Frequently Asked Questions – Decks

Answers to the most frequently asked questions

Questions:

  1. How should I resurface a plywood deck?
  2. What kind of plywood should I use for the deck?
  3. What kind of flashing should I use?
  4.  What do I need to do for the joints?
  5. How do you resurface plywood decks?
  6. How should I prep concrete decks?
  7. How do you fix cracks before coating?
  8. Do I need to vent pan-poured concrete decks?
  9. How do I prep concrete for a buried membrane?
  10.  What is the best coating method?
  11. What is the best method of resurfacing concrete?
  12. What is the application temperature range?

Answers:

  1. A) Remove all loose coatings, using an angle grinder, with either a wire cup or a sanding disc (16 grit is preferred).
    B) Coat all ground areas with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck 5001NG.
    C) Clean the entire deck with a mild detergent, scrub as necessary, and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
    D) After deck is dry, prime with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Poxy Primer VOC, sand coat, and topcoat as above.
  2. Plywood is to be of exterior grade quality and minimum APA (The Engineered Wood Association) grade mark of BC EXT with B side to receive coating. Plywood shall be at a minimum 5/8″ in thickness (3/4” is preferred) and Tongue and Groove. If tongue and groove is not used, then “blocking” is required at all intersections. The plywood deck shall be sloped a nominal 1/4″ to 12″ and constructed to drain freely. A maximum of 1/16″ space between sheets of plywood is maintained while deck is being placed. Spiral or Ring-Shank nails or appropriately sized exterior decking screws are to be used and installed flush with the plywood surface. Nails or screws shall not be countersunk. Prior to application of pedestrian traffic coating system, protect plywood decking from moisture.
    Note: OSB board IS NOT acceptable.
  3. Use 24-gauge minimum. Bonderized or galvanized. Outside open perimeter flashing should be drip edge with a 1/4∪ kicker at the bottom. Flashing should be appropriate for the site conditions and overall design. Inside perimeter “L” flashing typically is used in combination with a “Weep Screed” or “J-Metal” to accommodate for stucco or siding. Minimum flashing requirements would be diato flashing with a 2” leg on the deck. Use Z metal flashing under door or slider thresholds. All flashing needs to be fastened with 1” (min.) roofing nails, 4” OC.  Where flashing seams or transitions overlap, the overlap needs to shed water, all seam overlaps to be a minimum of 4 inches, flashing should also be nailed to a stud on the vertical and caulked. Flashing must be primed with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Poxy Primer VOC. Flashing must be caulked (Permathane® SM7120 PU) and taped (Perma-Glas Mesh) where it meets the plywood.  Tools: Caulking gun, hammer and 1” roofing nails.
  4. Joints must be caulked (Permathane® SM7120 PU) and taped with 4” wide seam tape (Perma-Glas Mesh).
  5. Remove all loose coatings, using an angle grinder, with either a wire cup or a sanding disc (16 grit is preferred). Coat all ground areas with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck 5001NG. Clean the entire deck with mild detergent, scrub as necessary and rinse thoroughly with clean water. After deck is dry, prime with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Poxy Primer VOC, sand coat and topcoat as above.
  6. Concrete must be fully cured (28 days), structurally sound, clean, and dry with a light broom finish. It should be water cured, (sodium silicate curing compound is acceptable) with a compressive strength of 3000 psi. Concrete should slope 1/16” to 1/8” per ft. Prepare concrete by acid etching, sand blasting, or shot blasting the surface to receive the new waterproofing system.
  7. Caulk (Permathane® SM7120 PU) all cracks and 90’s at curb and wall intersections. Any crack larger then 1/16” needs to be routed out to 1/4″ and caulked accordingly. Prime (Elasto-Poxy Primer) all surfaces to be coated at a rate of 225-300 sq. ft. per gallon. On grade concrete is not an acceptable substrate for high build elastomers. Use epoxies or acrylics designed for on grade situations.
  8. All pan poured concrete decks MUST be vented, unvented pans are NOT acceptable. Venting the pan can be achieved by either purchasing them at the beginning or punching 1/4″ holes every 12 inches along the lower flutes.
  9. The surface conditions for buried membranes are the same as a topside system. Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck B.T. can be rolled, brushed, squeegee, spray or notched trowel and back rolled applied. Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck B.T. should be applied at a rate between 45 to 60 sq.ft. per gallon giving one a thickness of 25 to 30 dry mils. Depending on the type of Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck B.T. used, 1, 2 or 3 coats should be applied, yielding 60 to 90 mils.
  10. Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck 5001NG can be rolled, brushed, squeegee, spray or notched trowel and back rolled applied. For first time users, use a 1/8th” notched trowel, which will yield 25 dry mils. It should be applied at a rate between 45 to 56 sq.ft. per gallon giving one a thickness of 25 to 30 dry mils. Depending on the system, 1 or 2 coats should be applied.
    Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Glaze 6001 AL-HT can be roller, brush, squeegee or spray applied. It should be applied at a rate of 115 sq. ft. per gallon for sand coats and 115 sq. ft. for the topcoat.
  11. Remove all loose coatings, using an angle grinder, with either a wire cup or a sanding disc. Coat all ground areas with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Deck 5001NG.
    Clean the entire deck with a mild detergent, scrub as necessary and rinse thoroughly with clean water. After deck is dry, prime with Pacific Polymers® Elasto-Poxy Primer VOC, sand coat and topcoat as above.
    Tools: Roller frames and pads are typically 9”, but 12” and 18” rollers are common. Brushes, 3”or 4” are most common. Notched rubber squeegees range from 18” to 36”, but the most common are 24”.
  12. The Minimum application temperature is 40°F (4°C) and rising and more than 5° above dew point. Contact Technical Service when substrates are over 90°F (32°C) or under 40°F (4°C). Avoid application when inclement weather is present or imminent. Do not apply to damp, wet, or contaminated surfaces.