It's easy to look at one's balcony or roof deck and feel confident
that the surface integrity is good and that the existing sealant is keeping any
moisture intrusion from occurring. However, these sealant failings often happen in places
where homeowners down expect and can cause costly, lasting damage if not
repaired. Below, we take a look at three parts of your roof deck where
sealant failures are common.
(If the deck is not resealed or color coated at least every 3 years, then
moisture can enter the top coat and the underlying wire lath will begin
to rust and fail.)
The Door Threshold
The edge of your roof deck that terminates at door threshold of the house
is notorious for sealant peeling and failure. This is due to heavy foot
traffic that that area receives, but also because it's at a critical
pressure point in the construction of many houses. As buildings settle
and move over time, the connection between your house floor and your roof
deck floor can be stressed, shift, and damage the sealant.
The Drain
Your
roof deck drain is critical to removing excess water from the roof deck surface. However,
this part of your roof deck, over time, can be susceptible to sealant
damage. This is often due to rust, which can cause bubbles/bloat around
the drain's rim and affect how the drain itself sits in its port.
These conditions can damage sealant and create exposure around the perimeter
of your drain.
(The sealant at drain connections must be maintained regularly. If the
sealant fails here, then the coating will separate and allow intrusion
around the drain assembly or the coating can lose bond.)
The Railings
If your balcony or roof deck has a metal railing of any kind, the points
at which they meet the deck's surface could become vulnerable to moisture
intrusion. This points experience a battery of vibrations from use and,
more critically, can experience rust over time that can result in sealant damage.

(Wood rail posts tend to shrink and move over time. If the sealant at the
post connection fails, it will allow moisture intrusion into the framing below.)
If you believe that your roof deck or balcony could be experiencing moisture
intrusion, then it highly advised that you have it inspected by a qualified
professional. At
DeckTech, Inc., our San Luis Obispo deck contractors have been constructing and waterproofing
roof decks for 25 years. We are ready to offer reliable, cost-effective
solutions that will protect the well-being of your deck and home for years to come.
Don't hesitate to protect your deck!
Schedule a service with us today.