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Bavilo198810 Jul 2025 08:24Hello dear forum members!
A few months ago, we purchased a two-family house built in 1961 and are currently renovating it. Since the house will be wrapped with external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) next month, I have already prepared the two balconies (ground floor and upper floor). The original construction was as follows: concrete slab, screed, tiles.
There was no waterproofing on the concrete. The tiles and screed were completely undamaged. When I removed the balcony railing, tiles, and screed, I noticed that both balconies were cracked in exactly the same location. The crack runs at the front edge of the balcony towards the building. I stapled the cracks and injected epoxy resin. You can see on the upper balcony how the resin has flowed into the crack. I repaired a few chipped corners with two-component epoxy mortar. The balconies have already been waterproofed with polymer-bitumen membranes.
At the location where the balconies are cracked, the steel reinforcement has a very low concrete cover, actually almost none. Could this be a possible cause of the crack? Or has the house slightly settled on one side causing the crack?
Should I be worried about more serious damage or can the balconies be integrated into the ETICS?
A few months ago, we purchased a two-family house built in 1961 and are currently renovating it. Since the house will be wrapped with external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) next month, I have already prepared the two balconies (ground floor and upper floor). The original construction was as follows: concrete slab, screed, tiles.
There was no waterproofing on the concrete. The tiles and screed were completely undamaged. When I removed the balcony railing, tiles, and screed, I noticed that both balconies were cracked in exactly the same location. The crack runs at the front edge of the balcony towards the building. I stapled the cracks and injected epoxy resin. You can see on the upper balcony how the resin has flowed into the crack. I repaired a few chipped corners with two-component epoxy mortar. The balconies have already been waterproofed with polymer-bitumen membranes.
At the location where the balconies are cracked, the steel reinforcement has a very low concrete cover, actually almost none. Could this be a possible cause of the crack? Or has the house slightly settled on one side causing the crack?
Should I be worried about more serious damage or can the balconies be integrated into the ETICS?
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wiltshire10 Jul 2025 09:13I would have this checked by a professional—preferably not someone who is likely to benefit from the repair contract...
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Bavilo198810 Jul 2025 09:41Structural engineers in the area are unfortunately difficult to reach or have no availability. I have now forwarded the images to one structural engineer, so let’s see what kind of response we get.
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wiltshire10 Jul 2025 09:49Bavilo1988 schrieb:
The structural engineers in the area are unfortunately difficult to reach or have no availability.I keep forgetting these aspects. We were warmly welcomed in the village community and are actively involved. It’s unusual that no one with expertise is ever available.
Bavilo1988 schrieb:
that both balconies were demolished in exactly the same spot.If you already suspect an identical cause in the construction, you should also show how it fits into the overall picture, meaning the complete floor plans and the section. Isolated zoom-ins are only seemingly helpful when outsiders are supposed to provide diagnoses.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
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