Services
Balcony Repairs & Waterproofing Sydney
A leaking balcony rarely fixes itself. The membrane underneath decides everything.
Overview
Fix the waterproofing, then the tiles.
Leaking balconies are one of the most common defects in Sydney buildings, and one of the most commonly mis-repaired. Damp ceilings below, drummy tiles and white efflorescence all trace back to the same place: a waterproofing membrane that has failed or was never detailed correctly.
Band-aid fixes like regrouting, surface sealers and patch repairs buy months, not years. We strip back to the substrate, identify the actual moisture path, repair any spalling in the slab while it’s exposed, then install the right membrane system with correct falls, turn-ups and flashings before retiling.
We refurbish balconies for owners corporations, commercial owners and homeowners across greater Sydney, staging multi-balcony programs on occupied buildings so residents can keep living normally while the work gets done.
Signs to look for
How a failed balcony shows itself.
Water stains below
Damp patches, drip marks or peeling paint on the ceiling or wall beneath a balcony are the most common first sign the membrane above has failed.
Drummy or lifting tiles
Tiles that sound hollow, lift or crack point to water moving beneath them and breaking down the bed and membrane.
Efflorescence
White, salt-like deposits on tile edges, grout lines or the slab edge mean water is passing through the structure and carrying minerals with it.
Pooling water
Water that sits rather than drains indicates falls were never right or have moved, and standing water finds every weakness in a membrane.
Rusting fixings & rot
Corroding balustrade posts, door frames or rotting timber reveals moisture trapped where it shouldn't be.
Leaking planter boxes
Built-in planters are a classic hidden source of water ingress: constantly wet, rarely membraned properly, and directly against the structure.
Our process
Repaired once, properly.
Find the moisture path
We investigate where the water is actually getting in (membrane, flashings, junctions, planters or the slab itself) before any work is priced.
Strip back
Tiles, beds and the failed membrane are removed back to a sound substrate, and any concrete spalling in the slab is repaired while it's exposed.
Waterproof properly
The right membrane system for the situation, installed with correct falls, turn-ups and flashings. The detailing is what makes it last.
Retile & finish
New tiling and finishes bring the balcony back better than before, with drainage that works.
Balustrade & sign-off
Balustrades are checked and, where needed, replaced with compliant systems, and the completed works are documented.
FAQ
Balcony and waterproofing questions.
- Why is my balcony leaking?
- Almost always a failed or badly detailed waterproofing membrane: wrong material, inadequate turn-ups, missing flashings or falls that pool water. Tiles and grout are not waterproof; once the membrane beneath them fails, water finds its way into the slab and the rooms below.
- Can you just regrout or seal the tiles instead?
- Surface sealing can slow a minor leak, but if the membrane has failed it's a temporary fix; the water is still getting in. A lasting repair means stripping back to the substrate, installing the right membrane system and retiling.
- Who pays for balcony repairs in a strata building?
- In NSW, balcony slabs, waterproofing membranes and balustrades are generally common property, making them the owners corporation's responsibility, while tiles and finishes can vary by strata plan. We help strata managers and committees scope exactly what's involved.
- How long does a balcony repair take?
- A straightforward strip-back, membrane and retile is typically completed within one to two weeks per balcony, allowing for curing times between stages. Multiple balconies are staged to keep disruption to residents to a minimum.
- Do you replace balustrades as well?
- Yes. Deteriorating or non-compliant balustrades are a safety and legal hazard. We design and install replacement systems that comply with Australian Standards as part of the balcony refurbishment.
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Got a damp ceiling or a leaking balcony?
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