When does a balcony need refurbishing?
A balcony should be refurbished when wear or damage affects its usability, safety or appearance. A distinction should be made between cosmetic wear and defects involving the waterproofing, building fabric or structural stability. Rain, sunlight, frost and everyday use are common causes.
Typical signs include:
- fine cracks in the surface covering or cracks extending through the concrete slab
- spalled concrete, sometimes exposing rusting steel reinforcement
- discolouration, efflorescence or persistently damp areas on the underside
- standing water, indicating insufficient falls
- loose or broken balcony tiles and open joints
- brittle or leaking waterproofing
- an unstable balustrade or corroded fixing points
The nature and extent of the damage determine what work is required. Surface wear mainly affects appearance and walking comfort. If water passes through failed waterproofing, however, the building fabric may be at risk. Moisture entering the concrete can cause freeze-thaw damage and reach the steel reinforcement. An unstable balustrade requires prompt attention because it may no longer provide adequate protection at the balcony edge. Where such defects are evident, a professional inspection is advisable before the surface covering is renewed.
When refurbishment is necessary, the load-bearing structure should first be assessed and any defective waterproofing repaired. An elastic waterproofing system such as ALLESDICHT may be used for this purpose. Weather-resistant, slip-resistant WARCO balcony tiles made from PU-bound rubber granulate can then be laid as the visible wearing surface. They do not replace the waterproofing and can be installed by a competent DIYer without adhesive bonding across the entire surface.