What is Waterproofing?

A structure that allows moisture infiltration can experience serious damage. When water exists in liquid form, the impact on structure can be catastrophic, causing it to be uninhabitable. Waterproofing refers to the options that can prevent moisture penetration under hydrostatic head pressure.

Thus, waterproofing is an essential component for the durability during service life of structures. In the market, there are several waterproofing products and systems; However, there is no single system that will work for every situation. Each system has its pros and cons. One should be aware of the existing products in the market before selecting a certain system.

Steps to Waterproof a Terrace or Balcony

Before Waterproofing a Terrace or Balcony

Before starting the process of waterproofing, it is essential to assess the current conditions of the area under consideration.

First, evaluate the condition of the visible layer of flooring (top part you can see). Check if the volumes of the joints are consistent or missing since these joints are the first thing through which the water starts to infiltrate, causing serious damage to the elements. In parallel, check the state of the elements of the flooring: any cracks or breakages of the same provide access to water creating infiltration points.

Steps to Waterproofing a Terrace or Balcony

It’s necessary to determine whether it is needed to carry out waterproofing again or just restoring an already existing waterproofing system. This evaluation determines what level of the waterproofing package we need to intervene.

Reconstruction of the screed before the waterproofing of the balcony — Reconstruction of the screed before waterproofing

In the first case, the realization of the waterproofing system is simpler but it’s necessary to proceed first of all with the analysis of the existing situation.

In the second case, it’s possible to perform follow a minimally invasive treatment, starting with removing any efflorescence, deposits or previous treatments such as waxes, and then cleaning the support with a neutral detergent. After drying, the grouting of the terrace can be remade with a suitable outdoor putty, which will therefore have excellent impermeability characteristics which will allow the integrity of the finishing layer and consequently of the entire package reconstructed.

Proceed with some treatments that in most cases are transparent and no-film products, which allow to waterproof in bulk, especially for the points of greatest risk as are the joints, to ensure that after the intervention is restored the waterproofing of the last layer of the balcony or terrace.

From the moment in which it’s sure that the water is infiltrate the finishing layer, proceed to restore the waterproofing system of the terrace in another way, that is to remove the irreparably compromised existing flooring, together with the layer of glue and the waterproof layer that protect the screed.

Provide a new waterproofing of the screed with waterproof liquid products and the subsequent bonding of the new coating, with a cementitious adhesive suitable for the type of substrate and a grout with waterproofing characteristics specially designed for outdoor use.