Strengthening iron parapets and balcony slabs

Who among the residents of apartment buildings would not like to increase their living space, and even with minimal expenses? It is illogical to use such a “tempting” piece as a balcony stove only for a smoke break or drying clothes. All you need to do is install a full-fledged window, insulate the enclosing structures and dismantle part of the wall. The procedure will require investment, but if everything is in order with the base of the balcony, there will be no serious difficulties. When planning such a repair, it is advisable to learn more about these slabs, the features of their installation and repair.

Repair with protruding reinforcement

When the slab chips or breaks, the elements of the reinforcing metal frame are exposed and sometimes stick out from its remains.
Rust is removed from them with a metal brush, treated with a rust converter (you can use regular vinegar), and primed. After this, concrete is poured. If some of the rods are unusable or lost due to destructive corrosion, the frame is welded using new elements. The concrete is first removed down to the reinforcement, the damaged elements are cut off, if necessary, new rods are concreted into the wall and welded together into a solid frame. Before concreting, additional reinforcing mesh can be applied.

Repairing a partially or completely destroyed slab

This work is exclusively for specialists, because the technology involves affecting the supporting house structure. A channel is inserted into the prepared deep holes in the walls and concreted. A corner around the perimeter of the future slab and a steel sheet are welded to it. Now it’s time for the new reinforcement frame and concreting.

Reinforcement

The balcony slab is concreted with cement mortar; its layer should be 2 times wider than the reinforcing mesh.
Restoring the load-bearing capacity of the balcony base is a more complex operation. To perform this, you will need a reinforcing steel mesh made of wire with a diameter of 5 mm. The mesh cells should fall on each linear m of the base - three longitudinal and the same number of transverse wire rods. The intersections of the rods must be tied with soft wire or arc welded. A mesh is laid on the cleaned surface so that there is a small gap between it and the slab so that the liquid contained in the concrete flows under the rods without difficulty. Then the base is scalded around the perimeter with a metal corner. Next, the balcony slab is concreted with cement mortar, its layer should be 2 times wider than the reinforcing mesh. The restoration of the slab is completed.

Where to start renovating a balcony

If the rotten balcony has begun to crumble, then, of course, there is no time for glazing or finishing. First of all, the balcony needs to be strengthened.

Old balconies of varying levels of wear and tear

Let’s not look for all the differences in these completely worn-out structures, but let’s immediately note that the left one definitely needs a slab replacement, that is, emergency repairs involving special equipment, for example, a crane with a tower, a truck, etc. A lot of questions immediately arise: who should do such repairs, at whose expense and others.

Balcony repairs in disrepair are carried out by teams of appropriately qualified installers

The slab, as a load-bearing structure, belongs to the management organization, so in theory this organization should be responsible for emergency repairs. However, as a rule, structures that require emergency repairs occur only in old houses, so when a slab is broken out, damage to a weak load-bearing wall is possible, and this results in high repair costs, which causes a lot of complications.

Please note: in order to develop and approve a restoration or redevelopment project, an emergency condition report is required, which is issued by the MA. Its presence allows you to become a participant in housing reconstruction programs or obtain compensation for repair costs in another acceptable way.

Destruction of a balcony slab in a Khrushchev building

Let's return again to the photos of balconies. Look carefully, the slab has not yet been destroyed to the wall, which means there may be a chance of its restoration during repairs. An examination of the balcony by a specialist will help clarify the real state of affairs. If the examination shows that the reinforcement is damaged by corrosion by no more than 10%, then we can limit ourselves to a major repair.

The parapet is strengthened by welding corners

Do-it-yourself balcony repair in stages, associated with the wear of the slab, begins with work on its restoration:

thoroughly clean the worn slab;
straighten and, if necessary, weld the reinforcement;
new railings are welded;
treat the surface of the slab with concrete contact;
tie the frame with formwork;
concreted with frost-resistant (F32) concrete of at least B10 strength class.

complete waterproofing;
glazing;
insulation;
decorative finishing inside and outside

Repair of loggias and balconies: photo of replacing rotten fittings

Major or emergency repairs?

More serious baseplate failures should be inspected by a certified technician who will make a determination regarding the extent of the damage, the possibility of repair, and the type of repair required.

Emergency repairs consist of dismantling the remains of the old balcony and creating a new one in the same place. Not every city, even regional ones, has organizations that have permission and sufficiently qualified personnel to carry out major repairs of balconies. What can we say about emergency repairs, which will require special equipment and industrial climbers. It is very difficult to prepare a package of documents for such repairs. Therefore, the logical advice would be not to let the balcony slabs of your apartments fall into disrepair and to promptly respond to any initial deviations leading to further destruction.

Overhauling a stove is also not an easy task for DIYers. From the outside, the list of repair work does not seem very complicated: stripping the slab to a solid base; cleaning, leveling, adding missing reinforcement by welding; welding new railings to reinforced reinforcement; processing of a durable slab frame with concrete contact; production of formwork; concreting; waterproofing of the restored slab; installation of ebb tides to prevent repeated destruction; restoration of the surface of the slab (bottom) from the neighboring side.

But theoretical knowledge must be confirmed by sufficient experience to know:

How long does it take to knock down the old crumbling layer?
which part of the reinforcement and parapet can be left and which needs to be changed;
what kind of concrete and how to restore the slab so that the remainder merges with the new concrete into a single whole.

To work, you need concrete in strength not lower than class B10, in frost resistance not lower than F32. Its preparation must be carried out on industrial equipment. And concreting must be done by a highly qualified specialist who understands all the intricacies of the process.

The general conclusion for both repair options is that it is an expensive undertaking that is performed by specialists.

Balcony repair

The most common problems with loggias and balconies are roof leaks and slab destruction. All this can be easily fixed with your own hands. But there are times when specialist intervention is required. According to the degree of complexity, loggia repairs are divided into:

Redecorating. Involves finishing and maintenance work that does not affect structural elements. It is quite possible to do it yourself.
Major renovation. May require documentation approval. Includes changing fences, strengthening the structure, increasing the size of the loggia.
Emergency. Done when there is a risk of collapse. Requires replacement of the supporting structure. Such repairs must be carried out by a management company or a specialized organization.

Any balcony requires periodic light repairs. If you don’t do it, sooner or later you will need an emergency one.

To overhaul a balcony with your own hands, it is advisable to choose lightweight, moisture-resistant materials. And it’s better not to save on them, since the small size of the room will not require large investments

It is very important to take into account the specific gravity of materials during prolonged exposure to a humid environment. Otherwise, 1 kg of wall at the beginning of repairs can turn into 2 kg after six months of its use

For the parapet, a lightweight metal or wooden frame with foam insulation is suitable. It’s easy to make a wooden one with your own hands, and a metal one can be a good way to strengthen the balcony.

SIP panels are also a good choice:

Moisture resistant.
Warm.
Smooth - they are easy to finish.
Weight of 1 m2 is about 15 kg.

To repair the floor, one of the best options would be to install an expanded clay concrete screed with reinforcement without additional reinforcement. But this option is suitable if the corrosion of the reinforcement does not exceed 10%.

If the slab is old and without reinforcement, it is better to use for finishing:

Plastic panels - weigh 0.5 -1.5 kg/m2.
Siding - 1-2 kg/m2
Wooden lining - 6-10 kg/m2.
Corrugated sheeting - 5-10 kg/m2

The plate will withstand such materials without problems.

Planned scope of work

How to repair a balcony with your own hands step by step is of interest to everyone who has started such an event.

Major repairs on the balcony begin with dismantling work.

Next steps are:

parapet repair;
floor screed;
roof repair;
insulation of the balcony;
Finishing work;
installation of a balcony block;
design decoration.

Dismantling a balcony involves destroying the old screed, barriers, and roof. It is done in cases where the defects are significant. For example, deep cracks were found in the parapet fence, the floor is crumbling, or the roof has through holes and chips.

Dismantling the balcony is easy to do independently. The old concrete screed is removed down to the reinforcement, the fences and roof are completely removed.

Before making repairs on the balcony, all rubbish is taken out, parts of the iron ceilings are cleaned of rust and treated with a special anti-corrosion compound. The parapet is also being restored. After this, the repair work begins directly.

The main reasons for the destruction of the balcony

As practice shows, the main reason why balconies collapse is depressurization of joints and violation of waterproofing. As a result, moisture enters the room, forming condensation, from which mold appears.

In addition, moisture can act on reinforced concrete, penetrating into it and causing corrosion on the reinforcement. The age of concrete directly depends on the penetrating ability of water - the older it is, the easier it is for moisture to penetrate inside. Corroded reinforcement loses its load-bearing capacity and expands, which causes a deterioration in the load-bearing capacity of concrete.

Also, the destruction of the base of the balcony is caused by high pressure on the slab, sudden changes in temperature and a long absence of major and current repairs, such as in Khrushchev.

The reasons for the destruction of balconies can be errors made during installation. These include: the presence of a reverse slope of the slabs, the absence of drips and drains in the lower part of the concrete slab and the absence of protective screens protecting the slab from moisture penetration.

There are 2 stages of destruction of the base of the balcony:

The first includes minor destruction when it is necessary to strengthen the slab. Such destruction occurs in houses whose age is approaching 40 years. You can do it yourself, as this is a minor repair. For example, in cases of crumbling corners.
The second stage is the destructive appearance of the object. These include the collapse of part of the balcony, the appearance of cracks at the junction with the wall, open sections of reinforcement, destruction is observed in the upper layer of the platform or detachment in its lower part.

Preparatory stage

Preparation for repair robots consists of the following processes:

cleaning the balcony from foreign objects;
taking out the trash;
preparation of necessary materials;
if necessary, install fencing below the balcony;
clean the slab from damaged concrete;
Clean exposed reinforcement from corrosion.

After these activities are completed, work begins.

Features of fastening plates

A balcony is not only a decoration for any home, but also a great place to relax; you can sit on it. In order to be safe from any incidents, it must be reliably repaired.

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support on attached (reinforced concrete, steel or wooden) structures;
use of cantilever floor slab;
clamping or pinching the outer wall of a building;
suspension of the slab to internal load-bearing transverse walls or to the ceiling.

In buildings built of bricks, the installation process is carried out using pinching. Builders embed reinforced concrete and backing elements into the outer wall, which forms a stop for the slabs. The edge that is adjacent to the outer wall thickens.

In panel houses, slabs are most often supported by reinforced concrete structures using floors. In frame objects, the strengthening process occurs using block technology. It has absolutely no load, because the material rests on the consoles.

It is necessary to take a decision from the relevant authorities. All independent work related to changing the appearance of the house entails administrative responsibility. It is worth knowing that if the fastenings are chosen incorrectly, the structure may collapse.

Once you have decided on the type of house, you can get to work.

It is very important to follow several rules that will give effective results. For example, when glazing the balcony part receives additional load, so it is important to strengthen it

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There is another option for fastening using T-beams. It is very suitable for updating old premises that are in danger of demolition, but you must know exactly the height of the ceiling:

First you need to cut off the old slab.
Drill out 1 m long recesses in the floor at 1.5-2 tee heights, if the ceiling allows. Don't forget that there are neighbors below you, and they need a ceiling. It is necessary to make 3-4 such grooves.
Next, holes are knocked out in the wall.

Important! The range of application of this unusual tool is the ability to use internal elements. Thanks to its versatility, the device is ready to cope with any difficult task.

Metal rails (brands) 3 m long are passed through them. 1 m remains in the apartment, and the remaining 2 in the outer part. Build formwork on the floor and on the protruding part of the rails and fill it with concrete mixture. The level of the slab and the load-bearing covering of the house must completely match. Then they weld from the corners. You can build a loggia, decorate and insulate it using special materials.

It is important to know how to properly strengthen it so as not to compromise the integrity of the building and not endanger those who go out onto the balcony. If you realize that you are unable to carry out repairs yourself, contact the experts for help.

During the operation of the housing stock, houses are exposed to external and internal influences of various natures. Atmospheric precipitation and temperature changes over time destroy facades, roofs, and balcony slabs of buildings. At the same time, the load on the balcony appears both from the inside and from the outside, since it represents a kind of border between the comfort of home and the aggressive outside world. An emergency balcony poses a potential threat to both homeowners and passers-by.

Because of this duality, there is a double responsibility for strengthening the balcony.

On the one hand, balcony slabs represent common household property. Housing and communal services or other management companies are required to maintain them in good condition.
On the other hand, the interior space of a loggia or balcony is a private territory, the condition of which represents the owner’s area of responsibility.

An emergency balcony poses a danger to both the owner and others

Signs of an emergency balcony:

mechanical destruction, which is expressed in the falling off of pieces of concrete, the protrusion of rusty frame reinforcement onto the surface;
the appearance of cracks and gaps between the wall of the house and the loggia slab;
deviation of the angle of inclination of balcony slabs outward from the norm;
corrosion and loosening of the loggia railings.

What it is

The balcony slab is the basis of the balcony. The reliability of the structure’s operation depends on its characteristics and dimensions. The following types are distinguished:

PB - multi-hollow, made of reinforced concrete (used for flooring), standard dimensions: length 3.5 m, width 1.5 m, thickness 16 cm;
monolithic - provide one whole with the structure for the ceiling;
cantilever - fastened by pinching into the wall on one side, or two opposite sides, suitable for buildings with heavy walls (brick or reinforced concrete).

Repair of balcony structures depends on the type of elements and the causes of damage.

Strengthening the balcony

If the loggia is in disrepair, you can do without replacing the balcony slab; you can strengthen it. You can do this yourself, and there are several options:

Use of supports. Suitable for lower floors. At the outer corners of the slab, stands are placed that rest against the ground. Typically, this option makes it possible to increase the size of the loggia. Requires a reliable foundation for supports. The downside is that the foundation can sag, so it must be strong enough.
Bottom cuts. Metal brackets are attached under the slab, resting against the walls. If you add additional channel lining and reinforcement to the slab, you can increase its size.
Upper cuts. A groove is made along the perimeter of the slab, the slopes are welded to the reinforcement and attached to the wall. To seal the grooves, frost-resistant concrete must be used.

If the slab is still strong, you can get by with making piping around the perimeter and additional reinforcement. A steel angle or channel is used for strapping.

Carrying out such work does not simply restore the structure. Thanks to the increased load capacity, the balcony can be turned into a full-fledged room

And the range of finishing materials is expanding significantly - it’s no longer so important what their weight is

You need to understand that repairing a loggia is much more important than repairing any other living room. Making any changes requires engineering precision - the cost of error can be enormous. This is the very case when it is very useful to remember the rule - “Measure seven times - cut once.” Better yet, consult a specialist. It’s simply impossible to do otherwise.

Balconies in Khrushchev-era houses, which were designed for a service life of 15–20 years, after this time often become dangerous for further use. Therefore, repairing a balcony slab is the only way to ensure safety, not only for yourself, but also for your neighbors below, if the balcony is located in a panel house on the second floor or higher. Such repairs involve either a complete replacement of the slab or its high-quality strengthening. Sometimes it is possible to make the necessary changes in the design yourself.

Standard dimensions of balcony slabs:

Length, mm – 3275;
Width, mm – 800;
Thickness, mm 150...220 (different thicknesses of the balcony slab are associated with different series of Khrushchev-era buildings that were erected).

In addition, concrete slabs for balconies are produced with a length range from 1200 mm to 7200 mm, with a width of 1200...1800 mm.

Loggia slabs have the same characteristics. The parameters of these products are regulated by GOST 25697-83, according to which they are divided into three groups:

1 Flat solid beam type (PB). In the monolithic version, they are part of the ceiling;
2 Flat solid cantilever type (PBK). They are used only in Khrushchev-era buildings with heavy walls that can withstand a load of at least 110 kg/m2;
3 Ribbed cantilever type (PBR).

If you do a basic calculation of a balcony slab, you can come to the conclusion that in the latter version, the presence of stiffeners in the design of the product increases the permissible loads. However, over time, strengthening the balcony slab becomes relevant for these cases.

Installation of balcony railings

Despite the fact that the old fence may still be quite strong, overhaul of the balcony slab already implies the installation of a new enclosing structure. In addition, if in the future you plan to glaze the balcony and insulate it, then it will not be superfluous to think through a high-quality base in advance.

When constructing fences, welding is usually used. An alternative way is to secure the structure with anchors.

The frame of the new fence is made of a rectangular profile pipe. This design is easy to install and has a very attractive appearance. “In addition,” a galvanized steel ebb is attached to it along the entire perimeter of the balcony slab, which reliably protects its edge from rain and snow.

DIY balcony repair instructions

The balcony is leaking

The balcony leaks for various reasons, but they have the same consequences: wet ceilings, floors and walls.

Causes of floor leaks

If there are leaks on the ceiling, during repairs, the roof is treated from the outside with a sealed bitumen-rubber solution, and water no longer penetrates inside. To prevent it from stagnating, a slope for drainage is installed on the canopy.
The walls will be saved by sealing the interpanel seams. The seams are sealed using concrete or high-quality putty.
Drains made at the base will prevent water from accumulating on the floor.
Small gaps can be filled with elastic sealant, about 2/3 of the volume, after a day the excess can be cut off and covered with hydrostop, and then with a leveling solution.
After treatment with polyurethane foam, large gaps are covered with a galvanized apron.
The cracks in the slab are cleared and expanded with a spatula to a U-shape and, after being generously moistened with water, filled with mortar.

Sealing gaps between the parapet and the slab

How to strengthen a balcony slab during renovation

In case of minor damage, they are limited to reinforcement with a metal mesh, which is filled with expanded clay concrete mortar so that its thickness is located in the middle of the mortar.
In case of major damage, the slab is cleaned and a new reinforcing mesh is laid and treated with special protective compounds. Before pouring concrete into the metal frame, wooden formwork is installed. After allowing the screed to dry, a special penetrating waterproofing is first applied to it, then a liquid solution of “cement laitance” is applied.
If your balcony is tilted at an angle exceeding the permissible 10 degrees, level it with an additional layer of screed.

Strengthening the balcony

Options for strengthening the balcony slab

Modulion (wildcard strut). If you bring it to the edge of the slab and make the expansion of the balcony its continuation, then the resulting structure will exceed the original one in terms of the design load, including insulation and glazing. The inside can be finished not only with clapboard, but also with any heavy material. Unfortunately, this repair option is only suitable for houses with high ceilings.
Overhead jibs. They are welded to the reinforcement by punching grooves in the wall and around the perimeter of the slab. The grooves are then sealed with high-strength frost-resistant concrete. Unlike modulons, here it is enough to have two jibs on the sides of the slab, connected along the overhanging edge and in the groove with a channel.

Balcony after strengthening

The load-bearing balcony slab is the main element of the entire structure. It serves as a support and determines the area of the fenced space for use for the intended economic purposes. The condition of this support determines the reliability and safety of the entire balcony. Taking into account the vulnerability of the slab to wind, temperature fluctuations, precipitation, and direct sunlight, this condition must be monitored constantly and very carefully.

Even small cracks or breaks in the balcony slab should alert you and give impetus to an immediate investigation of the balcony. Where safety, and sometimes human life, depends on the reliability of a structure or its elements, inaction and any delay are unacceptable. After all, not only family members and their guests are at risk, but also unsuspecting pedestrians whose route runs near your home.

A seemingly insignificant crack can become a channel for water leakage to the fittings. As a result, corrosion and weakening of the concrete slab frame; peeling, spalling, destruction of concrete. Such a crack easily becomes the reason for the start of major repairs. Its necessity is also obvious without expert opinion in the following cases:

peeling and falling off pieces of concrete;
the appearance of a gap at the junction of the slab with the load-bearing house wall;
exposure of reinforcement sections, its corrosion;
fault detection;
a loose parapet, which is connected to the reinforcement by welding;
slope of the balcony exceeding the structural slope for the outflow of precipitation.

Important! The sagging of the balcony slab is determined by its lower plane. The upper plane may have a slope of approximately 3 degrees, ensuring the outflow of water when precipitation hits the open balcony

How to repair a roof?

Repairing the balcony canopy begins with clearing the old coating and debris. Then:

the roof surface is cleaned;
coated with bitumen mastic;
lay a layer of roofing material;
at the joints the coating is also coated with mastic;
in the place where the material is adjacent to the wall, metal plates are placed;
an outer covering is placed on top;
fix it.

Please note: If the balcony is leaking from above - what to do and who to contact

If major repairs are made to the balcony roof, the old canopy is initially dismantled. Then they build a new frame and erect a roof over the site. If necessary, the structure is insulated from the inside.

Repairing a balcony roof, especially a balcony on the top floor, has its own characteristics.

If it is intended to install a canopy with a slope on a similar roof of the building itself, the rear part is erected and fixed under the edge of the main roof. If you want to have a slope over the balcony, and the roof of the main building is flat, you have to securely strengthen the canopy. Then it represents an independent element.

We insulate the structure

The standard insulation of a loggia (balcony) parapet is complete thermal insulation, where the interior of the structure is insulated together with the walls, floor and ceiling.

foil polyethylene foam;
construction foam;
penoplex;
mineral wool.

If insulation is combined with balcony heating, then the most practical material is roll insulation. It has excellent heat-reflecting qualities, resistance to moisture and at the same time is extremely convenient to install.

If you take foil polyethylene foam (penofol), then you can, even without professional skills, carefully and efficiently install the first thermal insulation layer, eliminating all possible cracks in the working surface. Repeating the operation provides additional heat protection. The material is not only very easily attached to the surface (both a stapler and special glue are suitable for this), but also does not require careful leveling.

In the case of using tile insulation (foam plastic, penoplex, etc.), lathing, thermal insulation and vapor barrier film are used for high-quality installation. The final stage is the decorative finishing of the parapet, after which the loggia or balcony will acquire the long-awaited appearance.

Laying out the floor on a concrete slab

A repaired or restored slab becomes a reliable base for a balcony floor. It’s just not advisable to level the outer slope of the slab using a concrete screed - excess weight load on the slab is undesirable. The slope is concealed by the use of wedge-shaped logs. They are laid with the high side facing the parapet. The result is a horizontal base for the subfloor. Now, in the case of the provided insulation of the slab, it’s time to lay foam plastic or aluminized padding polyester between the lags. After this, you can put a rough pillow and lay a laminate floor or other decorative finish over it.

Important! Mineral wool should be excluded from the possible options for selecting insulation for the floor and walls under glazing along the perimeter of the parapet. It quickly becomes saturated with moisture, as it shifts the dew point towards itself. The result is that it creates additional load on the slab, loses its geometric shape and falls off, and ceases to serve as insulation.

This material will help in performing simple cosmetic and restoration work. When contacting specialists to determine the scope of work ahead and select methods for solving existing problems, it will be useful to communicate with them in the same “language.”

Preparing the slab for repair

All things are removed from the balcony and accumulated garbage is thrown away. Using a hammer with an elongated handle, begin to tap the concrete slabs with blows of medium force. A weak solution immediately crumbles, and the locations of voids and peelings are determined by the booming sounds of impacts. To further eliminate these shortcomings, the concrete in such places is first broken.

Important! When planning a major renovation of your balcony, do not hesitate to coordinate your actions with the neighbors of the upper and lower floors. Common structural elements - balcony slabs - are best restored or repaired together

Or, at least, it is necessary to have access to them from neighboring apartments.

After the first stage of research and removal of unnecessary construction debris, they begin to examine the identified cracks. A good tool for this is a set of gap gauges. An alternative would be a narrow metal spatula or a metal ruler. The probe is needed to classify the crack. If the probe inserted into it sharply rests after 30-40 mm and does not go further, the crack is superficial. When, after a certain pressure, the probe moves more and more difficult and at the end it jams, the crack goes deep into the slab and this case can be qualified as a fault. This is much more serious than the first case. And now, in addition to repairs, the balcony slab will have to be strengthened.

Surface cracks in the slab and at the point of its connection with the wall (arising from shrinkage of the screed as a result of temperature deformations) can be repaired independently. It will also not be difficult to restore or level chipped corners and edges with a regular screed solution - the edges are not loaded. Before repairing cracks and edges, their surface is pre-treated with concrete contact.

External signs indicating the need for repair work

The main signs that a concrete balcony slab needs immediate repair and restoration work are:

rust stains appearing on the surface of concrete;
cracks and chips;
fallen pieces of concrete from the internal or external surface;
exposed elements of the reinforcement frame;
a gap formed between the balcony slab and the wall of the building.

Who is responsible for repairing balconies?

Not a single regulatory document or law clearly states: is a balcony part of a supporting structure or a living space? In this regard, the question may arise: if the balcony is in disrepair, where to go and what to do? In theory, the balcony slab should be repaired by the management company, and the parapet, railings, and gratings should be repaired by the owner of the apartment. But some confusion in the legislation does not provide an exact answer to this question. On this basis, disagreements often arise between homeowners and utility companies.

Tips for finding a way out in emergency situations

If you notice signs of destruction of the balcony slab, you must inform the utility service about this fact in writing as soon as possible. The document is certified by a housing office specialist and registered in the appropriate journal. It makes sense to attach several photographs of the collapsing balcony slab to the document. Your neighbors below must put their signatures on this document.

Then you can do the following: restore the balcony slab yourself, but with guarantees of recalculation of the rent. Or wait patiently for utility services to take over the repairs. If none of the options suits you, feel free to go to court.

Restoring the edges of a balcony slab

It is the edges of the concrete balcony slab that, as a rule, begin to collapse first. If they are repaired in a timely manner, further destruction of the base can be prevented and the reinforcing frame can be prevented from being exposed (with all the ensuing negative consequences). You can do this yourself, even if your balcony is at a very high altitude. The work algorithm is as follows:

we make formwork, which consists of two boards fastened at an angle of 90ᵒ;

we clean the damaged parts of the edges from dirt and dust;
we treat them with concrete contact;
using clamps we fasten the manufactured formwork to the balcony slab;
pour sand-cement or special repair mortar into it;

after complete hardening, remove the formwork;
We treat the surfaces with a waterproofing compound.

Replacing a balcony block

Typically, owners replace old doors and windows on the balcony with new ones made of metal-plastic or PVC. Installing a balcony block is easy to do with your own hands.

Windows and doors can be purchased standard. But in some cases you have to adapt to the specific width of the door and window openings. So, the options in Stalinist style are non-standard.

In addition, from all the products offered, you can choose the balcony block that you like. There are simple standard models and glass products. Then the beautiful furnishings of the balcony are visible from inside the living space.

First, after dismantling the old block, measurements and a sketch are made. Plates are fixed to the frame profile.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to change the geometry of the balcony opening, as in the video below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VV5nBq8SIYM

The balcony installation itself includes:

embedding into an opening;
checking parts of the hole for distortions;
fastening into grooves;
checking the correct window-to-door ratio;
drilling holes in frames and interlocking doors and windows;
fixing the balcony block in the door and window opening.

After installing the block, use polyurethane foam to seal all the cracks on the inside and outside.

Next, the base under the window sill is leveled. In some cases, foam plates are used for this. The window sill element itself is placed on top.

The final stage is the installation of fittings (handles, latches, and, if necessary, a mosquito net).

How to repair a floor?

Repairs to the balcony include dismantling the old flooring. The concrete screed on the site can be wet or dry. But it is better to choose the second option, since it puts less load on the floors and balcony slab.

It is appropriate to do a wet screed when it is intended to use tiles as the finishing material.

Dry screed on the balcony is the treatment of the lower part of the floor with dry filler. The sequence of work is as follows:

waterproofing is lined.
The logs are screwed to the base using self-tapping screws.
Expanded clay is poured between them.
You can sew sheets of plywood on top.

Scheme of dry screed when repairing a balcony.

Upon completion of the work, the floor is covered with a finishing coating. It can be parquet, laminate, carpet.