How To Deal With Standing Water On Decking
Pooling water on decks frequently troubles many homeowners. Standing water poses safety hazards and causes structural damage. Composite deck tiles offer superior water resistance, but prolonged pooling should still be avoided. You can clear water from your deck using squeegees or mops. More importantly, the root cause must be addressed. For instance, cleaning deck gaps, improving terrace slopes, or installing proper drainage systems. If the problem keeps happening, you might want to add extras like a peloga.
Getting rid of water that builds up on the deck is an important maintenance job that affects both safety and appearance. This article talks about how to deal with water building up on a deck, including both short-term fixes and long-term ways to keep it from happening.
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Table of Contents
Causes of Deck Pooling
Before addressing deck pooling, we must first understand its common causes. These include:
- Insufficient Design Slope: A deck should have a small slope so that water from rain and melting snow can flow to the edges. Some decks were not built with exact slope numbers in mind when they were first put together. Some may have slight base settlement over time. Both of these problems make it hard for water to drain quickly.
- Blocked Drainage Channels: The gaps between deck boards serve as critical drainage pathways. These spaces are easily clogged by debris like fallen leaves, soil, and pollen.
- Structural Issues: Due to flaws in the material, bad fitting, or long-term weight bearing, some deck boards may sag. If the space between the joists that hold up the deck boards is wider than what the maker recommends.
- Poor Ventilation: Inadequate airflow beneath the deck exacerbates water accumulation. This also fosters mold and fungal growth, which corrode wooden structures.
- Environmental Factors: When it rains hard for a long time, the water rises above what the drainage system can handle.
Hazards of Deck Pooling
Having a water pool on decks is dangerous in many ways. When algae sticks to the surface, it makes it very slippery. This makes it a lot more likely that family members will slip and fall. Soaking wooden decks for a long time can make the wood rot, twist, and buckle, which could make the whole deck less safe.
Composite decking doesn’t naturally rot, but continuous pooling speeds up its fading and wear. Even worse, water can still seep into the wooden joists and frame below. The damage from decay in these support buildings is much worse.
Also, places that don’t move attract mosquitoes and their eggs, which leave behind water stains and dirt. These leftovers make the deck surface darker and encourage mold growth, which is very bad for the look and cleanliness of the outdoor space. Without being fixed, water pooling will eventually require major repairs or even replacement.
How to Remove Standing Water from the Deck?
If you find standing water on the deck, you should get rid of it right away to keep the problem from getting worse. You can use the following methods to clear the water:
- Squeegee: For getting rid of big areas of standing water, a rubber squeegee is the best tool. It easily moves water away because its wide rubber blade sticks to the deck.
- Absorbent Mop: A mop is the perfect thing to use after using a squeegee to clean up water. It soaks up water quickly and can be used again by wringing it out. It’s great for small parties or getting the deck working again after it rains.
- Soft-Bristle Broom: For light accumulation, use a soft-bristle broom for daily maintenance. Regular sweeping prevents water spots from forming while simultaneously clearing surface debris.
- Cleaning Grooves: While you’re getting rid of the water on the surface, check the gaps between the boards and clean them. Carefully scrape out the moss, leaves, and mud that are stuck in the grooves with a putty knife or a special groove cleaning tool. This is a very important step in getting the deck’s drainage system working again.
When you clean composite decking, be extra careful. Don’t use metal brushes with hard bristles or any other sharp tools. Because these can damage the surface.
How to Prevent Water Pooling on Decks?
If water pools on your deck all the time, you might want to take the following steps.
Ensure Proper Installation
Many water pooling issues stem from initial installation oversights. When building deck boards, strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for spacing. Insufficient gaps hinder drainage and air circulation. It may also cause warping after deck expansion. Excessive gaps compromise aesthetics and walking comfort.
Additionally, ensure joist center spacing meets the load-bearing requirements of the deck boards. Overly wide spacing can cause boards to sag, creating pooling points. These should be key focuses during installation and subsequent inspections.
Improving Deck Slope
Making sure the deck has enough slope is the most important thing you can do to stop water from pooling on it. This is the best and most complete answer. Talk to professional installers during the first stages of building to make sure the deck framing is set up with the right slope.
For existing decks, adjusting the slope is a major undertaking. This typically requires hiring a professional deck repair company for assessment and construction. Inexperienced homeowners should not attempt this themselves.
Improving Drainage Systems
If changing the slope isn’t possible, installing or improving drainage systems is also a very good choice. Put catch basins and drainpipes under decks that are level with the ground. These catch water that drips through cracks in the deck boards and send it away through pipes.
For elevated decks, install drainage channels along the deck’s edges connected to downspouts. This allows water flowing off the deck surface to be collected and directed away. For stubborn low spots, consider drilling several small-diameter drainage holes at their centers. This remedial measure allows accumulated water to escape. Note that this approach may affect aesthetics and should be used with caution.
Regular Cleaning and Inspection
To prevent water accumulation on the deck, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. Weekly use of a soft-bristle broom removes leaves, pollen, and silt to prevent clogging of gaps. To get rid of tough spots, use special cleaners and a soft-bristle brush to scrub gently. Then, rinse with clean water.
In the spring and fall, do thorough checks and deep cleanings. Focus on cleaning crevices and inspect for any moss or algae growth. Additionally, inspect deck boards regularly. Replace any warped, sagging, or severely damaged boards immediately. When replacing, ensure the new board is flush with surrounding boards and properly spaced.
Adding Protective Measures
You can also install features to enhance waterproofing. For example, pergolas, awnings, or porches with roofs can keep most of the rain off the deck. This fundamentally reduces sources of standing water. Additionally, they provide shade, extending the usable time of your deck.
Conclusion
Addressing deck water accumulation is a systematic process. It involves not only cleaning but also clearing drainage gaps and improving the slope. Through timely cleaning and repairs, you’ll maintain a dry, safe deck. For further information, feel free to contact us. EVODEK provides the best composite decking and answers all your questions.
FAQ
Can I Use a Pressure Washer to Clean Standing Water and Dirt From My Deck?
Not recommended. Pressure washers are generally not advised for composite decking. Excessive water pressure can damage the surface protective layer of composite decking. This can cause it to become rough, making it more prone to accumulating dirt and moisture.
If absolutely necessary, use a low-pressure fan nozzle. Maintain a safe distance and angle, rinsing along the grain of the boards. In most cases, cleaning with a garden hose and a soft-bristle brush is a safer and more effective method.
How Wide Should The Gaps Between Deck Boards be?
The ideal board gap depends on your deck material and environmental temperature/humidity. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. Composite decking usually needs gaps of 4 to 8 mm because it expands and contracts less when it gets hot or cold. Solid wood may need wider gaps because wood swells with moisture and shrinks when dry.
Additionally, gaps will change with the seasons. Decking boards expand and contract with temperature and humidity fluctuations. Because of this, enough room for expansion should be left during installation based on the weather and the properties of the material.
Is Composite Decking Completely Waterproof?
Composite decking is moisture-resistant and waterproof. However, this does not mean it can withstand prolonged water accumulation. Standing water creates slippery surfaces, significantly increasing slip hazards. It also leaves water spots, mineral buildup, and algae growth on the deck, which makes it look dirty and bad. Also, water can get into the frame and joists below through gaps between the boards.
Can I Apply a Waterproof Sealant to My Deck?
Composite decking does not require or benefit from sealant application. It inherently possesses waterproof and UV-resistant properties. Adding sealant may compromise its performance and potentially void warranties. For wood decking, regular sealant application is essential maintenance.
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