Balcony Waterproofing: Features and Methods

The balcony or loggia can become a great place to relax in both the private house and the apartment of a high-rise building. And so that the room was comfortable, it is necessary to ensure not only external comfort, but also reliable waterproofing, which can withstand a significant amount of precipitation. After all, the concrete or wooden base of the balcony itself misses moisture, and as a result, dampness or even fungus appears. And this is, you will agree, it does not have to family gatherings in the fresh air or the arrangement of a magnificent winter garden.

At the same time, even if the balcony in your home is open (not glazed) - this does not mean that the waterproofing of the floor, the ceiling and the roof is not needed.

Why arise leaks on the balcony

Most of all at risk of leakage during the rains and melting of snow, of course, the balcony ceiling (even glazed). If it is dry ceiling, then the floor will remain comfortable.

Why does the balcony or loggia ceiling becomes a wet ceiling:

1. On the roof of the balcony, the waterproofing coating was proceed. Especially such a problem is relevant for residents of the houses of the old buildings, which have not been subjected to overhaul from public utilities.
2. Even if the house is quite new, the leakage may arise due to the violation of the rules of waterproofing during proceeding work. Therefore, even a balcony after recent repairs can soon become raw.
3. Often the cause of the leakage becomes the absence of an upper drain system.
4. If during the installation of frames on the balcony, waterproofing between windows and ceiling, then the puddles and dampness will not wait long.
5. If the house is old, then the cause of the leakage can be worn out the plate of the balcony ceiling.

What is needed by waterproofing balcony

The owner of the balcony without waterproofing risks primarily the fact that the walls and ceiling of the design will cover mold or fungus. The most dangerous is the appearance of black mold: its disputes, spreading through the air, fall into the human respiratory system, provoking various diseases. Other types of mold can cause a persistent unpleasant smell. And he does not even have to speak about the aesthetic side of the question.

Having wrapped in moisture, the elements of the interior of the balcony are peeling and losing the original appearance. It may be that you have to spend a large amount for cosmetic repairs of the balcony.

Under the constant impact of dampness, slow but the right destruction of fixtures and metal balcony structures occurs. Thus, after a dozen years, the design will be simply an emergency - will lose its carrier functions.

What is waterproofing

Waterproofing is the creation of a special layer that will protect the balcony from the penetration of moisture and its destructive effect on other structural elements. With properly equipped waterproofing, the service life, as well as the comfort of the room rises at times.

Not only the roof of a balcony or loggia needs in the waterproofing measures. The moisture can also come from below (from the floor), if the balcony or terrace is located on the first floor, from the basement or soil. Actually, loggias and balconies of the first floor need particularly carefully thought out measures of waterproofing, as well as insulation and ventilation. And if your apartment is on the middle floor, the waterproofing will protect you from leaks from neighboring balconies. The walls are subject to the destruction of moisture from the air, so the moisture-repellent layer should protect the entire surface of the structure.

So, the waterproofing is a dense and durable layer of special composition, which has waterproof and water-repellent properties for gender protection, ceiling and walls of rooms, where there is a risk of moisture penetration from the outside.

Preparation for waterproofing balcony

First of all, you should know that construction standards implies the presence of a minimum slope on balconies, terraces and loggias for the natural flow of water outward. But in order to protect themselves from the stagnation of water this is not enough.

The balcony area is small, and modern waterproofing materials are so easy in appeal, each house owner can cope with repair, which decided to start this repair. The main thing is to follow the instructions, competently and carefully handle the materials and do not make technological changes in the process if you are not completely confident in the success of your ideas.

The selection of the material will also depend on how much you have means and time for repair.

• first of all, dismantle the old coating;
• inspect the base of the balcony: if it is concrete - then remove the pieces that came into disrepair;
• clean the surface from pollution (use a rigid brush), as well as remnants of mounting foam, glue or cement;
• treat and squeeze all cracks;
• from metal surfaces, remove rust (better apply special chemical compounds);
• cover the metal elements of the anti-corrosion substance;
• align and restore the concrete basis;
• determine the places on the roof of the balcony through which moisture penetrates, and perform their additional sealing;
• when all preparatory work is performed, you can cover a balcony with waterproofing materials.

Materials for waterproofing balcony

To solve the problems of leaks on the construction market, there are a lot of materials differing in the method of application: liquid (capable of forming a flat and reliable seamless coating throughout the surface) and rolled materials (membranes and films).

Please note that different types of waterproofing are used for different surfaces.

1. Refractory waterproofing. It is a paint coating based on bitumen. Apply to several layers. It is used for metal structures in order to protect them from corrosion.
2. Plaster waterproofing. Also applied in several layers on the reinforced concrete surface.
3. Equal waterproofing. Installation lies in the surface of the surfaces with a special material.
4. Lata waterproofing. It is a layer of a thickness of 5 cm from mastic and asphalt solution. The right is considered the most reliable way of protection against moisture penetration.
5. Mounted waterproofing. Special sheets (metal or plastic) are attached directly to the walls of the building. This method is used when other materials use for some reason fails.
6. Impregnating waterproofing. Special organic compositions are covered with porous or prefabricated structures, such as pipes, blocks or stoves.
7. Injectable waterproofing. This method is chosen to seal the seams or for the repair of the finished waterproofing layer. To do this, furan resins are introduced into the place of the joints or in the gap.

Secrets of successful waterproofing

Primer. Before applying liquid weights for waterproofing, it is necessary to primitive base. This will reduce its moisture properties. Experts recommend mineral formulations for primer, apply that need 2 layers.

Connection points Balcony plates are better to protect sealing ribbons or special flexible profiles. This will allow you to progress the most exposed leakage of construction.

Use for balconies (both outdoor and closed) liquid polyurethane formulations or two-component mineral mixtures. A huge plus of these modern materials in their elasticity: the layer is capable of expanding or narrowing when hesitation of temperatures and not crack.

For repair on the balcony, terrace or loggia, choose a clear day when the air temperature is from +5 ^oWith up +25  ^oS. Neither too strong heat, nor frost will allow you to perform high-quality application of waterproofing drugs.

Liquid formulations better apply in 2 layers. At the same time, the first is given to dry and clean up for 5-8 hours, and then the second is then applied. After the composition is distributed over the surface, ensure it protection against rain or direct sunlight at least 2 hours.

After a day, it will be possible to start the installation of the upper coating, which will protect the waterproofing layer from mechanical damage.

Cast waterproofing balcony with your own hands

It is equally fairly reliable and quite expensive way of waterproofing. He is suitable for those who do not want to constantly return to the issue of the repairs of the balcony, but will be ready once and for a long time to make the design of dry, warm and suitable for family holidays.

There are 2 methods for creating a cast moisture-repellent layer: hot and cold. Works are carried out quite simple. If you wish, you can perform them with your own hands, following the instructions.

"Hot" way:

• clean the balcony floor thoroughly: Remove the garbage, dust and dirt;
• if you find cracked, be sure to temper them and give the solution to dry;
• then dry the surface to be treated with hot air (can be used for this construction hairdryer);
• divide bitumen to a liquid state and a well-proper surface prepared surface;
• set the fire processing zone around the perimeter, the height of which is 30-40 cm;
• preheat mastic to + 135-145 ^oWith and pour it on the floor;
• using scrapers, align the layer of mastic, distributing it over the entire surface;
• to create a reliable waterproofing layer, we need to be applied 2-3 layers of mass - the total thickness of the layer will be 2.5 cm;
• if you want to make the coating additional strength, especially in the fields of the joints of the balcony plates, use a metal mesh as a frame for applying, with a size of 5 mm cells.

"Cold" way. The principle of performance remains the same: cleansing, elimination of cracks, primer, mastic applying. However, the mixture in this case is not heated, but is applied in cold form.

Coating waterproofing with their own hands

As already mentioned, this method is suitable for protecting metal, reinforced concrete surfaces, as well as polyurethane and bricks. Thin (about 2 mm) Two-layer coating is applied in one way:

• cold (used mixture based on rubber resin);
• hot (used mixture based on bitumen and polymer varnishes).

Before being taken for applying a protective composition, clean the surface from dust, remove the corrosion traces, treat the degreasing solution, apply primer from bitumen and mastic.

The process of applying coating waterproofing is very simple: a roller or brush (as you are more convenient) distribute the composition along the surface so that it turns out a thin but uniform layer.

Refractory (or as it is also called painting) waterproofing is very popular: each owner can easily apply. In addition, the price of material is low, and the service life will be 5-6 years, depending on the intensity of the impact of moisture. However, it is worth knowing that bitumen is destroyed when exposed to minus temperatures. Therefore, for external works, the paint waterproofing material is hardly suitable. Mixtures with the inclusion of rubber and polymer components will be stronger and more reliable.

How to independently perform inlet waterproofing of the balcony

Such a proven method is suitable for both waterproofing of a wooden and concrete balcony. Perhaps the technique is familiar to everyone who ever engaged in repairs: special materials (leaf or rolled) are glued to the surface in several layers.

However, the inlet waterproofing is used more and less: it is inferior to more perfect technologies. Among the shortcomings that you must know about:

• before laying the material, the surface is subject to painstaking processing;
• the process of laying is quite time consuming: the material is heavy, its dimensions do not allow free to turn on a small area;
• the material has a rather strong and stable smell, which will still be saved on your balcony;
• in places of compounds of fragments of materials, seds are inevitably formed, which over time become the cause of leakage;
• the material is unstable to temperature fluctuations and begins to lose its qualities, besides, it will also not protect against the development of microorganisms.

If the disadvantages of this method were not frightened and you decided to use it for waterproofing balcony or loggia, then select the type of material first.

1. Bitumen-polymer waterproofing (to this type of Philip and Isoplast, Bikroplast, as well as EKARBIT).
2. Bitumen-rolled waterproofing (for example, rubberoid or isol).
3. Polymer waterproofing (polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or synthetic rubber).

Remember that a similar waterproofing layer must be protected from loads, for example, using a concrete screed.

Plaster waterproofing balcony with your own hands

Special cement solutions and mixtures of polymers are used as materials. You can use this method of protection against moisture on any surface.

• clean the surface from dust and close the seams and cracks;
• apply a primer and give her time to dry out;
• prepare a solution for plaster;
• apply the first layer of waterproofing composition (layer thickness of 1-1.5 cm);
• special attention during processing is given to the corners and joints;
• wait 30 minutes;
• when the first layer will dry up - apply the second;
• it is necessary to make 3-4 layers;
• give the solution to dry for several days, at this time avoid any mechanical impact on it;
• it is very important that in the process of frosting the waterproofing layer did not move - moisturize it with water from the sprayer every 3 hours during the day, and then 2-3 times a day for another 14 days.

Works on the laying of rolled material:

• on the prepared surface, it is necessary to distribute the layer (1 mm) of bitumen mastic;
• decompose the waterproofing material and consolidate it;
• to create several layers - repeat the procedure 2-3 times;
• the locations of the joints and the edges should be processed.

Subtleties waterproofing ceiling and balcony roof

Protection against leakage from above is performed in such a sequence:

1. The roof is insulated with a rubberoid (the material is steleing necessarily a mustache).
2. Moistureproof mastics are applied.
3. Installing an extra roof (most often it is done on the upper floors).
4. Treatment of joints.
5. Installing the low tide water system.
6. Internal waterproofing (ceiling processing) in two layers - especially in places of stoves, ceiling and window frames, plates and low tide systems. However, it is worthwhile that if the external part of the roof is protected badly. That internal finishing works will not save you from the flow.

Waterproofing balcony with your own hands: video