Plaza Decks

What is a plaza deck?

A plaza deck is an exterior amenity space in a building that is at or above grade level.  Sometimes plaza decks can also be part of an adjacent parking structure, typically the roof level.  Plaza decks offer residents an additional exterior, communal space to hang outside, sunbathe, or swim in some cases.  Plaza decks can consist of a lot of different materials and elements such as concrete, pavers, planters, swimming pools, pergolas, fountains, kitchens, grills, and fireplaces.

What type of buildings have plaza decks?

Plaza decks are commonly found in mid-rise and high-rise buildings in urban settings where buildings are built to the property line.  In these types of communities, there is limited living space to get outside and enjoy the weather and fresh air, so plaza decks are a great option to make space for outdoor amenities.

What happens to the plaza deck overtime?

Plaza decks are more complex and require more maintenance than a normal roof because they have many different functions, which may include supporting traffic loads and pedestrians.  Because they are normally constructed with pavers, brick, or concrete, these materials will start to deteriorate over time due to weather and wear and tear. 

One of the major issues that prompts a plaza restoration project is the failure of the waterproofing membrane at the structural deck.  Most plaza decks are built over top of a parking garage or other occupied space below.  This occupied space has a waterproofing membrane installed at the top side to protect the structure from deterioration, leaks, and failures.  This membrane cannot be seen because it is buried by the pavers, concrete, plantings, or other amenities.  Eventually, as with all materials, this waterproofing membrane will degrade and fail, causing water to damage the structure and infiltrate the levels below. 

How is it repaired?

To repair the structure, all the overburden (pavers, concrete, plantings, benches, accessories etc.) must be removed from the deck to expose the failed waterproofing membrane and structural slab below.  This creates a loss of use of the plaza deck for a period of several months.  The waterproofing membrane is removed, the structural slab is inspected, structural defects are repaired, and a new waterproofing membrane is installed. 

Once the waterproofing membrane is confirmed to be watertight, new finishes are installed.  The new finishes can be similar to the previous ones, or a new plaza design can be implemented at this time. 

What is the useful life of a plaza deck?

Most large plaza renovation projects will occur between 20-30 years, although yearly observations of minor issues should be performed yearly with regular repairs and maintenance being performed at least every 5-7 years.

Conducting annual walk throughs of your facility will greatly increase the chance of identifying potential structural issues before they get worse and cause expensive and potentially life-threatening damage. If you notice leaks, cracks or other discrepancies, call your concrete restoration specialist immediately before the issue gets worse.