6 reasons to invest more now and save money later

By Pli-Dek. 

Quality waterproofing systems often cost more money up front, but they often save you money in the long run. 

Waterproofing systems for decks are key to areas with significant precipitation or humidity. If these systems are produced cheaply, they end up being more expensive in the long run because contractors and end users who choose the cheaper up-front cost must pay more for repairs of a lower quality product that doesn’t last as long.  

These cheaper systems often use inferior ingredients, are not adequately tested, lack durability, are not applied by manufacturer-approved installers, do not work on the chosen material type and don’t provide quality finishes. But these issues can all be avoided by picking slightly higher-cost systems that use the right ingredients, maintain good service relationships, are durable and have a quality finish. Learn from our experts at Pli-Dek on how to increase a project’s lifetime and brand value by investing more in your system.  

1 - Ingredient quality 

Proper installation of waterproofing for your deck requires quality ingredients in both the concrete, epoxy or other sealant and all other products used in laying the concrete. The metal flashing, mesh base and prep work are all integral ingredients to a high-quality deck coating. 

When any one of these ingredients is of poor quality, it affects the quality of system on the deck. An unclean install site prevents proper setting of the base and can cause cracking. If the wire mesh is improperly installed, the base will not hold to the deck. The flashing keeps water from coming in the seams of the deck. If the sealant is not made of high quality ingredients, the set will not be adequate to hold up foot traffic, may crack and let in water. 

2 - Product testing 

The quality of system needs to be regularly tested by users, installers and producers. As shown by this amateur testing cell phone video involving a hammer on a deck sample, there are many aspects of a quality deck install that should be demonstrated to be adequate before selecting a product and installer. Cheap installs are done with a product that has not withstood the test of time (has the product been in use for at least 10 years?), has not been tested for normal wear and tear or been adequately tested for special situations. 

3 - Durability  

Vital to quality buildings, the deck coating needs to be as durable as the building it is attached to. Rather than being in addition to the lifetime of a building, cheap systems degrade faster than the rest of the building and contributes to reducing its lifetime. 

Quality deck coatings remain durable in heavy use, heavy rain or large amounts of snow. Its durability is based upon the ingredients it uses, the quality of installation and is producer’s commitment to stand by their product. 

4 - Manufacturer-installer relationships 

Quality waterproof deck coating manufacturers work with their installers to ensure the best quality of installation, products and customer service. This includes producing tutorial videos, brochures and lists of approved service providers. 

Cheaper sealant manufacturers, on the other hand, target the consumer and ignore relationships with vendors and installers. This increases the cost of learning and decreases the viability of a warranty. While do-it-yourself and general contractors might be cheaper, the cost of poor waterproofing could be at the expense of an entire building. 

5 - Applicable materials 

Cheaper systems are often a one-size fits all, this increases the cost of building quality by limiting the available options. High quality waterproof deck coating manufacturers have systems for each type of material to be sealed, from plywood decks to concrete floors and hardwood platforms. Each type of product requires a different type of system and type of application. 

6 - Quality finishes 

The finish of your waterproofing affects the value of a building, to building users and owners. Different finishes provide aesthetic appeal and help create a brand for the building. High-quality finishes take into account the materials the sealant is installed on, the surrounding materials and the landscaping nearby to provide the best aesthetic appeal to a high-quality project. 

Original article source: Pli-Dek