Waterproofing balconies with transparent liquid sheathing

The balconies are structures that need maintenance because they are constantly subject to external actions. Maintenance involves all the constituent components of a balcony and can be ordinary or extraordinary. It may then be possible to present the case in which renewal (recovery) or reconstruction (restructuring) is necessary

Among the most performed interventions on balconies, there is certainly waterproofing, necessary in the presence of problems of permeation and water infiltration. It is also one of those subsidized with the Facade Bonus. The solutions to be adopted are different and depend on the degree of deterioration of the support (waterproofing layer + screed slopes + existing flooring);

Case A) Compromised state of fact and irreversible situation, it is not possible to repair or recover the support; it will be necessary to proceed with the demolition and reconstruction with a new installation of waterproofed sheathing, reconstruction of the screed of the slopes and new floor covering.

Case B) Still planar support, screed and flooring show good mechanical strength, correct slopes, presence of depressions and/or detachments and/or localized cracks. With a “repairable” state of fact, it is possible to proceed with the conservative rehabilitation by intervening directly on the existing floor, therefore without demolition. In this case, the renovation of the balcony is aimed at restoring the water seal function

Waterproofing can be done with:
— self-adhesive membranes (“cold” application without the use of flame that could compromise the existing flooring);
— bituminous or cementitious liquid waterproofing agents.
Both are a type of elastic waterproofing capable of receiving new glued tiles

Case C) The state of maintenance of the support is still in good condition, but the flooring has lost its water repellency; for example, after a storm you notice that the flooring does not dry completely, there are “wet patches” left. In these cases it may be sufficient to renew only the flooring using a transparent liquid sheath

The transparent sheath belongs to the family of liquid membranes and makes it possible to waterproof the tile floors of balconies but also of existing terraces; the transparency makes it possible to preserve the original structure and design.

All floors belong to a certain water resistance class, including outdoor floors, usually ceramic-based, such as porcelain stoneware. The transparent liquid sheaths restore the water repellency of the flooring.

Made in aqueous or solvent solutions, they penetrate the flooring, creating a protective film, a kind of water-repellent protective barrier, which preserves breathability, and therefore not a film effect. This type of waterproofing also makes it possible to avoid the formation of fungal spores, mold and algae that, in the humidity, find the ideal habitat

This maintenance solution is suitable for DIY because it is easy to apply, it dries quickly, so that the surfaces are usable after a few hours, and above all it does not involve any change in thickness.

The support must be clean, dry, free from stripping agents and any other type of chemical agent capable of causing poor adhesion. The transparent sheath should not be applied to surfaces that have already had a water repellent treatment in the past, as this could compromise the adhesion of the new layer. It should not be applied in the presence of rising nitrates or sulfates (in joints or surfaces), except with prior anti-efflorescence treatment

The substrate should not be excessively moist, the maximum moisture content should not exceed 4%. It is necessary to fill in any irregularities such as small cracks, discontinuities or missing joints, in particular at the baseboard and the thresholds of any French doors.

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