Balcony Waterproofing - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

WTen · 03-01-2006, 03:53 PM

I am trying to research various sloping topping slabs and various waterproofings that can be used. I am looking for waterproofings that can be build up in thickness and for topping slabs that can feather to 0 and go up to ¾” thick. I'm sort of a beginner with waterproofing so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Grumpy · 03-01-2006, 10:06 PM

Look into some kind of spray foam for the build up properties youa re asking, but I doubt they'd be acceptable in residential use... for a roof yes, for a balcony that will be seen and walked on every day no.

Consider building it up and coating it with any ordinary elastomeric water proofing. Adurel makes some urethanes suitable for foot traffic, They even make some suitable for vehicular traffic.

Bob Kovacs · 03-02-2006, 08:21 AM

Kemper and American Hydrotech both make epoxy waterproofing systems that can be built up if needed. They typically run around $8/SF minimum here in NJ- more if you want the buildup.

You're much better off having a thin waterproofing system and a thicker topping slab if you can- anything that goes from 0" to 3/4" in an exterior application isn't going to last.

Bob

buggsy · 03-02-2006, 08:22 AM

if you need a roof membrane as well as a walking surface you could use a product like weatherdek it is contact cemented to plywood and it serves both purposes. i install it here in ontario its great stuff, it saves building 2 decks (one for the roof and one for the deck itself)

Grumpy · 03-02-2006, 10:09 AM

Wow $8 a square foot? I know Hydrotech makes roof systems. Is that the roof system you were speaking of Bob? We're getting about $3 a square foot for the Adurel.

Bob Kovacs · 03-02-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Wow $8 a square foot? I know Hydrotech makes roof systems. Is that the roof system you were speaking of Bob? We're getting about $3 a square foot for the Adurel.

I can't recall the name of Hydrotech's system, but it's a multi-stage process:

- Primer
- Epoxy coat with felt mat embedded
- Another epoxy coat with grit embedded
- If it's being left exposed, a final sealer/UV protection coat.

It's a tough system to install, especially in areas with lots of ups and downs, flashings, etc.

Bob

Grumpy · 03-02-2006, 12:11 PM

The Adurel system is very similiar.

-Clean the surface with power washer and diluted cleaner solition.
-Apply bonding resin and reinforce with polyester matt.
-Apply Two Acrylic or One Urethane top coats.

No UV sealer is necessary because it's in the top coat. Grit can be broadcast for traction purposes but is not necessary.

Tough? Comapred to other roofing system this is the simplest I have ever installed. I know we are not talking roofing but the systems are basically the same.

I'm not familiar with hydrotech but I didn't know these types of systems could be built up. Infact I was specifically told by the Adurel people "don't lay it on too thick".

WTen · 03-02-2006, 01:15 PM

Sorry, I guess I was a little vauge. Here's the deal...I just started at this company with zero previous construction experience. I my boss asked me to research "various sloping topping slabs and various waterproofings" for a building we are working on. I'm having little luck finding this information on my own, and I really just wanted to come back with a few ideas even just to sound like I know what I'm talking about. ANY help is greatly appreciated.

WTen · 03-02-2006, 01:38 PM

Here are some pictures of one of the balconies for your reference.

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Bob Kovacs · 03-02-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

I'm not familiar with hydrotech but I didn't know these types of systems could be built up. Infact I was specifically told by the Adurel people "don't lay it on too thick".

We used the Kemper system on a balcony project we did, and the concrete sub had poured the base slab with a 1/4" pitch toward the building (whoops...). To get the water moving in the right direction, the waterproofing sub mixed sand with the Epoxy base coat, and essentially created an epoxy "mortar" mix of sorts. That got floated from 0 to about 1/2" thick, so the balcony now had a 1/4" pitch in the right direction. It was approved by the manufacturer and expensive as all get-out because it used so much epoxy, but still cheaper than jacking out and re-pouring the balcony slab.

Bob

Grumpy · 03-02-2006, 03:30 PM

That's very interesting bob. I have a very very similiar problem with my own condo balcony which has been attempted to be reparied by various hacks over and over again. All they do is dump concrete over the concrete.

bobmcalister · 03-11-2006, 03:25 PM

well..
we had a similar problem when the holIday Inn was sold ..and we did the roof and balconies..

i will see if I can find the specs...but

we used a 60 mil EPDM (roofing) membrane...glued to the clean and primed concrete..

but we used tiles over this system...so that might not work for you ...

I was trained in sales and roofing at Tremco ...they have been bought by RPM...

they have excellent products for 'problem solving'....I am not endorsing them as a company since they cheated me out of a BIG commission ...but

the products are excellent....and will give you some specs to use to find comparable products...

hope this helps

Builtbybeck · 03-11-2006, 03:52 PM

I use a system called Sealoflex for this sort of project that requires a attractive wearable roof system. Go to Sealoflex.com and take a look around. You have to be certified to buy and install there products but the class only takes a day. I've personally applied, hundreds maybey thousands, of 5 gallon buckets of various products for different applications, so far no callbacks of any kind. Around here the Gov. is specing the stuff for sealing exterior block walls, and some roofing.

hope this help
Darin

Tscarborough · 03-11-2006, 09:43 PM

Assuming the drain is the raggedy looking hole, any basic epoxy coating will do, provided the slope is GTG. Going by those photos, however, there are some major issues with the balconies besides improving the apperance. It looks to me like the reinforcing has already been penetrated and is spalling the concrete.

I would run from that project, and never look back.

Scuppers are what the architect should have designed in.

Sonny Lykos · 03-12-2006, 01:34 AM

Try Sto Corp. I have not yet posted 10 times so I am not allowed to post their url. But you can just type: sto, followed by corp, followed by com with no spaces.

I've used their products in stairs, landings and lanai floors in condo. Excellent products usually sold by paint stores. They have a program to become certified in the use of their products, which is needed to valdate their warranties.