Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: waterproof deck + deck + waterproof  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

In association with DEBENHAMS STYLING THE NATION Mirror.co.uk, UK - It doesn't matter how waterproof my brand claims to be, I always end up with panda eyes after a day at the beach. So last week, I dyed my eyelashes with a ... FINIS Intros Underwater Digital Pace Clock, Waterproof MP3 Player TMCnet - Jul 24, 2008 The Underwater Pace Clock can be placed on the deck or on the bottom of the pool, giving swimmers a clear visual readout to keep them constantly aware of ... PR Web (press release) New Technology to Advance Old Sport PR Web (press release), WA - Jul 22, 2008 Waterproof digital clock for competition and practice settings. ▪ Integrated flip-down stand for placement on deck or below the water. ... Oneindia Patio Umbrella For Your Beautiful Garden Oneindia, India - Jul 11, 2008 If you require a waterproof umbrella (for rainy season) then you need to go for different fabrics such as PVC. It is fully waterproof and also blocks 100% ... American Institute of Timber Construction Building-Products.com, CA - Jul 21, 2008 "We're seeing more of our glulam sales going into non-residential, especially Lock-Deck," he says, referring to the laminated roof decking produced at ... Home safe home - backyard hazards to watch for Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - Jul 18, 2008 If you don?t waterproof your deck every two to three years, moisture can seep in and warp the wood, upping your risk of falls. Easy fix: Inspect your deck ... AsiaOne IT Boot Camp: Too tough to handle? AsiaOne, Singapore - Jul 9, 2008 Vendor's boast: 1.5m waterproof (up to 30 minutes), 1.2m shockproof and dustproof. DL abuse: Immersed in a swimming pool. Dropped onto a ceramic tile. ... Underwater Pace Clock Coolest Gadgets, UK - Jul 23, 2008 With the addition of the Underwater Pace Clock, a uniquely waterproof digital clock for competition and practice settings, FINIS technical equipment ... RadioandMusic.com HitPlay to introduce MoPods to Indian market RadioandMusic.com, India - Jul 31, 2008 The Shower-Pod Player can hold your iPod or other MP3 player in a airtight-waterproof chamber. With the outside speaker, you can also use this gadget to ...NSE:E:SHOPERSTOP.EQ - BOM:532638 World Exclusive First Look: Electronic Dura Ace! Xtri.com - Aug 1, 2008 Zap's wires proved to be less than waterproof, and Mektronic was finicky to set up properly. Shimano, notorious for its rigorous testing gauntlet, ...OSA:7309

There are many options for a waterproof deck

Q: My old back deck is beginning to show rot, and I will be replacing it this spring. Because of the slope of the site, the deck is above the ground by about 5 feet. When I replace the deck, I am thinking of also creating a gardening "shed" under the deck where I could store gardening supplies and tools. Because I would want this area to stay dry, I would need to use a decking material that sheds water (like a roof), but also can be walked on and used as a deck. What construction designs and materials can be used to create this type of surface?

A: You've got a bunch of options:

Elastomeric/Gaco/Hypalon decking materials are most commonly used as cover for decks built over living space (but possibly a bit spendy for garden implements). The material is poured onto a prepared plywood surface, dries and allows you to walk on a waterproof surface. It comes in innumerable colors and textures. Subsequent layers can be added to extend the life. This deck can be done professionally, or as a DIY project. Flashing is critical with any waterproof deck, especially when over a finished area.

• Vinyl decking is another option. The downfall is that this material has seams that eventually open and can leak.

• Waterproof rot-treated plywood is fairly inexpensive. I am very familiar with one that lasted almost 30 years and was pretty much weather-proof the whole time. The plywood comes with a nonslip surface on one side and can be pressure-washed as needed. The seams might leak slightly over time but can be repaired readily with butyl caulking. This might be a good option if you can tolerate a bit of occasional leakage.

• Several plasticized and PVC roofing products are available that are rated for foot traffic and have excellent longevity (if not a high cost).

• Less expensive, single-ply torchdown roofing products can be quite functional and more aesthetically pleasing if covered with traditional wood or recycled plastic decking slats. It has the look of a traditional deck along with assured weatherproofing. The Achilles heel is not to allow chafing. The decking needs to be removable to be able to clean debris from the drainage tracks.

• Fiberglass decking surfaces work well and last a long time, but again can be expensive.

• Concrete, tile, aluminum and other proprietary products can be found, with mixed results and pricing.

• The cheapest of all, of course, is to build a conventional, slatted wood-deck structure and hang corrugated fiberglass roofing material from the bottom. The rain drops through the slats, onto the corrugated roofing, and runs away.

Q: I have a chilling reason to believe that my 21-year-old house on the Olympic Peninsula, all three stories of it, is uninsulated. Heck, there was neither a vapor barrier nor insulation under the first-level flooring when I bought the place. Anyway, how is the absence of exterior wall insulation determined, and what are my options?

A: Adoption of the Washington State Energy Code was in the early '80s. Homes built before the early '80s had little or no insulation beneath the floor, and there was no inspection of same. So, depending on exactly when the permit was let, insulation may not have been necessary under the floor, and inspections may not have been required. But even before the inspections were required, minimum levels of insulation were the norm. Wall and ceiling insulation was required by other code bodies or the local building authority.

Do you have an attic where you can see insulation? To look for wall insulation, pull off several electrical outlet cover plates at an outside wall (turn the juice off first!), and poke a screwdriver between the drywall edge and the outside of the plastic or metal box containing the wiring. Peering with a flashlight, you should find insulation, if it is installed. Insulation contractors specializing in retro-fitting also might have thermal devices that can measure the total R-value of a wall.

To install more wall insulation, an insulation contractor will drill small holes in each stud cavity around the outside and fill it with insulation, then add a plug. Another option is to add foam insulation over the siding, covered with vinyl siding. Third, remove the existing siding, and replace it after filling the cavities. Additional foam insulation can be added outboard of the stud cavities if desired.

Q: I have heard through an electronic discussion group that the floor joist spacing used by one builder is so high that one cannot subsequently do tile floors. Is this true? Can I have tile floors?

A: This is a rumor I heard somewhere else that really needs to be squelched. All floor joist systems, of any size and span and spacing, whether engineered or cut lumber, will be designed to carry a minimum "live" and "dead" load. Otherwise, they wouldn't get past the receptionist at City Hall. If the floor were not meeting these minimums, I can assure you it would not feel right when you walked across it. And I have walked across and crawled under many houses built by the builder you specified to me, and they all met the standard. At the risk of becoming an apologist, they do meet minimum standards. A floor that doesn't meet standard is pretty apparent — a bit like those bouncy tree-fort floors I built as a pre-teen.

No plywood floor by any builder (this goes for new or old houses) should have tile put directly onto it, because plywood will flex slightly and crack the grout. Every floor needs a cement board (Wonder Board, Hardi-Backer, etc.) beneath. The cement board stiffens the floor and gives the tile a uniform base that will not flex and will not be as vulnerable to dimensional changes related to moisture. This particular builder's floors will be no different from any other. The tile installation is only as good as the installer's preparation (which may be where this rumor got started).

If you want a tile floor, go for it — just make sure the installer uses a high-quality backer board.