Do You Really Have to Waterproof Your Balcony?

When it comes to protecting your home, you might already know the importance of waterproofing your outdoor deck. Waterproofing decks protect the surface from water damage including mold and dry rot. Something that you might not think about as much is waterproofing a balcony. Read on to find out the scoop on whether or not your balcony needs to be waterproofed.

The fact of the matter is that if you want to keep your home safe and the people you love safe, then getting your balcony waterproofed is essential. This is especially true if your balcony is wood framed as these balconies experience a higher rate of failure than others. Wood framed balconies can experience leaks, visible damages as well as invisible damages. These invisible damages include structural damages from dry rot. Dry rot affects the integrity of the wood from the inside out. One way to spot dry rot is to press down on a piece of wood with your foot or hand. If the wood feels spongy and does not feel like a usual hard surface, this is a good indicator that dry rot is present.

If your balcony has a concrete structure, it doesn’t quite mean that you’re off the hook. Concrete structures need to be waterproofed as well. Waterproofing the concrete means that you’ll be giving the concrete an added level of protection. Waterproofing concrete also prevents cracks from forming, prevents mold and mildew and protects from UV rays. This is especially important as most balconies receive high amounts of direct UV rays. Another thing to consider is that when you waterproof your balcony, you’ll be saving money in the long run. Repairing a deck that has water damage will almost always be significantly more expensive than simply getting it waterproofed in the first place. If you have a balcony, be sure to talk to a professional about waterproofing.