At WICR Waterproofing & Construction, we believe that regular inspections of your deck, balcony and other outdoor areas are absolutely necessary to extend the longevity and improve the safety of your home. Many people feel that once they finish their deck, their home is finished from its waterproofing needs for years to come. However, even small signs can lead to worse outcomes. We have come up with an inspection checklist to make sure that your house will be protected from water leaks and damage. We focus on the main areas where damage can be done and are aware of any problem areas, from your bird baths to a full-on balcony inspection. We do this because we feel it’s our job to make sure your house is protected. Here are some of the many steps in our exhaustive inspection process.
Bubbles
What many people don’t know is that bubbles begin to form under the membrane of your deck because moisture gets trapped underneath. This usually can be caused by a water leak, but other times it’s simply due to overexposure.
Cracking, Flaking Coatings
We’ll make sure to note any areas where the coating seems to be damaged. Once the coat is gone, the main defense system for the deck is down and the rest can get worse very quickly. Regular deck coating maintenance is essential for the overall protection of your deck.
Adequate Sloping
It’s extremely important that the sloping of your deck makes it so that no water is pooling up in any areas that it shouldn’t, such as the corners of your deck. If the slope is not properly graded, severe water damage may follow.
Railings & Guardrails
The railings near your outdoor area need to be inspected regularly for one obvious reason, safety. It is extremely important to regularly inspect your guardrails so that you know it is sturdy and solid. This is also an important part of overall deck maintenance that you should be doing every so often.
Birdbaths & Ponds
Anywhere there is pooling water needs to be properly inspected to make sure there are no leaks and that water is being filtered correctly. If not, you can start having an issue with mold and bugs.
Door Thresholds
These are very easy to ignore because they go relatively unnoticed as you simply step over it daily. We’ll make sure that if there is excess rust or any sign of water damage to note it in our inspection.
Weep Screeds
Not many people would know what a weep screed even is. Well it’s a piece of metal flashing that is set at the bottom of the exterior walls of your home. Its main job is to pull the moisture out of the walls and provide an outlet for it to drain. This is why it is extremely important to inspect it.
Sheet Metal Flashing
This is the sheet metal flashing that helps move water away from your roof, chimneys, vent pipes, walls, windows and door openings. Its job is to make your home more durable and to reduce indoor mold problems, and it’s our responsibility to make sure it is doing its job.
Balconies
Balcony maintenance is another aspect of our inspection that we think is key. During our balcony inspection we make sure that there are no symptoms or signs of a water leak and that the structure is secure.
Homeowner Damage
While uncomfortable, yes, sometimes you may cause damage that we notice. Not to worry, it’s perfectly normal. But we’ll give you the pointers on how to best avoid this damage in the future!
The Importance of Long-Term Maintenance
Most people don’t realize that the waterproofing layers are generally the first couple coats of material that are applied, these are called the finish coats. Over time, the finish coats deteriorate due to the exposure and wear and tear which is why it is extremely important not only to identify the symptoms but also to regularly maintain and seal (apply new finish coats) on a regular basis every 3-5 years.
The inspection process we have laid out for you is the best way for us to understand what improvements your home might need. So if you haven’t had your home inspected for water leaks or damage, visit WICR Inc. today and schedule an inspection.
