Deck Waterproofing in West Los Angeles
Deck waterproofing puts a walkable waterproof layer on a deck so rain runs off instead of soaking into the framing or the room below. You need it when the deck surface cracks or peels, the ceiling under the deck stains, or water shows up at the door. Absolute Maintenance & Consulting repairs damaged plywood and flashing, then installs a walkable surface sealed at the wall, threshold and edges. Projects start at $2,275, after an inspection that costs $375 to $775.
Schedule a deck waterproofing inspection or call (310) 678-4345.
Licensed California contractor (CSLB #998184) · IICRC-certified firm (#70018676) · 4.8 stars, 180+ reviews across Google, Yelp, and BBB
Quick links: What it involves Signs Process Cost FAQs
Deck leaking into the room below? We trace the leak, then waterproof the deck.
What Deck Waterproofing Involves
Deck waterproofing is one part of our waterproofing work: we repair the deck, then seal its surface and every joint where it meets the building. The parts that keep water out:
- A walkable waterproof membrane or coating across the surface
- Enough slope to move water off the deck
- Flashing where the deck meets the wall
- A sealed door threshold
- Edge metal that sends water off the edge
- Sealed openings around railing posts
Decks Over Living Space and Garages
A deck built over a room, a garage or storage is the roof for whatever sits below it. If any one of the parts above fails, water gets under the membrane and soaks the plywood and framing, often long before a stain shows up below.
Deck Waterproofing vs Deck Sealing
Deck sealing puts a clear or tinted sealer on open wood to slow weathering, and it isn’t built to keep water out of a room below. Deck waterproofing installs a continuous, walkable membrane or coating with flashing at the walls and edges. What sits under the deck decides which one you need.
Signs You Need Deck Waterproofing
The clearest signs are cracks or worn spots in the deck coating and water stains on the ceiling below. Also watch for:
- Soft or spongy areas underfoot
- Water at the door threshold or on the floor just inside
- Rust stains at the deck edge
- Puddles that don’t clear after rain
- Loose railing posts
Spotted cracks, soft spots or ceiling stains? Book a deck waterproofing inspection.
Our Deck Waterproofing Process
We inspect the deck, trace the leak, repair the structure and details, install the waterproof surface and check the space below.
1. Deck Inspection
First comes a close look at the surface, slope, flashing, threshold, edges and railing posts, plus the ceiling below.
2. Finding the Leak
We trace the water with moisture readings, thermal imaging and, where needed, controlled water testing (priced separately and not credited toward the work). A deck leak can travel along the framing, so the stain below isn’t always under the failure.
3. Repairing the Structure and Details
We repair damaged plywood and framing and fix the flashing, door threshold and edge metal. Waterproofing only protects a deck that’s solid underneath.
4. Applying the Waterproofing System
We install a walkable membrane or coating chosen for how the deck is used, how much sun it gets and what sits below it, with extra care at every joint.
5. Final Check and Upkeep
Once the surface is down, we check the deck and the space below again. Upkeep is simple: clear debris, move planters now and then and fix small cracks early.
How Much Does Deck Waterproofing Cost?
Deck waterproofing costs $2,275 to $2,600 for a small project and $3,000 to $10,000 for a medium one, after an inspection that costs $375 to $775.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Inspection (about 15 to 20 minutes, infrared camera) | $375 to $575 |
| Detailed Inspection (up to about 1 hour, one home or unit up to 3,000 sq. ft.) | $575 to $775 |
| Water Intrusion Testing | $1,275 to $1,850+ |
| Complex Water Testing | $1,950 to $2,600+ |
| Small project (up to 3,000 sq. ft.) | $2,275 to $2,600 |
| Medium project (3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft.) | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Large project (10,000 to 50,000 sq. ft.) | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Large waterproofing project | $50,000 to $150,000+ |
A deck with wet or damaged framing costs more than one that only needs a new surface, and so does a failed threshold that has to be rebuilt.
Water testing isn’t included in inspection prices. When we do the work, the fee for a Basic or Detailed Inspection is credited toward the cost of the work. Multi-Unit / Larger Property Inspection fees and water testing fees are not credited. Your final price comes in a written estimate after the inspection.
Call (310) 678-4345 to schedule an inspection, or email photos of the deck and the ceiling below to info@leakmoldrepair.com with your name, property address and a brief description.
Hire us for the work and your Basic or Detailed Inspection fee counts toward your deck waterproofing.
Why Choose Absolute for Deck Waterproofing?
Owners hire us for the diagnosis as much as the new surface.
We Trace the Leak Before We Resurface
Our specialty is finding and repairing leaks from exterior sources. A new coating over a failed threshold or wet framing won’t stop the leak, so we find the entry point first. Our El Segundo deck leak repair and waterproofing case study shows one of these jobs.
Licensed, Certified and 30+ Years in Business
We’re a licensed California contractor (CSLB #998184), an IICRC-certified firm (#70018676) and a MICRO Certified Firm, with more than 30 years in business. Our founder, Cameron Figgins, has more than 30 years of hands-on experience with water intrusion in Southern California homes.
Licensed, IICRC-certified deck waterproofing for West LA and Culver City homes and buildings.
Deck Waterproofing FAQs
Can you waterproof a deck without removing the existing coating?
A deck can sometimes be waterproofed without removing the existing coating. If the old coating is still well bonded and the deck underneath is dry and solid, a new system can go over it after repairs. If it’s peeling, cracked through or trapping water, it has to come off. The inspection checks the bond and the moisture below.
What do coastal decks in Santa Monica and Venice need?
Coastal decks need a coating that holds up to strong sun and edge metal that resists salt air. Salt air corrodes metal flashing faster near the beach, so we replace corroded edge and wall flashing before the new surface goes on.
Do you waterproof decks on condos and apartment buildings?
Yes, Absolute Maintenance & Consulting waterproofs decks on condos, apartment buildings and homes. On multi-unit buildings, a deck leak often shows up in the unit below, so we trace it through the building and document what we find for property managers and HOA boards.
Still have questions? Our experts are here to help.
Book a Deck Waterproofing Inspection
Schedule an inspection or call (310) 678-4345. We serve West Los Angeles, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Bel Air.
We trace the leak, repair the deck and seal it at the wall, threshold and edges.