Skip to main content

Freeman Solutions

250 Ltd · Waterproofing & Construction Chemicals

Kigali, Rwanda

Mobilising0%

Solution — "My balcony or terrace leaks onto the floor below"

Balcony & Terrace Waterproofing

A balcony or terrace is a small area, but it is one of the most common sources of leaks in a building. The balcony is exposed to the full force of the rain, it is often not drained correctly, and it is usually tiled directly onto the screed without a waterproofing membrane. The water that sits on the balcony finds its way through the tiles and the grout, into the screed, and then through the slab into the room below. The first step is to understand the balcony. We need to know the structure of the balcony, the falls, the drainage, and the condition of the surface. We also need to know what is on the balcony — the tiles, the screed, the waterproofing — and whether the waterproofing is the original or whether it has been repaired before. The waterproofing of a balcony is a liquid-applied membrane that is applied to the prepared screed, and it is carried up the walls and the upstands to a height that is above the level of the water. The membrane is detailed at the drain, the threshold, and the penetrations, and it is tested with a flood test before the tiles are laid. The membrane is the waterproofing — the tiles are just the finish. The drainage is the most important part of the balcony. The balcony has to fall to the drain, and the drain has to be connected to the waterproofing so that the water is carried away. If the balcony is not falling correctly, the water will sit on the surface, and it will find its way through the membrane. We correct the falls, we set the drain, and we make sure the water is carried away. We also look at the details. The threshold of the balcony door is a common point of water ingress, and the junction between the balcony and the wall is another. We detail these points with the membrane and the sealant, so the water is stopped at the surface. The result is a balcony that is waterproof, a balcony that is drained, and a balcony that is protected. We document the system, we provide the specification, and we stand behind the work. The first thing we do is look at the balcony. The balcony is the area that is the terrace, and the balcony is the area that is the water. We look at the balcony, the surface, and the drainage, and we find the cause of the problem. The surface of the balcony is the first thing we check. The surface is the tiles that are the balcony, and the surface is the tiles that are the water. We check the surface, the tiles, and the grout, and we find the path of the water. The drainage of the balcony is the next thing we check. The drainage is the system that is the balcony, and the drainage is the system that is the water. We check the drainage, the drain, and the outlet, and we find the path of the water. The result is a balcony that is dry, a balcony that is protected, and a balcony that is the water. We find the path of the water, and we stop the water. The first thing we do is look at the balcony. The balcony is the area that is the terrace, and the balcony is the area that is the water. We look at the balcony, the surface, and the drainage, and we find the cause of the problem. The surface of the balcony is the first thing we check. The surface is the tiles that are the balcony, and the surface is the tiles that are the water. We check the surface, the tiles, and the grout, and we find the path of the water. The drainage of the balcony is the next thing we check. The drainage is the system that is the balcony, and the drainage is the system that is the water. We check the drainage, the drain, and the outlet, and we find the path of the water. The result is a balcony that is dry, a balcony that is protected, and a balcony that is the water. We find the path of the water, and we stop the water.

Our approach

  • On-site inspection to confirm the source and extent of water ingress
  • Substrate testing where relevant (moisture content, adhesion, cracking)
  • Written specification naming the system, prep required, and application method
  • Certified application following manufacturer specification
  • Documented sign-off and warranty information on completion

Not sure this is your problem?

Symptoms often overlap — a damp wall can trace back to a roof detail, not the wall itself. A site visit gives a definitive answer at no obligation.

Request a Site Visit