You're finally getting a deck! Now you can enjoy nature and the great outdoors right in your own backyard. Whether you’re using it as an everyday area or to gather family and friends for weekend get-togethers, a deck makes life better.  

Not only that, but a deck that’s built right from the start will give you many years of enjoyment. First thing to know: waterproofing is your friend—it will help to protect your investment, ensure safety, and extend the life of your deck. Waterproofing helps prevent water damage and protects the structural integrity of the substructure, while also preventing mould and mildew, which can damage surfaces and be detrimental to your health. Start by taking a look at products with a proven track record: Trex® RainEscape®, Trex® Protect, and Trex® Seal offer smart, reliable waterproofing solutions that protect your deck and extend its life through every season.  

Where to start?  

Begin the right way. With a little extra care right from the beginning, your deck will outlast everything the Canadian weather can throw at it for years of enjoyment. One of the best things you can do when you are building a deck is to create a waterproof barrier around the most vulnerable points. It begins with the ledger board – the horizontal board that attaches a deck to a house or building, – and a poorly installed one could risk the desk’s structural safety. Most importantly, managing the amount of moisture that comes into contact with your deck and joists and mitigating water damage are central to maintaining your deck. Proper ledger flashing is necessary to make your deck water-resistant and protect it from mildew above and below the surface. Easy-to-install Trex Seal ledger tape creates a waterproof barrier around the ledger board and integrates with the house wrap to prevent water from seeping into the wood behind the ledger board. For more info, visit TrexSeal.com.   

Seal the gaps! 

Do you want to increase the lifespan of your deck? Of course you do. Then don’t overlook the spaces between the ledger board and the substructure. Self-adhering butyl tape, such as Trex Protect, creates a barrier that offers waterproof protection, as opposed to simple water resistance. This simple process protects the deck substructure from moisture penetration and extends the life of your deck by preventing moisture damage, such as mildew and rot, to wood joists and beams. The butyl-based tape also helps deck screws hold longer than acrylic or asphalt-based tape, acts as a barrier between the wood and galvanized metal, like joist hangers, and eliminates splitting caused by freezing and thawing temperatures. For more info, visit TrexProtect.com. 

Double your outdoor living space 

If you have a second-storey deck, you don’t have to waste the space underneath. Check out Trex RainEscape, which offers waterproof protection with a unique over-the-joist system that diverts water away from joists, creating a dry, usable living space beneath elevated decks—essentially doubling your outdoor living space. With this system in place, you can run gas and electrical lines to power lights, ceiling fans, appliances, and entertainment components to create a fully functioning outdoor room. For more info, visit TrexRainEscape.com.

10 Reasons to Protect Your Deck 

Okay, the deck is up, and now you need to protect it from the elements. Don’t skip this step, as weather-proofing is essential to prevent water damage from rain, snow, and ice—especially in Canadian climates. A deck can suffer from moisture damage, UV ray deterioration, and the growth of mould and mildew if left untreated.  

1. Safety first! Preventing rot reduces the chance of collapsing boards or unstable railings, making the deck a safer space for family and guests. Use Trex Protect flashing tape to protect joists and beams from moisture damage.  

2. Prevent damage: Preserve deck boards and enhance their appearance with sealing, staining, or other protective coatings.   

3. Extend its lifespan: We get a lot of weather here! So, think of the consequences; if you don’t protect a deck from the get-go, it can lead to costly repairs or replacement in the future. While there is an initial cost for adding protection like Trex Protect or Trex Seal during installation, it’s often much less than the cost of having to install a new one. 

4. Repel water: Sealants create a barrier that repels water, preventing it from penetrating wood and eventually causing swelling, warping, or rotting. For elevated decks over patios, storage areas, or living spaces, waterproofing prevents water from seeping below and causing damage underneath. See what the Trex RainEscape system can do for extra protection. 

5. Here comes the sun! UV rays can significantly impact deck materials. Sunlight can damage deck wood, causing discolouration, fading, and weakening of the wood fibres. Treating a deck can help protect against this damage. Tip: The more pigment a finish contains, the better it is at blocking harmful rays.  

6. Improve curb appeal: A well-maintained deck can reduce fading, cracking, or staining from exposure to rain and UV rays. It also improves curb appeal and can potentially increase the value of your property.  

7. Easier to maintain: A treated deck is generally easier to clean and maintain. Stain can help prevent dirt and grime from penetrating wood, making it easier to wipe down—and who wants to spend time cleaning when you can be enjoying a cool bevvy and snacks on the deck instead?  

8. Go for good looks: Revitalize the look of an older deck, restore its natural beauty, or add a desired colour or finish with stain or paint. And regular maintenance, including cleaning and re-treatment as needed, can further extend the life of the treatment and the deck. 

9. Deter pests: Some stains can also help deter pests, like termites and carpenter ants, which can cause quite a bit of damage to wooden decks. In fact, they have the power to completely bring down a deck, which means replacing your outdoor living space, costing you twice as much. 

10. Protect your investment: Waterproofing costs much less than fixing water damage, replacing materials, or dealing with mold remediation after the fact—saving you money in the long run. An unprotected deck can begin showing signs of wear in as little as 10 years, causing the need for repairs or even replacement, while a deck protected with waterproof flashing tape will last much, much longer. 

 

 

Trex RainEscape, Trex Protect and Trex Seal offer smart, reliable waterproofing solutions that protect your deck and extend its life through every season.