How To Waterproof a Balcony or Loggia.

Do-it-yourself waterproofing of balconies and loggias.

Waterproofing works on a balcony or loggia are a must, as precipitation can destroy the structure, rain or snow getting inside will spoil the interior decoration. In order to eliminate the consequences of moisture in the form of fungus, mold and corrosion of metal elements and destruction of concrete, it is necessary to be puzzled by the choice of high-quality waterproofing materials that will prevent moisture from getting in.

Options for materials for waterproofing a balcony.

In order to waterproof a balcony and loggia, you can use coating and roll materials. Roll materials are inferior in their characteristics and installation processes to coating materials.

Let's consider how to waterproof your balcony with roll materials:

• Ruberoid is a roofing cardboard that is impregnated with a special compound and is installed using a burner.

• Foam foil or foil isilon. In its composition, it is a porous film with a metallized coating, and does not absorb moisture. Izol. In fact, it is roofing cardboard, impregnated with bitumen with various fillers, antiseptics and plasticizing additives.

• Glass insulation, hydroglass insulation. It is a glass fabric impregnated with bitumen and various additives, it can have additional protection as a mineral dressing. Roll materials for balconies are still relevant, but their demand is significantly lower than coating materials, as they have a number of disadvantages. Bitumen waterproofing is carcinogenic, flammable, it requires special conditions for application, as well as operation, during subsequent finishing it is necessary to apply thick-layer mineral materials, where the use of a metal mesh on vertical bases is mandatory, but it will violate the integrity of the waterproofing layer.

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Coating waterproofing

for the balcony is considered a more modern option, it is universal and unpretentious, has a number of advantages and is quite easy to use and, for its application does not require special skills, you will only need a brush or roller. When using coating type waterproofing, you will get a high-quality waterproofing layer with high characteristics and at the same time greatly reduce the time of the work on the balcony. In addition to the fact that for the device of full protection from moisture you need to select high-quality materials, you also need to responsibly approach the preparation of the balcony surface. Working with coating waterproofing GLIMS GreenResin and GLIMS Flex 2K significantly saves time, since the need for intermediate stages before finishing disappears.

You can apply GLIMS GreenResin both with a brush and a roller, without having any special skills. The waterproofing is applied in two layers, the intermediate drying of which will take at least two hours. Each new layer is applied after the previous layer has completely dried. The recommended application temperature is from +5C to +35C. The indicator of material readiness (drying) is the color of the waterproofing, which changes from greenish-blue to dark green when drying.

Two-component waterproofing GLIMS Flex 2K   is applied to the prepared surface in at least two layers, with a spatula or a wide brush, the thickness of each layer is 1-2 mm, drying of each layer takes at least three hours for corners and joints use waterproofing tape GLIMS Corner. Each new layer should be applied perpendicular to the previous one. Construction work on the balcony can be carried out in a day.

The main advantage of elastic waterproofing of the coating type is that it copes well with mechanical loads due to its unique tensile characteristics, also due to its monolithic nature and the absence of seams, which cannot be said about roll waterproofing, and also coating waterproofing eliminates delamination of joints and does not peel off from the base in winter. Consumption per 1 layer/2 layers, kg 0.4-0.9.

Surface preparation:

Preparatory work on the balcony is carried out in a certain sequence, some believe that if there is a tile, there is no need to carry out waterproofing work, since it already has protective properties from moisture, but this is far from true. Through the pores of the tile and the seams between the tiles, water gets into the concrete, a slight frost will be enough and the water will begin to destroy the base.

• Thoroughly clean the surface from dirt and dust, oil, paint, mud and other substances using an industrial vacuum cleaner or a plastic brush for these purposes.

• If the base has any defects (cracks, unevenness), they must be repaired with repair compound GLIMS CRT-40 , GLIMS CRP-40 0.5

• We treat the surface with an antifungal solution - GLIMS FungiDoctor , GLIMS FungiPrimer . If the base is infected for more than 6 months or has a porous structure, GLIMSFungiDoctor is used for primary treatment , then GLIMSFungiPrimer is used . The solution does not need to be diluted with anything, it is applied with a brush, roller or sprayer over the entire base, if the primer is quickly absorbed, then we process it again without waiting for complete drying. For further finishing, it is necessary to wait until it dries completely (2-6 hours).

• After the antiseptic has dried, prime the surface with a special primer GLIMS HydroPrimer , thoroughly treating the seams, cracks and hard-to-reach areas. Here it is also important to choose the right primer, since there are primers that are designed for highly porous and poorly absorbent bases, differ in their properties for the task being solved. Deep penetrating primers are designed to strengthen the base, create an adhesive layer, and primers for dense bases only to create an adhesive layer.

 When waterproofing a balcony or loggia, you need to consider:

• What type of balcony is it, open or closed

• Where is the balcony located, separate from others or next to each other

• What material is the balcony made of

If the balcony or loggia is on the top floor and does not have glazing, then it is necessary to waterproof both the ceiling and the roof ( GLIMS GreyResin ) Recommendations for preparatory work:

• If there are unevennesses in the base of the balcony, they should not exceed 2 mm.

• There should not be even the slightest sharp protrusions on the surface.

• The ties for leveling the base on the balcony must be laid in strips along the guide beacons

• Places where there is an increased risk of leaks (moving joints) must be sealed with the GLIMS Corner elastic sealing tape . In the event of a divergence of the structure, it stretches, and after it is returned to its place, it contracts, while maintaining the tightness of the joints.

• When applying waterproofing, the humidity of the prepared base should be no more than 4%, because after you complete the waterproofing work on the balcony, excess moisture will remain inside and will ultimately lead to its leaching, erosion and gradual reduction of the bearing capacity.

• For new screeds there are mandatory restrictions on the curing periods; here it is necessary to comply with the maximum stipulated periods so that shrinkage processes are completed and cracks are prevented.

Beginners believe that waterproofing a loggia and a balcony is the same thing, but in reality it is not. A loggia is an extension of an apartment, the slabs of which rest on load-bearing walls, so it lasts longer and can withstand heavy loads. A balcony is a reinforced concrete slab that is connected to the wall with only one part, not three, and accordingly this ledge will not be able to withstand a heavy parapet, triple-glazed windows and heavy furniture.

Waterproofing a loggia and a balcony always starts from the floor, and it does not matter whether it will be insulated or not.

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Stages of waterproofing a balcony and loggia:

1. First of all, it is necessary to fill the GLIMS Screed 1 K ; GLIMS CF-40 screed , the slab is leveled, if you waterproof the balcony, you will need to make a slope away from the house so that the water flowing down from the surface does not stagnate. At the moment of pouring, in places where there is a connection, expansion joints are made with an elastic cord, which is pressed into the third part of the thickness of the fresh solution.

2. In order to close all the cracks, we use mounting foam, then we process it with a waterproofing compound.

3. Next, we carry out waterproofing of the walls of the balcony and the ceiling, for this it is best to use waterproofing of the coating type GLIMS GreenResin or GLIMS FLEX 2 K , as discussed earlier, it is easy to use and does not require special skills, it is applied with a brush or roller.

4. If the loggia or balcony has a roof, then we carry out waterproofing of the balcony roof. Experts recommend GLIMS GreyResin with UV protection for these works , which will reliably protect against leaks and moisture.

5. At the end of the work, it is necessary to install ebbs and gutters on the balcony, this stage is very important, because it helps to remove moisture from the roof into the drainage system, which will prevent moisture accumulation on the structure itself. Ebbs are made at the edge of the glazing, and the gutter at the roof.

Waterproofing of the balcony and loggia is one of the important stages of repair work, and the service life and reliability depend on the quality of their execution.