The balconies and terraces are the important parts of residential houses, where people can enjoy the same feeling of sitting in the home garden. Hence, the house owners want to take extra care in making their balconies comfortable for their family members.
This exterior part of a building has to endure all weather extremities, including rainwater and snowfall. Hence, balcony waterproofing is essential to save not only this area but also the house interiors from excessive dampness. It is necessary for homeowners to know about the procedures and the materials needed for waterproofing their balconies permanently.
Essential Steps to be Taken for Balcony Waterproofing
Inspect the Condition of the Balcony – First of all, the state of the balcony floor should be checked to find if the tile joints are in good condition. In the case of old flooring, there may be several cracks or visible signs of damage. Water may seep in through these minute open spaces and damage the entire structure. Also, it should be found whether that space needs fresh waterproofing or the existing balcony waterproofing needs some repairs.
Reseal the Tile Joints – The grouting of the tile joints wears out with the passing years. Water may seep in through these weakened tile joints. Hence, it is better to clean the entire flooring and mark the joints that need regrouting. Efficient regrouting of all the tile joints makes the balcony waterproof once again.
Replacement of Damaged Tiles – When the tiles are cracked or severely damaged, the replacement with new waterproof tiles is the only option. However, it is a costly affair and needs a professional contractor to lay the fresh tiles. However, it is a more durable way of balcony waterproofing as the new tiles last longer in good condition. An effective water-repellent solution is penetrated into the floor before placing the new tiles.
Spread a Waterproof Layer – The balcony floor is further waterproofed by applying a uniform layer of waterproof materials all over the tiles. The vinyl layering over the floor tiles also protects the floor from all kinds of damage. It works best on wood and stone tiles, making the floors of these balconies more durable. The water resistant lamination is another popular way of balcony waterproofing. It makes the balcony more remarkable in appearance and also hides all imperfections of the floor tiles. The waterproofed balcony is also easier to clean regularly.
Make Sure of Drainage System – The house owner should make sure that the balcony has drainage points through which all accumulated water can flow out. This drainage system should be cleaned regularly to keep it perfectly functional. Thus, the longevity of balcony waterproofing can be enhanced up to many years.
How to Understand that Balcony Waterproofing Is Required
When the drainage system is not sufficient to keep the balcony dry, the house owner should look out for damage in waterproofing. The grout in the tile joints may be missing or heavily cracked, giving way to water seeping into the floor.
Apart from cracked tiles, there may be damage on the substrate of the flooring that need to be addressed. The waterproofing layer may wear out with time, leaving the floor in damageable condition due to moisture. A white layer may be seen on the floor due to efflorescence created by water that is present on the floor tiles. The house owners should employ reputed contractors for balcony waterproofing. These experienced contractors guaranteed the balconies of their clients to be free of water-related problems for many years. They provide materials and designs up to the standard decided by the local civic authority.
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