Understanding Balcony to Wall Interface Rehabilitation for Repairing Water Damage

When waterproofing has failed on the balconies of multi-residential buildings, particularly condos or apartments, the costs involved in repairing wood rot can be staggering. However ensuring the project is done correctly and avoids further need for repair in the future makes the investment well worth the cost.

We'd like to invite you to check out a great visual provided by RDH Building Science and Technology (see link at bottom of page) that will help you understand the changes in technology that result in a more durable detail. This excellent sequence shows you how best practices take a 6-level system to a 17-level system and provide the most security and confidence that your building envelope is protected at the vulnerable deck to wall intersection. Once the rehabilitation has been done, it looks virtually identical to the original detail from the outside, but it is what is going on underneath that is important to understand.

Important Detail on Working With the Vinyl Membrane in Multi-Layer Systems

One of the critical details on the best practices is to ensure that there is a separation layer between any asphalt based products and the vinyl membrane. Products that are asphalt based and the plasticizers in the vinyl membranes can cause the asphalt to "flow". This is particularly noticeable with rubberized asphaltic "peel and stick" types of products commonly used for waterproofing transitions at doors, windows, etc.



An Asphalt Based Peel and Stick product softened and flowing on PVC.

In summary, here is a comparison of the steps involved in an older system as compared to best practices that exist today.

Old Methods	New Technology Best Practices
1-Interior Gypsum 2-Framing 3-Insulation 4-Sheathing 5-Deck Membrane 6-Cladding	1-Interior Gypsum 2-Framing 3-Insulation 4-Sheathing 5-Building Paper 6-Membrane Flashing 7-Building Paper 8-Framing 9-PVC Coated Metal Flashing 10-Deck Membrane 11-Membrane Isolation Strip 12-Building Paper 13-Membrane Flashing 14-P.T. Strapping 15-Paper Backed Metal Lath 16-Stucco Base Coat 17-Stucco Color Coat

Again, we encourage you to check out this great RDH Balcony to Wall Interface Rehabilitation Graphic Sequence for a thorough understanding of what is going on under the surface in waterproofing projects.

If you'd like to inquire about a Rehabilitation project, call Duradek to be referred to a trained and authorized installer near you.

Duradek Provides Waterproofing Solution for 200 Year Old Home

Roof decks are becoming quite a popular value-added feature of new home developments, but renovation plans for older homes are also seeing roof decks as an important part of the overall objectives for the home.

Take for example, the Glenlochan in Urbanna, VA. This home was originally built in the 1780’s and the new owners plan to make it their dream home to last the rest of their lives. Like many homeowners who see a house and instantly know it is ‘the one’, the renovation plans and construction are supported with an emotional investment beyond the financial investment for the home.

One part of the renovation of Glenlochan includes a second-story porch. The original plans for the home had this deck over top of living space, but concerns of water issues down the road and allocation of space had the homeowners reducing the size of the second story porch. While no longer planned to be directly over living space, this porch still acts as a roof over the first floor porch. The homeowners wanted to be certain that there would be an impermeable membrane on the second story porch to keep the area below dry. They knew that this home was going to be their home into their golden years, and wanted to be sure not to run into problems down the road. They wanted something that would last, and Duradek was the perfect fit.

Duradek dealer Paul from PJ's roofing provided the trained Duradek installers for this project. Like all Duradek installers, Paul's team has been specialy trained in the intricate details of deck waterproofing with PVC membranes. Had the homeowners decided to keep the large porch over living space, Duradek would still have provided the home with warrantied roof grade waterproof protection over living space as it is an ICC-ES approved product as a walking deck and classified roof covering in accordance with ICC and CGSB requirements. But in this instance, Duradek provides a roof area for a dry first level porch and a beautiful, low maintenance walking surface for the second story porch.



Screen shot of Glenlochan Blog

With the homeowners documenting the progress of the renovation of Glenlochan, the resulting blog is a very interesting read in the surprises and challenges involved in the renovation of a house that is 229 years old. Check out the Glenlochan blog.

If you are considering a renovation project that includes a roof deck or second story deck, contact a Duradek dealer in your area for a free estimate and to see how Duradek can help reach your renovation goals.

Duradek Distributor AMA Roofing Supplies Has a Strong 2012

AMA Introduces 15 New Duradek Installers to Ontario

AMA Roofing Supplies, a family owned and operated business based out of Hamilton, Ontario completed its second Duradek training program of the year this December, finishing 2012 with a total of 15 new Duradek installers to service the Hamilton-Toronto regions of Ontario.

The most recent training was conducted by Duradek Sales Manager, Kevin MacMillan who was thrilled at the expertise these newly authorized Duradek dealers bring to Duradek’s network of professional installers. Several of the new trainees came to the Duradek training session with an existing background in roofing and vinyl waterproofing and were able to competently understand and perform the waterproofing installation details that all Duradek installers must possess in order to be authorized to install Duradek vinyl.

Duradek’s requirement that only quality-trained waterproofing specialists be authorized to install Duradek vinyl is one of the key features that distinguishes Duradek from other similar products on the market. A philosophy shared by both Duradek president, John Ogilvie and AMA Roofing Supplies, Andrew Courchesne is that no matter how great a product is, if it is not installed properly you will not get the performance that you desire.

AMA Roofing Supplies is happy to provide a range of excellent products and exceptional customer service whether you are a large professional contractor or an uncertain do-it-yourselfer. It is important to AMA that your project is completed properly, and often, arming you with the right tools or some extra information is all you need. Sometimes, however, they may recommend that you retain the services of a specialist. This is often the case in roof decks where the waterproofing details are very particular and extremely critical in protecting your building envelope from slow but dangerously expensive water damage. Don’t take any chances with your home.

If you are in the Hamilton area, stop by and visit the AMA Roofing Supplies showroom or take advantage of a free estimate from a Duradek Dealer near you.

Get to Know AMA Roofing Supplies

"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.