL Construction make is easy, we do it right. MBL Construction understands when waterproofing a deck here in Utah with our harsh climates and freezing winters you don't play around "Do it right the first time." The "other" guys said they would make it looks great but then there was no real warranty offered, they only coated the surface not up the walls, it would take several days for each layer to cure before the next goes on an inconvenience for the family. This is when we recommend the home owner does some homework themselves. Ask for the ICC/ES report, what has it been approved for? Has it been tested for the climate it is being installed in?

When asked if there was another job they could look at Shane at MBL said sure about a mile away we are in the middle of a repair similar to yours and we are just getting ready to to the Duradek's Ultra Classic Barley membrane. http://utahdecks.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-others-fail.html
When they took a look at what the neighbors were going through they realized how serious a little water intrusion can be. The neighbors deck had been done in a very similar product that was being considered here.

Happens all the time. Do you want the newest, greatest, most incredible looking thing there is or do you want to waterproof your deck with a good looking, well proven, long lasting low maintenance system? Do the home work, investigate the product and the installer and sort through the sales pitch to the reality. Many times we have told prospective customers that choose other products "Call us when it fails" and we will take care of you. It is not funny how often and how soon they call.

The cost between products was pretty much the same, the deciding factor in this case was waterproofing. They will enjoy this decks for the coming decades without the worry or cost of repair and maintenance. Had they chosen differently they may have been going through the tens of thousands of dollars in repair the neighbors went through. When the snow flys this year they can use rock salt or shovel the deck and in the spring just wash it off, ready for summer!