Apartment Terrace Waterproofed with a White Membrane

1. Where we started

The surface was worn out, with peelingPeeling paintWhen paint loses its grip and lifts off in flakes or sheets. It is almost always a sign of a problem underneath, usually damp or poor preparation. patches of old coatings and cracksCrackA split or gap in render, concrete, a wall, a coating or wood. Fine cracks are usually only on the surface; ones that grow, keep reopening or run diagonally need attention. that let water through.

2. Pressure washing

First the dust, loose material and leftovers of old coatings come off, so the new material bonds to a clean base.

3. Primer

The primerPrimerThe thin first coat that goes on before the main material. It binds dust, seals the pores and helps paint or waterproofing stick firmly. binds any remaining dust and helps the membrane stick properly to the concrete.

4. Sealing the cracks

Every crack is filled on its own before the main coat goes on. These are usually the places where water gets in.

5. First coat

The white liquid membraneLiquid waterproofing membraneA waterproofing product applied as a liquid by roller, brush or spray. Once dry it forms one continuous, flexible membrane with no seams. goes over the whole surface and up the low wallsParapetThe low wall around the edge of a flat roof or balcony. The joint between it and the floor is one of the most common places for leaks., so there is no open joint at the corners.

6. Second coat

The second coat builds up the final thickness and covers anything the first one missed.

7. The result

One continuous white surface with no joints. The white also reflects the sunCool roof coatingA white or very light top coat that reflects much of the sun's radiation, so the roof and the floor below heat up less., so the flat below stays cooler in summer.