Reference Guide & Assembly Instructions
Congratulations and thank you for your purchase! The DryJoistEZ Installation Guide is the first step to enjoying your low maintenance DryJoistEZ® deck drainage system. Provided are general instructions for the installation of your new deck drainage system, along with 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.
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
Decking Material and Fasteners
If you are using decking material that requires installing hidden fasteners, we can provide self-tapping zinc-coated trim head screws for the purpose of installing onto our aluminum system.
Deck Structure Requirements
The structural frame drawings in this guide are intended to illustrate the support requirements of DryJoistEZ and are not to be considered as a recommendation for actual deck construction.
Check with your local municipality on permitting and always consult a professional engineer to ensure code compliance. DryJoistEZ will be fastened directly to the perimeter framing on all sides and all mid-span beams. Framing shall be built with a minimum pitch toward the drainage end of no less than 1⁄8” per foot drop.
Refer to for load ratings and maximum joist spans.
How It Works: Installation Overview
Structural Recommendations
*** Always check with your local municipality for permitting Requirements and always consult a professional engineer to ensure code compliance. ***
Framing
*** The structural frame drawings in this guide are intended to illustrate the support requirements of DryJoistEZ® and are not to be considered as a recommendation for actual deck construction. ***
DryJoistEZ will be fastened directly to the perimeter framing on all sides and all mid-span beams.
Framing shall be built with a minimum pitch toward the drainage end of no less than 1⁄8” per foot drop.
Ledger Flashing
Important! Ensure that the ledger board and flashing have been secured properly and are free from debris such as protruding nails or screws. DryJoistEZ should be installed perpendicular to the structure. This allows water to flow AWAY from the structure and foundation.
Components
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.
4" Multi-Board
The 4 inch wide and 2 inch tall board is used where railing posts are attached or where decking boards will have butt joints. (See Step 9)
2" Start Board
If a 2” start board was NOT INCLUDED, then measure and rip a 4” multi board to create a 2” start board.
6" Main Board
The 6 inch wide and 2 inch tall board will make up the majority of the DryJoistEZ system.
TRIM AND FLASHING COMPONENTS
2" x 3" Profile Trim
We provide a color matched rigid profile trim that is installed on the open sides of the deck where it is not flashed against a wall. (See Step 8)
Drip Edge
This is installed between the header board and DryJoistEZ® at the drainage end of the deck. It is helpful for prolonging the life of your deck framing by helping to prevent water infiltration at the header board under the DryJoistEZ.
Deck Installation
Step 1: Measure & Precut
DryJoistEZ boards should be cut to their desired length prior to installation.
Remember when measuring, unlike wood joists that are cradled by hangers and suspended between the ledger and supporting beam, DryJoistEZ is secured on top of these perimeter joists.
A two inch (2”) overhang is strongly recommended at the header beam to allow water to run off the channels.
If a 2” Start board was NOT INCLUDED then measure and rip a 4” Multi board to create a 2” start board. (See Above)
Step 2: Flashing
It is important to have an even and clean ledger and drip edge flashing surface to seal the DryJoistEZ to. It is also ideal to have the vertical side of the ledger flashing installed behind the first course of siding.
Install the drip edge flashing on top of the drainage end header beam. The drip ledge should be facing down.
*The drip edge will be held in place by the fasteners used to install the DryJoistEZ boards on the header beam.
Step 3: Fastening Boards
Before fastening your DryJoistEZ® boards, make sure the Hook Receiver side of the ripped 4” multi-board is facing toward the inside of the deck so you can attach the next 4” DryJoistEZ multi-board to your ripped multi-board (2” Start board).
Use the self-drilling hex head fasteners provided with your system to secure the DryJoistEZ multi-board to the framing. Use the 1- 1⁄2” hex head fasteners on the start board and fasten the edges every 24” along the rim joist.
To install your first 4” multi-board or 6” main board to the 2” Start board, tilt the board at an angle and slide the hook edge up into the hook receiver of the 2” ripped multi-board. After the first 4” or 6” board is installed and secured, continue installing the remaining joists by repeating either 6” main board or 4” multi-board profiles.
Both the 6” main board and the 4” multi-board have Screw Flanges for positioning your self-drilling hex head fasteners that came with your materials. You should install a 2-1⁄2” hex head fastener at every point where a DryJoistEZ board crosses a beam.
Step 4: Secure 4″ and 6″ Boards
Use the 2- 1⁄2” stainless steel self-drilling hex head fasteners provided when installing the 6” main boards and 4” multi-boards on the interior of your deck layout.
On longer runs, you will need at least three people; two positioned approximately two feet from each end and the other(s) spaced along the middle of the board. YOU MUST PERFORM THIS OPERATION IN UNISON.
When it is time to install the final 4” multi-board, secure the same way you did the 2” start board, with a 1- 1⁄2” stainless steel fastener, to the outer edge of the board; this will also give the substructure a finished appearance.
Start Board Installation
6-Inch Main Board Installation
4-Inch Multi/End Board Installation
Step 5: Sealing Profile
Using an exterior flashing sealant, seal the profile of each DryJoistEZ board to the ledger flashing. Make sure the aluminum is clean and free of debris before sealing.
Add a second layer of flashing to the top side of the DryJoist EZ.
*Again, make sure this is behind the siding or sealed to the exterior of the home.
Step 6: Sealing Drip Edge
Using an exterior flashing sealant, seal between the DryJoistEZ® boards and the drip edge flashing. Make sure the aluminum is clean and free of debris before sealing.
Any water that runs back under the bottom of the DryJoistEZ will hit the drip edge flashing and then drop into the gutter, if installed.
(Gutter not provided by Wahoo Building Products)
Step 7: Install Channel Plugs
Install the supplied neoprene channel plugs into each dry channel before installing the profile trim.
Step 8: Install Profile Trim
The 2”x3” Profile Trim should be installed before the decking. Use rivets or temporary screws to hold in place. The decking boards will be fastened through the trim, holding the trim permanently in place.
Be sure the rail anchors are in place BEFORE installing the trim and decking. (See Below)
Make sure to leave at least a 3⁄8” gap between the profile trim and DryJoistEZ at the drainage end to allow water and debris to drain out freely.
Step 9: Secure Decking
The decking can be secured via surface mounting or with hidden fasteners.
All cut joints in the deck board should be aligned on top of a multi-board. These multi boards will need to be placed in desired locations at the time of installation.
Load & Span Charts
6' Deep x 24' Wide Samples
12' Deep x 24' Wide Sample Framing
18' Deep x 24' Wide Sample Framing
Top Mount Rail Posts & Rail Anchor Installation
By installing rail anchors, most standard top-mount rail posts can be integrated into DryJoistEZ’s structural design.
No penetration through the waterproof barrier is necessary to add railing.
(Trim Is Not Shown In Photo)
For mounting at 6” Main boards, slide the rail anchor into the water channels before you install your trim and deck boards. After the decks surface boards have been installed, secure your rail mounts through deck boards and into the rail anchors. Pre-drilling of the rail anchors is required.
NEVER ATTACH RAIL POSTS TO THE 6” MAIN BOARDS.
(Trim Is Not Shown In Illustration)
Alternatively, two Multi boards can be used to mount railing posts.
(Trim Is Not Shown In Illustration)