Signs Your Deck Needs To Be Inspected

We have had a lot of traffic recently to our site from people who are concerned about their decks. We want to assure you that your waterproofed deck probably isn't going to collapse, but many wood decks do collapse on a near everyday basis in the US. How can you check your waterproof solid surface deck to see if it has any warning signs of danger?

Do use our photograph's to check your deck for signs of problems and dangerous conditions. If you find these conditions, you'll want to have a deck inspector review your deck and give you a report with a basic scope of work to use to obtain bids with. Don't let a deck waterproofing contractor write his scope of work, they may be complete and truthful or they may be adding extra work and profits on.

Even if your deck is in no danger of collapse, water getting under the surface of a waterproof deck can cause damage to framing and the plywood substrate.

1.) Therefore, cracks on a deck are a warning sign. Look at your deck carefully in the field of the deck. Many times plywood moving will cause a deck to crack.

Urethane deck with seam tape showing through coating.
We recommend a professional inspection and evaluation. 

Long cracks in the field of the deck
should be inspected and repaired. 

Some decks crack because of moving plywood. This deck's
coating cracked because of plywood not being level. 

Cracks at the edge of a deck may indicate a more serious issue underneath.
Further evaluation is recommended.

2.) Rusted metal flashings on deck edges or at deck to wall areas. Rusted areas in field of deck. Rusted railing bases.

Rusted railing bases have lost their strength and now may present a hazard
as they won't be able to retrain you from falling. An inspection and fast repairs
need to be done in many cases to maintain safety. 

Any type of plant growth around a railing bases indicates moisture
conditions underneath. 

Rust on the metal flashing like this is a sign that further inspection
should be done and a scope of work written.

3.) Ponding Water. After a rain storm, your waterproof deck should be dry within 24 hours to at most 48 hours. Water should not ever pond longer than that. An inspection of the problem areas can help you determine what work can and needs to be done to correct a ponding water issue.

Ponds in the middle of a walkway always create problems.

Water sitting at the wall can attack exposed sheet metal causing rust and leaks.

Water sitting on an edge indicates a high edge. 

Watch for future articles discussing drains and scuppers.

New San Francisco Chronicle Article Reports Witnesses Say Balcony That Failed in Berkeley Had "Unusual Slope"

Award winning reporter Jason Van Derbeken in his latest article reporting on the Berkeley deck tragedy reports-

"Attorneys representing the family of a Berkeley balcony collapse victim have contacted prosecutors to alert them to witness accounts that the deck had a “seemingly unusual slope” before it gave way during a party."

Decks are required to have a minimum of 2 percent slope to them do water will drain of and away from the building. If the deck pitches much more than 3 or 4 percent, anyone standing on the deck will feel like they are being pitched forward and will have to make adjustments to their posture, but will remain uncomfortable. Imagine walking down a steep hill; it's not comfortable and you make adjustments in your gait and posture.

The same feeling will occur on a deck with a high degree of slope on it. To me this indicates a warning sign of problems in the deck. It wouldn't necessarily indicate that the deck was ready to fall, but I would, if I was inspecting a balcony with that condition, raise a red flag.

Read the Chronicles article here http://m.sfgate.com/crime/article/Berkeley-balcony-had-unusual-slope-before-6353451.php

Division 7 Waterproofing Consultants is Open in Arroyo Grande CA

Opening our virtual doors at www.californiawaterproofinginspections.com and literally at 405 E Branch St in Arroyo Grande, Division 7 Waterproofing Consultants is now ready to service you.

Whether you are a buyer of a property, or selling one, we inspect roof decks, balconies, walkways and stairs that have waterproof pedestrian traffic coatings on them.

We also provide inspection services to CID's and Apartment Communities throughout California. Inspections for reserve studies, rule enforcement, maintenance needs and 3rd party observer inspections when contracting with a contractor are some of the services available.

For legal and construction defect professions, we also offer expert witness and destructive testing services.

Check out their website and call for a quote on your projects needs. Division 7 Waterproofing Consultants is also on Twitter @slodeckexpert and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/waterproofingconsultants