A question we get asked a lot from potential customers is, “What
is a Decking Specialist or Expert and are you one?” We love this
question!
In our service area of Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo Counties, we
have been the leader in
waterproofing and deck reconstruction for over
25 years. We are a
fully licensed general construction company and have highly trained employees, modern and dependable equipment
and trucks.
We are the only company in our area that is licensed and trained to install
the NCS GRANITE II system which is the most advanced waterproofing system
available today. And we have hundreds of satisfied customers to prove it.
Okay. Back to the question…………
What You Should Know About a Decking Specialist
A decking specialist is typically referred to someone in the Industry with
expertise in deck waterproofing coatings or assemblies. It is typically
not someone who is a specialist with installing deck boards or applying
paint or stain to a wood deck.
Decking specialists are individuals with companies who specialize in applications
of these waterproof deck coatings and are usually surrounded by associates
such as large manufacturers, structural engineers, architects, and builders.
The big difference between a decking "expert" or "specialist,"
and someone who self-promotes or portrays themselves as one, is usually
based on confirmation from
peers in the industry,
success with difficult projects and
client confidence from proven success history and overall
track record of person or company in the industry completing or recommending the right
product and application for a project.
As the Founder and President of
DeckTech, Inc., I understand our Industry is very small with respect to many other trades
within the construction venue. It is often overlooked by most consumers
who typically contact a Roofing Contractor or General Contractor when
an issue arises from a deck leak.
Understanding All Aspects of the Building Trade
A
decking specialist is also an individual who is qualified to understand all aspects of the
building trades related to waterproof deck coating installations. This
requires licensing in General Construction for starters. Some companies
do not have a general contractors license and can’t legally perform
most of the required steps to reconstruct or fix most deck waterproofing
problems. So that is the first step to see if the person or company is
a true specialist or expert.
Example: We completed a deck failure project in Santa Barbara on several
units due to slate decks with failure issues. As decking specialists,
we are hired to assess project issues and resolve them. The decks have
failed from improper stucco screed elevations, poor flashing details,
deficient framing details, failure at waterproof deck coating membrane
and deck drains. An individual who claims to be an "expert"
or "decking specialist" who is not licensed in General Construction
is not qualified nor do they have the required expertise to determine
and identify all the issues related to existing deck failure. For this
project, DeckTech, Inc had to retrofit deck framing to accommodate proper
slope, install adequate flashing, correct deck coating, deck drains and
rectify elevations with stucco screeds to ensure a guaranteed solution.
As you can see, the solution is not limited to just a waterproof deck coating
assembly. This scope of work is typical with almost 75% of existing leaky
decks. Potential consumers will want to find the right Decking Specialist
that has the skills and expertise and licensing and have a good understanding
of the dynamics involved addressing
all issues to ensure work is completed correctly the first time.
A decking specialist must also understand and have experience in the limitations of
all deck coating systems or assemblies and make the correct recommendation
for each individual project needs.
For
example: I am not a fan of the Desert-Crete or Life Deck wire lath and acrylic
cement deck assemblies because of the many reasons I have commented in
other articles on this site. However, each deck coating has a strength
and a weakness and overall these manufacturers are Industry associates
and help promote the deck coating industry in a very positive way.
Why Choose DeckTech, Inc.?
As
industry leaders and decking specialists, we rely on our reputation and relationships with associates to filter
work our way. For example, we are currently completing a project for Jack
and Nancy Sullivan in San Luis Obispo, CA who have had chronic deck leaks
from their balcony above. When the Sullivan’s called local roofing
contractor
Quaglino’s Roofing they came out and completed an inspection of the residence and noted issues
with the Sullivans' roof but also recommended Sullivan’s contact
DeckTech, Inc. to
inspect and rectify the
leaky deck issues. Another example is when
Inland Pacific Builders or
Specialty Construction Inc. has a challenging new project requiring deck coating assemblies to meet
criteria specific to building needs they contact DeckTech, Inc. based
off the long-term history, success and experience we can provide for them.
DeckTech, Inc will often use Life Deck or West Coat systems for rehabilitating
existing deck coatings originally applied with the product. This approach
is sensible and offers a very good solution too many clients who just
need some TLC to existing deck coating and it can provide an affordable option.
There are other coating assemblies such as the Merkote Weather –Deck
and the NCS-Granite II. The Weather-Deck finishes out smooth with a painted
concrete surface and has been around for years. We often rehabilitate
them, but they are soft due to this neoprene concrete utilized in assembly
and prone to chips and punctures from furniture or underlying substrate
nail heads. If we have several to complete minor repairs then we utilize
a scope incorporated with Merkote products. If we have a complete failure
where the old coating is removed and a new deck coating assembly must
be installed, then I prefer the NCS-System due to the array of benefits
this assembly brings to table which is also defined on our website.
In conclusion, a deck specialist should be someone with the qualifications
backed and supported by Industry Associates (Not paid for articles to
be published in trade magazines or sites promoted as an Expert), State
or Government Agencies and past or present clientele who can confirm the
decking specialist or company has successfully completed work and provided
long-term solutions. A recognized decking specialist needs to understand
and have experience completing several trades related to issues we see
married to deck coatings. A decking specialist is one who has been in
business or trade for several years with accountability and success confirmed
by it piers.
If you are in need of a decking specialist or deck expert you can give
us a call at 805-205-4498. No matter who you call make sure they can provide
proof of their general construction license and give you references.
Even us!
Ron McKenna
DeckTech, Inc. Founder/President