Roof Leaks, Repair Delays and the El Nino Influence

Thanks to the influence of El Nino, roofers and repair contractors are in top demand as home owners scramble to prepare for the wet, stormy weather.

Fixing old, leaky roofing is a top priority but preparation has turned into moisture management for some as many roofing companies are already booked through the fall and winter.

But be cautious when pleading for the services of a roofing contractor because when demand for a service is this high, the scam artists smell opportunity. It is important to stick with a reputable contractor, even if you have to deal with tarps and buckets while you wait. Verify that a contractor is licensed, ask if the company is insured and always get everything in writing. While many contractors may ask for a deposit, never pay for the full amount of the repairs in advance.

The influence from El Nino is causing a surge in roofing services from coast-to-coast across the lower US states.

The Weather Network reported that El Nino is strengthening and has an 80% chance to run into spring 2016; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports a Strong El Nino sets the stage for 2015-2016 winter weather with wetter-than-average conditions most likely in the Southern Tier of the United States, from central and southern California, across Texas, to Florida, and up the East Coast to southern New England.

California Waits for Roofing Contractors

As California residents prepare for El Nino, Bay Valley Contractors in Walnut Creek has seen business increase by about 100% over the past few months. The company now has a waiting list of up to two months for new roofs and up to three months for roof repairs.

People along the California coast remember the El Nino of 1997/98 and are doing their best to be prepared, so California roofing contractors are busier than ever. Many home owners who have procrastinated roof repairs are relying on tarps and buckets to get them through until a roofing contractor can get to them.

One roofing company in California reported they are working 6-days a week since September and are already booked into June of 2016 as reported on Channel 5 News.

Texas Roofing Contractors are in Top Demand

In Texas, KENS TV in Texas reports that record-breaking rainfall is a challenge for roofers who have been swamped since last May with a record breaking rainfall, the wettest month on record since 1895. Now, after an extremely wet October, roofers are falling further behind in the demand for roof repairs and replacements.

In Pennsylvania, high winds in late October tore the roof off of an auto about a mile south of Latrobe where wind gusts of about 40 mph reportedly blew through in the early morning hours of Oct. 28th. While trying to secure the site, wind gusts of 35 – 50 mph were impeding progress. It was also reported that a mobile home in Derry Township also had its roof tore off due to the high winds and there was even an incident of a building collapse.

Flat Roof Waterproofing

There is nothing we can do to stop Mother Nature, but we can protect our homes by using reputable contractors and quality products like Duradek vinyl membranes on our flat roof decks.

One of the great benefits of Duradek vinyl as a roofing solution for flat roofs subject to pedestrian traffic is that it can withstand extreme weather and protects your building envelope better than many other options out there. Duradek does not require any on-going maintenance to keep performing, and once installed its waterproofing performance is warrantied for 10 years.

If you have a flat roof deck that needs waterproofing attention talk to one of our experienced Duradek installers near you.

For California, Texas and all other U.S. states, contact our Duradek U.S. Head Office at duradekus@duradek.com or use our ‘find a dealer’ locator.

Vinyl Decking – Understanding the Difference in Backing Types

There are 3 different types of backing for vinyl decking…each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. If manufactured by a reputable company, each type can have roofing approval and each type is perfectly suitable for your deck.

What is actually more important than the type of backing on the vinyl is the quality of the contractor installing it.

As the saying goes … “A bad Contractor can screw up even the best of products.”

There is a woven cloth backing, a non-woven backing (referred to as fuzzy-backed), and a PVC backed product. A good contractor will be able to do a good job with any of these three backing types.

Characteristics of Each Backing Type

Download “Compare Membrane Backing Options” (296 KB .pdf) for an overview of the following information.

Woven Back – Type 3 (non-embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesion – Adhesive sticks well to woven backing and contact adhesives used allow for a wide window of application in all seasons (but be aware contact adhesives are product specific and not available “off the shelf”).

Heat Welding – Manufactured with a solid color throughout which helps create a solid “bleed out”. The fabric backing melts away to create a strong vinyl-to-vinyl weld. Welding results exceed industry standards, but requires more skill to master installation techniques.

Details – Fabric backing can be removed and vinyl easily manipulated for successful detailing. Standard details are easily attainable without extra preparation or expensive, pre-manufactured details.

Other – Easier to work with in hot weather with a good combination of strength and elasticity. Because skill for installation is mandatory, Duradek (followed by some other manufacturers of woven back vinyl) is only sold to trained contractors, and not available to the general public.

Non-Woven Back – Type 3 (non-embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesion – Adhesive sticks well to fibers, and while adhesive is typically less expensive, this backing can “suck up” the adhesive so will use more, and sometimes excessive glue will cause bubbles.

Heat Welding – Fibers on the backing can be melted off with the heat gun to allow a vinyl-to-vinyl weld and reasonable welds can be achieved by an experienced applicator. Involves a few more steps as the fuzz has to be “buzzed”, and can take a longer time to master the installation techniques.

Details – Without center reinforcement, it is an easier membrane to detail with, but because the fuzz wicks water, you have to remove it or saturate the cut exposed ends at flashings, drains, etc. with glue.

Other – It is usually a less expensive system, but if there is any waterproofing breach in the membrane, water can wick though the fibers (if not properly coated with adhesive) causing rot. Depending on the substrate, repositioning the membrane can be difficult as it will stick like Velcro to rough plywood, when without being glued. In hot weather, the vinyl will “creep” when being smoothed out during application. It is often sold as a “cash & carry” product so available to untrained individuals.

PVC Back – Type 4 (embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesive – Adhesive is typically expensive and there is no second chance if weld area is contaminated with glue. Contact adhesive has a short “working window” making it difficult to use in bad weather or off-season.

Heat Welding – The weld is strong as there is no fabric barrier and it is the easiest to master installation techniques; however different coloured ply makes for bad “bleed out” on welds.

Details – Center reinforced vinyl is more difficult to bend for detailing. Due to the difficulty to adopt to 90˚ bends, PVC metal and pre-made corner boots are required for proper waterproofing detailing.

Other – Because of its conventional “roofing” construction, it is the preferred membrane of some specifiers, but as a deck surface has some disadvantages such as a higher chance of delamination and it is difficult to hide sub-surface blemishes due to the hard surface. Additionally, UV/Mildew inhibitors are only on the top ply where in fabric backed membranes it goes all the way through the PVC.

“Compare Membrane Backing Options” (296 KB .pdf) for an easy-to-follow overview.
Download

To be referred to a Duradek vinyl decking expert in your area about your specific decking needs, contact us to request a free, no-obligation estimate.

Vancouver Home & Design Show 2015 Starts Tomorrow

The much-anticipated annual Vancouver Home & Design Show begins tomorrow at a new home this year, leaving its former location of BC Place Stadium for the new location at the Vancouver Convention Center West from October 22 - 25, 2015.

Just in time for nesting season, the Vancouver Home & Design Show is packed full of ideas, inspiration and resources to make your home the perfect combination of comfort, style and functionality for whatever your lifestyle desires.

Transform your deck or patio with one of
Duradek's hot new colours like
Legacy Driftwood.

Many of us desire a really great deck or other outdoor living space that does not require a lot of work or expense to maintain, so that is why you should stop by the Duradek booth #122.

Duradek and its superior method of deck waterproofing by trained installers may be the most important exhibitor you visit if you've got a decking project in your future. Now is the perfect time to begin your research on your deck renovation. Duradek professional installers with their detailed waterproofing experience are in high demand, and many people who look for their expertise in the busy spring and summer months are disappointed with longer than anticipated wait times. Act now so that you can have your beautiful new deck built and ready for your enjoyment next spring...or even get that second level deck covered in Duradek this fall so through the rainy winter months you've got a dry, protected area below.

But there's a lot more to see at the Vancouver Home & Design Show than just finding your perfect decking solution...

Highlights at the 2014 Vancouver Home & Design Show

In addition to visiting Duradek at the Home and Design Show, here are some of the highlights you might want to include in your visit:

• Opening Night Soiree where you can win prizes and mingle with some of the top talent in Vancouver's design scene.
• HGTV Main Stage appearances with celebrity guests like W-Networks Jillian Harris & Todd Talbot.
• Junior Chef Challenge
• The BC Hydro Dream Home
• The Upcycling Challenge
• Ask a Designer
• ...and much more!

Show Hours

• Thursday, Oct. 22nd: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 23rd: noon - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24th: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 25th 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Did you Know...

• You can get a $3 discount if you purchase your ticket online.
• The Vancouver Home & Design Show offers 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' or your admission is free! (conditions apply)

Visit Duradek at Booth #122

You may not be focused on your decks and balconies as rainy season descends on the Greater Vancouver region, but now is the time you will start to discover if you've got any water leak issues.

Don't let avoiding your deck waterproofing turn into larger, more expensive renovations down the road. If you’ve got any questions about deck waterproofing, this could be the most important stop you make at the Vancouver Home & Design Show.

Duradek has been waterproofing decks, balconies and roof top decks for over 40 years and is proud to bring you the waterproofing expertise needed for your outdoor living space. Take a moment to discuss Duradek’s excellent warranty with one of our specially trained and authorized installers.

We hope to see you there!

The Cost of Vinyl Decking Promises vs Proven Performance

When evaluating vinyl deck membrane choices before you purchase for your decking project, it is important to consider if you are buying proven performance or potential promises.

While the most important job of vinyl decking is actually waterproofing the deck and protecting the building envelope of the home, nobody wants to be left with an unattractive deck after a couple years of use.

All vinyl scuffs to some degree under certain conditions…as does wood, composite deck boards, even concrete. In fact almost everything we walk on scuffs, marks or fades over time. This is the inevitable, realistic result of a ‘wear surface’; particularly with decks under constant exposure to the elements. And anything under constant exposure to the elements will age to some degree.

Yes, long term results should be taken into consideration...BUT - be careful not to forgo the long term protection of a proven product with an appearance warranty for short term promises of “scuff resistance” that may have unexpected and unwelcome appearance issues over time.


Historically, clear protective top coats on deck vinyl have been a real issue and more than one company has had to replace many decks when their clear coat surface failed. In fact, not all companies that went through the experience were able to survive it.

Now once again, some companies are offering a “Scuff Resistant” clear top coat, but it has only been on the market a relatively short time and it offers no Appearance Warranty!!

Since clear top coats have historically been a problem on plastics under constant UV exposure, how do you determine how well a product will stand up in 10 years when it has only been on the market half that time? You enlist the services of an accredited testing agency like Atlas Material Testing Services that perform UV exposure tests to help answer that question.

We've talked a lot about clear top coats over the past couple of years because of our decades of experience and repeatedly witnessing the undesirable results of failed clear top coats. That is because we really want to drive home TWO very important facts.

1 - Accelerated Weather Testing shows that the currently available clear top coats that are in the marketplace today will very likely experience extreme appearance issues.

 

2 - Not all vinyl decking warranties cover appearance issues. In fact, Duradek Ultra 10 year warranties are the only published warranty we can find that specifically covers appearance issues.

 

Compare the three vinyl sample swatches below. One is Duradek and the other two others are other brands of vinyl decking (one that offers a clear top coat). These samples were tested side by side in the same accelerated UV exposure test.

 

Alarming, isn't it? Almost unbelievable, so these products were not just tested once, but twice…

More Vinyl Decking Accelerated UV Aging Testing Results

The images below show a progression of unaltered test results sults of accelerated UV exposure testing (ASTM G90) of two brands of vinyl deck membranes. The product on top is a vinyl product with a clear top coat. The vinyl on the bottom is the ‘tried and true’ Duradek membrane with a 40 year history and an appearance warranty. The 2nd test included multiple product comparisons, and all those with a clear top coat exhibited the same failed results.

Download the images of the test result swatches in .pdf format:

Test #1 - AQ31696 - June 2012
Progression Sequence (644.2 kb .pdf) | Single Sample vs. Control (1.16 MB .pdf)

 

Test #2 - AQ32825 - June 2013 Progression Sequence (663.6 kb .pdf) | Single Sample vs. Control (792 KB .pdf)  



Test #2b - AQ32825 - June 2013 Progression Sequence (607.5 kb .pdf) | Single Sample vs. Control (693 KB .pdf)  

Innovation is a great thing, but if you don’t want to gamble on your project and money invested, be sure to use a product that has a proven performance history.

To speak to a Duradek professional in your area to bring Duradek’s 40 years of performance to your projects, contact a Duradek dealer in your area.

Useful Resources:

Time, Tested and Approved (.pdf)
Before You Buy, Consider This (.pdf)
History of Clear Top Coats (.pdf)

Related Posts:

When Choosing a Building Product, “New” Does Not Always Mean Better
Vinyl Deck Membranes Appearance Promises vs. Appearance Warranty

The Most Professional Advantages Under One Roof for Deck Builders and Remodelers

Remodeling Show | Deck Expo | JLC Live (R|D|J) 2015 – Oct. 1 -2

Known as the event that raises the bar for remodeling and deck building professionals, R|D|J is an annual trade-only residential construction mega-event that provides remodelers, deck builders and other industry professionals with all the resources they need to be the leaders in their trade.

This year the show takes place in Chicago at Navy Pier with education sessions running from September 28th to October 2nd and a lively Exhibit Hall on October 1st & 2nd. In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors, the exhibit hall features LIVE installation clinics presented by leading industry professionals, interactive, hands-on workshops and instructional exhibitor-led product demonstrations.

You will find Duradek at booth #2218 where you can talk with Duradek sales manager, Kevin MacMillan about the superior waterproofing performance of Duradek vinyl decking membranes. Be sure to take a look at the latest vinyl colors offered in the new Legacy line and ask about the revolutionary Panorama Universal Post – the most versatile topless glass railing system available. You may also get to speak with Duradek president John Ogilvie who pioneered the vinyl decking industry and has dedicated the last 4 decades to mastering the nuances professional installation techniques of this unique, multi-functional deck building product solution.

John Ogilvie is not the only decking industry professional to learn from at the 2015 R|D|J show. This year, the North America Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) is presenting a fantastic education session for Deck Evaluation and Inspection. After a year of multiple deck collapses that resulted in a range of minor to fatal injuries, the evaluation course is a must-attend for home inspectors and a huge advantage for deck builders conducting initial estimates on job sites for deck renovation or remodeling projects.

ND12 - Deck Evaluation/ Inspection Certification Class for Home Inspectors
Thursday, October 1 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Deck Evaluation / Inspection Certification program will allow the home inspector the opportunity to employ the ability to safely inspect a deck using the NADRA Deck Evaluation checklist. The NADRA Deck Evaluation checklist has been developed specifically for home inspectors as a comprehensive tool to be used to properly assess the safety issues of a deck. After the program the home inspector will understand how to analyze the following deck components and issues and more;

• Stairs Footings and Posts Joists
• Joist Connections
• Girders Ledger Connections
• Deck Boards
• Handrail Assemblies and Guards
• Recognize proper and improper fasteners
• Assess hardware or material corrosion
• Review of the safety standards of all (decks, stairs, guards) structures
• 4-hour Presentation For Home Inspectors

The course will be presented by Jim Mailey who is the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic market training manager for Simpson Strong-Tie—a company that manufactures structural connectors, prefabricated shearwall panels and other fastening products that reinforce the frame of homes and decks. Jim has given hundreds of presentations to more than 15,000 design professionals, building officials, builders, contractors and dealers. He has developed numerous programs designed to educate building inspectors, builders and contractors on how to install Simpson Strong-Tie products as well as how these products meet various building code requirements. Jim is considered an expert in safe, outdoor wood deck construction and provides economical product solutions to satisfy structural code requirements for wood decks.

Not All Work…

Remodeling Show, Deck Expo, JLC Live is packed full of professional advantages for construction industry professionals, but its not all work… R|D|J offers some fantastic social networking opportunities as well. Events like the Welcome Party, NAHB Event, Pub Crawl and other fun events take place throughout the week.

Your Invitation to Deck Expo | Remodeling Show | JLC Live

Don’t miss your chance to visit the windy city to attend the ultimate platform for face-to-face networking with manufacturers, distributors and representatives of all sizes displaying products, services and equipment for the remodeling and deck building industries.

Duradek invites you to Register with promo code X52 for complimentary Exhibit Hall Pass ($35 value) and 20% off All-Access Conference Pass. We hope to see you there at booth #2218.

Duradek Vinyl Decking may Help you Sell Your House

One of the advantages of using Duradek vinyl decking on your home’s deck or patio is that Duradek has a value that contributes to the overall value of your home which can be transferred to a new owner. Not only because Duradek’s attractive, waterproof performance requires no annual labour, but also because Duradek has an industry leading warranty that is transferable to the home’s new owner if you sell your house during the 10-year warranty coverage period.

Duradek is frequently included as a value-added feature of a residential property in real estate listings, and this example published in the Globe and Mail on August 12, 2015 in the first paragraph of this article, headed “What they Got”, Duradek is listed as a top feature of a recent upgrade.

The fact that Duradek is perceived and noted as an important feature of a home should tell you two important things about what home buyers want (and don’t want).

- Home buyers want their residence to be constructed of reliable materials that will not require ongoing labour.

- Home buyers want proven, reliable products and to be protected if those products fail.

Deck waterproofing is of huge importance for the integrity of a residential structure. Professional deck waterproofing protects your home’s building envelope while decks finished by contractors that do not specialize in waterproofing my encounter water infiltration issues that can affect the entire home over time and can result in much more costly repairs. Deck waterproofing is definitely a project that you want to be sure is done right the first time.

5 Tips for Home Sellers

If you are selling or thinking of selling your home, and are wondering what upgrades you should perform first, renovating your deck with Duradek is a good value-added place to start.

Additionally, here are 5 great tips provided by Michelle Perrault from Sutton Westcoast Realty. (www.realresultsrealty.ca)

1. Clean and de-clutter

Make sure your kitchen, bathrooms, and floors sparkle. Use old-fashioned elbow grease or call in professional cleaners to get the job done. Can you walk into your walk-in closet? Does your car barely fit into your garage? Start packing early and put your seasonal and personal things into storage. Make your rooms and cupboards look spacious.

2. Repair the little things

Put on your home inspector‘s hat and walk through your house. Make a list of the items that need attention and arrange for repairs. Focus on your entry-way, drywall, paint, sticky/squeaky doors, leaky faucets, flooring and countertops.

3. Help buyers see themselves in your house

Remove your family photos and personal mementos. If you’re a collector, pack up your collection. Buyers have difficulty picturing themselves in your house when your personal items are on display.

4. Let the light in

Bright homes often have a higher resale value. Get your windows cleaned, inside and out. (Consider hiring a professional.) Pull back blinds and draperies to let natural light in. If you still have some dark spots, add floor or table lamps to the area.

5. Groom your yard

You wouldn’t go to a job interview without being well groomed, so make sure your yard is groomed for viewings. Trim your hedges and shrubs. Cut the grass. Pull weeds and cut back any greenery that covers walkways.

Duradek Additional Note to Recommendation 5 – this applies to all of your outdoor living space. Be sure to have your deck clean and staged. Outdoor living space is fast becoming one of the top features of a home, whether it is a single-family residence or a single apartment in a multi-residential property. In some cities like Vancouver, BC, the demand for outdoor living space and decking is creating a development trend. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to highlight a great selling-feature of your home by not presenting your deck or balcony at its best.

For more great tips on selling your home, see Michelle’s 27 Home-Selling Tips.

If you’d like to speak with a Duradek expert on how to transform your aged deck into a value-added Duradek deck, contact a Duradek Dealer in your area for a no-obligation estimate.

A Duradek deck or patio is a low maintenance advantage
for home buyers.

You Ask Shell About Vinyl Decking... Shell Asks Duradek

With so many building products available, even in specialty areas like decking, it is no wonder so many of us trust the experts we have come to rely on for building product advise.

Long before 'celebrity builder' was a job description, we had the pioneers of home renovation advice like Shell Busey to guide us through our home maintenance projects and product selection choices.

Shell Busey has been a much relied on home improvement guru in western Canada for decades and still provides valuable insights on his HouseSmart Referral Network and his AskShell podcasts.

In episode 10 of his educational podcast, Shell addresses questions he has received by email, one of which is regarding vinyl decking surface appearance and he discusses cleaning and painting (at about 40:06).

A little after that, Shell shares his interview with Duradek's Sales Manager Kevin MacMillan who discusses Duradek vinyl with Shell in a little more detail (starting at about 51:30). Kevin discusses some of the key factors that makes Duradek vinyl decking the leader in the industry and how the brand "Duradek" has become synonymous with vinyl decking.

One of the most distinguishing factors that separates Duradek from the less expensive do-it-yourself options is that Duradek has the industry's most comprehensive warranty and that Duradek is installed only by trained applicators who know waterproofing details.

For more information, have a quick listen to get Kevin's overview of Duradek in a 10 minute interview (start around 51:30) that addresses warranty, cleaning, installation and alternate deck surface waterproofing products like Duradek Ultra Tiledek, made specifically to waterproof roof decks that are surfaced with exterior tile or pavers.

For more specific information about how Duradek can work for your decking project, contact an authorized Duradek Dealer in your area.

Duradek's 2015 New Vinyl Decking and Railing Recognized by Top Industry Resources

Duradek vinyl decking products have been a favourite method of low maintenance deck waterproofing for decades and this summer's much anticipated new Legacy line is making it out into the marketplace in both Canada and the U.S. and is getting a fantastic response.

The Legacy line was an inspired endeavor to meet market demands for naturally inspired colours and textures. The three vinyl options initially offered in this line (Barnwood, Driftwood and Pebble Beach) present a unique look in this faux natural styling class and are getting noticed by some of the industry's leading product information resources.

Professional Remodeler Magazine online displays Duradek's Legacy line of vinyl in it's New & Notable Products for Roof Systems (Yes! Duradek vinyl deck membranes are actually a classified Roofing Membrane so it's the perfect product to choose for decks over living space!)

Duradek is also proud of Durarail's Panorama Universal Post (manufactured by Excell Railing Systems) which is highlighted in Professional Builder Magazine online in decking products and in Architectural West summer 2015 issue.

The Panorama Universal Post is the most versatile post available for topless glass systems allowing one single, multi-function post to serve as an inline, corner or end post with up to a 60 degree angle variance in each glass channel and the option to adjust glass types and heights to achieve virtually limitless design options.

Both of these great new decking products presented by Duradek are featured in the Home Builder Magazine 14th Annual New Products Showcase featured in their summer issue. You can view the magazine feature online or download the New Product Showcase here.

Having received "Best New Product" recognition in 2014 from Professional Builder magazine for its Cork Graphite vinyl and "Best New Product" acknowledgements in 2013 from both Professional Builder (Cork line) and Professional Remodeler (Forest Floor line) magazines, we are very excited to see further favourable feedback on the new Legacy line of vinyl with its naturally inspired textures and colours and the new Panorama Universal Post.

If you've got comments on these or other Duradek products, we'd love to hear from you! You can contact us through any of the regular channels or feel free to use our Customer Feedback form.