DECK DRAINAGE SYSTEM I N S TA L L AT I O N G U I D E C R E AT E A D R Y S PAC E below yo ur d e c k
Protect the space below your deck F R O M R A I N , S U N & OT H E R E L E M E N TS WAT E R I S D I R E C T E D AWAY F R O M YO U R D E C K A N D I N TO A WAT E R D R A I N AG E S Y S T E M E X PA N D YO U R O U T D O O R L I V I N G S PAC E
DECK DRAINAGE SYSTEM I N S TA L L AT I O N G U I D E This installation guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install Trex RainEscape on an elevated deck. Please read through these instructions carefully. For additional information on how to install Trex RainEscape, please view our videos on the Trex RainEscape YouTube channel or call a Trex RainEscape Specialist at 1-877-348-1385.
CONTENTS T R E X ® R A I N E S C A P E ® I N S TA L L AT I O N G U I D E BASIC INSTALLATION Parts ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Tools ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Preparation ......................................................................
B E F O R E YO U B E G I N Always consult with the local building code official prior to installing the system to ensure you are meeting all code and safety requirements. Trex is not responsible for improper or non-recommended installations. HELPFUL TIPS Scan this QR code to view a video on design and layout considerations to keep in mind when installing the Trex RainEscape system. DO'S DON'TS Make all joists straight and square.
BAS I C I NSTA L LATIO N PARTS TOOLS TROUGH - 20mil 19-5/8" x 16' (49.8 cm x 4.8 M) DOWNSPOUT - 40mil BASIC INSTALLATION WALL FLASH 1/4" x 1" x 25' (6.35 mm x 25.4 mm x 7.62 M) TREX RAINESCAPE BUTYL CAULK* (10.5 oz tube) STAPLE GUN CAULK GUN REGULAR STAPLES (3/8" or longer) UTILITY KNIFE TROUGH - 20mil 19-5/8" x 12' 49.8 cm x 3.6 M) TAPE 4" x 50' (102mm x 15.24 M) DOUBLE SIDED TAPE 21/2" x 50' (63.5 mm x 15.
1. PREPARATION »Read all instructions completely before beginning. » Place midspan nailer (1) or vertical blocking (1A) to keep joist straight and prevent rolling. 2A 12" CENTER 16" CENTER 10-1/4" 14-1/2" » Midspan nailer can be removed when soffit or ceiling is installed. 10" 1 4" 5-1/4" BASIC INSTALLATION » Downspout should extend 1" into gutter: cut or extend as necessary.
3. THREE TYPES OF FLASHING: No Flashing with Brick or Stucco With Flashing » If installing against brick or stucco and you DO NOT need a 100% water tight seal, use the caulking method. (3C) » When using flashing add a bead of butyl caulk at the ledger board and between the flashing and trough. Tape over the flashing to the top of the trough using the 4" RainEscape butyl tape. (3A) 3A Trex does not endorse installing the system without flashing.
4. I NSTALLING THE TREX RAINESCAPE TROUGHS 4D UNROLL USING 11/2" SCORE MARK ON INSIDE OF JOIST AS A GUIDE NOTE: If installing when temperatures fluctuate drastically, be sure to acclimate trough material before installing. Especially if you are using black. Here are two ways. » Fold a soft crease down the center of the trough. Be sure to account for the offset if installing for a 12" joist bay.
4F CUT THE TROUGH SO THAT IT EXTENDS ABOUT HALFWAY ACROSS THE DOWNSPOUT » To test for correct slope, pour a cup of water on trough at ledger board ensuring water runs to the downspout. (4G) » Follow above step for the remaining troughs.
5. TAPE ALL SEAMS » Trim excess trough at seams, keeping overlap so tape will cover the top of the joist and seams. (5A) 6. WALL FLASHING FOAM STRIP » Cut a piece of the self-adhesive wall flash the width of the deck. (6A) 5A » Peel release paper from the wall flashing and adhere to edge of decking. (6B) KEEP KNIFE FLAT TO AVOID SLICING INTO TROUGH TRIM EXCESS TROUGH AT SEAMS, KEEPING OVERLAP » Push first deck board up against house to compress wall flash. Then secure decking.
7. INSTALLATION OF FASCIA » Deck board go over fascia. (7) 7 SIDE VIEW TROUGH TAPE BUTYL CAULK 8. I NSTALLING A GUTTER SYSTEM (not included) » Before installing a gutter system perform a water test to clean out the system and check for any leaks. » Attach a standard gutter system to collect the water from the Trex RainEscape downspouts.
9. INSTALLING TREX RAINESCAPE SOFFIT LIGHTS R E Q U I R E D F O R I N S TA L L AT I O N Purchase of TREX LED Transformer, TREX 10' Lighting Extension Wire, and TREX Transformer 6-way Splitter for operation. All sold separately. PLANNING NOTE: When designing your deck, plan locations of lights, power supply, timer, and dimmer. These should be accessible for service. Installing a GFCI outlet is REQUIRED to help prevent damage to lighting from electrical surges.
To Splitter To Splitter GFCI EXAMPLE OF A 1 ROW LIGHT INSTALLATION Outlet GFCI Outlet 9E FOR JOISTS LESS THAN 8' 6" (15.2 cm) 9B Timer Dimmer (Optional) Timer Dimmer (Optional) SPLITTER House Deck Width 2 LIGHT TREX Transformer TREX Transformer To Splitter 1 1 ROW 1 9F Joist Length Dimmer (Optional) LightINSTALLATION EXAMPLE OF A 2 ROW LIGHT connection Connection FOR JOISTS BETWEEN 9' AND 12' (2.76 - 3.
M O D I F I C AT I O N S A N D S P E C I A L C A S E S CANTILEVERS (Trex RainEscape can accommodate any angle or radius – max. of 3') (See pg. 15) PICTURE FRAME (See pg. 14) EXTENDED DECK DOUBLE OR TRIPLE JOIST (See pg. 18) (See pg. 17) 10B. D OUBLE OR TRIPLE PICTURE FRAME: 2 X 4 SHIMS » Install the Trex RainEscape system as per previous instructions. (pp 5-9) » Tape all joints and seams. » Cover nailer with trough, making sure to overlap adjoining downspout and trough.
10C » Cover all flat blocking with trough material and caulk all seams. DOUBLE OR TRIPLE PICTURE FRAME (LADDER BOX) DOWNSPOUTS INSTALL IN EACH LADDER BOX. DO NOT TEAR OUT OPENING ON DOWNSPOUT » Caulk around all flat blocking. Cover with trough material and tape all seams. COVER BLOCKING WITH TROUGH AND TAPE 11B 2 X 4 LADDER BOX FUNNEL IN EACH 11" BLOCKING ON ENDS FLAT BLOCK DOWNSPOUTS DRAIN INTO COLLECTION GUTTER 10C.
13A BEFORE INSTALLING THE POST FLASHING, APPLY A BEAD OF BUTYL CAULK 1" ABOVE THE TROUGH, THEN SLIDE THE POST FLASHING DOWN POST SLEEVE 12B. R AILING POSTS, 6X6 POSTS & OBSTRUCTIONS WHEN USING 4X4 POST FLASH » To install a post or obstruction on the inside rim joist, first mark the edges of the post on the trough and draw two lines, corner to corner. Cut along the diagonal lines. (12A) » Pull up tabs and install the post. » Staple remaining trough to cover flat block.
14. S URFACE MOUNT POST TO SOLID BEAM OR FLAT BLOCKING » When using surface mount post, pre-drill holes then use a small amount of butyl caulk on screw threads to seal holes. » DO NOT use too much butyl caulk or it will overflow on deck and post mount. 15. CANTILEVERED DOWNSPOUT » Tear off the cut-out on the front panel of the downspout. NOTE: Please refer to Trex.com for detailed post mount instructions. » Staple the trough material from the end of the cantilever over the existing trough.
16. D RAINING SECOND STORY GUTTER ON DECK » Block out a 12" x 16" o.c. rectangle where the second story gutter discharges onto the deck. (16B) 16A DOWNSPOUT 17. I NSTALLING A TROUGH OVER A DOUBLE OR TRIPLE JOIST » Caulk between each joist to ensure a water tight seal between the joists. » Cover the top of the joist with the trough material that overlaps into both adjacent bays. Tape seams and trough material where screw penetration may occur.
19. M ODIFYING DOWNSPOUT FOR OBSTRUCTIONS » Trace the obstruction on the downspout and remove the material with a knife. (19A) » Cut a patch of trough material 2" larger than the opening and create flaps on patch as per previous instructions (obstructions and posts) and slide over the top of the obstruction. (19B) » Tape over trough material, using caulk if necessary. (19C) 20.
» Cut hole to fish wire going up through side of joists. Apply butyl caulk around wire piece and tape over wire. (21C) SIDE VIEW DECKING MAXIMUM DEPTH FOR TROUGH IS 4" 4" JOIST TAPE PATCH JOIST 21C 22 TROUGH WIRE TROUGH SHOULD NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE RECESSED CAN LIGHT #2 T HROUGH OPENING WHERE DOWNSPOUTS MEET TROUGH 21D OPTION: ADD A PIECE OF CEMENT SIDING OR DRYWALL TO DEFLECT THE HEAT FROM THE LIGHT 23. DECK STEP » Install the downspouts and troughs on the lower deck.
I N S TA L L AT I O N U S I N G A S T E E L J O I S T SYS T E M TWO METHODS: 1 2A 1. PREP » Apply blocking mid-span between joists. 1 TREX 4" TAPE NOTE: To properly install the Trex RainEscape system over the steel joist system requires a minimum of two people.
4. DOWNSPOUTS » Remove the backing on the double-sided tape and place the downspout in the joist bay. » Repeat the process the same as you would in a standard Trex RainEscape installation. 4 SEALING THE SYSTEM » Tape the finished system with 4" Trex RainEscape Tape as you would for a standard installation. 5A ADD NEW TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE INSTALLED TROUGH AND PLACE SECOND TROUGH.
2 0 -Y E A R WA R R A N T Y READ THESE WARRANTY TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING OR USING THE TREX RAINESCAPE DECK DRAINAGE SYSTEM. YOUR INSTALLATION AND USE OF THE SYSTEM OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS INDICATES THAT YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY, RETURN THE PRODUCT TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State. WARRANTY 1.
F R E Q U E N T LY A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S Q: Do you have installation videos? A: Yes, visit trexrainescape.com for installation videos and photos. Q: Can I install the system myself? A: Yes, however, it is easier to install with two people. If you have any questions, call a Trex RainEscape specialists at 1-877-348-1385. Q: Can I install this over an existing deck? A: Y es, however, it is ideally installed during new construction.
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Protect your deck from moisture with T R E X ® P R OT E C T ® J O I S T A N D B E A M TA P E TREX PROTECT IS A NON-SKID, SELF-ADHESIVE BUTYL TAPE DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE TOP OF JOISTS AND BEAMS FROM MOISTURE THAT CAN LEAD TO WOOD ROT AND THE LOOSENING OF DECK SCREWS AND FASTENERS. JOIST & BEAM TAPE trexprotect.com FOR USE WITH ANY TYPE DECK Trex Protect cannot be used when installing Trex RainEscape *Visit trexprotect.
DECK DRAINAGE SYSTEM trexrainescape.com © 2022 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Trex® RainEscape® products are manufactured and sold by IBP, LLC under a Trademark License Agreement with Trex Company, Inc. RainEscape® is a federally registered trademark of IBP, LLC. A 20-year Limited Warranty is provided by the manufacturer.