Many homes have an outside deck / patio over a living space, and so far, the solution to waterproof such roof decks was to install a rubber membrane roof and a wooden deck on slippers over the rubber. On some older roofs, instead of a rubber roof, a Tar / Built-up roofing material is used for waterproofing. The main problem with this assembly is roof leaks, which often occur within a few years of the roof deck’s installation.

Often the seams on the roofing membrane pop open, or water starts to pool under the deck, and the only way for this water to drain is into your home. If you need to repair such a roof deck, you will have to take the deck apart completely to seal the seams or to redo the roof flashing, and then put the wooden deck back together.

Another issue is the cost of such a roof deck (even without the high costs associated with roof repairs) – the rubber roof by itself is somewhat not expensive, but when you add the cost of a pressure treated wood deck (a fiber decking, mahogany or some other premium deck is rather rare, and most people do choose to go with PT wood), your roof deck ends up costing you a small fortune. Then you also have to install and seal the railing posts.

On a rubber roof, pieces of uncured flashing must be glued to the rubber roof and the post to make the post penetration watertight, and on a Tar / BUR roof, liquid tar or roof cement is used to seal around the post. Both rubber roof flashing and tar flashing around the post will begin to fail after 5-7 years, so once again to stop the roof leaks, you will have to disassemble the deck and repair the flashing.

IB Deck Shield – the long lasting, beautiful and cost effective solution for roof decks

IB Roof Systems recognized the need for a long-lasting waterproofing membrane for roof decks, patios and balconies, and based on their excellent PVC roofing membrane, created a Deck Roofing product, which will last for decades, is easy to repair (if such need arises), and has a special, slip-resistant, beautiful surface. This makes it possible to walk on this membrane, eliminating the need for a wooden deck over the membrane, and making the whole roof seamless and watertight.

IB Deck Shield was created based on IB Roofs’ proven PVC roofing membrane, designed for flat roofs, and featuring hot air welded seams, which make membrane overlaps sealed permanently, ensuring a long-lasting watertight roof. An IB roofing membrane can withstand ponding water, and is an excellent choice for any flat roof. IB roofs also have a complete line of flashing accessories – inside and outside corner flashings, pipe flashing ranging in size from 1/4″ to over 12 inches, for extra wide exhaust pipes and furnace stacks. Because of fast and easy installation in all tight spots, any roof penetration can be flashed quickly and any installation defects are eliminated.

IB took it’s existing it’s existing PVC roof product (IB Flat Roof), and added a special surface to it, making it slip resistant, even when wet, and added a beautiful texture, which resembles small pebbles, often used as a swimming pool deck. All components of IB Deck Shield roof are color matching and will produce a uniform, great-looking final product.

IB Deck Shield roof installation:

Because an IB Deck Shield is exposed to constant foot traffic, deck furniture, outside BBQ grills, etc., it must withstand all this abuse and last for many years without any leaks. To be able to do so, an IB deck Shield is installed over a dense, moisture resistant substrate – DensDeck, which is attached to the roof deck.

Once DensDeck substrate is installed, all seams are taped and “plastered” with a special joint compound to provide a universal, smooth surface, to which the Deck Shield membrane is glued using either a water-based or solvent based adhesive (we use water based glue, as it is environmentally “safer” than a solvent based product).

When a a joint compound cures, we apply a layer of IB water-based adhesive and lay down the IB Deck Shield membrane, which was previously aligned to be wrinkle free and to have exactly a 2″ overlap with the previous sheet of membrane. Once adhesive is applied and membrane is laid down, it is mechanically fastened at all roof to wall connections, but never in field.

After a few minutes, when adhesive cures, all seams are welded and it’s time to install roof to wall flashing as well as all pre-fabbed inside / outside corners, as well as flash all post penetrations. IB Roof manufactures special post flashings, which can either be pre-welded or split, and it is the choice of a contractor which one to use.

We prefer to use split post flashings – although the split post flashing requires more welding, it is actually easier to install split flashing rather then a welded flashing, because when we order them, we specify the post size – usually 3 5/8″ x 3 5/8″ (a standard 4×4′ railing post), and a welded flashing sits pretty tight around the post so it is rather difficult to pull it all the way down.

Durability of IB DeckShield flat roof decks:

Once all DensDeck is installed, all DeckShield is glued down, seams welded and all flashings are installed, the roof is complete, and now you have a durable, completely water-tight roof deck, where you can spend nice summer days, invite your friends over for BBQ, and not worry about roof leaks any more. IB DeckShield is VERY durable, and very resistant to puncture damage. Because it is glued to the DensDeck substrate, the surface under it is very hard and most sharp objects that fall on this roof will bounce off leaving very little or no damage – we accidentally dropped sharp tin snips; they just bounced off and did not cause any damage.

Of course you want to be careful with your new roof and not drop any sharp objects purposely, but small accidents do happen, and you can be confident that IB DeckShield will withstand all normal wear and tear – foot traffic and most accidental drops, which would usually puncture a flat roof such as rubber roofs.

If your roof is damaged – in most cases it should be leaking for a long time, as the membrane is glued to the substrate and even if some water gets in, it won’t be able to spread and leak inside your home. It is also very easy to repair an IB Deck Shield roof – a small patch of color-matching membrane will be welded over the damaged area, making the repair virtually invisible, unless looked at from close distance. An IB DeckShield roof will remain weldable for decades, just like other IB Flat roofing products.

Roof deck prices – how much does IB DeckShield cost to install?

IB DeckShield is a premium flat roofing product and it is rather expensive by itself. However, when you consider the alternative of a rubber roof with a PT wooden deck over it, IB DeckShield will usually be less expensive, as PT wood deck will add a significant amount to the total roof deck cost.

Because IB DeckShield installation is rather complicated and involved, it will cost more than the flat roof prices provided by our roofing calculator. IB Deck Shield takes considerably longer to install than regular IB flat roofs, and costs a lot more than a standard 50-mil or even 80-mil IB roofing membrane. Therefore installation prices per sq. ft. of your roof deck will be higher than those of an 80 mil roof deck option (eg. flat roof deck in Wellesley, MA)

Price of IB Deck Shield installation will also depend or roof difficulty, number of roof penetrations and whether the existing roof needs to be removed. In case of a roof removal, the roof deck must be installed in sections, and sealed at the end of each work day, to prevent roof leaks from overnight rains.

IB Roof Deck prices:

A basic price to install IB DeckShield starts at $13-14 per sq. ft. (assuming that your roof deck is approximately 200-300 sq. ft., which is what most roof decks are), and includes a 1/4″ DensDeck Substrate, with all joints sealed using joint compound, and up to 5 post flashing penetrations. All other flashing and penetration details will be priced considering other aspects of your roof, and the project as a whole.

Roof tear-off will be priced in a range of $300+ per 100 sq. ft. of roof area, plus cost of the dumpster. The reason for this price structure is as follows: Roof decks are usually rather small, but the tear off greatly intensifies the installation difficulty and slows down the overall process. Also, we separate dumpster fees, as on a small roof we would still need the smallest (10 or 15 yards) dumpster which costs about $300.

To give you an example – it took us about 5 days to complete the roof in the first picture on this page, with 4-5 guys working 8-10 hours per day. The roof size there is approximately 1200 sq. ft. So assume that 4-5 guys removed and installed about 240 sq. ft. of roof in 1 day.

The pricing above is approximate and reflects a general price stricture that we use for deck roofs installation in Massachusetts and the rest of New England states (Roofs in CT, RI, NH, ME and VT).

We will price each roof deck separately, but this will provide you with pretty accurate pricing guide-lines, so you would know how much to expect to pay for an IB DeckShield roof.

As a comparison, a rubber roof would cost you $8-10 per sq. ft. plus the cost of PT wooden deck, which can range from $13-20 per sq. ft., often without the material costs.

Additional roof decks and flat roofing resources:

Roof deck installation using 80-mil IB PVC roof with a wooden deck over it.

RoofDecks.org – general information about roofing materials, roof deck prices and installation methods of waterproofing products for roof decks, balconies and patios.

Flat Roofing – informational resource about flat roofing materials – Learn about EPDM Rubber roofing, PVC and TPO roofs and Tar & Gravel, Modified Bitumen and other Built-Up roofs.

Roof calculator – estimate roofing prices in your state for different roofing materials – asphalt shingles, metal roofs, and various flat roofing membranes. Learn how contractors price their roofs, as well as pros & cons of different roofing materials. Find out how to measure and estimate a roof using extensive step-by-step roof estimating guide and roofing calculator software.

• Types of flat roof decks – Choose between IB DeckShield & traditional wooden deck over flat roof.
• Flat Roof deck prices – Learn how much a flat roof deck will cost.
• Roof deck leaks – Learn why flat roof decks leak and how to prevent/eliminate these leaks.
• IB DeckShield – Details of IB DeckShield roof assembly – how it works and what goes into it.
• IB 80-mil with PT deck – Details of PT wooden deck over IB 80-mil roof assembly.

Roof deck & leaking.

Many homes in New England have a walk-on flat roof decks with living space under them, and 90 percent of these deck roofs leak, ruining your rooms. Stains on sheet-rock ceilings, popping hardwood flooring, wet carpets and rotted framing are just some of the damages that you may sustain as a result of these leaks. Destruction of personal property such as beds, book shelves, computers, TVs and other electronic equipment can also occur in cases of severe roof leaks.

All these items are very expensive to fix and even more expensive to replace. Yet you can easily solve these problems in a fairly cheap way (when compared to costs of replacing and repairs you have to incur if you let the leaks continue) with IB’s life-time roofing product. With IB Roof, you will never have to worry about roof leaks again and you could finally regain full use of your roof deck or patio.

Creating a leak-free Roof Deck with IB roofing systems

We offer two different solutions for you to permanently solve your roof deck leaks. Both ways utilize IB’s time-proven CPA membranes featuring hot-air welded seam. The main difference between the two methods is the product you choose to use, and aesthetics you desire.

Assembly type 1: IB DeckShield – a fully integrated waterproofing membrane system designed for use on walk-out roof decks. DeckShield is highly slip-resistant, and not only complies with and even exceeds ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements.

Learn how IB Deck Shield membrane is installed, installation prices and more general information of roof deck waterproofing using IB DeckShield membrane.

Download DeckShield brochure

IB DeckShield – a beautiful and durable decking waterproofing membrane.

Benefits of using IB Deckshield assembly:

• Enhances the appearance of decks
• Eliminates annual painting and staining of wood decks
• Durable, Slip resistant Waterproofing system.
• Resists mildew, chemicals, and UV rays.
• Eliminates hazardous wood splinters and unsightly concrete cracking.
• Complies with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements.

Assembly type 2: Deck on top of flat roof: IB PVC membrane with a wood deck installed over it – a more traditional way of roof deck construction, features an IB Lifetime single-ply membrane with fusion-welded seams. This method will ensure permanent water-tightness of your roof deck combined with a deck and railings system built with your choice of wood and pattern. Download IB Roof brochure

Benefits of using IB 80-mil membrane with PT / Composition deck on top:

• Wooden deck on top of IB 80 mil roofing membrane protects the roof from accidental mechanical damages.
• Allows people to have a more traditional wooden deck / patio.
• Composition deck assembly eliminates the need to stain / paint the wood.
• Allows extended use of outdoor grills without worrying that you’ll burn through the roof.
• Allows the creation of beautiful deck designs and the use of steel outdoor furniture.

IB 80-mil PVC roofing membrane with composition board deck assembly create this beautiful patio

A happy client enjoys her private roof-deck in Arlington, MA. Roof assembly consists of 80-mil IB Roof for waterproofing, and a diamond-shaped, low profile deck.

Cost of flat roof decks

Why roof decks leak?

Most roof decks in existence today use a flat roofing material that were created over a century ago and were not designed for use as roofing for residential homes and living area. Another reason is original design flaw implemented by architects and/or builders, who were not qualified in flat roofing and did not have appropriate roofing technology to use.

Ponding Water leaks:

Very often you can find ponding water accumulating on these deck roofs. Majority of flat roofing system existing today cannot sustain constant ponding water and as a result water enters your house, and destroys your possessions and property.

Wood Deck and Railing leaks:

Often there is a wood deck installed on top of a flat roof or some sort of a railing system. To make these railings securely attached to the roof, builders often create roof penetration for every railing post on the roof. The only way to “seal” these penetrations for most builders, is to use roof cement or pitch-pockets – both of these methods are considered unacceptable by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Yet most builders don’t have the appropriate products, expertise and many times, don’t care enough to make these penetrations water-tight.

This results in more leaks – usually these leaks don’t appear inside your home for years, but the hidden damages can cost thousands of dollars to fix. Water slowly enters your home and rots the beams and studs. While unnoticed for a long period of time, such leaks my sometimes result in partial or complete re-framing of your roof and/or support walls.

Leaking Flat Roof Deck

Details of roof deck construction using IB Membranes and DeckShield

IB DeckShield roof / deck assembly and installation:

DeckShield is easiest to use in new construction, however it can be easily adopted for retrofit use on existing homes. IB Deck Shield is installed as a fully-adhered application on top of Dens Deck – a fiber-cement type board that is 1/4 of an inch thick, or over plywood.

The surface for installing IB DeckShield must be clean, smooth and flat. That is why in some retrofit applications use of DeckShield may be difficult or impossible. When you have an uneven surface it is best to use the regular IB Roofing Membrane with a wooden deck over it. If you still want to use Deck Shield for a retrofit roof deck project, expect the additional costs of making your roof surface even.

DeckShield can be used for a small balcony as well as a large roof deck, and for everything in between. Hot-air welded seams make IB DeckShield a long-lasting waterproofing solution that is both eye-pleasing and safe to walk on when it is wet. Expect many compliments from your family and friends when they get to see your new roof patio with IB DeckShield.

DeckShield colors and texture:

DeckShield has a look and texture of tiny pebbles – something similar to a floor in a swimming pool. You can choose between two distinct colors – Tan and Grey – both look great and will compliment your home.

Since IB DeckShield is made from the same material as other IB membranes, it is easy to accommodate for any roof penetrations, such as a Railing System and Roof-Wall detail. This will ensure that your roof will be water-tight and you can take full advantage of your deck or patio once again, and will not have to worry about leaks. Invite your friends and family for a cookout, enjoy a cocktail, or watch the stars.

Before you spend your money on the wrong stuff, consider all your options listed below:

What you should do when your flat roof leaks:

First of all, you should put up buckets to collect water, so the leak does not cause more damage than is already done. Once the dripping water is not causing any more damage to the interior, consider the following steps:

Step 1) If your roof is fairly new – call the roofing company that installed your roof and have them fix it.

Step 2) If it is an older roof, or the original installer will not fix it for some reason, you have three options:

• Fix the roof yourself
• Have a roof repair performed by a roofing contractor specializing in flat roofs
• Or if your roof is near the end of its life, it is best to replace it rather then throw any more money away on repairing it.

Step 3) To prevent more damages to your roof, interior of your home, or the inventory and the equipment of your business, it is a good idea to put up a tarp on you roof, until you choose a course of action – either fixing a roof yourself or choosing a roofing contractor to repair or replace your roof.

Step 4) Estimate the real cost to a repair flat roof. Learn what is involved, what the hidden costs and fees are, and why we consider flat roof repair to be “sunk cost”. This comparison will help you decide if it is time to finally replace your flat roof, or if repair is a feasible option.

Flat rubber roof repair in progress:

NOTE: If your rubber roof is leaking, we are offering Rubber Roof Repair services in MA, RI and CT. We can usually fix your EPDM rubber roof during the first roof inspection / repair visit. Some rubber roofs can be repaired, and you can extend the life of your roof by few years for a relatively low price.

DIY Flat Roof Repair guides

Due to a wide scope of flat roofing materials and different roof problems that cause leaks, it is virtually impossible to cover everything that is related to flat roof repair in one article. For your convenience, we have several DIY roof repair guides for a specific flat roof type and specific repair methods. These guides are easy to follow, and are aimed at both home and business owners.

DIY Rubber roof repair guides

The first guide is for homeowners with EPDM rubber roof leaks. There are essentially two methods of rubber roof repair, or rather two types of flashing materials that are used to repair a rubber roof. First is the older splice adhesive method (black rubber glue) applied directly to the rubber membrane. Second is a newer / better Peel & Stick method, which provides faster and better adhesion and lasts longer.

• Rubber roof repair – our original article about fixing EPDM rubber membrane roofs using “black glue” or rubber seams adhesive.
• EPDM Rubber peel & stick repair – Part II of rubber roof repair guide, which concentrates on the more advanced and efficient way to fix rubber roofs using EPDM primer, Peel & Stick flashing, and Seam tape instead of just using rubber glue.

DIY Rubber Roof Repair Video – learn how to repair EPDM rubber roofs:

The biggest issue for homeowners with DIY rubber roof repair is actually obtaining the EPDM roofing materials, which are usually sold only through distribution, and only to roofing contractors.

If you are a homeowner looking to buy Rubber Roofing supplies, such as: uncured flashing material, cover tape, seam tape, roof cleaner, primer, etc., it is best if you contact local roofers and buy those roofing materials and flashing from them. Roofing contractors may also sell you a piece of rubber membrane, which you would otherwise have to buy as a 1000 sq. ft. roll.

Identifying and repairing a leaky roof:

DIY Tar & Gravel roof repair:

Repairing a Tar and Gravel roof is simpler than fixing a rubber roof. All you really need to do is clean the leaking spot, apply tar, reinforcing mesh, and put gravel over your patch. The biggest problem will be finding the roof leak. Unlike the rubber roof, where it is easy to find a separated seam or flashing, tar roofs are covered with loose gravel, and you do not actually see any holes in the roof. Check out the Tar roof repair video below. For more information on locating and fixing a roof leak, check out the Tar Roof repair guide (a link is posted after the video).


DIY Tar & Gravel Roof Repair Video:

• Tar & Gravel roof repair – learn how to detect and repair leaks in your Built-up or Tar-and-gravel roof, using inexpensive supplies from Home Depot, Lowe’s and other Home improvement stores.

What you should know about Flat Roof Repair before you spend any money.

Flat roof reality check: roof leaks are an inevitable outcome for 99% of flat roofs in service today. If you have a flat roof, chances are that it is already leaking or will begin to leak soon, even if your roof is fairly new and was installed within 5-10 years.

This article is an overview of issues related to flat roof leaks. In the article, we review the cost of flat roof repair, actions you should take to get your flat roof fixed, as well as an outlook of what will happen after your roof is fixed.

The purpose of this Flat Roof Repair Guide is to help you avoid the costly mistakes that many home and business owners make when their roof leaks, and also to help you choose the best solution for your particular roof and your budget.

Note: Due to a wide variety of different flat roofing technologies, this article cannot cover all aspects of flat roof repair. For specific DIY ways to repair your flat roof, please refer to our EPDM Rubber Roof repair, and Tar roof repair how-to articles.

Looking to repair or replace your flat roof? Find reliable roofing contractors when you join Angie’s List today – Use promo code LOCAL to save 15% – real homeowners on this website discuss local service businesses, including roofers. Contractors have no say in what others write, and cannot buy advertisements.

End Part 1 – continue reading part 2 of this flat roof repair guide:

Continue reading this article – Flat Roof Repair Part 2, which discusses steps you should take, when your flat roof begins to leak, how to minimize the damages from these leaks, and look into TRUE cost of flat roof repair.

Note: we cut the original Flat Roof Repair guide into two parts, because it was pushing 4000 words, and was difficult to read even for me, even though I wrote it – do read the second part as it is crucial to tackling flat roof leaks with minimal damages and financial investment / loss.