The 2020 holiday season is behind us. Winter, on the other hand, is far from over. And while some people have only experienced a small taste of snow and ice since cooler days have returned, Jack Frost typically doesn’t skip a season without delivering one or two good storms.
Even during sunnier months, homeowners must contend with different dangers to their decks and the space underneath. Rainwater left to pour through a deck’s surface to the ground below can lead to soil erosion that poses a potential threat to a house’s structural integrity. Mold and mildew, too, can build up over time under a deck, thanks to lingering moisture from rain, sleet, and snow – and not only is this development an eyesore, but it could also be a health hazard.
Sure, you could put up some vinyl siding and/or plastic sheeting to protect your deck from the elements and maybe invest in a few (dozen) waterproof containers to store whatever goods you have stashed below. But that’s a costly, piecemeal way of defending your property.
Using a quality under deck roofing and drainage system, however, offers a comprehensive and custom alternative, with various systems available to meet your precise needs – from solutions for existing decks and decks under construction to unusually shaped and hard-to-fit decks.
DEK Drain®, for example, offers four stellar ways to protect your deck from the elements.
- TOPSIDE® systems are typically installed during deck construction and are designed to keep a deck’s framing structure and the space below the boards completely dry. This solution also leaves the bays between the joists under the deck boards free of protective material, allowing homeowners to customize the newly functional space under the deck with a finished ceiling, ceiling fans, and luxury lighting systems at a later date.
- UNDERSIDE® systems are designed to provide under-deck waterproofing after a deck has already been constructed. Precut, protective panels install to the bottom of deck joists to prevent water from slipping below surface boards.
- Our UNDERSIDE RECESSED® profile is designed for homeowners who wish to install a decorative ceiling below the deck and is fitted up and into the bays formed between joists. This keeps the bottom of the joists exposed for any ceiling material you may add in the future.
- DOG EAR JOIST FLASHING® systems allow homeowners to extend the life of their decks, even if they’re not ready to invest in one of our fully protective under deck systems. Dog ear joist flashing delivers the topnotch protection for exposed deck joists, and ultimately helps homeowners save money if they decide to upgrade to a TOPSIDE system at a later time.
Keeping your deck, and the space underneath, dry is so important. Not only does it protect your investment, but it can also prevent moisture-related damage to your home. And as you can see – there are many ways to go about it. Whatever system you choose, DEK Drain offers a fully transferable limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.
Questions? Contact our team today to find out what system best fits your needs.