I hired a contractor to redo my deck, he put on new plywood and started applying sonoguard, put one coat on, told me it was now waterproof. It rained on sunday and it leaked into my basement. It looks horrible and I think there is too much moisture in the air to continue.
What do you think?
Hi Kathy, This reply is for both of your posts - Sonogard installation and concrete deck. The jobs are both done and the contractor has left.
WHAT DOES YOUR CONTRACT SAY AND WERE THE PROJECTS DONE TO THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT?
That is your only recourse at this point and our opinions don't really matter.
Good luck with it!
Jim Kuzma
Kettleby Handyman Services
Kathy the following document details the processes to be followed when installing the product you referenced in your post: http://www.buildingsystems.basf.com/p02/USWeb-Internet/buildingsystems/en_GB/function/conversions:/publish/content/microsites/buildingsystems/products/items/docs/sgd_tdg.pdf
I reccomend:
1. You review your contract in its entirety.
2. Ensure the produce was installed as specified.
3. Mitigate the possibility of further damages immediately.
Regards,
Adam Altobelli, B.A. (law), ACAC: CMI
Senior Construction Manager
The GeoFocus Group
Kathy,
The other comments are correct. Having said that, see if you can determine where the leakage is originating from, ... as it may not be the deck itself.
Sonoguard is a good product, if applied properly. I would also speak with your contractor and explain (nicely) that the results are far from what you were lead to believe and that you are looking into the alternatives. If he doesn't respond with some degree of responsibility, take some action.
Assuming there is a contract, ensure the job was done as specified and, if not, you have legal grounds on your side. The job, as you described, should include a waterproof and nice appearance finish.
Mark brings up a good point. Figure out where the water is coming from.
I have noticed that water leaking from an improper installation come from three areas:
1- decking surface, improperly installed
2- wall curb intersection, not weather proofed correctly.
3 - penetrations, surfacing not installed correctly in places like handrail posts, stairwell corners, gutters, etc.
From the pictures it looks like more is needed to be done.
The reciept only states the price for the deposit on deck coating and that a balance amount owing on completion.
As far as where the water is coming from when i hired him he was to take the old plywood off, it was not leaking but the coating on it was starting to peel. When i came home he had run strips across the deck and bore holes through the old plywood, he said it was too much work to take the old one off and the holes were for air circulation,that is where the water is coming from as the top is not waterproofed it is going to the original plywood and leaking through the holes.
This is another picture of the quality of his taping on the deck.
Bottom line is the job looks like crap , and it didn't leak before and now it does. HE IS RESPOSIBLE FOR MAKING IT RIGHT. He also said he would remove old plywood and never completed that task which is important as the old ply might have some moisture related problems that are now sealed into your new deck. Tell him to get back and make it right or he will be assuming responsability for not only the cost of the job, but any other damages incurred because of his shoddy work.
Good Luck
Erroll
Thanks errol.
The problem with having him come back is what type of finnished job will it be? with the quality of work hes already done i really dont want him to touch another thing on my property.
Hello Kathie
There is something amiss with the the application. If the contractor only put one coat on then I would have to question him/her on their technique.
Couple of questions to ask:
1. Was the plywood exterior grade ?
2. Was the joints where the plywood meet sealed or filled ?
3. First coat should be a primer ( pre application for the product) was this applied?
4. Did contractor indicate that he would return to apply the other coats, (that being the base coat,
and final top coat which you get to pick the colour) ?
5. When hiring the contractor did they offer you a selection of colours that you could chose from to cover
your deck with ?
6. Where did the leak enter, did in come in thru a joint near the house, (if so then perhaps expansion joints were not installed)?
The product is good, it is the application that has gone wrong, question your contractor on his credentials, and his experience with the product. If he has the knowledge, then he should have covered the deck to let the first coat dry.
Good Luck
Hi,
I was thinking about getting sonoguard also installed, could u tell me what the price is for a sq ft?
Thanks
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