From before recorded history, water management has been a big part of human endeavor. The ancient Romans built fantastic aquaducts that remain to this day. The invention of irrigation has redefined agriculture, and the damming of rivers has enabled hydro-electric power. Water management in the form of umbrellas and raincoats, and the plumbing in our homes are all forms of water management.Sometimes water management is hiding in plain sight, and this is true of the Trex RainEscape deck drainage system. Using the spaces between joists in a deck to fit troughing and drains, the RainEscape system makes it possible to capture water passing through the planking of a deck, and to divert it from falling on the area beneath. The whole setup can be concealed in a ceiling, making it invisible. Now, the area beneath the deck is waterproofed against the elements, and can be used to create added value through the increased usefulness of the under-deck space.
Trex RainEscape ©
Trex has realized a solution to a problem everyone knew existed: the space under a second-floor deck is not as useful as it could be. While it would be great to install lighting, create an indoor-outdoor kitchen, or make a dining or living space beneath a deck, water leaking from above can make these uses impossible.
And it’s worse when you’re using the space beneath your deck when the skies open and the rain starts. Just when you want cover from the rain, you instead find yourself grabbing anything you want to keep dry and rushing it indoors.
Trex RainEscape provides an easy-to-install water capture and redirection system that directs water away from your desk and into your water collection piping. The system consists of troughs that fit between the joists of your deck and lead to downspouts connecting to your drains. The full system includes troughs, flashings, and downspouts, all made of robust polyethelyene with ultraviolet inhibitors.
Installation
Installation can be done yourself, on either decks under construction or under existing decks. Simple tools — scissors, utility knife, staple gun, and caulking gun — are all that are needed. Trex includes full instructions and a set of step-by-step videos online.
Installation for a new deck is done once the framing and joists are installed. Installation for an existing deck requires removing the decking planks to enable ready access to the joists from above, then installing the troughing and downspouts, and preparing for installing flashing later. Seams are caulked and taped. Then the planking is replaced and flashing and post caps installed.
Maintenance
Maintenance of a RainEscape setup is essentially non-existent. The majority of the Trex RainEscape system lies beneath the decking and so is protected from the elements, ensuring long life. If installed and maintained according to directions, the RainEscape system is guaranteed against leakage for twenty years. In fact, a RainEscape installation can also increase the life of your deck, by protecting joists from moisture.
Cleaning is also negiligible: in most cases water passing through the system flushes away any small debris that passes through the deck planking. Snow sitting on the deck will also melt and drain out of the RainEscape system.
Benefits
Finally, Trex RainEscape is economical, costing less than the nearest competitors. Look at the Trex RainEscape system and other parts of the Trex product line at The Deck Store today to expand your outdoor living space.
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