Here's One About Waterproofing A Balcony.

deckman22

None of us can wave a magic wand & give a solution to that problem, you are simply under budgeted. It's a bad design in the first place & needs a total re-do imo to be right, that's going to cost $. Tell the guy to buy a big tarp, cover up his deck til he has enough money, so he doesn't ruin anymore S/R.

Trying to fix that for 1000 bucks is going to make a friend into a someone who is not a friend.

I know you want to help your friend out, telling him the truth & fixing it right will do more to keep your friend than putting a 1000 dollar bandaid on that trainwreck.

If you don't understand that then learn the hardway.

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Donnie631

well, from bradco supply, 45mil epdm membrane 10'x100' roll, 5gal adhesive, flashing and joint tape, and primer. all for under $600. not so sure where all of you got your figures at over a grand to seal a deck, have you become accustomed to ripping customers off for so long that you actually believe yourself that the cost is so high?

disappointing.

deckman22

Well then why ask us mister no it all.

Keep us updated how that works out. Somehow I think your friend will be doing the same sort of thing in the near future. I doubt you'll let us know about that tho.

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Donnie631

I asked here first, looking for some expert opinions, which I did get some, unfortunately, as with any forum, some keyboard cowboys always chime in with their 2 cents which they should put in a jar to feed their starving egos.

if youre making any implications, its pretty pathetic since you have no idea about who I am and what I do. I forgot in this day and age, people aren't willing to help someone out unless it fattens their pocket. I do my best to help a friend in need, and after all these years, nobody has ever been less than thankful for my help. I explained that I have no idea about this work in my first post, and my buddy is happy with us knocking it out in a weekend with some pizza and stories to get us through. To me it's a learning experience, gotta start somewhere with some new concepts.

I have already checked into the details and it really isnt that big of a deal. I have a few posts to go around using flashing tape and primer to reseal any cuts I make, and to seal it to the post., and as long as I use latex adhesive, it gives me the chance to fix any "rookie" mistakes of this type of job. To me, its very similar to sheet flooring which I have done over and over again so I am not anticipating any serious issues. I do know that I should use a solvent adhesive along the edges and that adhesive is almost instantaneous, where the latex is workable, so I need to be on point when I work the edges.

For those of you who know how to do this installation, are there any things I should be aware of? I know not to stretch the material, and the membrane will be re-covered afterwards because I was told by the manufacturer that the membrane will shrink over time in direct sunlight.

Like I have stated over again, Im helping out a friend, so any tips or advise would be appreciated.

SLSTech

Experience - I don't see cleaner, not sure which flashing your using, if you had a leak, more than likely you are replacing some plywood & most companies will put insulation underneath the membrane, especially with drainage problems. Also seeing you only told us towards the end that it was 600 SF, we are all pretty sure you left some other pertinent info out like vents, skylights & ... never mind I'm not going there.


Then we get this

Nothing personal - here's the manual, read it throughly - if you have any questions heres some more info - if after that you have a question - feel free to come back and ask it with all the information required

As for your last sentence - that is commendable, but what do you think most of us do here daily, including the one(s) that you accused of ripping people off.

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loneframer

In response to your comment., I believe anyone who would sell an EPDM deck as a walkable deck surface should be careful about who he claims is ripping off a customer. I'm not going to bother looking back through the thread, but it seams to me there is also sheetrock damage that needs to be addressed, as well as carpeting, so that surely should be included in your material costs. Are you priming over the aluminum roof coating, or laying down new underlayment?

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deckman22

I'm done trying to get my point across. OP just does not understand he needs a roof under the deck, not a deck setting directly on the top plate.

Plus he's breaking the golden rule of contracting, don't work for friends or family. If he's doing whatever he can for a friend that's flat broke, working for free that's commendable, but I think this friend/customer is taking advantage of him.

Another thing I don't understand is if this is hurricane work, why didn't the guys insurance pay to get it fixed right to begin with.

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www.alscustomdecks.com

Donnie631

The DECK is 10x60.. as previously stated. There are no skylights, there are no vents, if you read the previous posts you will comprehend that this is a DECK on a stilt constructed house. It is a DECK. There are no DRAINAGE PROBLEMS, the previous method of waterproofing has failed after 3 years. The DECK had plywood flopped over the original 2x6 decking. The only water seepage is thru the plywood seams because there is a carpet holding the water like a sponge. which doesnt allow it to just runoff. I had this talk with my buddy about it. The other area of concern is where the DECK posts come into play, there was never any flashing to curb the runoff from the deck so it too has failed after 3 years and is leaking.


I spoke with the manufacturer AND Bradco Suppply of Pensacola and both recommended 45 mil for the application. There no ripping off a customer because there is no customer. The carpeting is on the DECK, it needs to be removed to waterproof it. Sheetrock damage is in a makeshift enclosure under the house, where, if you are familiar with stilt homes, most people park under the house., he just decided to enclose it, much like a polebarn.
I was told that with sanding and cleaning, that going over the ARC will be fine as long as the plywood is not damaged. I assume that the plywood is water damaged and needs to be replaced.

The problem is that the layout of the house doesnt allow for a typical roof to be installed, then a deck. The problem is that my buddy had scabbed an enclosure under his house where there wasn't to be one. That is the whole problem, and his issue with leaks. The house was never designed or what he has done.

I know the golden rule, but I am very upfront and informative. I never go out of my comfort zone to help anybody, but in this case I am just trying to help him out. There is no taking advantage of, since I am offering my help to get it done for him.

This is not hurricane work. That was years ago, he had the house rebuilt, and 3 years ago decided to screw around with the garage and flop plywood over the deck as a makeshift roofing.

the majority of these answers were posted in my previous posts, if anyone read them.

I was just looking for some help to get the answers I need. Like I said, some have been helpful, some have not, I am not pointing fingers, I am too mature for that childish behavior. I was just expecting a more professional approach to this issue than a bunch of crap about it. I know that most forums are the same way, I just expected a forum of "professionals" to offer some constructive solutions, instead of crap about how I am getting ripped off, or that I am ripping someone off, or the one about how it will have to be redone soon. I am not interested in the bs. Luckily I filtered some good info, and some things to consider, from all of this.

And deckman22, I didnt realize that I quoted you when I posted that. I wasnt trying to single you out as who I was talking about. I actually understand all of the points you have made throughout both pages of this thread, and although I always help out a friend who needs it, I wouldnt touch this job under any other conditions because I know nothing about it, and he knows I know nothing about it. It will be just a couple friends getting together to fix his house, and maybe in the end, I will have a better understanding of the material, but I feel that under any other condition, this should be in the hands of a qualified roofer, or experienced installer.

John Hyatt

Way to go Donnie!! I was pretty sure the materials for a torch down would run about what you had. One thing the mastic or glue down is not near as good as using a torch you might think about geting one.

I my own old self did a small torch down after watching my roofer guy do them for years It came out not bad, not as clean as his but it worked. Bummer having to go around the posts thats the hard part and an area where the torch really works best. J.

loneframer

You have been quick to judge everyones replies on this thread, but you have to understand that we ARE professionals and are looking at this situation as such. You can do a Craigs List contractor repair to this if you so choose, that is neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned.
However, I am familiar with homes built on poles, pilings, stilts, sticks or whatever else you may choose to call them. I am also familiar with the fire codes that are enforced in my experience with parking under a building. Double 5/8" Type X is what we are required to install in such an application. You can do whatever you want, but if it was my friend in the same situation, I would have the best interests of his family and their safety in mind, not meeting an unrealistic budget.
If that is what you consider taking advantage and overcharging, you are not unlike any other homeowner looking for a good deal.

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Donnie631

I understand that these ARE professionals.

Here is the definition of a "professional"

1. Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career
2. Performed by persons receiving pay

and the link http://www.thefreedictionary.com/professional

So to translate for those that were homeschooled, if your lucky enough to get paid to do some hack work you know nothing about, your a professional.

In a sentence
That dumb schmuck paid me to fix his toilet, Well golly geez, Im a professional now.

I never expected all the unprofessional posts here, from professionals no less. Lucky for me, that I can filter out the crap and find the couple good posts of information from those true professionals of their trade. Some of the professionals should take some time and maybe further, or start, their education.

loneframer

You are a cunning linguist and a master debater, but it doesn't change the fact that you are putting lipstick on a pig. All the education in the world doesn't supercede practical experience and common knowledge of a trade. I have spent the last 25 years furthering my education in the fields that I profess in.
There is a market for every skill level and pricepoint in this business. You cater to yours and I'll cater to mine. May our paths never cross in the future.

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Donnie631

I explained and showed this whole thread and in between the laughs from the bickering back and forth, I think he realizes that , to quote you, "it's just putting lipstick on a pig." I actually may use that from time to time, bu tI will be sure to send a royalty check.

I am well educated in my areas of expertise in Residential disciplines, as well as, mechanical engineering. I know how things work, how to make them work, and grasp a concept very quickly. I have well over 20 years of hard working knowledge of what I do, not to mention that I was building houses over my summer vacations as a kid, thanks to my pop who had me swinging a hammer my whole life instead of wasting my life with useless crap. And working weekends building decks with my neighbor, so we can add a few more years to the 20 easily.

No worries lone framer. Im not really serious about most of what I say. In my mind its just sarcasm, very dry sarcasm. I, honestly don't doubt your professionalism, or that you actually take the time to further your education in your trade. I am working on my green certifications at the moment. My only gripe in this thread has been that there were so many comments about quit, give up, its just a bandaid, etc. I have never quit anything, to me, this deck, like life, is just a challenge that I always accept, and always overcome. A few of the posts have been good. The guy who posted about duradek, I am acutally in communication with a guy at duradek now, awaiting a package to head to missouri for some seminars on the technology behind their coverings. It will be a good education for me to see this technology and the many uses for it. Like I have said, I never claimed to know anything about this when I started this thread, but in the past few days, I have done a lot of research based on the good suggestions, and have learned a lot about modern waterproofing. All I wanted was some ideas of how to overcome the water penetration problem. The negative comments were a bonus I guess. Do a search for my name on here, you will see that I have posted in several areas, and you won't find a single post about negativity towards anyone's questions, this forum is here to help, not belittle, or downplay someone's question. Life's too short man. Dont sweat the small stuff.

edmontondecks

Hit the nail right on the head about the purpose of this site! Helpful!

John Hyatt

Duradeck is intersting stuff however a lot of Wallets are not happy with it down the road or so I have found on a couple of other sites. Involved install info. J.

mikeswoods

What a bull headed _closed minded dork!!!!!!!!!!!

loneframer

Ironicly, the fact that I do sweat the small stuff is the reason that 100% of my work for the last 8 years has been for repeat customers. They hire me because they know it is me who will be on the job, 100% of the time, doing what I do best. They know I will put forth my absolute best effort, all the time. I haven't missed a days work due to lack of work since I started my own business in 1994.
I hear where you are coming from with that statement, but I will respectfully decline your advice and continue to sweat the small stuff incessantly until I draw my last breath. It's who I am and I'm okay with it.

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John Hyatt

Leave the Dude Alone!!! ghessssssssssss WTF is all this stuff!!!! It was a simple request from a Pro, Guys.

I my very own Self have hasseled a ho geting on here but this is not that.

Man show a little Class. JonMon

JumboJack

I have used this and like it a lot...
http://www.alldeck.com/index.html

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

loneframer

JonMon, I just read through the thread and am having a hard time finding a post of anyone giving this guy a hard time. He asked for a professional opinion and that is what he got.
Nobody was hazing him, or trying to give false or misleading information. I personally believe that what he is preparing to do is not giving his friend value for the dollar. I understand cheap is cheap, so if that is the goal, strip the deck back down to the treated decking, lose the makeshift enclosure and save the thousand dollars to do the job correctly somewhere down the road. Everybody wins.

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