Why It’s Important to Do Waterproofing in Inclement Weather Areas

Why It’s Important to Do Waterproofing in Inclement Weather Areas

Weather is one of the true enemies of outdoor decks, and it’s especially bad when you want a deck in a climate with consistent inclement weather. Whether you have rain, ice, or snow often, it’s never going to do your deck any good.

Even so, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice having a home deck just because you live in a part of the world that receives bad weather. Waterproofing is your solution to this problem by keeping your deck looking good and safe for many years to come.

Nevertheless, if you’ve built a deck in the last few years, have you checked it lately to see if it needs waterproofing? Many who build plywood and concrete decks don’t always put down waterproofing coatings at first build. Then they start to discover problems sooner than later.

Here’s more on the importance of waterproofing in inclement weather areas, including the dangers on plywood and concrete decks compared to normal weather.

What Can Rain Do to Your Plywood Deck?

Rain is going to cause the most damage to your deck, and it can especially wreak havoc on plywood. The trouble is, you might not see any signs of deterioration to the naked eye immediately. You may not have the opportunity to check either if you have constant downpours and can’t inspect until it’s dry again.

Wood rot in your plywood is the most common danger here, though it sometimes requires a professional inspection to scope out. Your most common signs are discoloration, constant dampness, or softness in the plywood.

Rotting from rain sometimes occurs under the wood, so don’t become fooled and think everything is ok. If you’re not sure, call a professional deck expert for an inspection. Those with waterproofing expertise can save your deck by supplying a solid coating.

Don’t let this lag, however, because if your ledger boards start rotting, it could lead to deck collapse.

What Can Snow and Ice Do on Your Plywood Deck?

Snow and ice bring similar damage to your plywood deck, maybe even more so if that frozen water stays put for weeks or months. Overly cold climates can lead to this, plus long inspection avoidance due to snow and ice covering your deck surface.

Other signs to look out for in the way of damage from wintry weather include any sagging, warping of the boards, as well as flaking or peeling finish.

As soon as your snow and ice storm is over, go out and check thoroughly for the above issues. These signs are typically more obvious, despite sometimes being subtle enough without a professional inspection.

What Can Inclement Weather Do to Concrete Decks?

Don’t think only plywood decks are going to experience damage in all that awful weather you experience. A concrete deck is just as vulnerable, even if waterproofing saves your concrete deck from further problems.

Signs of concrete deterioration need just as much special attention with usually more physical indications. Since concrete is always strong in compression and weak in tension, you might see cracks in the concrete as a first sign from inclement weather.

Also, remember concrete is porous, so when water gets underneath, it’s going to cause scaling. You’ll see tiny flakes on the concrete surface as a result, which is a definite sign you need a strong waterproofing coating.

Here at Pli-Dek Systems, we’ve invented our own unique waterproof coating that’s guaranteed to work on plywood and concrete decks so they hold up for years to come.

Contact us so we can inspect your deck on a dry day if you’ve experienced an onslaught of inclement weather as most of the country has.