Deck finishes that are going to be tile, stone or other hard surface over a dry-packed mortar base can be hot-mopped. Certain requirements need to be met to insure a top quality job.
Decks must be sloped to be able to drain off any water. Many methods where the water must drain too are used, these include 2-piece drains, thunder-bird flange drains, scuppers, over the edge, or a combination of any of these.
Wood decks should be done in the framing stage using the standard ¼” per foot slope. Also any doors that lead on to the deck need to be high enough above the finished height of deck as not to be “buried”, by the float coat and finish material, this means that the deck rough-in height is recessed at any exit onto the deck. In some cases where the interior floor is also going to be elevated, sill plate(s) can be left in place or added to give the necessary heights needed. Flashings and drip edges and all metal work must be correctly installed to insure a watertight deck for years to come.