This post was last updated on October 18th, 2022 at 03:29 am
Condominiums and water-resistant deck coatings seem to go hand in hand. They feature in nearly every HOA development, either over living space or connected to a room. Homeowners adore them since their decks are frequently utilized as extra living space, but income estate owners and managers despise them because of the difficulties that always seem to accompany them. Visit Brite Decking to get the best decking for your home.
The expense of a new waterproof coating isn’t inexpensive, but the price of fixing the deck’s dry-rotted framework is far higher. When it was all said and done, that agreement went from $8,000.00 + resurfacing to almost $100,000.00 in dry-rot maintenance.
The Association had put off performing the supplier’s suggested upkeep for several decades, leading the floor to deteriorate to the point where water could seep into the framing and damage it from the interior out.
Inspections
Inspecting decks is the key to preventing them from becoming an issue. Frequently, the manager and/or the Board will walk the common area property of the Association to examine the components for which the Association is responsible.
Downspouts and gutters are typical objects that are inspected, as is the quality of the paint on the buildings, the rooftop, and anything else that can be seen from the street and walkways. Waterproofed decks are rarely examined because they are normally on the second or third floor.
Access through the house is challenging to negotiate with the owners, and who among the managers or members of the Board of Directors wants to climb a ladder?
Maintenance
The key to a long-lasting deck is proper maintenance. I’ve seen decks that were meant to last 25-30 years with good care destroyed beyond repair within 5-10 years of installation due to neglecting or postponing the necessary upkeep.
Deck coatings, like cars, require to be cleaned on a regular basis. Thorough washing will remove dust that can erode the paint. The deck, like the buildings, must be painted/resealed according to the supplier’s recommendations All waterproof coating sealants must be replaced on a regular basis, sometimes as frequently as every two to three years.
The topcoat is a specific paint/sealer that is designed to preserve and seal the underlayer (which is where the waterproofing material is).
The topcoat is normally applied with a brush, roller, or spray at a thickness of around 8-10 mils. This covering layer will be worn away at a rate of 3 miles per year by UV (sun), rainfall, and foot traffic.
Even though the deck appears to be in perfect shape and the paint color is still visible, the underlayer has minimal safety by year three. Deferred upkeep signals the end of the deck’s usable life, which often necessitates costly repairs.
Conclusion:- You don’t have to fear the unexpected when it comes to your decks once you understand what to search for as a management or Board member. The idea is to be cautious and does critical upkeep before the deck becomes an issue.
Incorporating the decks into a daily cleaning routine will save heartache, time, and cash, much like the rest of the Association’s upkeep requirements.
