Hi all,
I have a split level house with a garage addition that has a flat rubber membrane roof. The roof would make a great deck space however when it rains or someday when the snow melts puddles form and it is extremely slippery. So I have two problems I need to solve 1) What I should do to get the water to drain off the deck (it’s approximately 20×20) 2) Once I solve number 1, what could or should I use over the rubber membrane so we are not walking directly on it.
I would appreciate any advice any one has.
Thanks,
Tom
Replies
use advanced search feature here for terms EPDM + IPE` + deck for past threads, how to and photos.
simply build a deck surfacce on sleepers over the rubber membrane with appropriate drainage and cusshioning. The photos in other threads are self explanatory, but much comments too.
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There are some reservatioins in mind as I think this thru more. Water should not puddle on a flat roof. How old is it? What condition is the rubber membrane in? If getting long in the tooth already, and puddling water, placing a deck over it is not such a good idea. Adding some pitch and a new membrane would be first priority.
Got any pictures to share?
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I am not sure how old the roof is but I am guessing it is in the 15 to 20 year range. It doesn't leak at all but puddles do form on it.
I was thinking of just tearing off the roof and raising it a bit (the clearance underneath is only about 6 ft) and trying to slope it so the water would drain. The span is about 20 feet so I would need joists that would support the weight of the roof, decking and people. Do you know if there are any standard as to how much pitch I would put on the roof so that water would drain yet people on the deck wouldn't feel like they are walking on the side of a hill? Also is putting a rubber membrane roof down a do-it-yourself project for the moderately skilled?
Thanks,
Tom
that old - hmmmm, I wouldn't cover it up then. I figure most of this stuff is a 40 year roof in the best circumstances, but you never know....EPDM rubber can be installed on simpler projects like this by a DIY. It is available in rools. Google Mulehide. I think they are ne provider to the DIY market. Resource conservation technologies may be another one.Best pitch would be 1/4" to 12" which is not terribly noticeable. A deck can even be structrued over this surface that is level for the walking surface, by using tapered sleepers. See those other threads.Some times you can get by with 1/8" to the foot pitch , but any error or lapp in the membrane can puddle a bit of water then.For joists to freespan 20', you should find out first what the local snow load/live load requirement is.BTW, this won't be a cheap project.
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