Inspections of Unwaterproofed Decks After Rainstorms
There isn’t any question that rain can do just as much damage as any earthquake or other nature element can. No matter how much rain you get, even a short rainstorm can cause damage to things exposed outside your home. An outdoor deck is extremely vulnerable, especially if you use plywood or concrete.
This doesn’t have to happen, though, if you think ahead and place a waterproofing coating on your deck surface when first built. If you already own a deck that didn’t have waterproofing done, then you’re in for a huge risk after major rainstorms occur.
You perhaps live in an overly rainy climate, like the Pacific Northwest. However, it could potentially be anywhere when you factor in freak floods in states where you least expect it.
Inspections of unwaterproofed decks after rainstorms are essential since accumulating water is almost certain to cause deck damage over time.
So should you inspect yourself, or have a professional do it? It’s better to hire a professional to find some key things.
How Much Damage Can a Light Rainstorm Cause?
Some parts of the U.S. only see light rainstorms throughout the fall and winter. Because you may only get light rain during this time of year, it probably doesn’t concern you to see a little moisture on your deck.
In truth, even a small puddle of water on your deck could cause eventual damage if you have no waterproofing coating. The problem is any standing water on your deck soaks into the wood over a day or night’s time.
After several light rains, it could start to deteriorate the plywood. On concrete, water could get underneath and start to create cracks on the surface.
Unfortunately, a lot of water damage to plywood isn’t always immediately noticeable. A professional inspection needs doing now before many of these signs start to spread.
The Sign of Mold
Simply enough, standing water at any time on your deck is going to lead to mold developing. When this happens, all that mold and mildew starts to eat away at the plywood you used on your deck.
This is why if you see any standing moisture, you should try to keep it from staying in place for a long period of time. The longer it stands, the more it starts to set into the wood.
With a professional inspector, they’ll know tell whether you’re developing mold since you may not always recognize what it looks like. Sometimes wood rot can start to occur underneath the deck boards, essentially fooling you into thinking nothing is wrong.
Physical Signs That Rainstorms Are Ruining Your Deck
Signs of rot in the plywood isn’t always obvious, though you may start to notice it softening. Obviously, you don’t want soft spots on your deck, or it could become a major danger for your visitors. Keep in mind soft wood could look normal and create a deck collapse if rot occurs in the wood’s insides.
Also, it’s worth noting pests frequently burrow down in the wood when it becomes wet. These pets (like mice or insects) can start to eat on your wood and make it deteriorate faster than moisture would.
Inspecting for More Physical Signs
Warping in the plywood is a far more obvious sign of rainstorms causing damage. Sagging is yet another sign, and something you’ll definitely notice, even if you shouldn’t walk on the deck if you see evidence of this.
When your deck finish starts to peel or flake, you’ll want to call a deck inspector in to take a closer look.
The good news is waterproofing your deck is an easy process when you go through us at Pli-Dek Systems.
Contact us to find out more about our unique deck coatings and how they’ll protect for years to come.
