Creating space under second story deck

by Dan
(Wisconsin)

Our home has a walk out basement. We have a deck on the upper level. Do you have a suggestion on how to create a waterproof type ceiling on the underside of the deck?

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Apr 21, 2011
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Waterproofing 2nd story deck
by: Lori

My house also has a walk out basement with a long 2nd story deck above. The basement walk out area is finished with a herringbone design brick pavers.

We have an outdoor living room on this area, and it also is adjacent to the pool. The upper deck was finished with "Weatherdek"; which is a covering that looks like vinyl flooring, and makes it totally waterproof, so you can use your space underneath.

It comes in may colors to match any decor, and makes the upper deck look clean, and makes this area a nice living space also.

Aug 21, 2010
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A good waterproof underdeck solution
by: Editor - Rich Bergman

There are a number of impressive under deck waterproofing systems. They all have a few things in common but how they install and actually work are usually a bit different.

But a simple solution that many builders do themselves is to buy long sheets of EPDM rubber and cut them to lay parallel between the joists. They drape the rubber over opposing joists with a shorter span for the rubber near the house and they increase the span of the rubber near then end of the deck.

If you can imagine this, it creates a downward sloping plane which the water will follow as it drips through the decking. At the other end near the supporting beam or the perimeter joist they take another piece of rubber, insert it between the joists but they ensure that it is positioned below the end of the long section of rubber.

And they make sure it extends about 4-5" underneath the longer section of rubber. It acts as a back splash and redirects the water down into an eaves-trough usually secured to the side wall of the supporting beam. From there it is typical eaves-trough principles with down spouts etc.

Simple enough and very effective. Only negative is that looking up at it from underneath may not be as neat and professional as some of the other products designed for this purpose.

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