I N S TA L L AT I O N G U I D E CREATE A DRY SPACE below your deck
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 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
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. Scan the QR code to view installation videos.
CONTENTS CO N T E N T S 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 DOWNSPOUT - 40 mil fits 12" or 16" on-center (OC) WALL FLASH 1/4" x 1" x 25' (6.35 mm x 25.4 mm x 7.62 m) BASIC INSTALLATION TREX RAINESCAPE BUTYL CAULK* (10.5 oz tube) TROUGH - 20 mil 19-5/8" x 16' (49.8 cm x 4.8 m) TROUGH - 20 mil 19-5/8" x 12' 49.8 cm x 3.6 m) DOUBLE SIDED TAPE 2-1/2" x 50' (63.5 mm x 15.24 m) TAPE 4" x 50' (102 mm x 15.24 m) TREX SEAL TAPE 11" x 50' (2.79 cm 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 or blocking should be installed and left to keep joists from moving if no soffit is to be installed. 2A 12" CENTER 16" CENTER 10-1/4" » Midspan nailer can be removed when soffit or ceiling is installed. 14-1/2" 10" 1 4" 5-1/4" BASIC INSTALLATION » Downspout should extend 1" into gutter: cut or extend as necessary.
3. I NSTALLING THE TREX RAINESCAPE TROUGHS 3C 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. SCAN FOR VIDEO ROLL » Fold a soft crease down the center of the trough. Be sure to account for the offset if installing for a 12" joist bay. (3A) » Unroll trough material, giving plastic time to relax and acclimate to outdoor temperatures.
» Unroll trough to downspout using 1 - 1/2" score mark on inside joist as guide. » Cut the trough so that it extends about halfway across the downspout. » To remove memory from sheet, backroll the last few inches of the trough. (3F) » To test for correct slope, pour a cup of water on trough at ledger board ensuring water runs to the downspout. (3G) » Follow previous steps for the remaining troughs.
4. TAPE ALL SEAMS » Trim excess trough at seams, keeping overlap so tape will cover the top of the joist and seams. (4A) 5A SCAN FOR VIDEO 4A KEEP KNIFE FLAT TO AVOID SLICING INTO TROUGH 5-1/2” TRIM EXCESS TROUGH AT SEAMS, KEEPING OVERLAP » Unroll the Trex Seal Ledger Tape and cut to length. (5B) 5B 4' TAPE TRIM EXCESS (APPROX. 4" BACK) » Using Trex RainEscape tape, tape all seams, joints and perimeter making sure the flashing is taped to the trough. (4B) » Fold the Trex Seal Ledger Tape in half.
Metal Flashing 5F » 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. (5D) SCAN FOR VIDEO CAULK WITH COLOR MATCH SILICONE (NOT SUPPLIED) OR USE TREX WALL FLASHING CAULK TROUGH INTO HOUSE WITH TREX RAINESCAPE BUTYL CAULK 5D WHEN USING FLASHING, ADD A BEAD OF BUTYL CAULK AT THE LEDGER BOARD AND UNDER THE FLASHING. TAPE OVER THE FLASHING TO THE TOP OF THE TROUGH.
6C 8A FRONT VIEW PUSH AGAINST HOUSE (TAPE WILL COMPRESS) ATTACH A STANDARD GUTTER SYSTEM (NOT INCLUDED) TO COLLECT THE WATER FROM THE TREX RAINESCAPE DOWNSPOUTS BASIC INSTALLATION NOTE: Installing a clean-out trim piece will allow access to gutter line after installation. 7. INSTALLATION OF FASCIA » Deck board go over fascia.
9. INSTALLING TREX RAINESCAPE SOFFIT LIGHTS SCAN FOR VIDEO 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. HAMMER 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. 16) PICTURE FRAME (See pgs. 13 & 14) EXTENDED DECK DOUBLE OR TRIPLE JOIST (See pg. 18) (See pg. 17) » Cover nailer with trough, making sure to overlap adjoining downspout and trough. » Cover all seams with 4" butyl tape and anywhere a screw can penetrate. 10B.
» Caulk around all flat blocking. Cover with trough material and tape all seams. 10C. D OUBLE OR TRIPLE PICTURE FRAME: 2 X 4 SHIMS » Install the Trex RainEscape system as per previous instructions. (pp. 5-10) » Tape all joints and seams. 11B SCAN FOR VIDEO FUNNEL IN EACH » Screw down 2" x 4" pressure-treated shim blocking on top of the installed the RainEscape system over the joists and wherever blocking is needed to support deck boards. » Attach decking.
» Attach one piece to each corner of the post. (13B) 12B » Tape starting at bottom of the trough, up the post overlapping layers to assure a water tight seal working up around the post extending down onto the trough.
14. S URFACE POST MOUNT 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. NOTE: Please refer to Trex.com for detailed post mount instructions. 14A » Attach posts using four 3/8" x 6" (1 cm x 15.2 cm) hex cap bolts, washers, and nuts, along with aluminum back plate on underside of blocking. 15.
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) 17. INSTALLING A TROUGH OVER A DOUBLE OR TRIPLE JOIST/BEAM SCAN FOR VIDEO 16A DOWNSPOUT » Caulk between each joist/beam to ensure a water tight seal between the joists/beams. SCAN FOR VIDEO » Cover the top of the joist/beam 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 20. DOUBLE EXTENDED DECKS (OVER 19') » Trace the obstruction on the downspout and remove the material with a knife. (19A) » Place downspouts on the opposite ends from where the existing deck and the deck extension meet. SCAN FOR VIDEO » 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) » Use caulk as necessary.
» Cut hole to fish wire going up through side of joists. Apply butyl caulk around wire and tape over wire and caulk. (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 » 1. Install the downspouts and troughs on the lower deck. (23) » 2.
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.
TREX® RAINESCAPE® LIMITED TWENTY-YEAR WARRANTY READ THESE WARRANTY TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING OR USING THE TREX® RAINESCAPE® DECK DRAINAGE SYSTEM. INSTALLATION AND USE OF THE SYSTEM AND/OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOUR AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS WARRANTY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS WARRANTY, RETURN THE TREX RAINESCAPE DECK DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND. 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, scan the QR code to the right to view installation videos and photos. SCAN FOR VIDEO Q: How do you clean out the debris? A: T here should be very little, if any, debris that enters the system because it has to be small enough to fit through the decking. Regular deck maintenance prevents most debris build-up as small debris simply passes through the system with water.
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Protect your deck from moisture with TREX® PROTECT™ J O I S T, B E A M & R I M T A P E Trex Protect is a non-skid, self-adhesive butyl tape. It protects the deck substructure from moisture that can lead to wood rot and the loosening of deck screws and fasteners. FOR USE WITH ANY TYPE DECK For more information, scan the QR code to visit trexprotect.com Trex Protect cannot be used when installing Trex RainEscape. *Visit trexprotect.
For more information, visit trexseal.com FIGHT DECK FAILURE © 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. 2022.
