Sealing the Edges of a Tiled Terrace

1. An open joint

Where the floor meets the parapetParapetThe 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. with the railings, the joint had opened and soil and leaves had collected in it.

2. Dirt and rust

Along the parapet the groutGrout jointThe gap between tiles, slabs or stones, and the material that fills it. Grouting means filling these joints, which locks the surface together and keeps out water and dirt. had turned black and the railings were rusting at the base.

3. Cleaning

The terraceFlat roof (roof terrace)The flat concrete roof on top of a building. It is the most common kind of roof in Greece and the part that takes the most sun and rain. is cleaned and the joints are cleared of everything that had collected in them.

4. The materials

White waterproofingLiquid waterproofing membraneA waterproofing product applied as a liquid by roller, brush or spray. Once dry it forms one continuous, flexible membrane with no seams., a roll of reinforcing fabricReinforcement meshA mesh or fabric, usually glass fibre or polyester, set into render, a coating or liquid waterproofing to hold it together and stop cracks from opening. and the tools for the job.

5. Sealing the joint

The joint is covered with white waterproofingWaterproofingThe work and materials that stop water getting through on flat roofs, balconies, bathrooms, basements, planters and tanks. reinforced with fabric, taken up onto the low wall as well.

6. Along the parapet

The work carries on along the whole length of the parapet, under the railings.

7. The result

A clean terrace, with the joints at the parapets closed to water.