Waterproofing Balcony/Roof Over Living Area
#1
12-27-07, 09:25 PM
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Waterproofing Balcony/Roof Over Living Area
Please bear with the long post. I could really use the help!
I have a balcony (more like a tub) over the second floor of my new house, with an entry from the third floor. One wall of the balcony is the wall of the third floor of my house. The other three parapet walls around the balcony are the extensions of the main walls of my home (the second floor ceiling/roof was once higher). All four walls are covered in siding to the base of the balcony.
The floor of the balcony appears to be concrete, coated in a waterproof paint or sealer. It has a slight slope away from the third floor wall toward a drain in the corner. Drainage is pretty good but not perfect.
I have had some leaking. Water was running inside the siding along the third floor wall due to an insufficient drip edge from the third story roof and water was entering at the threshold at the balcony door. I had to have the roof on the third floor replaced (for other reasons) and the roofer fixed the drip edge and caulked around the threshold (as well as around all edges of the balcony).
I have not had any leaks since these repairs (it has only rained once since, though). So, fingers crossed.
BUT I had freezing rain once and some of what I take to be the waterproof coating on the concrete has chipped off. I assume water will soak right through the concrete. I have no idea if there is anything waterproof under the concrete, but I doubt it.
What I would like to know is: Is there some product I can use to re-coat the concrete so that it will be waterproof? Is there something else I should be doing with this balcony floor/roof?
(I appreciate now that this balcony design is likely a terrible idea, but it is what I am stuck with. Also, I have had a number of large unpleasant surprises with this new (and first) home which I've only had for a couple of months, and I simply cannot afford a major repair or redesign. So if anybody has less invasive/cheaper solutions to offer (even if they are more short term) I'd be very appreciative.)
Also, if I can provide any further information, please let me know. Thanks!
I have a balcony (more like a tub) over the second floor of my new house, with an entry from the third floor. One wall of the balcony is the wall of the third floor of my house. The other three parapet walls around the balcony are the extensions of the main walls of my home (the second floor ceiling/roof was once higher). All four walls are covered in siding to the base of the balcony.
The floor of the balcony appears to be concrete, coated in a waterproof paint or sealer. It has a slight slope away from the third floor wall toward a drain in the corner. Drainage is pretty good but not perfect.
I have had some leaking. Water was running inside the siding along the third floor wall due to an insufficient drip edge from the third story roof and water was entering at the threshold at the balcony door. I had to have the roof on the third floor replaced (for other reasons) and the roofer fixed the drip edge and caulked around the threshold (as well as around all edges of the balcony).
I have not had any leaks since these repairs (it has only rained once since, though). So, fingers crossed.
BUT I had freezing rain once and some of what I take to be the waterproof coating on the concrete has chipped off. I assume water will soak right through the concrete. I have no idea if there is anything waterproof under the concrete, but I doubt it.
What I would like to know is: Is there some product I can use to re-coat the concrete so that it will be waterproof? Is there something else I should be doing with this balcony floor/roof?
(I appreciate now that this balcony design is likely a terrible idea, but it is what I am stuck with. Also, I have had a number of large unpleasant surprises with this new (and first) home which I've only had for a couple of months, and I simply cannot afford a major repair or redesign. So if anybody has less invasive/cheaper solutions to offer (even if they are more short term) I'd be very appreciative.)
Also, if I can provide any further information, please let me know. Thanks!
#3
12-28-07, 09:00 AM
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Will do when I get back in town next week. In the mean time, I'd still be open to concrete waterproofing suggestions.
#4
12-28-07, 07:32 PM
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Not enough detail to make a reccommendation. Too many materials that have negative reactions to each other. Can you specify APP, SBS, EPDM, Bur, IB, or TPO as the material on the roof? Adhesives for one can eat a hole in the other, or just not adhere whatsoever. Heat weld system? Torch? Chemical?
I'm sorry, but I will not make any reccommendation with the facts I have/ don't have at this point.
I'm sorry, but I will not make any reccommendation with the facts I have/ don't have at this point.
#5
01-03-08, 01:26 PM
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I've thrown some pictures up here:
http://www.geocities.com/sar241/index.html
As to the question, I am not sure what all of the abbreviations are, but the ones I recognize are roofing materials. No roofing material descends to the floor of the balcony. The roof on the the third floor (this balcony is the roof of the second floor in a part of the house where there is no third floor) is a granulated modified bitumen, but that does not touch the balcony so I don't think it would be involved in the analysis.
The floor of the balcony seems to be concrete covered with some sort of paint/waterproof coating. In a couple of spots where that coating is chipped away, it appears to be just concrete underneath (i.e., it looks like concrete and darkens when wet). I believe that the siding that comes down the walls of the balcony is a masonite hardboard siding. The parapet walls are capped with masonite hardboard with a sheet metal flashing underneath the masonite cap.
The caulking seen in the pictures was recently added by my roofer but does not seem to have solved the leaking.
Let me know if there is more information I can provide.
http://www.geocities.com/sar241/index.html
As to the question, I am not sure what all of the abbreviations are, but the ones I recognize are roofing materials. No roofing material descends to the floor of the balcony. The roof on the the third floor (this balcony is the roof of the second floor in a part of the house where there is no third floor) is a granulated modified bitumen, but that does not touch the balcony so I don't think it would be involved in the analysis.
The floor of the balcony seems to be concrete covered with some sort of paint/waterproof coating. In a couple of spots where that coating is chipped away, it appears to be just concrete underneath (i.e., it looks like concrete and darkens when wet). I believe that the siding that comes down the walls of the balcony is a masonite hardboard siding. The parapet walls are capped with masonite hardboard with a sheet metal flashing underneath the masonite cap.
The caulking seen in the pictures was recently added by my roofer but does not seem to have solved the leaking.
Let me know if there is more information I can provide.
#6
01-03-08, 06:05 PM
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Start by shooting the caulker.
If it really proves to be just painted concrete, I'd suggest removing all the caulking, and the first 2 pieces of siding. Go to paint store, not Lowes and tell them you need a GOOD REAL concrete sealer that suits the intended purpose. Might have to raise the drain and seal under it too. Replace the siding. Oh, Almost forgot. The door sill needs to removed for proper sealing under it too.
An alternative would be IB roof system, or other PVC type roof material/system.
If it really proves to be just painted concrete, I'd suggest removing all the caulking, and the first 2 pieces of siding. Go to paint store, not Lowes and tell them you need a GOOD REAL concrete sealer that suits the intended purpose. Might have to raise the drain and seal under it too. Replace the siding. Oh, Almost forgot. The door sill needs to removed for proper sealing under it too.
An alternative would be IB roof system, or other PVC type roof material/system.
