Duradek Winter Deck Care And Maintenance Tips

Duradek’s Walkable Rooftop Deck and Waterproofing Vinyl allows for easy and worry-free winter deck care. Duradek patterns and colors are beautiful all year round, but how does a homeowner ensure that they are going to get the most longevity in their deck’s appearance when the wicked winter weather attempts to cover our decks with ice and snow. Luckily, for the Duradek homeowner, Duradek’s superior vinyl strength and durability is no match for Mother Nature.

All you have to do to ensure your deck is unaffected by brutal winter conditions is to remember a couple of simple tips:

#1 – Only use a plastic shovel to remove snow and ice from your deck surface.

#2 – Clean your deck with soap and water, and rinse before the spring and summer sunshine returns.

That’s all there is to it!

Duradek vinyl is very strong and you can use a variety of snow and ice melting solutions on it without concern.

·         Rock Salt  -  OK!

·         Kitty Litter (for non-slip traction)  -  OK!

·         Snow Melting Chemicals  -  OK!

As long as you clean your deck thoroughly before the sun can bake any chemicals into your deck surface, rest assured that you can take all precautions available to keep your deck clear of ice and snow through the cold winter months.

The ‘Deck Expert’ Talks Duradek Waterproofing Solutions with your Free Admission into the JLC Live Northwest 2011 Residential Construction Show

Duradek’s Vinyl Walkable Rooftop Deck and Waterproofing solution is a hot topic for this year’s JLC LiveResidential Construction Show Northwest 2011. Even if you missed the Free Registration up until November 9^th, 2011 you will still want to find out what the experts are saying about the latest building products and services in the residential construction market.

Taking place at the Oregon Convention Center from December 7^th to 9^th, the show offers an abundance of education and clinics including “Deck Construction Technology”. A full day of seven different courses demonstrate how residential deck space has surpassed the status of overlooked yard detail to become an outdoor extension of daily living area for many families today.

Bill Leys of Central Coast Waterproofing (a.k.a. The Deck Expert) is a big believer in ‘The Duradek System’, and will be doing a presentation from 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9^th.  His topic of “Best Practices for Building and Waterproofing Decks” will feature a Duradek Vinyl Membrane mock-up and will demonstrate why proper waterproofing best practices are invaluable in any deck project.

Be sure to check out his presentation and watch for follow up articles featured in the Journal of Light Construction Magazine after the show. Previous JLC articles on Duradek vinyl walkable roof and waterproofing solutions include the July 2000 “Onsite with Duradek” and the September 2008 “Waterproofing a Rooftop Deck”.

Duradek Vinyl Walkable Rooftop Deck and Waterproofing solutions are a critical part of maximizing the enjoyment of your outdoor space while minimizing the overall cost and maintenance. Check our online calendar to see which shows you will find us at, and let us show you what makes the Duradek difference.

Duradek Ultra Tiledek - Deck Repairs for a Beautiful Tile Balcony

Imagine….a beautiful tile deck overlooking a stunning west coast view. It’s the icing on the cake of all your hard work and careful investment into your home. So what happens when this place of enjoyment and relaxation becomes a source of stress if you discover damaging water leaks?  If you are smart, you solve the problem with one simple stress-free solution – calling your local Duradek Dealer and discovering the wonders of Duradek Ultra Tiledek. 

Although you may be tempted to take the quickest and most inexpensive option you can find, such as patching or covering the affected area - THIS ALMOST NEVER SOLVES THE PROBLEM. You may notice an immediate improvement on the actual visual damage or path of the destructive H2O, but over time this method almost guarantees to cost you more in the long run.

Take for example, this beautiful Bay Area home. Only a couple of years old, its stunning tile deck became a problem area when water leaks were discovered, risking significant damage to the property. As responsible home owners, the issue was addressed immediately; however the problem of continual leaking persistently plagued them. After a number of contractors were hired to patch the leak, which accumulated in a significant investment of money and time, nothing seemed to work.

That’s when they called in the experts. Duradek has been providing vinyl decking and waterproofing solutions for over 35 years, and the experience and training required for any Duradek installer makes them a qualified waterproofing expert. Like the reliable team at Golden Gate Enterprises, Inc., a certified Duradek dealer and waterproofing professionals who took on this project.

Check out the YouTube link below to see how this problem deck was transformed with the Duradek Ultra Tiledek Waterproofing Membrane; and then read on to discover the 3 key issues that can unnecessarily inflate the cost of your deck repair project and what it really takes to have peace-of-mind if you ever have to deal with repairing a leak on your tile deck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LfIpSpB1js

Paul at Golden Gate offered this bit of expert advice when hiring for waterproofing projects:

1 – Generalization Can Be Costly. Most contractors are not waterproof experts. Although they are very capable professionals, they may not have the specialized knowledge required for waterproofing projects - particularly when outdoor decks are over top of living areas or storage space.

2 – Common Systems. When a contractor is not experienced in waterproofing projects, their choice of material may not best reflect what is really going to work best for the project’s actual needs. You may get a quote that is a couple of dollars a square foot less, but if the materials provided are not manufactured for the job you need it to do, it is simply throwing money away.

3 – Fundamental Foundation. If the original deck surface foundation is not constructed properly, no amount of sealing, covering, tiling, patching, etc. will ever stop the problems from occurring.

The cost of your tiles can add up, and you certainly don’t want to be pulling them up to repair leaks underneath. So if you have a deck repair project, do it right the first time…do it with Duradek Ultra Tiledek.

Home Improvement USA Radio Features Duradek’s Kevin MacMillan

Duradek’s WalkableRoofing Membrane Waterproofing solution was recently featured on the guest-driven home improvement radio show, ‘Home Improvement USA’. Broadcasted to weekly audiences from coast to coast since 1994, the show’s mission is to provide useful information to homeowners and do-it-your-selfers. With high quality, informative programs, Home Improvement USA focuses on renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly products.

Home Improvement USA On Location

Kevin MacMillan, Sales Manager - Duradek

Hosts Dave Rusch and Steve Leventhal welcomed Kevin MacMillan from Duradek to discuss the uses, application and durability of Duradek’s WalkableRoofing Membrane. Though the technical details of the properties and application of vinyl waterproofing membrane can be very detailed, Kevin explains Duradek’s products and installation in very helpful layman’s terms and makes it easy to understand why a Walkable Waterproofing Membrane is such a great investment in retaining the value of your home or commercial property.

To listen to Kevin’s interview, click on the link below and enjoy the Home Improvement USA – October 18^th edition.

http://www.yoursportsfan.com/index.php/programs/home-improvement-usa/266-home-improvement-usa-10411

( If you want to go directly to Kevin’s Duradek segment, fast-forward your media player to about 21 minutes and 30 seconds…and enjoy the show!)

Deck Care For The Fall

After several months of enjoying your outdoor deck, there is no more denying that patio season is over.  Autumn deck care may not be the first thing on your mind, but if you are the proud owner of a Duradek, your PVC Vinyl Membrane Waterproofing Solution, you are more likely to enjoy your patio year round with its durable and slip-resistant finish. Duradek treated surfaces have a proven history in maintaining their functionality and often enjoy a life span of up 20-25 years. Like anything that is made to last, proper care and maintenance is important in keeping your Duradek’s appearance looking like new.

While Duradek membranes are manufactured in such a way that they discourage the growth of mildew, moss and algae, it is the organic debris (such as leaves, cedar planters, etc.) that can settle on your deck surface and that may cause some discoloration. Leaves in particular are a nasty culprit, and are best dealt with sooner rather than later. In addition to being a breeding ground for moss and mildew, wet leaves contain dyes that can permanently stain the surface of your beautiful Duradek finish.

For best results in your fall deck care, follow these steps:

·         It is always best to clean your Duradek surface with a diluted amount of our carefully formulated Duradek Cleaner. First clear any residue from your deck, and with warm water diluted Duradek Cleaner solution and a stiff broom, scrub in a circular motion to loosen the dirt and follow with a good rinse.

·         If leaves have stained an area, you may also wish to try applying a bit of Fantastik Spray Cleaner or Cascade Powdered Dishwasher Detergent for just a few minutes, scrub in a circular motion with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly. 

·         Another option would be to use a dilution of 1 tablespoon ammonia with 1 quart of water. 

·         Regardless of which method you use, be sure to rinse off the area thoroughly with lots of fresh water to ensure no cleaning residue remains, and the performance of your Duradek vinyl membrane will continue to serve you well.

We recommend a proper cleaning of your deck surface at least 4 times a year, with best results provided by Duradek Cleaner - specifically formulated for vinyl, it will not leave harmful chemicals like many household cleaners may. This is very important as any chemical residue left on your deck can bake into the vinyl deck surface and cause it to age prematurely or cause discoloration.

It is also a good idea to inspect the caulking at all junctions and joints to ensure your protective membrane is still water-tight and no shifting has taken place under the surface. Remember to check:

·         Posts, Pillars, Corners, Vents, Drains etc.

Once you are satisfied that your vinyl deck has been properly cared for, remember to schedule another routine maintenance cleaning and inspection in the next 3 months, and continue to enjoy your Duradek! 

Duradek's "Live Action Clinic" at The Deck Expo

The Duradek product line-up will be featured at one of the Live Action Clinic's, in The Outdoor Pavilion, during the Deck Expo/Remodeling Show.

"The Roof Top Deck - Building Decks Over Living Spaces" will be held on Friday, October 14th from 3:30 to 4:30 in The Outdoor Pavilion, Booth #2242.

Come and see why Duradek is an ideal choice as a Walkable Roofing Membrane.

For those of you who have not yet received your Complimentary Three-Day Exhibit Hall Admission, please click here.

Duradek Profiled in Canadian Builders Quarterly

"The hidden potential of Duradek is not the product itself but what you can do with the space underneath the deck now that you have a surface on the deck that is waterproof."

- John Ogilvie, Co-Owner

Featured under The Specialists, in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of 'Canadian Builders Quarterly' is an article titled "The Waterproofers".

It profiles John and Bob Ogilvie and their start in the construction business and as the owners of Duradek.