When you’ve spent a lot of money either putting in a new deck or refurbishing and repairing an old one, you want to make sure your investment lasts. This usually means sealing it with a waterproof coating of some kind, but deck waterproofing isn’t just for residential wood decks whose homeowners are looking to preserve the integrity of the wood, both concrete decks and wood decks have a number of reasons why they can stand to have some professional deck waterproofing.
Concrete Decks
Concrete decks are found in a number of places: balconies, patios, pools, parking garages and commercial buildings. Concrete decks are pretty much everywhere, and anywhere concrete is open to rainfall, snow, and other forms of liquid, it is going to need to be properly waterproofed and sealed. Deck waterproofing designed for concrete will help seal the concrete and prevent water seepage, as well as fortify small, filled cracks and fissures which would further damage concrete if the water were to sneak in and freeze in cooler night temperatures.
For the most part, although many people think a pool deck would be the most likely candidate for deck waterproofing, it is the reinforced structures which have the most to gain. Water leeching into the concrete can damage the underlying structural reinforcements, shortening the life of the building, and marring the integrity of the structure.
All concrete decks should be sealed properly to promote longevity. This also means any old concrete decking must be pressure washed, any silicone and caulking must be removed, deep cracks and joints must be bridged, and minor cracks must be filled prior to application.
Wood Decks
This is what homeowners traditionally think of when it comes to decking; the stunning wood deck just off the back of the house which took days to get “just right” or the wrap around patio off the front. However, having the deck of your dreams and keeping it as such are two way different things. Wood is particularly vulnerable to water damage, and deck waterproofing in this case is absolutely paramount to preserving its life.
Deck waterproofing for wood decks is important because of the wood’s ability to absorb water, and excess water absorption ultimately leads to swelling and warping which can damage as well as degrade the wood to the point where it needs to be replaced. Damaged wood not only invites insects like carpenter ants and wood ants who are great at aggressively destroying wood – but also termites, who actually eat the wood and love to take advantage of a good free meal.
In addition to the degradation, water-soaked wood is the perfect environment for mold and mildew spores to flourish, which is not too great for anyone’s health. A good deck waterproofing product can protect your materials for years and years. If you are looking for a great water proofing system, look no further than Dex-O-Tex, as they manufacture some of the best waterproofing products in the industry.
