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Exterior carpet over plywood?

cutawooda | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 8, 2002 05:00am

I have a client who wants me to give him a bid on laying 3/4 trested plywood over his deck and gluing exterior carpet to it. This deck is a second floor deck HIGHLY exposed to the elements and sun. The condition of his deck boards right now are questionable. They are very dried out and checked, still solid but look like old  driftwood on the beach.

The conditioin of the boards isnt my concern. I have a voice inside me saying that this set-up of plywood and carpet combined with the elements isnt a good idea.

Am I being paraniod or am I right. It is a 60×11 deck. It would be an expensive mistake if it deteriated in a year.

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  1. FrankB89 | May 08, 2002 06:52am | #1

    I think there should be a law that outdoor carpet installed on any kind of wood base should allowed to be done only by homeowners.  And subsequent repairs and replacement of rotted structure. and liability for injuries to persons dropping through rotten deck surfaces be the responsibility of the original installer (homeowner).

    I'd pass on that job, unless you're in an area where conditions are poor for the rapid breeding and overpopulation of tiny creatures that like to destroy things.

     Some people would bitch even if they were hung with a new rope.

  2. KenHill3 | May 08, 2002 07:37am | #2

    I gotta second Notchmans opinion. The carpet will just act to trap moisture and actually deteriorate the ply even faster. I HAVE seen some decks like this done with a heavy vinyl product. The 3/4" ply was required to be A/C and laid smooth and flush.

    Ken Hill

  3. smijal | May 08, 2002 04:17pm | #3

    I would (wood) agree it is probably a bad idea that would accelerate deterioration (and mold/fungus growth). Many aluminum boats use pressure treated plywood floors covered with marine(outdoor) carpeting. Replacement of these floors is a common occurance, and they are usually kept sheltered from the elements by a cover or garage when not in use. Leaving a system like that outdoors 24/7 would only seem to aggrivate the problems associated with it.

    If the guy wants you to do it and is willing to sign a release of liability , then OK. Even if he signs it and it rots out, you will still get the "Bad Press" through word of mouth though.....

    1. User avater
      BossHog | May 08, 2002 09:12pm | #4

      A "release of liability" might make you feel better, but it's not worth the paper it's printed on. End up in court, and the judge will say that you're the "expert", and should have refused to do it.

      Redneck Extraordinaire

  4. Piffin | May 09, 2002 01:12am | #5

    This job is a DIY temporary pach until he can afford to do it right. You should only do it if you like working for cheap people.

    Excellence is its own reward!
  5. cutawooda | May 09, 2002 04:03am | #6

    I went by my clients house today to see if I could at least get a door hanging job from him, (part of the deck job was replacing his weather beaten door) before I told him I didn't want to do the deck Turns out that there was another crew doing the job. I feel bad about not getting the job. I took too long to give him the bid because I was uncertain of the carpet/plywood scenario. After hearing evryones replys I can look to the brighter side,....I LOVE IT WHEN I AM RIGHT!!!

    thanks guys

    1. User avater
      Qtrmeg | May 09, 2002 04:18am | #7

      Guy, you were in bid mode and went by and he had a crew there working? Ha, "lucky" him, I won't tell you what my lead time is, but I'd bet he got work started before I could even have looked at the job.

      Feel good about this one, and stop chasing dumpster work.

    2. Piffin | May 15, 2002 04:31am | #8

      Something I learned thirty years ago; When I loose one job it's nothing to worry about, Because God has a better one lined up for me just around the corner.

      Excellence is its own reward!

    3. Davo304 | May 19, 2002 10:08pm | #9

      Hey cutawooda,

      You didn't lose a thing. And in a couple of years when the structure rots and falls apart, this guy will probably "bad mouth" the crew who installed the carpet, and want to hire you to replace the deck.

      One more thing about outdoor carpet.....I HATE THE STUFF!  It not only traps moisture and rots out wood, it will also trap moisture and cause unsealed concrete to spall badly.  Anyone who wants to glue this stuff down to their concrete porch better make sure the porch is well painted /or sealed first, otherwise within 3 years time, the concrete will begin to lift. I seen this happen too many times. Mostly on porches that were exposed (no porch roof cover).

      Carpet belongs indoors only.

      Davo

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