Balcony area and terrace area created above living space, either on a flat roof above an extension of living space, bedroom or on top floor of an apartment. Balcony waterproofing is necessary for preserving your area from any water ingression damage.
Most balconies are construct from concrete with waterproofing membrane, these substrates will inevitably crack and erode without any protection.
Waterproofing your balcony is one of the biggest priorities. Balcony is permanently expose to the elements as well as changes in temperature. Therefore, a poorly maintained balcony might meet leakage issues further down the year. As balcony designs in Singapore follow strict regulations, they are standardised in construction and design. The ideal system for waterproofing a balcony or a terrace must supply a waterproofing layer that is elastic and extremely tough to ensure its water resistance strength.
It is necessary to evaluate the existing condition of the balcony or terrace. To begin with evaluation, we check for signs that balcony needs pu grouting works such as visible layer which is easiest to investigate on its state of conservation, by checking the volumes of the joints are consistent or missing. In most case it is from the joints that the water starts to infiltrate and therefore the waterproofing effect of the finishing has worn out. Water will begin to deteriorate the waterproofing layer and cause damage to the elements of the flooring. Cracks and breakage of the tiles cause access water to create infiltration points.
Another sign that balcony needs pu grouting works is the thresholds, the connection between balcony and the window door that link it inside the house, to have 1inch higher than the walkway of the balcony, so that the rainwater disposal function.
Most common sign that balcony needs pu grouting works would be the water damage of waterproofing membrane and sealant have a finite lifespan, must be reapplied overtime. This is especially true for older building that may have waterproofing at certain point degraded over the years.
Mould and mildew caused by water penetration can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems in a family member and can lead to long-term illness. Bacteria can also thrive in damp areas in the building structure. Moisture rots timbers, rusts metal and causes a form of degradation. A building that is structurally unsound due to the long-term effects of water damage can be a major disaster waiting to happen.
If you are experiencing balcony leaking, particularly on your balconies or from the floor above you, this may also be a sign of degraded or faulty waterproofing. The area to notice the waterproofing damage is the damage cause on the lower ceiling of the balcony, but on an external or semi-external balcony it can be hard to spot the difference between leaking from roofing and the natural accumulation of rainwater dripping down from the drainage of the floor above. Look out for water stain/watermark appears to seep from crack in balcony rather than naturally slide down or under area that should be undercover. This can lead to water damage, mould growth, further cracking in tiles, concrete and cause structural damage.
SWC Construction, offers an effective and hassle-free, polyurethane (PU) Injection grouting method to resolve your leakage in the concrete slab below your balcony. PU Injection involve injection expanding polyurethane into the space created by the water damage. This specific technique used to stop water seepage from cracks, to fill voids under slabs, concrete joints or walls that are cause by water damage.
Grouting with polyurethane (PU) resins or foam is an effective method of improvement of mechanical and sealing properties of concrete and constructions. The material is based on the reaction with the moisture present in the environment. The principle of grouting technologies is injection of liquid grouting material into the concrete environment under pressure. During the grouting process, fissures and pores are fill with the grouting material, which later harden and connect the disintegrated part of the concrete or grains of loose material. Polyurethane grouting technologies started in the 80’s of the 20th centuries in the construction and waterproofing industry. In the last recent years, PU grouting technologies spread significantly from the waterproofing application. Grouting technologies are widely use in underground constructions, filling of concrete and voids, protect and stabilise loose material, seal and stop water inflow into the concrete to strengthen and stabilization of structure. The hardening process, following the mixing and injection of the PU mixture into the concrete, take from few minutes up to few hours, according to the type of grouting used.
SWC Construction have a team of well-trained workers. Contact us now for more detail and information on waterproofing repair for your balcony. We provide free consultation to enable you to know more about how we could resolve your leakage problem at the balcony or terrace.