Help Needed! Back Deck Repair on Brooklyn Brownstone

511 porous plus sealer by Miracle Sealants

hasibur.rahman07

in General Discussion 4 years and 6 months ago

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Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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I purchased a house in Bed Stuy in early 2019 that was completely gut renovated by a developer. Overall they did a fantastic job inside and out. Two new metal decks with tile were built off the back of the property. We have a problem with a mystery white sediment coming out of the decks and staining the surfaces below. In one corner of the deck, there is actually a stalagmite-like substance forming and hanging off. There is also some considerable rust building up underneath the metal structure of the decks.

We would like to get to the bottom of what the white substance is, in order to have this cleaned up and eliminated – it is a huge eye sore. Also would like some help in removing the rust build up and protecting the surfaces in order to prevent this.

Looking for recommendations of who to contact!
Thanks in advance.

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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Attaching some photos of the sediment and rust issues. [Rust and Sediment](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:V05R:rustandsediment.jpg.jpg) [1](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:kxhx:1.jpg.jpg) [2](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:CgX3:2.jpg.jpg) [3](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:pENZ:3.jpg.jpg) [4](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:UJNP:4.jpg.jpg)

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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the white substance is most likely efflorescence – salts from the curing concrete/mortar that leach out as the material continues to be exposed to water. if this is continuing to grow and spread it means you have a leak that is allowing water to get into the setting material under the tile that was laid on the decks and is slowly eating away at the mortar. the amount of rust on the underside of your decking seems like a lot given the timeline you’ve presented and makes me wonder whether the contractor used the wrong materials in general. i’m guessing it’s probably too late to hold the developer accountable but from what I can see i think you’re dealing with a potential triple whammy of poor design, poor execution, and poor materials. How are the decks set up to drain? Do they drain?

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
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the white substance is most likely efflorescence – salts from the curing concrete/mortar that leach out as the material continues to be exposed to water. if this is continuing to grow and spread it means you have a leak that is allowing water to get into the setting material under the tile that was laid on the decks and is slowly eating away at the mortar. the amount of rust on the underside of your decking seems like a lot given the timeline you’ve presented and makes me wonder whether the contractor used the wrong materials in general. i’m guessing it’s probably too late to hold the developer accountable but from what I can see i think you’re dealing with a potential triple whammy of poor design, poor execution, and poor materials. How are the decks set up to drain? Do they drain?

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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sorry – to be more clear – while you can get rid of the evidence (white staining and rust) so it looks better, you’ll be hiding indicators of a larger overall problem with the construction of the decks. i think there have been a number of recommendations on here for deck contractors that you would be wise to consult with before this gets worse.

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
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sorry – to be more clear – while you can get rid of the evidence (white staining and rust) so it looks better, you’ll be hiding indicators of a larger overall problem with the construction of the decks. i think there have been a number of recommendations on here for deck contractors that you would be wise to consult with before this gets worse.

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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Thanks for your response. Yeah, this is pretty much what I am afraid of and we are looking for a skilled deck contractor now who may be able to help resolve the issues before they get worse. Any recommendations would be really appreciated!!

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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i don’t have any direct experience but i’ve seen Urban Exteriors and Sketch & Hammer recommended on here.

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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i don’t have any direct experience but i’ve seen Urban Exteriors and Sketch & Hammer recommended on here.

patrickburnsjr | 5 years and 3 months ago

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I agree with Maggie O. It is efflorescence leaching out of uncured concrete pavers, and/or it is contents (mineral/lime)that leaked from possible cracked exterior building masonry. My advise is to discuss with a Masonry Contractor first, but of course nobody can see your site until Cuomo opens up nyc to non essential work.

hasibur.rahman07 | 5 years and 3 months ago

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Not an expert on this but dealt with the efflorescence on cement tile which wasn’t sealed. Use phosphoric acid or sulfamic acid diluted to remove efflorescence then of course you need to seal to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Generally one shouldn’t use acid but if it wasn’t sealed properly this appears to be one of the ways to clean up. You can call Miracle Sealants/Rustoleum to ask for the right product. Call hold times are a bit long but they are helpful. The rust is a different issue and more serious than the Efflorescence.

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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> @carriagehouse99
> nobody can see your site until Cuomo opens up nyc to non essential work
a single worker is allowed to work at any property. i would assume this is also the case for someone to come on site to review conditions but i could be wrong…

patrickburnsjr | 5 years and 3 months ago

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Maggie O, I was unaware that a single worker is allowed to work on any property where there are tenants living.. The NY Times had an article this past week on workers @ construction sites but that were new structural projects with no tenants on the properties. But I could be wrong. We’ll see what Cuomo announces on the 15th.

Guest User | 5 years and 3 months ago

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So the DOB’s information is primarily focused on construction projects, so I guess wouldn’t really apply here. the FAQ does have this in it though:
Q16. Can I perform building construction work that does not require a permit from the
Department during this suspension of non-essential construction work?
A16. No. This work cannot be performed unless there is only one worker on the job site.

patrickburnsjr | 5 years and 3 months ago

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let ‘s hope & be safe [FE922504-B0D2-4148-ABF4-DA6413925829](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:DArZ:fe922504b0d24148abf4da6413925829.jpeg.jpg)

dss315 | 5 years and 3 months ago

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@vard01 what did you use a to seal it? did you put this right over the tile? We have some blue stone on the top landing of a metal deck and I have seen this type of white build up right where the grout line is but didn’t know what it was