What do waterproofing when insulating a balcony. Step-by-step process of waterproofing the floor on your balcony. Work on vertical balcony surfaces

A balcony is a nice addition to any apartment or house. At the discretion of the owners, it can function as a pantry, a study, an open veranda or a winter garden. But regardless of use, the first step is to protect the loggia from moisture.

It is this structure that is most susceptible to waterlogging, because precipitation often lingers on the balcony slab, gradually destroying it. Waterproofing a balcony, including an open one, helps to maintain its functionality for a long time.

Specificity and purpose of waterproofing

With the development of construction and the emergence of new projects, the design of the loggia also changed. In multi-storey buildings, you can find open balconies consisting of a single slab and metal fences, semi-closed options with masonry or additional concrete elements around the entire perimeter, as well as fairly large verandas above the bay window or other facade structures.

Balcony waterproofing will help protect any structure. In the case of an open version, the absence of additional protection leads to a gradual destruction of the slab, as well as exposure and corrosion of reinforcement and embedded elements that ensure adhesion to the load-bearing wall.

In closed and glazed loggias, due to wetting of concrete and finishing materials, a fungus may appear, which negatively affects the health of the owners of an apartment or house.

Most often, several schemes for waterproofing balconies are used:

• covering only the balcony slab;
• processing the entire area of ​​the loggia from the inside;
• additional protection of the structure from the outside with the device of a roof and canopies.

Depending on the type and characteristics of the balcony, it is rational to choose one or another type of finish. So, for an open balcony in a standard apartment complex, only floor treatment is quite suitable. And in a wooden house, you should think about the complete waterproofing of the balconies, both inside and outside, to protect the material from decay and gradual destruction.

Any kind of processing can be done by hand. One has only to carefully consider the choice of materials and observe the technology of work.

What to use to process the loggia

After determining a particular waterproofing scheme, the question remains how to make the right choice from a variety of materials.

Balcony waterproofing is most often performed using penetrating or coating composites, which provide reliable protection of the floor and ceiling, as well as additional sealing of joints and corners along the entire perimeter of the structure.

Base

Compositions based on polymers and liquid rubber, as well as composites with the addition of bitumen, are quite suitable for processing the base.

It must be remembered that all bituminous materials must be applied carefully, because when the temperature rises, which often happens in summer, such material will begin to melt and give an unpleasant odor.

Outdoor protection

For external processing and sealing of existing defects in the slab, penetrating compositions based on a mineral binder or polymer-cement composite are quite suitable.

They do a better job of protecting the structure than coating materials.

Internal insulation

For internal processing of the ceiling of the loggia, it is best to use moisture-resistant sealants for sealing joints and special paints and varnishes for the main surface.

It is not rational to apply mastics to the ceiling, but the corners and seams should be filled as well as possible, so they should be given special attention.

Loggia processing methods

Waterproofing the balcony from the inside is most often one of the preparatory stages before finishing the loggia, therefore it is often combined with insulation.

The complexity of such repairs is minimal, so it is quite possible to do it yourself.

Preparatory work

Preparation of all surfaces before applying protective compounds includes several stages. To begin with, all old finishing materials are removed, and existing defects are repaired.

In case of peeling or slight destruction of the slab, a repair screed is performed. For open balconies, the thickness of the fill layer should be at least 3.5 cm and create a slight slope from the wall to the edge of the slab of 1 - 1.5 °.

Such a technology for waterproofing balconies helps prevent stagnation of water and protect the base from waterlogging. It is especially important to make a slight slope if the loggia is located above a bay window or an entrance, since waterlogging of the slab will lead to the destruction of the finish in these rooms.

After preparation of all surfaces, a light primer is applied to them to increase the adhesion of the materials. Next, the treatment is carried out with the selected waterproofing compound.

Working with coating composites

Mastics and impregnations based on bitumen, latexes, polyurethanes and other polymers are suitable for any type of surface and material. They are able to provide the desired adhesion to both concrete and brick and wood.

Pre-hydration

Before applying the coating composition, the surface is additionally moistened. When applying the first coat, the brush or roller must be guided in one direction. For a full-fledged waterproofing of balconies, it is assumed that several layers are made for the base and ceiling. Therefore, after a few hours, it is necessary to apply the composition a second time in a direction perpendicular to the first layer.

This scheme of work provides overlapping of polymer films with mutual penetration, which increases the waterproofing properties. When using 3 or more layers, it is necessary to add a reinforcing mesh with a mesh size of 50 mm.

The mastics are well suited for treating the surface of the balcony roof under the canopies. In such areas, they are used for additional sealing. In a wooden house, the use of coating composites is better than any others, because the composition penetrates into the upper layers of wood very carefully, without violating the integrity of its structure.

Application of penetrating materials

The technology of waterproofing balconies using such compositions differs little from working with coating composites. Before applying the finished mixture, the surface of the slab or screed is well moistened.

The first layer is done in one direction. Until complete curing, its surface is again well wetted and a second layer is applied perpendicular to the first direction. The interval between two applications is no more than 1.5 - 2 hours.

For penetrating formulations, a large number of layers are rarely used, as excess composite can harm the substrate due to excessive crystallization. The entire treated surface must be covered with a film and protected from any mechanical stress. Adequate moisture is important for penetrating materials, otherwise crystal growth will stop.

To process the roof of a loggia, the same materials and the same method of applying them are most often used. Additionally, all seams are being sealed, the roofing material and canopies are being laid.

After waterproofing the balconies, they begin to be insulated and finished. Correctly performed protection against waterlogging will preserve the attractiveness of the entire repair, as well as the safety and comfort of the microclimate of the loggia.

Any repair work on balconies and loggias always begins with the installation of high-quality waterproofing. The structure is always under intense environmental influences. Changes in temperature, exposure to moisture, wind, snow - all this negatively affects the surface of the concrete slab, which serves as the basis for the balcony. The smallest cracks can lead to complete destruction over time. Concrete has the ability to absorb excess water, and when the temperature drops sharply, the water freezes and expands and destroys the dense structure.

What is the waterproofing of an open balcony for?

Many people think that this is a waste of money and time, since the moisture that gets under the influence of the sun will dry out on its own, without affecting the appearance and condition of the structure. However, those who have already carried out such work have long been convinced of the mass of advantages.

1. Excessive moisture does not accumulate in walls and floors.
2. Prevents the appearance of mold and mildew, prevents the accumulation of unpleasant odors.
3. It makes it possible to protect structural elements and decor from corrosion.
4. Increases the strength and reliability of the structure.

Before starting waterproofing work, it is necessary to carefully examine the surface of the concrete slab and repair all chips and cracks.

How is the waterproofing of an open balcony

Since there is no protection against the ingress of moisture, it is necessary to take care of the presence of a slope, which will make it possible for the accumulating liquid not to accumulate on the surface of the coating. Even a slight slope will allow moisture to quickly slide to the edge of the structure and will not allow it to stagnate on the floor, thus not creating conditions for the appearance of fungi and mold.

• In order to correctly form an inclined layer, you should raise the floor level against the wall by ten centimeters, and at the street edge by four.
• Waterproofing is carried out on the base of a concrete slab using a pressure cement layer.
• To add strength to the screed, it is imperative to use a reinforcing grid.
• By pouring the screed, it is possible to strengthen the structure during the formation of expansion joints, inside which reinforcement rods are installed.
• You can use an elastic cord when pouring the screed. It attaches at the edges, and sags a little in the middle. This precaution will provide additional structural strength in case of sudden changes in temperature.

Materials used for waterproofing an open balcony

It is necessary to carefully consider the selection of materials, taking into account the climatic characteristics of your area. If you are not a specialist, it is better to seek advice from professionals who have been engaged in such work for more than one year. The industry offers a choice of roll, film or liquid materials, each of them has its own advantages and can reliably protect the balcony from moisture penetration.

Before starting work, carefully read the instructions for using the selected material, since some of them may require pretreatment with impregnating materials.

• The most commonly used roll materials have a number of disadvantages that should be remembered before starting waterproofing.
• Installing waterproofing will certainly require careful processing of the junction of the roll material with the wall, in this place seams and bends are formed, which over time can begin to let moisture through.
• It must be remembered that the roll material does not tolerate constant temperature changes and cracks over time, which makes it possible for moisture to enter the coating. Together with the liquid, microorganisms penetrate and decay processes begin.
• The roll size does not provide comfortable working in tight spaces.

The most effective remedy for open balconies today is mastic or polyurethane sealant. Silicone sealants are much inferior because they do not withstand well wind and high vibration.

Features of the use of polyurethane coatings

The finished substance is dissolved in the amount of water specified in the instructions. After that, the mass is applied to the prepared and moistened surface of the concrete base. Seams and corners are processed with great care. They are glued with waterproofing tape and coated with special protective compounds.

After applying a thin layer of waterproofing to the entire surface of the slab, it is imperative to reinforce the surface of the screed with fiberglass mesh, pressing the material into the insulating layer over the entire surface. After the first layer has completely dried and hardened, the second one is applied using the same technology. The application of each next layer is carried out after the final drying of the previous one. In this case, you need to ensure that the floor receives the necessary slope towards the street.

The thickness of the insulating layer of an open balcony must be at least twenty millimeters.

It must be remembered that the work is best carried out in the absence of direct sunlight, since the rapid drying of the coating will inevitably lead to its cracking. After the installation of the waterproofing is completed, at least five days must pass before the installation of tiles or other finishing material begins, only after complete drying and hardening of the waterproofing can you start finishing work.

How to waterproof a wooden balcony

Often builders, when erecting ready-made log cabins, put a galvanized sheet of steel on the balcony with gutters provided for it to drain water. Logs are laid on top, to which the finishing board is attached. This design allows you to quickly ventilate the interior space, does not allow moisture to stagnate.

You can lay a bitumen-concrete screed, after which it is treated with polymer mastic, to which roll insulation is glued. Finishing material is installed on top.

Materials used

• The most demanded and widely used are roll insulating materials. Due to their low cost and ease of use, they are the most popular with consumers.
• Lubricants in the form of various mastics on a polymer or bitumen base have a higher cost and require better professional preparation for application, but they provide more reliable protection against any moisture.
• Sprayed materials are most effective when used outdoors. To apply them, you need special tools. Liquid rubber can be formed in special forms, after solidification of the substance, a dense membrane of the required size is obtained, which will reliably protect the surface of the balcony from water and snow. Surely it will last for more than a dozen years.

Whatever type of waterproofing the consumer chooses, he must enlist the support of a master if experience in carrying out such work is not enough. Poorly executed waterproofing will only lead to financial losses.

Balcony waterproofing is an important construction procedure, the high-quality implementation of which allows several times to increase the service life of the concrete slab embedded in the base of the structure.

Timely concern in this matter can significantly reduce the cost of periodic repairs and prevent premature failure of the support elements.

The need for arrangement

The reinforced concrete structure of the balcony slab has a porous composition. Based on this, moisture penetrating through the pores freely enters the inner cavity of the monolith in the cold season.

When exposed to negative temperatures, the ingress of water expands, which leads to a violation of the integrity of concrete and the rapid development of corrosion of internal metal products.

In this regard, sealing balconies and loggias can significantly reduce the intensity of the processes described above, protecting the slab from the harmful effects of external factors.

Along with this, the device for waterproofing the glazed balcony will significantly reduce the humidity in the air located both inside the loggia and inside the adjacent room.

Installation work does not require special skills and abilities. Any customer is able to carry out the entire volume of operations without the involvement of specialists.

Types of waterproofing materials and optimal choice of raw materials

Rational selection of material is an important stage in the arrangement of waterproofing a balcony. The choice of the front layer of the loggia subsequently depends on the characteristics of the raw materials.

So, the use of, for example, a coating material allows in the future to carry out the installation of decorative tiles and products that imitate natural stone masonry. Waterproofing a balcony in a wooden house provides for the use of penetrating compounds. Do-it-yourself balcony waterproofing is currently gaining wide popularity.

In this regard, it is more expedient to highlight the most commonly applicable varieties:

• Okay look. Roll materials act as representatives of this subgroup. The sheets are overlapped on each other along the entire perimeter of the loggia, while the joints of the two roll elements are covered with a mastic composition. The presented method of protection is actively used in the implementation of such an event as waterproofing the loggia from the inside. In addition, it should be noted that in order to increase the efficiency and reliability of such protection, sheets of rolled waterproofing materials are stacked in at least two layers.
• Polymer (cast) insulating compounds. The presented type of waterproofing consists in covering the monolithic slab with a special water-repellent layer. As a rule, cast-type compounds are used to equip the waterproofing of the balcony floor. The essence of the method is to uniformly cover the surface to be treated with heated polymer agents, which, when solidified, form a protective shell that prevents moisture from penetrating deep into the slab.
• Painting type. The implementation of protective measures in the presented method differs from other representatives in significantly lower expenditures on consumables and ease of implementation. However, the waterproofing of the balcony in a wooden house made with your own hands using paint waterproofing predetermines the periodic renewal of the applied layer.
• Impregnating compounds. The named type of protective antiseptics is used in most cases in houses made of timber or logs. The compositions are made with the addition of special additives, which allow not only to ensure reliable waterproofing of balconies and loggias, but also to endow the treated surface with unique properties: resistance to fire, mold formation, insects, etc.

Each of the presented methods of waterproofing on the balcony has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as an individual cost expression. In this regard, in each specific case, the customer makes an independent decision when choosing a particular material, depending on the design features of the loggia and the surrounding climatic conditions.

Watch a video of how the balcony room is waterproofed.

The procedure for performing waterproofing

Having decided on the most optimal type of waterproofing material, you should proceed directly to the work. The implementation of this event must be performed step by step, adhering to the following sequence of actions:

• Preparatory work. Having dismantled the old floor layer, it is necessary to analyze the condition of the concrete slab for the destruction of its surface. It is best to remove old damp or crumbling areas with a hammer drill and a stiff-bristled brush (alternatively, you can use any available tool at hand). We clean the treated surface from dust and debris residues. In the case of cracks or potholes, the places of destruction are pre-covered with soil and restored with cement mortar. It will be useful to inspect the roof of the loggia and protect the under-roof space from moisture. Then, we proceed to applying the primer to the cleaned surfaces of the walls and ceiling.

• Floor surface. This event acquires particular relevance when living on the ground floors of multi-storey buildings. A well-executed floor waterproofing will prevent moisture from the basement and soil from entering. The first step is to putty the side seam joints. Having cleared the floor from third-party debris, it is more expedient to treat the surface of the slab with penetrating waterproofing compounds. After waiting for the required time to dry, place the foil sheets overlapping. A small wooden frame is formed on top of the laid material, on which oriented strand boards are placed by means of self-tapping screws. The final event is placing a finishing material on top of the formed structure.
• Ceiling part. Waterproofing of the balcony ceiling from the inside is carried out, as a rule, using a coating or penetrating compound. All cracks and joints are coated with sealants. At the end, we proceed to the arrangement of waterproofing.

Conclusion

The question of how to make waterproofing on the balcony can be done by each developer with their own hands without the involvement of specialists. Implementation of waterproofing measures in advance will ensure reliable protection of your balcony from the outside and from the inside from the harmful effects of moisture, increasing the period of its operation.

Today, a balcony or loggia is not used as a storage room where various unnecessary things are stored. Every family is trying. and this is not enough. If you do not waterproof the balcony from the inside, seal it and vapor barrier, you can incur considerable financial losses in the future. What these works are and how to correctly perform them, you will learn from this article.

Balcony waterproofing

Waterproofing- protection of building materials and structures from the destructive effects of water. The results of the lack of waterproofing coatings can be seen on the balconies of the upper floors, which have no roof and no glazing, to which water from the roof constantly flows. On closed balconies, loggias, moisture gets inside due to poorly performed sealing work.

The destruction of concrete is observed in the places where the balcony slab adjoins the front slab, its edges are severely crushed and cracks and sinks are often visible on the plane.

What should be done to avoid this situation? One of the prerequisites is to waterproof the balcony (loggia) with sealing the seams.

You can use the services of specialists, but this is justified for outdoor work on the upper floors. From the inside, it is quite possible to waterproof the balcony with your own hands. It is necessary to pay attention to the sealing of all seams, regardless of their condition.

First, consider what the waterproofing of a balcony or loggia is.

The diagram below shows that when carrying out these works, the waterproofing mastic creates a protective layer, and the sealing of the seams and the restoration of the damaged parts of the balcony slab is carried out with the help of sealants.

Conditional scheme of waterproofing a balcony slab

The materials used in waterproofing work are divided into several types:

1. Lubricants - bitumen-polymer, cement-polymer, bitumen-rubber. They form an elastic coating that requires a tie on top.
2. Penetrating formulations are the most persistent and popular. Applied to a damp surface, filling all cracks. Also increases the durability of building materials by 15-20%. But it can only be used for waterproofing concrete surfaces.
3. The gluing materials are polymeric (vinyl plastic, polyethylene) and non-polymeric (fiberglass, roofing material). They are rarely used for waterproofing balconies (loggias), since working with them is expensive and laborious.

Let's consider step by step how to make a balcony and loggia waterproofing together with sealing.

Floor waterproofing

Work begins with the implementation of a concrete screed. For an open balcony, it is necessary to make a screed with a slope of 2%. It is necessary for the free flow of water from the surface of the stove. The screed is reinforced with a metal mesh.

When performing a screed, three types of seams are necessarily provided:

1. Compensation - is formed when the pressure layer is laid. Another name is temperature.
2. Forced - seams dividing the screed into squares.
3. Wall-mounted - located at the junction of the balcony slab to the front slab.

In the future, 50% of the seams are filled with mastic for sealing, into which an elastic cord is pressed.

The screed is cleaned of dust and debris, a primer is applied to it for better adhesion. One of the best is the WB Primer.

Apply several layers of polyurethane mastic (for example, Hyperdesmo RV) to the moistened concrete. The final thickness of the insulation on the floor of the balcony or loggia must be at least 20 mm.

In addition to the floor, the waterproofing layer should also extend to the walls up to 150-200 mm.

Application of polyurethane waterproofing on the floor of the balcony (loggia)

Waterproofing the loggia from the inside using expanded polystyrene and vapor barrier film

Sealing and waterproofing the balcony ceiling from the inside

After the glazing of the balcony, loggia, during precipitation, we sometimes observe an unpleasant picture - the balcony is flowing. This could happen if the ceiling and roof of the balcony (loggia) were not sealed and waterproofed.

With poorly carried out sealing of balconies, the joints of the windows leak, the roof flows from above, floods the floors. How can this defect be eliminated?

From the inside, all work to eliminate the leak can be done independently. We carry out sealing of all seams. We use polyurethane sealant Germoplast or Emfi. Before covering up the defects, we cut the seams and cracks with a grinder, clean them of dust and moisten them with water. We also pay attention to dark spots on the ceiling - in these places there may be microcracks through which water also flows. We also cut and seal them.

Sealing joints with polyurethane sealant

Next, we examine (loggias). Frames are often installed with violations of technology. These flaws will have to be corrected with your own hands. Otherwise, after sealing and waterproofing the ceiling, we will constantly observe how water flows through the cracks in the glazing.

When installing glazing, polyurethane foam is used. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the foam is destroyed, water flows freely through these seams. It is necessary to partially remove the outer layer of foam, fill the formed groove with a hydro-swelling elastic cord. Under the influence of moisture, the cord expands and prevents water from flowing in this place.

Leakage at the bottom of the frames of the loggia due to poor sealing

We start waterproofing the ceiling by cleaning the entire surface and treating it with an antiseptic for (for example, Dali). Then we seal cracks and chips using the technology described above.

For the ceiling, it is better to use Elastomix or Elastopaz polyurethane mastic. They have good adhesion and are not very difficult to apply to a damp ceiling surface.

The ceiling is covered with mastic in two layers - the direction of the second is perpendicular to the first. The waterproofing layer is reinforced with mesh after the first layer. To create a strong crystalline protective layer, it is necessary to allow the mastic to harden within 3 days.

When sheets of foil-clad polystyrene foam are glued to the ceiling - it also acts as a vapor barrier. The seams between them are also sealed.

Roof waterproofing

It is not always possible to make a complete sealing and waterproofing of the loggia with your own hands. We are talking about the upper floors - the roof of the loggia is leaking and external work is required. Who should fix the leak? You cannot do such work on your own - it is very dangerous. What to do in this case? It is necessary to invite specialists.

How the work on waterproofing and sealing balconies (loggias) is carried out can be seen on the video on the Internet.

Conclusion

Now we know that waterproofing protects the balcony (loggia) from premature destruction under the influence of water, and sealing eliminates any leakage, preventing moisture from getting to unprotected surfaces.

As you can see, you can independently, using modern materials, carry out work on sealing, waterproofing the loggia and balcony. Protect them from even small leaks and dampness.

Which can be used at any time for different purposes.

Water is undoubtedly the basis of life, but it can also become the source of many troubles, and moisture on the balcony, which appears after rain or melting snow, is simply a "disaster." If only it were limited to their own problems, but after all, very unpleasant explanations with neighbors can be added to them.

Waterproofing successfully helps from excess moisture on the balcony. This is a very important stage in arranging a balcony during repair and decoration, and carrying out such work involves not only sealing all seams with sealants, say, mounting foam, but also:

• protection of the frame and wooden products with water-repellent agents - they are coated with linseed oil, enamels, oil paint, transparent impregnation or varnish;
• ebb device, external cornice, which does not allow water to drain under the frame;
• surface treatment of all wooden parts with antiseptics, which are necessary to protect parts from fungus and bacteria and, as a result, from decay of materials

Interestingly, despite the huge selection of wood preservatives, linseed oil still copes well with this task.

Choosing materials for waterproofing balconies

The specifics of the work requires especially thoughtful steps, including when choosing a material, since correcting any defect is associated with a significant investment of money and time. In addition, it will not be superfluous to recall the well-known expression that is common among professionals:

there is no good or bad waterproofing, either it is there or it is not.

Today, two types of materials are used for balconies - pasting (roll) and coating.

Pellet hydromaterials

TehnoNikol

Roll materials are the traditional waterproofing coatings. They are:

• weldable, during the laying of which a burner is used;
• self-adhesive - this is a more modern version, which, judging by the name, does not need additional explanations.

Experts note the reliability and durability of such waterproofing, although the process itself is quite laborious. To implement it, you need:

• surface prepared with great care - the maximum permissible unevenness is 2 mm;
• dry base, which is treated with a bituminous primer;
• extreme accuracy in gluing the canvas.

This type is the most economical, and of its two options, the use of self-adhesive materials is preferable. The material is laid easily and simply - cut and pasted. It is fixed over the entire area, thereby eliminating the accidental displacement of the waterproofer, and you can walk on the coating immediately after installation, without any damage to it.

But this type of waterproofing also has an important drawback - a rolled membrane laid on a base must be poured with a screed, which is further trimmed with a finishing material, for example.

Roofing material

Roofing material is considered one of the most common roll materials used for waterproofing a balcony. It is laid by fusing with a torch.

By right, penofol or foam foil is also considered an excellent material. This roll material, which is a porous polyethylene coated with a metallized lavsan film, looks like ordinary polyethylene with a layer of foil. It is also known as folgoizolone.

Balcony waterproofing made with foil insulation is reliable and durable due to the excellent characteristics of the material. It absolutely does not accumulate moisture, reflects ultraviolet rays,. Folgoizolon also acts as a heat insulator. Suffice it to say that the waterproofing of a balcony with a 4 mm coating is quite comparable to 1.5 brick masonry. If you work correctly with foil insulation, there is no need for additional waterproofing. Although, if desired, it can be improved with an additional layer of roofing material or sealed with polyurethane foam. Usually, foil-insolon is spread on the floor or nailed to the walls, and it is desirable to do this on a flat surface, as tightly as possible and without gaps. It should be noted the cost of this domestic material, which is about three dollars per square meter.

Balcony waterproofing coating

Today, coating materials are gradually being replaced by coating materials. This is a large group of various waterproofing agents, which includes sealants, cement and cement-polymer, bitumen and polymer mastics. Lubricating (liquid) compositions are almost universal and completely "unpretentious" - they are applied with a spatula or brush to any surface. This provides significant time savings, since there is no need for intermediate stages that precede finishing.

The most famous type of coating materials are mastics, bituminous (or bitumen-polymer and rubber). They are based on oxidized bitumen, to which organic solvents and various fillers such as crumb rubber, plasticizer, latex are added, which increase the elasticity of the coating. Bituminous mastics are distinguished by their good adhesion to the substrate and increased resistance to external influences. But in order to ensure the quality of the coating, after the application of such materials, the screed must be poured.

To avoid shrinkage cracks of the screed, it is recommended to add reinforcing polypropylene fiber to it, which, on the one hand, increases the resistance and abrasion resistance of cement and concrete substrates, and on the other hand, reduces the likelihood of cracking.

Another option for coating waterproofing are cement-polymer mastics, in the manufacture of which a dry mixture of cement with a mineral filler is used. It is sealed with water or a special binder emulsion, or a dispersion of polymers (silicone, acrylic or vinyl).

The cement component of these coatings ensures their good adhesion to the substrate, and plasticizers help when working on non-rigid surfaces. Binding polymer components, having penetrated into the pores of the base, seal them hermetically. A thin coating layer of 1-3 mm is obtained.

Waterproofing technology

Preparation of the base

Another important factor in obtaining high-quality waterproofing of a loggia or balcony, in addition to the choice of material, is to carry out work in strict accordance with the technology of its device.

High-quality waterproofing of a balcony using technology first of all begins with cleaning the base of the surface of balconies and loggias from traces of oil, paint, tiles, dirt, dust and other substances that can impair adhesion. For these purposes, use a stiff brush and a vacuum cleaner, preferably an industrial one.

The base prepared in this way is treated with a primer (primer composition). It is applied to the surface to be treated with a masonry cloth, then it is carefully rubbed into all the cracks. Using a smaller brush, connecting seams and other hard-to-reach and narrow areas are additionally processed.

It is important not to be mistaken in choosing a primer, because, for example, primers intended for highly porous and poorly moisture-absorbing surfaces have a different physicochemical nature, therefore they are suitable only for a “native” base.

• The permissible unevenness of the base should not exceed 2 mm.
• The surface of the base should not contain even small sharp protrusions.
• Leveling screeds (made of gypsum, gypsum sand, cement-sand mortars) should be laid in strips along guide beacons 2-3 m wide.
• Before applying cement-polymer materials to porous surfaces (plaster, cement screeds, concrete, etc.) that have not been primed, moisten them with a spray bottle or sponge with clean water. This will prevent the waterproofing mortar from drying out too quickly.
• As for the main places of increased risk of leaks - joints of vertical and horizontal surfaces (they are also called conditionally movable joints) - they can be glued with a sealing reinforcing elastic tape, which stretches when the structure diverges, and shrinks after it is returned to its place. And at the same time, the tightness of the joints is maintained. You can also nail fillets to the floor to cover the gap between the wall and the floor.
• The required moisture content of the prepared substrate is 4%. It is very important to adhere to this parameter, because after the end of the waterproofing work, excess moisture will remain inside the resulting structure and will only contribute to its leaching, erosion, and a gradual decrease in the bearing capacity up to its premature loss.
• New screeds must be kept up to date (for example, for cement-sand screeds, it is 28 days), so that shrinkage processes are completely over and the possibility of cracking is minimized as much as possible.

Preparation of the mixture

Some coating mastics, in particular, bitumen and polymer, are produced ready-to-use. As for cement-based materials, they are supplied in the form of a dry mix. According to the ratio indicated in the instructions, the dry mixture is poured into a container with the required volume of clean water and thoroughly mixed with a mechanical stirrer (electric drill equipped with a special nozzle) until a homogeneous mass without lumps and clots is obtained. He is given 3-5 minutes to ripen, after which the solution is stirred again. It is already ready for use. The optimal water temperature for its preparation is considered to be 15-20 ° C.

The solution retains its viability for 40 minutes -1.5 hours, so the mixture is diluted in a small amount and immediately applied.

The quality of the resulting mixture of waterproofing depends largely on the purity and accuracy of the master. So, in two-component cement-polymer compositions, the components can enter into a chemical reaction with each other (say, a cement-sand mixture with latex). Therefore, it is so important to precisely observe the proportions indicated by the manufacturer and the above sequence of work:

1. dry powder is poured into liquid,
2. mix,
3. leave for a few minutes
4. mix again.

And what is equally important is the use of clean containers. A typical situation: you want to take a break, but the solution has not been used up to the end. It is thrown, a new portion is kneaded in the same container. As a result, debris is practically obtained, when water gets in, the layer of the waterproofing obtained in this way quickly soaks.

It is necessary to strictly follow the rule: thoroughly wash the used container before any new batch or buy the mixtures already packed in buckets intended for mixing. The second option is guaranteed to ensure the cleanliness of the container and the absence of irregularities in the proportions for each portion of the composition.

Waterproofing application

Roll materials

• Pieces of pasting waterproofing are prepared in advance and cut out to the required size.
• Warm up with a hair dryer or burner.
• They cover the joints between the balcony and the wall and the surface (from the wall, in the direction of the water).
• Special attention and safety precautions are required when working with oil burners.

Lubricants

• To carry out work on the device, the temperature of the environment and the surface to be trimmed should not be lower than + 15 ° С, and the air humidity should not exceed 60%. It is necessary to maintain such a temperature around the clock, starting at least two days before the start of work and another 12 after their end.
• The waterproofing layer is evenly applied to the substrate with a brush, smooth trowel or roller.
• The time required for the composition to dry and harden, depending on the thickness of the layer, temperature and humidity in the room, may vary.
• Before continuing work (laying a screed or finishing floor covering), it is necessary to check that the moisture content of the used mixture corresponds to the permissible value for this type of material.

Additional waterproofing is provided by installing on. Another option is to use frames designed for skylights for glazing balconies - they are perfectly heat and waterproof, conveniently open and fixed, and look quite aesthetically pleasing.