Leaky Deck Problems Need Experienced Contractors Who Know Waterproofing Details

When homeowners have the unfortunate experience of leaky decks (particularly if the deck is over living space), they need a contractor that knows all of the intricate details of waterproofing to solve the problem and stop the water damage from invading their homes. But what if time and time again, the problem returns? That frustration extends to further areas of your life and affects much more than just the area of your home that has been invaded by water.

All those sliding glass doors
 need waterproofing
 consideration.

When you've hired a professional to do a job, you expect the job to be done right and the problem to be solved. For Dave, one Bay Area homeowner, the roller-coaster of repairs on his second floor deck was an ongoing source of frustration that spread over 15 years...and never solved the water leak problems. Or more accurately, his water leaking problems remained unsolved until he was introduced to the Duradek solution. Duradek is installed ONLY by trained and authorized installers to ensure that all of the waterproofing details are considered.

See this real-life example of how a professional Duradek installer repaired the water leaking issues and relieved the homeowner of years of ongoing stress in this YouTube video.


Duradek Dealer, Paul from Golden Gate Enterprises is a waterproofing super-hero and has been saving water damaged homes all over the San Francisco Bay area.

When Paul assessed the project of saving this residence from the pervasive water issues, he was able to identify and isolate a few key details that perhaps previous contractors had overlooked. It was not simply a matter of laying the waterproof membrane and calling the job complete. To properly waterproof this second floor perimeter deck, Paul first:

• Raised the shingles on the deck's interior siding
• Raised all of the doors
• Installed door pans
• Installed water drains
• Re-sloped the deck to correct angle for proper drainage

For a closer look at just one aspect of the details involved, check this short YouTube clip.

Congratulations on your
new deck, Dave!
We hope you
enjoy it  for many
years to come!

For the first time in well over a decade, the homeowner was able to enjoy an entire year without any water leaking issues! He was so happy with the job that Paul and his team at Golden Gate Enterprises did on his second floor deck, that he called them back to do the work on his first level deck.

Home Improvement Expert Calls On Deck Waterproofing Expert

Recently, Home Improvement Expert Gary Sullivan invited Duradek Sales Manager, Kevin MacMillan for a chat on his nationally broadcast home improvement radio show to talk about deck waterproofing. Gary started by asking the fundamental question...What is Duradek?

Well, if you are reading this blog, perhaps you are already aware that Duradek is a single-ply vinyl sheet waterproofing membrane that is walkable directly after the point of installation. Perhaps you are already aware that Duradek Ultra membranes are roofing approved and can guarantee waterproof protection on roof decks over living space.

But are you aware of some of the details to look at when comparing decking options? There is a lot more to consider than just the finished look and the installation price. Waterproofing performance and required deck maintenance can vary greatly from product to product, so it is very important to do your homework before you invest your valuable time and money into a home improvement project.

Perhaps, like Gary Sullivan, you may be surprised to learn that Duradek is not just about a vinyl waterproof membrane, but rather a complete provider of waterproofing solutions. Listen to Gary's interview with Duradek Sales Manager, Kevin MacMillan and hear why he is so excited to have discovered Duradek.

Duradek offers not only a walkable, waterproof membrane to protect and beautify your balconies, patios and decks, but a whole range of waterproofing solutions for your outdoor living space. Duradek's superior waterproofing expertise also presents:

• Tiledek: waterproof membrane to perform as an exterior tile underlayment
• Plazadek: waterproof membrane for use under concrete pavers and other composite decking products
• Durarail: exclusive line of powder-coated aluminum deck railing and fencing systems

Remember, it is not only important to get the look you want at the price you want...when it comes to waterproofing, the performance is the true measure of value for investment.

"Builder Boss" Premiere Season Has Jim Caruk Choosing Duradek - Premieres Thursday, June 21st on HGTV

Jim Caruk, one of Canada's most respected home renovation celebrity experts is back with a brand new series on HGTV - "Builder Boss".


Premiering on Thursday, June 21st at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with back-to-back episodes, this exciting new series has the master contractor providing his expert renovation advise while overseeing a multi-million dollar roster of projects which include the use of Duradek vinyl membrane products on 2 of this season's episodes.

HGTVs success with Jim's inaugural reality television program "Real Renos" that hit the airwaves 8 years ago gave viewers an inside look at the home-building business. Now Jim is back with his all-new series, "Builder Boss" where the realities of a working contractor and the demands of the job-site, the board room and the road collide for an entertaining and inspiring look at the building industry. This new building reality show promises to be both informative and entertaining for for anyone interested in the real world of custom home building and renovations.

Each episode documents a real-life Caruk Group job from the early days of the build right through to the finishing touches with impressive reveals of the completed spaces. Projects on this season's roster include a 6,000 square foot Georgian mansion, a re-purposed old Victorian home and an underground bunker created to house a golf simulator and features the use of Duradek Ultra vinyl membrane!

Be sure to catch this exciting new reality series on HGTV and see some real life examples of why Duradek is the best choice for your exterior waterproofing needs on Jim Caruk's new "Builder Boss" program.

For some insights into Jim and his views on this new "Builder Boss" show, check out this interview on monstersandcritics.com.

Properly Trained Professionals Critical For Exterior Waterproofing

When you are choosing a method of waterproofing your exterior living spaces, selecting the right product is very important but using properly trained professionals is critical. If you have determined that vinyl membrane waterproof surfaces seem a good match for your waterproofing needs and your style preferences, and you have compared products and found one that meets all of the building code requirements (particularly if you are waterproofing a deck over living space) you have made a good start. However, in addition to a great product, it is critical that your waterproof vinyl be installed by a trained and knowledgeable applicator who knows that when it comes to waterproofing, it is all in the details.

Duradek Technical Manager conducting a detailed
training session with new Duradek installers

Duradek Ultra walkable, waterproof membranes are a roofing-approved method of waterproofing our balconies and decks, and are installed only by trained and authorized applicators. This ensures the product is installed in the correct way to guarantee Duradek's waterproofing performance for at least 10 years.

Matt Whale from Duradek Northwest is a respected professional in the field of deck construction and exterior waterproofing who is often turned to for advice on these topics. When a home owner wrote in to Ideas for Deck Designs with questions about his leaky deck and his lack of faith in his current contractor, he was referred to Matt for his expert advice. Matt responded with his honest and straight forward advice to give this frustrated home owner some of the tools he needed to practice due diligence with his contractor.

Matt's reputation as a waterproofing professional is a direct result of his superior work and his honest views on the reality of the building process. Matt provided some excellent advice and his professional opinion on where the responsibility of a product's performance lays, and why it is so critical to have your waterproofing projects completed by a trained professional.

When Balconies Go Bad - Waterproofing Details and Professional Installation Are Critical to Avoid Dangerous Situations

While balconies and decks are the most pleasurable areas of many residences, these desirable home features can be a dangerous liability if proper waterproofing details are overlooked at installation by contractors who are not waterproofing professionals.


Take for example, this 7-year old home in California. Relatively new by construction standards, this home's two cantilevered balconies caused an experience that would make any homeowner or builder cringe.


This shocking video clip provided by Duradek Dealer, Paul at Golden Gate Enterprises is a vivid example of why waterproofing details are so important, and why it is so critical to use a qualified waterproofing professional like the trained and authorized Duradek installers.

We will keep you posted on this project and the Duradek solution provided by Golden Gate Enterprises!

Decking Product Advice From Home Improvement Expert

When your professional reputation is dependant on the advice you give, you don't give it lightly.

Gary Sullivan, host of America's #1 call-in Home Improvement radio show, 'At Home With Gary Sullivan' offers his professional advice and opinions on a wide variety of products in the home renovation market, including decking products.

For someone like Gary to get excited about a product, you can be certain that the product has many advantages, and Gary has extended his excitement of discovering Duradek vinyl waterproof membranes to his coast-to-coast audience. As far as decking materials go, Gary loves the low maintenance aspect of Duradek in addition to the waterproofing performance.

Listen to Gary Sullivan Online: audio blog posting on Duradek.

Gary's website is a treasure trove of practical information and tips for do-it-your-selfers and professional builders alike. Check out Gary's blog to hear some of the features that Gary loves about Duradek products and his professional decking advice.

Home Improvement Expert Keeps Asking Waterproofing Questions

Gary Sullivan, host of 'At Home With Gary Sullivan', America's #1 call-in home improvement radio program is a true home improvement expert, but even the experts know that you can't know everything and sometimes you have to be asking the questions.

Gary Sullivan Interviewing Duradek's Sales Manager
Kevin MacMillan at the 2012 IBS.

On Sunday, June 4th Gary Sullivan spoke with Duradek Sales Manager, Kevin MacMillan to ask the questions that he has been hearing about Duradek vinyl waterproofing systems. Gary discovered Duradek at last year's International Builders Show and has been quite intrigued with the product and the guaranteed waterproofing performance that Duradek offers. While Duradek is a recent discovery for Gary, Duradek has been waterproofing and beautifying decks and balconies across North America for nearly 40 years.

Listen to this Informative Interview!

Find out why a home improvement expert like Gary Sullivan thinks Duradek can really "Jazz up a ho-hum deck". Listen to the interview and discover the Duradek advantages.

Duradek Interviews with Gary Sullivan, Home Improvement Expert

This Sunday, June 3rd (10 a.m. EST) Duradek Sales Manger, Kevin MacMillan will be chatting with Gary Sullivan on America's #1 call-in home improvement radio show- At Home with Gary Sullivan.

If you are thinking of building a deck or renovating a deck, this is a great opportunity to hear about your options and what sets Duradek waterproof vinyl membranes apart from other waterproofing surfaces.

Kevin will address questions about the Duradek vinyl membrane and provide excellent professional advise on waterproofing your outdoor living space.

Kevin MacMillan is a great source for waterproofing expertise!

Tune in to the At Home With Gary Sullivan program on Sunday around 7:00 a.m. Pacific and 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

Remember, you can listen live online through the iheart radio network.