Hello, bonniebaker-ga!
I just spoke with my husband and don't believe I need any additional
clarification to answer your question. He reminded me of a good friend
who lived with a similar "leaking" balcony for years! The problem is
now fixed!
Here is the scoop straight from the horse's (oops! I mean
contractor,s) mouth!
==
When your contractor builds the new balcony, it should be pitched
slightly away from the house to encourage water runoff. The angle will
be imperceptable to you, but will be a deterrent to standing water. If
you plan to cover the balcony with brick pavers, make sure that the
framing is strong enough to withstand the extra weight. If you live in
an area of high humidity, the contractor should also consider using
pressure-treated wood.
The initial plywood decking should be covered with neoprene sheeting
(EPDM). A second layer of 30lb felt paper should be added as a cushion
and wear layer. If, at this point, you decide to forgo the brick
pavers and have a wood deck, some wood "sleepers" (pressure treated)
should be laid so the actual decking can be screwed down to them.
Therefore, the overlying decking is not screwed into the EPDM/felt
layer. In other words, the sleepers and wood decking should be
"floating" on the EPDM/felt layer. Finally, you can treat the wood
with a waterproof sealer.
If you decide to use brick pavers, you will not need the "sleepers."
Simply lay the brick on the EPDM/felt layer. The brick pavers do not
need to be sealed. However, if you live in an area with heavy snow,
you might want to seal them to prevent the surface of the pavers from
spawling, or cracking, during the freeze and thaw cycle.
The most important part of this equation, to prevent leakage into the
house, is the angling of the deck PLUS an excellent flashing job! Make
sure your contractor is experienced with balconies and flashing!
==
I hope this helps to answer your question. If you need further
clarification, please don't hesitate to ask and I will be happy to
help!
umiat-ga |
Request for Answer Clarification by
bonniebaker-ga
on
27 May 2003 09:35 PDT
I did not mention that the balcony (we live at the beach in CA) -- 3
story house overlooking the marina & ocean -- 2 baconies extend -- one
on the top floor and one on the middle floor -- there are ROOMS below
these balconies so the balconies must be sealed -- they mentioned
fiberglassing over the wood plus re-doing the flashing -- others
mentioned dera tek or something and then if one decides to tile or
brick you can and then put a sealer on the tile and bricks -- I am
afraid of just felt or is it a rubber felt >?????? Thanks
|
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
27 May 2003 10:33 PDT
Hi, bonniebaker!
The EPDM (neoprene sheeting) is a complete rubber sheet that can be
cut to fit your balcony with NO seams. It is completely waterproof!
The 30lb felt paper is merely a protective, or "wear" layer, that
protects the EPDM from abrasion. Therefore, the waterproof neoprene
sheeting will be protected from either the wood decking, brick pavers,
tile, or whatever you choose.
By using the EPDM neoprene sheeting, there should be no water leakage
to the rooms below!
Wow...I must say your house sounds BEAUTIFUL!!
And..thank you for the generous rating of five stars.
umiat
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
bonniebaker-ga
on
27 May 2003 18:53 PDT
You guys are so great I wanted to tip you but can't find that box ,,,
one more clarification -- is neoprene/felt better than fiberglass or
is is neoprene/felt then bricks and you don't need the fiberglassing
or do you neoprene/felt/fiberglass and then brick? Come visit any
time!!
|
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
28 May 2003 10:19 PDT
Hi,bonnie!
My husband and I are having a fun time over your questions, because
you sound so much like me!!! If I weren't a contractor's wife, I
wouldn't be able to understand what you are going through, but believe
me, I DO! Don't worry about the clarifications.....it is good you are
trying to get a clear understanding of what you need.
First of all, it is important to understand that you could,
potentially, use the EPDM layer all by itself, without any decking,
tile or pavers! It is completely waterproof and sun-proof. The reason
most people don't use it outside without covering it with something is
because it is ugly....plain and
simple. You should NOT need EDPM and fiberglass....there would be no
need. Plus, fiberglass is a rigid product which does not contract and
expand like EDPM.
Remember, the only reason you are putting a layer of felt paper over
the EDPM is to protect it from potential scratching and wear from
bricks, wood or tile. You don't HAVE to have the protective felt
paper, but it will prevent damage to the EPDM. I am anticipating that
you are concerned with the felt paper because you can envision it
getting wet and soggy during rain. Felt paper is a tar-impregnated
roofing paper that is waterproof. It is not the type of "felt" that
you would put on a pool table....ie.not really "felt" material.
If you are really adverse to using felt paper over the EPDM, you
could go with a solution like the one from Renco products at
www.renco.com
You can use their "ceramic" tile directly over their EPDM product
called "Novotan."
http://www.renko.com/flooring%20ceramic.htm
This tile is laid dry on a flat surface which has previously been
*treated against moisture penetration with an NOVOtan EPDM rubber
membrane.* As a result, rainwater is able to seep between the open
joints between the tiles and to flow off between the dimples in the
direction of the fall. An additional important advantage is the fact
that it cannot penetrate into the surface.
Description of Novotan:
http://www.renko.com/novotan%20intro.htm
However, if you want to use brick pavers or wood decking, the
original recommendation stands...EPDM covered by 30lb felt paper,
covered by brick or decking (remember, if you use decking, you need
the wood sleepers to nail into)
==
Thank you for the mention of a tip. For the future, if you want to
tip a researcher, you must add the tip at the time you rate the
question. It is no longer an option once the question has been rated.
However, there is an option to tip, if you so desire, by opening a
new, $2 question titled "For (Researcher's name) and merely asking a
question like "what is your favorite animal? You can then add the tip
on *once* the question is answered. Since researchers only get 75% of
the question price, it is best not to consider the tip as part of the
question price.
However, this is not necessary for you to do. The thought is thanks
enough!!!
Now, go and enjoy your beautiful ocean view!
umiat
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
bonniebaker-ga
on
28 May 2003 21:23 PDT
You guys are the best!! Truly I will tell you how it turns out -- now
I am into anti-fraction -- is this totally California or what???
Anyway my offer stands -- visit anytime! Love Bonnie
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Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
28 May 2003 23:03 PDT
Yes...please send a comment when the deck is finished!
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