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Reference Guide & Assembly Instructions

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the AridDek® Waterproof Deck System! This AridDek installation guide is the first step to enjoying your low maintenance AridDek waterproof deck system. Provided are general instructions for the installation of your new decking and additional engineering details. If there are any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to call Customer Service at (877) 270-9387 or visit our resource library.

Please read these instructions in their entirety before you start your project and be sure to follow these steps carefully to ensure the durability and safety of your deck.

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Tool Requirements

Tape Measure
Drill Driver
Circular Saw Or Miter Saw
Carbide Tip Steel Saw Blades
Work Gloves & Safety Glasses
Rubber Mallet/Hammer
Caulk Gun & Exterior Flashing Sealant
Framing Square

Deck Structure Requirements

Deck support spacing (joist): 24’’ o.c. joists (standard)
(Refer to the Load And Span chart below for specific lbs. per sq. ft. ratings.)

Minimum Pitch Away From House: 1⁄8” per foot

How It Works: Installation Overview

Components

Start Board
Main Board
Finish Board
Profile Trim
Channel Plug
1 1/2" Hex Head
T-25 Torx Trim

Getting Started

At Delivery

Please carefully examine the products for any damage that may have occurred during transit. Inspect the individual components and report any damage immediately to the delivery driver and your sales representative.

*** Failure to do this could result in additional delivery charges should you find problems later. ***

Before You Start

Take inventory of your decking components; verify that all items are present to complete your decking system. Layout the system prior to assembly to confirm the order of installation.

Ledger Flashing

If your order includes our 4”x3” Wahoo Ledger Flashing, please install this component first. The ledger flashing is a typical requirement of most decks to keep water from getting behind the ledger board and damaging the building envelope. It is ideal to have the vertical portion of the flashing behind a course of siding.

Make sure all structural joists and ledger flashing are free of debris and dirt. For drainage purposes, make sure there is 1⁄8” per foot slope away from any point where the end of a board will be perpendicular to a wall.

Header Flashing

Install the Wahoo header flashing on the drainage edge as a drip edge for water weeping over the ends of the boards and profile trim.

This drip edge flashing is intended to overlap a typical gutter collection channel. This flashing is used to protect the header framing below from contact with drainage water.

Deck Installation

Step 1: Fasten Start Board

Determine the appropriate side to start the installation of the AridDek (this should have been predetermined during the takeoff and quoting process).

Position the starter board and attach it to the deck with the appropriate screws (1 1/2” hex head), screwing into every joist (typically 24” apart).

The start board, unlike the main boards and finish board, requires a screw on both sides of the board. Ensure the first board is properly aligned because each subsequent board follows this alignment.

Step 2: Install Channel Plugs

As you install each deck board, insert a Channel Plug into each gutter channel at the end closest to the exterior wall (non-drainage side).

The channel plug has a pre-applied adhesive that affixes to the bottom of the gutter. These channel plugs are backup protection should the decking not have the appropriate pitch from the house.

Step 3: Install Main Board

After the Start board is secure, install a main board by sliding the tongue of board into the groove of the Start board. When the Main board is secure and aligned, put screws into the screw flange on the Main board, screwing into every joist (again, typically every 24”.)

Step 4: Install Finish Board

Continue to add main boards. Measure the distance traveled on each side, every two to three feet, to ensure that the boards remain square to the start board. Continue this process until you install the finish board.

Ripping A Finish Board

If your deck width is not evenly divisible by 6”, you may have to rip a finish board using a table saw or skill saw.

The fastener flange is removed when the finish board is ripped, so you need to add a filler strip to support and attach to the edge of the finish board.

Finishing Open Sides

Profile Trim can be used to finish off the exposed ends of boards. It can also be used to finish off the Start and Finish boards.

Lay the trim along the edge of the decking and remember to leave a space for water drainage. Screw through the top of the Profile Trim into the decking, approximately every 18” using 1” self-tapping color-matched Torx screws. (Requires a T-25 bit.)

Flashing Against Exterior Walls

Wahoo Building Products provides color-matched, rigid flashing for installation on top of the AridDek system. It measures 2” x 2” and is attached using the T-25 Torx Trim Head Screw. Always apply sealant to the back and bottom side of the AridDek flashing before installation.

*This flashing is in addition to, not instead of, standard ledger flashing. It is ideal to install flashing behind the siding, if possible.

Installing Profile Gaskets

Wahoo Building Products provides neoprene gaskets for the void created on the bottom side of the decking where it crosses the support header on the drainage side. These gaskets are designed to block air, driving rain, insects, and other debris from being able to get under the decking at this void. The plugs come in labeled bags for easy identification. Each deck board receives two plugs, and each profile is a different size.

Each plug is designed to be slightly larger than the profile it is intended for, so it has to be compressed to fit into place. Be sure to install these gaskets after the decking is fastened down to the framing and before you install the profile trim.

Stairs

Benefits of Using Aluminum Deck Stairs | Wahoo Decks Aluminum Decking & Deck Railing 1
To add AridDek to stairs, use a Start Board and Finish Board and create a maximum 11” tread.

Installing Profile Gaskets

If you are using our Wahoo Aluminum Rail Kit, refer to the drawing below for attaching through AridDek. Always add additional timber blocking to the framing below each Post Mount. Each 3⁄8” lag screw must fasten through the deck board and into timber framing below. Mark and pre-drill a 3⁄8” hole in each of mounting holes through the AridDek and use the supplied 3⁄8” wood lag screws to attach the pedestal mount.

*Refer to the “Wahoo Rail Installation Guide” for complete rail installation details.

Reference Guide For Code Compliance

Aluminum Interlocking Deck Boards: AridDek Waterproof Deck System Manufactured by Wahoo Building Products
  1. Compliance:
    1. Aluminum: Meets specifications and guidelines for aluminum structures as recommended by AA ADM 1 and required by International Building Code (IBC).
    2. Outdoor Exposure: Meets durability requirements of AAMA 2603.02.
  2. Design: Interlocking boards provide gapless, single layer watertight decking surface.
  3. Material: 6005-T5 Series Marine grade aluminum.
  4. Finish Type: Powder coating.
  5. Color: As scheduled and indicated on Drawings. Ash Grey or Sandstone.
  6. Fabrication: Extruded.
  7. Hidden Fastener System: Integral, no pre-drilling required.
  8. Hardware: 410 stainless steel screws.
  9. Strength: approx. 400 lbs per square foot (psf) at joist spacing of 24 inches.
  10. Drainage:
    1. Pitch: 1⁄8 inch (3 mm) downward pitch per linear foot recommended.
    2. Overhang: 2 inch (51 mm) overhang beyond the header joist on drainage end to prevent possible backsplash.
  11. Available Lengths: Provide extrusions as scheduled and indicated on Drawings.
    1. 36 ft (10973 mm) extruded length.
  12. Weight:
    1. By Length: 1 lb (0.45 kg) per linear foot (305 mm).
    2. By Area: 2 lb (0.9 kg) per square foot (92904 mm2).
  13. Start Boards:
    1. Design: Incorporates tongue receivers to accept main boards.
    2. Width: 5- 1⁄2 inches (140 mm)
  14. Main Boards:
    1. Design: Can be ripped lengthwise to cover non-standard deck widths.
    2. Width: 6 inches (152 mm).
  15. Finish Boards:
    1. Design: Incorporates tongues to fit into receivers of main boards. (Can be ripped lengthwise to cover non-standard deck widths.)
    2. Width: 5- 1⁄2 inches (140 mm).
  16. Trim and Channel Plugs: To provide a finished appearance.
    1. Design: Serves as drip edge on drainage side.
    2. Types: Profile Trim, Color Matched Flashing, and T Trim.

AridDek Span Chart/Multiple Spans

*AridDek Waterproof Decking will meet a vertical crush load of not less than 28,000 psf
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