Replies

1. 
   txlandlord | Aug 19, 2006 09:16pm | #1

   I would make sure the "roof" over the basement has a drainage slope and good deck / install bitumin over the roof deck / set "sleepers" (fastening boards) over the bitument in tar (no fasteners penetrating the bitumin) / the sleepers shoud be parallel to the drainage direction for water flow / fasten decking to the sleepers as typical / bitumin will last a long time but fastenening of the decking material should be done with screws for future redo of the bitumin

   If unexperienced with bitumin, application and detailing techniques contact a roofing company

    

1. 
   wangshan | Aug 20, 2006 01:46am | #2

   Thanks,
   There is a drainage opening near the middle that opens onto the front yard. Generally there is not too much rain etc, but there certainly can be. I will probably have to get a roofer as I do not have any experience with bitumin. Here is a picture..there is a room over the whole area so it is semi-enclosed.If you look over on the far left you can see the drainage slot.
   [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/fran92/Garden/summer05106.jpg%5B/IMG]

2. 
   wangshan | Aug 23, 2006 04:41am | #14

   way over on the left , behind the branch ,is a drainage opening in this pic...I wouls have to slope toward the front and left and rigt toward the drain hole
   http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/fran92/Garden/summer05106.jpg

2. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Aug 20, 2006 06:07am | #3

   I saw a vinyl outdoor floor covering at JLC Live that might do the trick.  It came in a ton of different finishes and was designed for outdoor use.

   Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

3. 
   Piffin | Aug 20, 2006 06:24am | #4

   bitumen covers a wide open generic caategory. I'm sure what he meant was modified bitumen which is a single ply torch down rof membrane. I hesitaate at using torch down materials on a finshed house especialy aan old one with dry tinder timbers. They can burn fast.

   Better choice is EPDM, thn sleeprs to ssupport the final decking.

   You can use the search function here for decks, ipe`, EPDM, to find previous discussions

    

    

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1. 
   txlandlord | Aug 22, 2006 04:17pm | #11

   You are right Piffin....modified....but I defrer to your recommendation of EDPM as I do not have a lot of experience at flat roofs.....done em before with modified with good results.....I really try to discourage the use of flat roofs in a plan for obvious reasons.

4. 
   McDesign | Aug 20, 2006 03:37pm | #5

   Seal-O-Flex!  They have a walkable top coat that might work.

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=73188.31

   Forrest

1. 
   wangshan | Aug 22, 2006 05:10am | #6

   Thanks. Can I put a tongue in groove wood floor over it?

1. 
   McDesign | Aug 22, 2006 05:11am | #7

   If you float it and space it to let it dry, I think.

   Forrest

2. 
   wangshan | Aug 22, 2006 05:16am | #8

   Try this linkto see what I'm talkin' 'bout
   http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/fran92/Garden/summer05105.jpg

5. 
   PASSIN | Aug 22, 2006 07:49am | #9

   http://www.Duradek.com

   Dont let anybody talk you into liquid coatings. after one winter/summer= bad news.

1. 
   McDesign | Aug 22, 2006 01:47pm | #10

   Do you have some double-plus secret knowledge?

   :-)

   I would agree if we were talking about just liquid coatings, like "MuleHide."  SOF is a reinforced mat, and I'm sitting now under an SOF roof done in 1992 - works fine.

   Forrest

1. 
   PASSIN | Aug 23, 2006 03:11am | #12

   Im not sure what SOF is but ill tell you my experience with liquid coatings or rather thee liquid coating that was used, wich the brand name escapes my memory.

   I was asked to do some patio deck repair on a large retirement home that at that time was 5 years old. When i inspected the job it seemed that the liquid coating was fine but the flashing had not been put in correctly. well that was just one corner, after we tore into the patio im am convinced that the liquid coating had indeed failed.

   We completely rebuilt 7 patio's total to a tune of almost 30.000 dollars. and although some flashing in some corners was not installed correctly as i stated above im convinced that the problem was the liquid coating and or the system used.

   This system was a 1coat primer rubber stuff w/ a very thin mat layed into it and then another coat of primer followed by 2 topcoats of the finish product.

   What was very amazing to me is that we did 7 patio's out of maybe 100 or more that had all been done the same way. I have no dought that there was another 100grand of repair work that could have been done. So what did they install on those patio's when we were done rebuilding them..................The same crap.  

   If you have positive experience with liquid coatings thats great please let me know the brand and or the system used so maybe ill quit griping about them...LOL

1. 
   McDesign | Aug 23, 2006 03:18am | #13

   Hmmmm!  Sounds like the Seal-O-Flex material I've been so happy with!  I mostly just use it as a 1/4" per ft pitched roof; occasionally with a floated deck over it.  Your description of the application sound Identical - was the primer pink?

   Forrest

1. 
   wangshan | Aug 23, 2006 04:46am | #15

   What climate are you in? Have you ever seen this set up before? I don't know why the area under the porch is open and contiguous with the entire baseent , but....it is.
   Here is a pic of porch now.I can even walk under the steps fro inside the basement !!
   http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/fran92/Garden/summer05106.jpg

2. 
   Stilletto | Aug 23, 2006 12:21pm | #16

   I have front porch setups like that before and it was usually for throwing coal into. 

   The furnace was under the porch as well.  The coal was thrown in through a door about the size of the window in the picture and it was made of steel. 

    

    I'm only half as dumb as I look.    

    

3. 
   wangshan | Aug 24, 2006 05:41am | #17

   Thanks. I have had others say that there would be a root cellar under there , to store your roots.....to which I replied I usually go to the hairdresser and have her store them for me ;) I am curious to see how it is put together now.is the tongue and groove flooring right on top of whatever it is underneath ??

4. 
   PASSIN | Aug 24, 2006 07:07am | #19

   Ive been racking my brain all day trying to remember the name. No it wasnt seal-o-flex, i guess that answers my question what sof is.

   The primer was gray, top coat was brown but i assume could be whatever color you wanted.

   This company is world wide huge so i wouldnt be surprised if it was a factory direct kinda thing.

6. 
   woody1777 | Aug 24, 2006 06:28am | #18

   Use EPDM. Please use EPDM. We dont want callbacks =)

   Seriously though, our crew has done this exact application and EPDM has the best track record, accessories and availabilty. Plus if you use the latex adheisive it is almost idiot proof. Also use chafe strips under your sleepers to support the deck area. Fine Homebulding had an article around 3-4 yrs ago on this exact app. Does any one recall the issue? It was an excellent step by step article.

    

    

    

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1. 
   wangshan | Aug 27, 2006 07:47am | #20

   Thanks. What is EDPM by the way? ;)

1. 
   scottbr | Aug 27, 2006 02:14pm | #21

   Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or rubber  that is produced in rolls or sheets .045", .060" or .090" thick.