In order to get the most enjoyment out of your balcony deck, it is important that you waterproof it.
As a result, your deck will be protected from the elements and its lifespan will be extended.
If your balcony or terrace looks a little worn, a simple waterproofing job may be all you need to get it back in shape and avoid an expensive repair or replacement down the road.
A better solution is to waterproof the balcony deck. Here are some ways you can do this on your own.
As a starting point for waterproofing your balcony deck, here are a few tips you can follow:
Steps To Waterproof a Balcony or A Terrace
Inspect Your Balcony or Terrace
Before you choose to waterproof your balcony or terrace, you must ensure that it is dry and free of any dirt or debris.
You should also ensure that the flooring is clean and free of plants, flowers, or shrubs.
Once your balcony or terrace has been cleaned up, you can begin with waterproofing.
Identify Problem Areas.
Before you begin, make sure that the problem areas are identified.
- Check for cracks in the concrete and lose the missing mortar between tiles and walls. A crack indicates water is getting into your balcony deck, especially from rain or sprinklers hitting it from above. If no cracks are visible where the water is entering, check for leaks around drains and under doorways using a soap bubble method (or similar).
- Check for cracks in the paint on your balcony deck’s surface and also around seams where tiles meet other materials like cement or wood boards. If it’s a composite material made up of multiple materials like wood/plastic panels with tile flooring on top of them (like most modern balconies). Or check areas where screws might have been used to assemble parts. These tend to rust over time, which expands them, resulting in cracks appearing near screw holes when they move apart slightly due to expansion forces acting upon these bolts/screws over time (which causes them not only to become loose but also develop rot underneath).
Fix The Problem.
You can repair the problem yourself. This is the best option for minor or simple repairs, such as fixing a crack in the concrete or replacing a tile.
If you need to remove cracked tiles, follow these steps:
- Attach a ladder to your balcony and climb up it. Be careful not to slip while you’re on it!
- Use pliers to grab hold of a small section of tile overhanging from your balcony and pull it off carefully so that no pieces break off and fall apart into other parts of your house (or onto someone’s head!).
Suppose heavy rains or water leaks do too much damage over time. In that case, you’ll need professional help.
That said, it might be worth getting some bids before hiring anyone else because they may bring up valuable tips about how they’d handle this specific situation differently than we did here!
Check The Drain Tube.
The drain tube is the most important part of waterproofing a balcony or terrace. It collects any water entering the balcony and leads it away from your home.
If you have a leaky drain, this can lead to serious problems with mold and mildew.
Make sure to check for leaks in your drain before proceeding with waterproofing. If there are any signs of leakage, act immediately by repairing or replacing the drain line.
Replace Any Missing Mortar Between the Balcony’s Tiles And Walls.
You’ll need to do two things: remove the old mortar and replace it with new. To remove the old mortar, use a power drill to remove any loose tiles, and using your hands, pull out any remaining tile pieces.
After you’ve removed all the old mortar (and hopefully found any missing tiles in the process), mix up some new mortar and spread it over the cracks between your balcony’s walls and floor. Wait for it to dry entirely before checking for water leaks.
Check for Cracks In the Balcony’s Concrete.
If your balcony’s concrete is damaged, you may need to replace it. This can be done by a professional contractor but requires a lot of time and money.
If you have the time, money, and skills necessary to do this work, consider patching cracks in the concrete with new concrete.
The first step would be removing any loose debris from around your balcony’s footprint by sweeping or using water pressure (if you’re using something like a leaf blower).
Next, mix up some fresh cement according to the instructions on its package label before applying it over any cracks in your existing surface.
You’ll need to let this mixture dry completely before proceeding with either part two or three.
Paint The Deck with Waterproofing Paint.
Generally, water-based paints are easier to apply than oil-based paints and can be applied in thin coats rather than one heavy layer.
You can find the appropriate waterproofing paint for your deck at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
The best way to apply this type of exterior paint is to use a brush designed specifically for this purpose (the bristles should be stiff enough that they don’t bend easily).
It’s also important not to skimp on thinning the paint before you apply it.
If you don’t thin it enough, the result will be thick and uneven coats that won’t have much of an effect on waterproofing your balcony deck at all!
Depending on your balcony deck’s size, you may need multiple coats of waterproofing paint before seeing any actual results from this method.
Leave some time between each coat so that any excess moisture has time to dry out before applying another layer overtop!
This process may take several days, depending on where you live and how comfortable you work outside in adverse weather conditions.
How To Avoid Leaks on The Balcony or Terrace
It’s just as important to be proactive about preventing leaks on your balcony or terrace.
Even if you don’t see any signs of damage, it’s a good idea to check the area regularly for signs of wear and tear. If you do spot damage, fix it immediately.
If you let too much water seep through, your decking may rot away and become weak enough that leaks become inevitable.
If you do find yourself with a leaky balcony deck, take these steps:
- Check the area regularly for signs of damage; if this isn’t possible (for example, when traveling), ask someone else to keep an eye on things while you’re gone
- If there are any signs of damage—even minor ones—repair them immediately
Conclusion
In summary, if you have a balcony, here is how to protect it from water damage. Start by removing the wood, then resealing it with a waterproofing compound.
From there, apply a waterproofing sealer. The sealant will protect against water while allowing water to seep through the wood.
Finally, protect the deck using ground covers, called “nubbins,” that should last two to three years.
If your balcony or terrace looks a little worn, a simple waterproofing job may be all you need to get it back in shape and avoid an expensive repair or replacement down the road.