Today, most residential properties such as multi-level apartments/ landed houses have tiled balconies. If your residence has one, chances are you might face a leakage problem one day. Tiled balconies are constantly exposed to humidity, 24/7 all year round. Aside from humidity, there is UV degradation, weathering from hot sunlight to acid rains as well as movement pressures that are caused by humans. With these harsh factors, most balconies face a leakage problem several years later and would likely require a restoration.
For every balcony is different and unique in it’s own way, causes of the water leakage may vary. Following are some of the most common causes to a balcony leakage:
- Poor drainage system
- Breakage of tiles
- Movement pressure
- Deteriorated grout
- Deteriorated waterproofing system
- Cracks in skirting tile seals
How do you tell that your balcony is leaking? In this article, we will discuss the signs that you should look out for if you suspect that your balcony is facing a leak. In any event that you have noticed the following signs, chances are that there is a balcony leakage and it requires some rectifications to it.
The clearest indication of a balcony leakage is cracked or missing grout in your tiles. Do take note of the grout from time to time as grout will wear off from mopping of floor or from movement stresses.
If you step on a tile and noticed that it has been loose and it gives out some hollow noises and see water oozing out, it is another indication that there is a balcony leakage. When the tile is loose, it means that it is allowing water to seep through.
Another clear indication of a balcony leakage is when you have noticed the interior or the exterior balcony finishes have some yellowish staining or dampness, this could be a sign of a leaking balcony. Similarly, if you have noticed that the paint in your balcony is peeling off, it could also be a sign that your balcony is leaking.
Whenever faced with a balcony leakage, or, a leakage in general, the first thing that a homeowner should do is to engage an experienced contractor immediately for an inspection. The contractor is highly advised to pay close attention to the waterproofing membrane because more often than not, the waterproofing membrane has failed and is the main cause of the leak in the balcony.
A balcony leakage can be a real nuisance especially when left unrepaired. If the problem persists, the decay will spread to the other walls, causing them to discolor and the paint on them will slowly peel off. In severe cases, the electrical systems at home might also be affected or even damaged.
To fix a leaking balcony, the contractor will firstly choose the best waterproofing membrane that can withstand the balcony’s structural movement. The second step is to complete any penetrating work before applying the waterproofing membrane. If necessary, the contractor will also add sealants to the penetrating structures. It is also important to make sure that the balcony levels have a good drainage system to prevent stagnating of water.
Most commonly, contractors would remove the old tiles of the balcony, apply a coat of waterproofing membrane, followed by installing a new set of tiles. At SWC Construction, we provide a non hacking and long lasting solution, that is High PU Injection Grouting. This method is an injection of liquid grouting material into the structure under pressure. During the grouting process, fissures (an opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting in structures) and pores are filled with the grouting material, which subsequently hardens and connects the disintegrated surfaces. PU injection grouting can help to fill the cracks fully as once the injection is administered, the foam expands to fill in the entire space of each crack. This fullness gives full coverage and protection from any water seepage. Another advantage of PU injection grouting is that the atmosphere’s moisture content does not matter. The foam can be injected into wet areas, which means you do not have to wait till the leakage area is completely dry before taking action against further water damage. Not to mention PU injection grouting remains flexible too.
If you are currently experiencing water seepage/ leakage at home, do not hesitate to contact our team to find out more about the various types of waterproofing that can be applied for your house!