Problem: Leaking balcony into apartment and dwelling below at Footscray apartment complex
Schaefer Waterproofing was contracted to address the defects identified in a Footscray penthouse balcony. The penthouse complex at Moreland Street reached a critical point where a failed waterproofing system led to severe water ingress into both the client’s apartment and the dwelling below. We restored full watertight integrity and ensured the balcony is protected long-term.
Symptoms identified
- Internal damage: Water leaks were affecting both the client’s apartment and the apartment directly underneath.
- Efflorescence and tile lifting/cracking: Tiles were suffering from efflorescence, cracking, and debonding due to the poor water fall. Water was persistently ponding.
- Lack of vertical wall protection: High moisture levels were detected beneath the tiles, with no evidence of the original membrane terminating vertically up the wall behind the cladding.
Urgency factors
- Structural deterioration of the 99m² balcony.
- Ongoing water damage to the apartment below.
- Open cavities behind the cladding caused by completely rusted metal flashing, exposing the building’s core infrastructure.
Solution: Our proven process for fixing balcony leaks
To stop further damage, we provided remedial reconstruction and full watertight integrity of the balcony, even supplying the client with a 5 year warranty for complete peace of mind.
Recommended solution
Complete removal of the failed/deteriorating waterproofing membrane. Gradient correction to the spill edge, to stop ponding. Implementation of a high-performance multi-layer dual waterproofing system (both below and above the screed with a vertical termination to protect the client’s apartment).
Our remedial waterproofing process
- Demolition and substrate preparation: Screed, existing waterproofing membrane, tiles and grout needed to be excavated from the site. Tyler and his team at Marsden Carpentry assisted in removal of lower sections of the wall cladding to expose the floor-to-wall junction. The flashing behind the cladding was detrimentally rusted and also needed to be removed. We replaced it with concrete sheeting to allow for a vertical upturn of the membrane.
- Base waterproofing: After inspecting moisture levels (using a Tramex CMEX5 moisture meter), we applied two coats of Gripset E60 epoxy moisture barrier. All 56 balustrade posts were structurally sealed using caulking and membrane upturns.
- Correcting the fall: We installed a fiber-engineered screed to establish a precise, compliant gradient (minimum 1:100 fall) toward the spill edge, eliminating any risk of future water ponding. Screeding was completed by Trevor and his team at Sharp Tiling.
- Advanced above-screed membrane application: Once the screed cured, we applied Gripset E60 moisture barrier (2 coats) and GRIPSET Xpress Multi Pro fast-cure liquid membrane (2 coats). All junctions and the 56 balustrade posts were also attentively detailed and sealed.
- Professional Tiling: The balcony was finished with premium porcelain tiles laid in a brickbond pattern, utilising a highly durable Mapei epoxy grout to resist water ingress. Tiles were delivered and installed by Trevor and his team at Sharp Tiling.
- Cladding reinstatement and detailing: The lower cladding panels were securely reinstalled by Tyler and his team at Marsden Carpentry. Final high-grade caulking and weather-sealing was applied across all cladding joints, tile joints, perimeter edges, and balustrade posts to ensure complete weather protection.
Results
This project highlights the necessity of using specialised remedial waterproofing professionals to correct complex building defects. Despite facing challenging winter conditions, our utilisation of advanced fast-cure membranes ensured the project was completed efficiently to the highest watertight standards.
Long-term benefits
- Property protection: The site is fully sealed to eliminate risks of internal water ingress/damage to the penthouse or the apartment below.
- Compliance: The entire 99m² balcony adheres to AS 4654.2-2012 standards where possible (full compliance not physically possible with structural design), protecting the structural longevity and property value.
- Engineered drainage: Correcting the fall to a 1:100 ratio ensured water successfully clears the balcony floor without ponding or discharging behind the cladding.
- Happy neighbours: Our remedial waterproofing addressed the root cause of water leaks and ingress at the client’s property, preventing further ingress to the apartment directly below.
Service: Detected leaks/ingress/efflorescence/ponding water, remedial balcony waterproofing, repairing, screeding, tiling, carpentry and caulking.
Application: Gripset E60 epoxy moisture barrier, Gripset BRW PFN sheet membrane, Gripset Xpress Multi Pro liquid membrane.
Solution: Gradient correction (1:100 minimum fall), custom concrete sheet flashing upstands, dual-layer membrane protection, and comprehensive balustrade post sealing.
Time to complete: Three months.
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