Protect Your Investment with Waterproofing and Flashing

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All products designed for exterior use will eventually be affected by Mother Nature. PVC, man's best attempt at prolonging the life cycle of various building products, performs an admirable job in delaying the inevitable, but it will, however show some signs of degradation.

Warnings against the effects of UV (ultra violet) rays on the skin are common. After a period of years, these same rays may affect outdoor products; and therefore, manufacturers add UV screens and stabilizers to prolong the life of PVC (vinyl) materials. These screens are designed to resist the cracking, embrittlement and discoloration of the vinyl. The thicker the vinyl, the greater the resistance to degradation.

The prime function of the sheet vinyl product you purchased is to waterproof the space beneath, to protect the structure from rot, eliminate maintenance and to provide a durable, long-lasting, skid-resistant surface. Its initial appearance will eventually deteriorate, but this does not affect its ability to provide waterproofing.

The strength of our system is that in the method we use to weld the vinyl sheets together. The vinyl sheets are overlapped and heat fused. The seam is visible. Other systems previously used that offered invisible seams resulted in waterproofing failures.

Like any other floor surface, vinyl may scuff if abused. Try to avoid dragging heavy objects over unprotected PVC. Skidding a bicycle tire, a roller blade or the edge of a running shoe across the vinyl creates friction, and the extreme heat and abrasion may possibly remove the print. Our membranes are manufactured with a solid 'base' color, which is complementary, rather than obtrusive if the print finish is removed. Normal traffic will not damage the vinyl at all. Solid color membranes are available for high-traffic areas.

If an appearance change is desired, our sheet vinyls can be painted with a specially formulated coating. The emboss texture will be preserved, but any print will obviously be replaced by a solid color.

As a rule, the lighter the color you choose, the cooler the surface will stay and the less deterioration will occur. Darker colors will fade faster and be warmer on the feet. All vinyl tends to 'yellow' slightly. Grays show it the most, while the 'yellowing' is hidden within earth-toned products.

Products with higher contrast in the print may show signs of fading sooner than low-contrast colors. Solid colors will resist the visible effects of the UV the longest. However, high contrast in the print helps to hide blemishes in the floor surface beneath, as well as the other from everyday use. The lower the contrast in colors, the more these blemishes and the dirt will show. Solid color products are the most unforgiving. Blemishes such as plywood seams, nail-head depressions or even plywood grain patterns can show up in late evening or early morning sunshine, which casts a long, revealing shadow.

With our 25 plus years of experience, Duradek membranes are designed with proven blends of color, print and texture, which offer the longest-lasting performance the industry can offer.

The better the surface, the better-finished floor we can give you. Sanded plywood or cement board will give the best-finished surface possible. As a rule, ¼" x 3/8" plywood will warp due to absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. We recommend 'over laying' with minimum ½" and preferably 5/8" plywood or 5/16" cement board for the flattest possible subsurface.

For the best product performance and customer enjoyment of their deck surface, the structure should be sloped (ideally 2%) to eliminate ponding water. Should puddling occur, the area will require more regular cleaning due to the build-up of dirt and pollutants. Ponding water will not affect the waterproofing of the vinyl but may eventually cause premature discoloration.

All penetrations (posts, pillars) must be sealed to prevent water entering under the vinyl. All wood posts or pillars will crack and give access for water to get into the subsurface and under the vinyl. Regular inspection and caulking is required. To completely waterproof a post, either fasten it to the fascia of the building or completely cover it with waterproof membrane and clad. When fastening metal rails or posts to the deck surface, all pilot holes should be filled with a sealant before a screw is inserted.

When using the vinyl indoors where the temperature change is slight, the vinyl can be butt-seamed with a chemical sealer (like a kitchen floor seam). No perimeter fastening is required to control shrinkage.

Vinyl will resist most staining materials. Some do cause problems, though. Exterior oil-based stains, some oil stains, any tar- or bitumen-based product, fresh cedar, and some new wolmanized lumber may permanently stain the vinyl. Biodegradable matter such as leaves, when left on the vinyl for a prolonged period, may also be very difficult to clean. If any of the above should occur, try to clean off as soon as possible so the stain doesn't have a chance to set. Refer to the Care and Cleaning Instructions on the back of the warranty card or on the website.

Do not attempt to clean stains, paint or any blemish using any bleach, acetone, turpentine, lacquer thinner, ketone, acid or multipurpose stain or print remover, or you may cause removal of the print. The directions must be followed explicitly to avoid damaging the print. The cleaning solution must be dabbed, NOT rubbed, cleaned well with cleanser and water, and then flushed with lots of clean water. Always test on an out-of-the-way place to ensure there will be no problems.

Permanent secure waterproofing depends upon proper detailing at perimeters and penetrations. Examples of commonly used details are shown below. Complete architectural details and specifications are available from Duradek in the standard three-part Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) format.

1. “L” trim secures vinyl on outside and inside edges (optional)

2. To meet roofing codes, vinyl is extended up the wall by at least 6 inches

3. Vinyl is overlapped by building paper and exterior finish

1. Full wrap over fascia

2. Inverted “L” trim with sealant (gumstop)

3. Butyl tape as secondary sealant (screw seals itself with compression)

4. “L” trim at bottom is another option

1. Vinyl is welded to PVC-coated flashing

2. Vinyl is welded to PVC-coated box scupper

3. Vinyl is welded to PVC-coated overflow

1. Inside back corner is folded and welded, not cut

2. Outside front corner is folded and welded, not cut

3. Galvanizing flashing with PVC clip holds vinyl in place

4. Roof-quality drain with clamping ring holds vinyl in place

5. Coloured metal flashing completes curb waterproofing

You can protect your vinyl decking from scuffs, tears and excessive wear with the use of mats at doorways, stair landings and high traffic areas. Stair nosing is useful in the protection of vinyl on high use stairwells. Dragging heavy objects over a Duradek surface can cause scuffs and tears and should be avoided or protection used.

Inspection: Other than cleaning, the only regular maintenance Duradek vinyl decking requires is inspecting the caulking used to seal around posts, pillars, corners, vents and drains. Often the structure to which the vinyl sheeting is sealed will crack, shrink or shift, thereby breaking the seal. Yearly inspection will uncover such a problem and we can recommend and supply the proper sealant to correct it. If a hole, nick or cut is found it should immediately be covered with a good tape in order to keep moisture from leaking under the vinyl.

Railings: Railings that are attached to the vinyl deck surface should be mounted in such a way that they do not penetrate the membrane. Wood rails should be notched out and bolted to the side of the deck. For a proper seal, metal rails should have all screws caulked before insertion. Call us for more information.

General Cleaning: Your vinyl deck should be cleaned at least four times a year (more often if acid rain or airborne pollution is a problem in your area) using a good cleaning solution. (i.e. Shell Busey). Use warm water and a stiff broom, scrubbing in a circular motion to loosen the dirt. Spray with garden hose (under pressure) to wash away the loose dirt. Flush thoroughly with clean water.

Non-Skid and Cleanability: The more textured the surface, the more effective the non-slip characteristics will be. The smoother the surface, the easier your vinyl surface will be to clean. Therefore, a heavy textured non-slip finish will require more cleaning effort and vice versa.

* Suntan lotion, wet leaves, cedar boards,

  permanent markers and some other products

  contain dyes that permanently stain.