Experts suspect poor waterproofing in Berkeley balcony collapse. Sudden collapse of a Berkeley balcony last week that killed six and injured seven, experts say it's obvious what happened: water got into the balcony and didn't get out, rotting the wood that kept it in place. Read about this tragedy here.

The results  of poor workmanship was sadly demonstrated in 2014 in the USA when  an apartment balcony collapse with loss of lives and major injuries. The Berkeley balcony that failed was only 8 years old.

Tiling on its own is not an effective or acceptable as a waterproof barrier.

Despite the severity of the potential consequences of balcony failure, many property owners do not use qualified & certified waterproofers; often allowing tilers to apply the waterproofing membrane & also use sub standard products.

To assist the public & building practitioners, the VBA has developed a list of important points to remember when designing, assessing, approving  waterproofing standards for balconies.

Victorian Building Authority Guide - Here

Liquid Applied Waterproofing Systems are the ideal membrane to use as a sealant around the most complex of balcony details - for example around handrail supports, joins & seams, roof penetrations, rainwater outlets.