If you are planning to design a balcony as part of a new building, or looking to create one in an existing space, it is important to consider waterproofing. If waterproofing is planned from the beginning of the project, you can avoid major problems in the future and be satisfied that your new project will last for many years to come. Have you inherited an existing glass balustrade balcony that has water ingress issues? Read on for more information and our top tips for waterproofing a balcony.
Why do I need to waterproof my balcony?
A balcony without waterproofing can lead to water ingress. Water ingress is when water makes its way into the fabric of a building, this could be due for example through a missing roof tile, cracked wall render, poorly fitted windows, or in places where the building has been modified and not properly resealed.
Whatever the cause, the consequences can be severe and often worsen if left untreated. Water ingress problems in your home include damp patches on walls or ceilings, mould growth, and dripping or leaking water. The earlier these signs are addressed, the easier they tend to be to repair but of course, the best way to keep your home safe from water ingress is to take appropriate measures to protect against it in the first place.
Is there a standard detail?
Over the years we have seen hundreds, if not, thousands of drawings detailing a balcony. It would be hard to say two matched exactly. There are many variances in buildings and their makeups which prevents a “standard” being offered and our idea wont work for everyone. There are also constant changes to building regulations which causes some new obstacles to overcome.
How can I fix an existing leaking balcony?
If you discover balcony water ingress, it is advisable to consult a qualified professional to assess the situation. Once the balcony has been assessed and depending on the severity of the damage, you may be advised to strip down the existing balcony to repair any damage and install waterproofing to prevent water ingress in the future. A slightly pitched roof will reduce water infiltration by allowing rainwater to drain towards defined outlets such as drainage channels. Use a product specifically designed to allow for drainage whilst avoiding water ingress, such as Pure Vista’s BALCONYseal®
BALCONYseal® is Pure Vista’s patented proprietary system for use with our balustrade channels.
Top tips for waterproofing a balcony
When designing a balcony, think about where the water will escape
Glass balustrades are not watertight. There are gaps between the glass panels and joins in the channel, water will run to the lowest point which is the fixing holes.
Consider the fixing methods and implications
To avoid water ingress in the fixing holes, use a product such as BalconySeal. It comprises of drain blocks that sit underneath the balustrade channel.
Notches on the top side of the drain blocks are located into the rebates of the channel or spigot, locking it into position before the system is bolt-fixed to the substrate through each drain block.
The gaps between the drain blocks are your water drainage channels – This prevents a balcony area from filling up like a paddling pool. The drain blocks are subsequently filled with sealant to create a fully waterproofed balustrade installation.
BALCONYseal® is currently available with Pure Vista’s POSIglaze, POSIone and SPIG-LITEadvanced balustrade systems.
Allow water to drain
Water drainage can be achieved with a slight pitch on the roof carrying rainwater towards defined outlets such as drainage channels under your balustrade.
If rainwater can flow off the flat roof, water infiltration points are much less likely to develop. Then for every corner, join, seam, and bolt hole there needs to be a robust waterproofing solution applied; depending on the location this can be achieved with the use of appropriate sealant, butyl tape, or bituminous paint.
See signs of water ingress on an existing balcony? Act now!
Spot the signs early and you can avoid the potential for water ingress permeating internally.
A warning sign that water is not draining correctly is water pooling. If water pooling does begin to occur on your flat roof, the water will find the weakest point of waterproofing to permeate, which could be through joins or fixings, flushing, or damaged membrane. When water damage begins, the situation can escalate rapidly, causing damp patches internally, mould or leakages.
If you have found signs of water ingress within your home and suspect that a balcony may be at fault, don’t ignore it.
By following this advice, you will reap the reward of achieving a beautifully designed space that will stand the test of time.
