Most of the terraces and balconies are constructed above the living space, whether on the top floor of a flat or on a roof above the living space or extension. Since balcony gets exposed to a lot of elements, including rain, snow, sunlight, storm, wind and dust, sealing it with some waterproofing material become a necessity. Balcony waterproofing is highly efficient in preserving the area beneath the balcony from damage caused by moisture and water ingression. If your balcony is susceptible to receive a lot of rainfall and snowfall, then you just cannot take waterproofing lightly. Sealing a balcony on top of a room or a terrace area should be done with proper planning and correct application, otherwise the consequences can be severe.
Waterproofing Keeps your Balcony Safe from Water Damage
There are several materials, technologies and methods that can be used for balcony waterproofing. Balcony can be made using timber or concrete with a top layer of waterproofing material to cover and protect that substance. You can face different issues with concrete, steel or timber structures, and the same waterproofing material may not be suitable for all of them. Without the use of a proper structure, you may find yourself repairing your balcony again and again. Accumulation of salt and calcium crystals may disfigure the underside and top edges of the balcony, and this can be prevented if there is no presence of water on the surface. Therefore, the material that you choose for your balcony waterproofing must have the right features, so that the compounds around them stay safe and attached to form a good seal and bond.
Choosing the Right Waterproofing Material
Any kind of fixing and penetrative work needs to be done prior to any waterproofing process. For example, if you want to install a balustrade, then you have to fix down the baluster posts first as per your building’s structural elements. Once the posts are fixed, the waterproofing material is sealed around them to keep them bound, so that no water can penetrate through the spaces in between them. Steel seems to be the best material for erecting these posts, as other materials like wood may expand over time and create a leak at those points. Such kind of balcony waterproofing can be ideally done with materials like polyurethane based sealants as they have extra-strong bonding capacity, they can bond to different materials very well including rubber, glass, steel and stone, and they have high resistance power against low and high temperatures. It is also UV resistant which protects your balcony that is mostly exposed to direct sunlight the entire day.
Waterproofing Tactics
There are several tactics that you can use to waterproof your balcony surface. Some of them are:
Apply the waterproof membrane both above and below the screed, and even seal the exteriors of grout joints and tiles. This method keeps moisture away from your screed and tiles, and they can withstand movement on them in a much better way.
Another measure is to channel the water correctly, so that it does not keep standing or accumulate on the balcony surface and seep in. This strategy reduces efflorescence and does not allow water to leak into the surface.
Do all the penetrating and fixing works before applying the balcony waterproofing
Choose a membrane that is suitable for your balcony structure, roof materials and balustrade materials.
Use an additional sealant to create extra seal on these surfaces.
Work with the balcony levels and channels to avoid creating any water pools on the surface.
With all these tips and tricks, and with the right balcony waterproofing material, you can keep your balcony safe from moisture and water leakage, and create a safe and enjoyable environment in your area.
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