Challenge:

A residential deck in Auckland had been coated with a liquid fibreglass waterproofing membrane. Timber structures — especially those built with Radiata pine — tend to expand and contract during the changes in climate. The movement on this particular deck caused the plywood substrate to constantly move which caused the liquid fiberglass to split and allow water ingress onto the substrate and eventually into the living space below. The homeowners were frustrated and in need of a solution.

Solution:

Aquaproofing was commissioned to assess the situation and put together a proposal. One of the first things we checked was the condition of the plywood substrate. Because the leaking had been happening over a long period of time, a slow, cancerous-type degradation had been attacking the plywood, deeming it unfit as a substrate and therefore in need of replacement.

A deck’s substrate is classified as ‘structural’ so we informed the customer that the remediation was more than cosmetic and would need to be consented by Council. Fortunately, the rest of the existing structure was compliant to the current code so the only carpentry required was the plywood replacement.

Aquaproofing recommended Viking’s Dec-K-ing membrane to waterproof the deck — it’s a multi-purpose exterior vinyl that provides waterproofing, aesthetics and surface grip in one sheet. Once the plywood had been replaced and sanded to a smooth finish, Aquaproofing installers coordinated the temporary removal of door joinery so the vinyl could be dressed inside the door threshold and down onto the deck in one piece. The balustrading was also temporarily removed so the membrane could dress over the deck’s edge.

Result:

Not only was Aquaproofing’s installation performed to a very high standard, but the Building Code and membrane manufacturer’s specifications were followed to the letter. This meant the homeowners not only received an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable deck underfoot, but one that is compliant and will stand the test of time in terms of durability watertightness.