How to Achieve a Waterproof Deck

Do you have an upper level deck with a space underneath you want to turn into a usable area, but faced with the problem of water dripping from the deck above?

There are of course various under deck ceiling products which typically install some type of ceiling or channeling system on the underside of the deck, to carry water away to the sides. Generally such products are installed by licensed contractors so are not normally a DIY option. Also the cost can be relatively high.

But if you are looking for a DIY option, that's quick to install and more economical, then deck tiles can be the answer. The way this works is as follows.

Firstly you need to purchase a continuous sheet of EPDM which will provide a durable, long-lasting waterproof membrane on top of your deck.

EPDM is available in widths up to about 50' so you can lay down a continuous sheet without any seams over most decks. At the wall side, you need to make sure water cannot run down the wall to the area below. The best way to do this is to run the EPDM sheet a short distance up the side of the wall as flashing and to use a special EPDM adhesive to provide a good seal between the wall and the EPDM sheet.

After you have laid down the EPDM sheet , then you simply lay our deck tiles over the top. And you don't need to restrict yourself to just wood tiles. If for example you decide you don't want the regular maintenance of a traditional wood deck, then you can also choose from slate, granite, sandstone, porcelain or wood composite.

And the beauty of HandyDeck deck tiles are that they simply snap together, automatically aligning themselves accurately and precisely, with constant gaps between the tiles. So a typical deck waterproofing job can be completed in just a couple of hours, not days.