Tag Archives: deck information

best building practices, Recommended Reading

Excellent Q&A From Frank Woeste via Journal of Light Construction – Drainage Problems on Low Slope Roof Decks

I’ve had this Q & A page at JLC online on my to do list for a while now to post up here for you all…while the discussion is about drainage problems on low slope roofs, the photo they use is a deck over living space with tile on it and ponding water. And of course, decks over living space with tile or pedestrian traffic coatings on them are roofs as well, just that we walk on them too.

Frank discusses how a roof deck can pond water even when it’s “built to code” from loads placed on the deck. Recommended reading for designers, architects, builders, waterproofers and anyone interested in increasing their knowledge and skills.

Drainage Problems on Low-Slope Roofs

By Frank Woeste

Q. Can deflection of a low-slope roof cause ponding? How can this be avoided?

A. Frank Woeste, P.E., professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, responds: Historically, structural designers and builders have assumed that a design slope of 1/4 inch per foot (1:48) is sufficient to prevent ponding action, thinking that the installed roofing system will maintain at least a 1:48 slope in-service as required by some roof covering systems. However, in many cases and for different reasons, ponding on limited areas of low-slope roofs is common. That’s due to roof deflection, which over time can cause water to collect in some areas of a roof where the design slope for drainage is not adequate, and in fact changes from a “positive” drainage slope to a “negative” slope (see photo below).

  DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE. (666.96 KB)

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Thinking About A New Deck? Consider the Benefits Waterproof Walking Decks Offer

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As winter starts heading into spring you may have looked out at your deck and heaved a sigh knowing you have a choice to make this year…replacing that old rickety wood deck or the fading, sagging composite deck that was supposed to last 30 years. What to do what to do? Go back to a wood deck using exotic Ipe and hope that lasts longer and has less maintenance? Use the newest and “greatest” composite?

While the wood and composite markets currently dominate the deck market, the end user is getting tired of the limited color choices of composite decking available at lumber stores and doesn’t want to wait for a special order with it’s various requirements and doesn’t really like the thought of the maintenance that wood decks require. The newest choice available is actually a choice that’s been around for a long time, it’s just that not many knew about this choice til now.

The new “choice” for decking is rapidly becoming solid surface walking deck systems installed over a plywood substrate on conventional doug fir or pressure treated framing. Solid surface decking systems offer many advantages over it’s wood and composite competitors. Some of those advantages are

  1. Waterproof! These decks can waterproof and give you a walkable surface on a roof deck, dry in a patio below, keep a storage area dry underneath. Increases your homes value!
  2. Cost competitive. Framing costs are the same as for decks receiving wood/composite decking. Plywood and the waterproof coating system often costs less than composite decking and almost always less than exotic hardwoods.
  3. Less Maintenance! No sanding, staining and sealing every year. Most waterproof deck systems require resealing every 3-5 years. Clean them off easily using Simple Green, water and a hose and brush.
  4. Unique Looks! Waterproof decks can look like anything you want-wood (yep), tile, stone, brick, stained, stamped…the designs are virtually unlimited!

Look at our deck finishes, you’ll see some of the many various finishes available that can set you apart from the rest of the pack.

Looking for a manufacturer? Find one here

Deck Safety Month, grill safety, Recommended Reading

Deck Safety Tips For a Safe, Fun Filled Summer

Lucky this time! A gas grill flared up and ignited the deck. Always clean your grills gas venturi tubing. Spiders etc can block the flow causing an explosion.
6 died and 7 seriously injured when the Berkeley balcony collapsed. Inspections may have caught the problem before the tragedy occurred.
This is why grills are banned from decks in many states and communities.
Only took a smoldering cigarette to catch the deck on fire and take the whole house too!
Why Inspect? Lack of flashing allowed water intrusion into the wall where the deck supports rotted away.
Get your deck inspected before an accident occurs! Broken bones, even death occurs when a deck collapses.
Get your deck inspected before an accident occurs! Broken bones, even death occurs when a deck collapses.
Worst idea ever! Wood decks are organized kindling. Never use a fire pit on a deck.
The thought that someone thinks this was ok is horrifying.
Handmade railings and poorly secured non safety glass present acute safety issues on this deck.

We don’t want to be Debbie Downers, but when it comes to deck safety, we are Debbie Downer…

You might be too if you get the amount of Google Alerts I do on deck fires and deck collapses.

Everyday, somewhere a deck collapses or catches fire from a grill, smoking materials or a fire pit…or a heat lamp for the dog house, sparks from welding, you get the picture. So a few safety tips from me, to help you not be the next statistic;

  • No smoking on a deck.
  • No grilling on a deck.
  • NO FIRE PITS ON A DECK!
  • Smoke, grill or have a fire pit a minimum of ten feet away from the building. Make sure everything is out by dousing grills/pits in water. Yes your neighbors might be pissed because of the smell, but they will be even more pissed if that fire pit catches their house on fire!
  • Have your deck inspected. So many accidents could be avoided if inspections were done by competent people.
  • Any wobbling railings, stairs or deck is a bad sign. Get it inspected and fixed ASAP.

Consumers/homeowners, click below to use NADRA’s handy self inspection checklist to see if further professional inspection should be done.

NADRA Consumer Checklist

 

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Herringbone brick looks good!
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