Waterproof Deck Coatings

Understanding the Differences

Tips on Maintaining Themand

Tips on Setting a Reserve Schedule for Maintenance & Replacement

Presented by Bill Leys

In Today’s Session, you will become familiar with

• The different types of waterproof deck coatings available.

• Pro’s and Cons of the various types of coatings.

• Basic Maintenance tips.

• The life cycle of these deck coatings to use to set reserve costs/maintenance cycles.

How to Tell the Difference Between Deck Coatings

• Slip Sheet systems generally have a flat smooth surface material with a flat/matte sealer/finish. Slip sheet systems sound hollow when lightly tapped with a finger.

• Urethane systems usually have a flat or sand finish and have some give when pressed against.

• Fiberglass systems are difficult to tell from cement coatings as they are finished in much the same way with acrylic top coats.

• Meal Lath Reinforced Concrete systems are very hard. A knockdown texture is a typical finish found on these coatings.

There are also two other coatings that some of you may run into.

MAGNESITE, which is

a Magnesium Oxychloride

Flooring System

manufactured by

Hill Brothers

Magnesite systems have rounded bull nose on stair edges and outside edges. Very hard and durable, but brittle.

Pro’s and Cons of Magnesite and Pebble Bond

Systems

Pro’s• Inexpensive to install.

• Fast drying eliminates down time.

• Unique looks enhances a buildings architectural details.

Cons•Requires frequent maintenance.

•Expensive to maintain.

•Difficult to repair if damaged.

Architectural Detail for a Typical Urethane Installation

Have you ever seen a deck that looked like this? Do you know what has happened to this deck?

Answer-

UV has damaged this urethane coated deck. Timely maintenance is critical. Resealing the deck with sealer would have protected it. As it is, it’s useable life is over.

Here are several details for a typical slip sheet system.

A fiberglass deck that has failed.

These are some of the manufacturers who make metal lath reinforced cement coatings.• Desert Brand division of Hill

Brothers Chemical Company.

• Life Deck

• Excellent Coatings

• Pli-Deck

• AVM Industries

Metal Lath Reinforced Concrete Deck System

Have you ever seen a deck that looked like this? What is wrong with this picture?

Answer-A heavy clay pot has indented the surface, causing permament damage.

Heavy items aren’t good for many deck coatings.

Have you ever seen a deck that looked like this? What is wrong with this picture?

Answer-Failure to put a pan underneath the grill let a coal burn into the coating.

A $10.00 pan would have saved several hundred in repair costs.

Don’t ever allow these to be put on the surface of the deck…

• Indoor outdoor carpet, it traps water under it and may block drains or scuppers from allowing water to drain…

• Rubber mats, they trap water too!

• Cinder blocks/bricks, they hold water.

Associations should keep a written log on their decks…

• To track what maintenance was done, by who and when…and when it will need maintenance again…

• To provide a clear idea of which decks have problems, when they were fixed and what was done and to see if any patterns emerge…

• To use to keep track of what reserve monies are needed for maintenance.

Speaking of reserves…it’s time to talk about setting reserve schedules for regular resealing of the surfaces and for the eventual replacement of the deck coating itself.

Why does a deck need to be resealed periodically?• To maintain the manufacturer’s warranty (if

applicable)

• To improve it’s appearance from normal wear and tear.

• To protect the tender under-layer from UV exposure. (This statement applies mainly to urethane and slip sheet coatings)

• To allow an opportunity to inspect the deck for other damage.

Don’t let Your Associations Use this Dangerous Product!

Decks need to be resealed when the manufacturer says so.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule!

Knowing that information, take into consideration when calculating life spans and maintenance requirements, factors such as...

The decks exposure to sunlight. Is the deck in direct sun all day? It will probably need maintenance more often than a

deck protected by a trellis or roof for most of the day. What about location? A deck in Palm Springs will probably need

more maintenance than a deck in La Jolla due to extreme UV exposure and heat. Consider too that a deck on the north side

of a building won’t see as much sun as a south facing deck would.

Deck Coatings that are exposed to a lot of salty water from rain need extra attention

too!

Galvanized flashings and posts are very vulnerable to salt air!

COPPER FLASHINGS ARE THE BEST TO USE IN SALT AIR ENVIRONMENTS. DECK COATINGS THEMSELVES ARE LARGELY

UNAFFECTED BY SALT IF CLEANED REGULARLY.

Even with regular maintenance, deck coatings will eventually need to be replaced. Don’t forget to have your clients reserve money for REPLACEMENT of the coating system.

Keep in mind a few principles when setting the reserve schedule for your clients.

1. Should the association fail to provide proper maintenance, then it will be very difficult to anticipate the useful life of the coating.

2. A few of the factors that will effect your estimate of the remaining useful life are it’s current age, physical condition and past maintenance history and lack of maintenance.

3. The remaining life is generally defined as the expected number of years the coating will continue to serve it’s intended purpose prior to replacement.

4. The remaining life of a component specifies the year in which the coating must be replaced.

SUMMARY

•Advise your clients to maintain their decks as per manufacturer’s specifications, to protect their warranty and their investment.

•Advise your clients to inspect the decks frequently, it will save them money.

•Advise your clients to investigate all avenues before selecting a coating for their decks and not just select the lowest bid they received.

CALL US NOW TO ARRANGE YOUR SEMINAR!

805-801-2380