The second-floor balcony pathway stripped back to the concrete substrate, to allow for structural repairs, improved drainage, and waterproofing.
The completed pathway following waterproofing and reinstatement, finished with decorative stone and stepping slabs for a neat, functional walkway.
The client contacted iKapa about historical waterproofing issues on their top balcony and damp penetration on a retaining wall. The goal was to waterproof the balcony properly and get the retaining wall structurally sound, to address the damp penetration and improve the property’s long-term protection against water ingress.
This project covered extensive remedial and waterproofing work across the main bedroom balcony, the south-facing façade, and internal walkways. Existing tiles, screed, grass, and soil were removed to expose the concrete structure. Structural repairs were completed, new falls created to improve drainage, and the affected areas treated with a reinforced cementitious waterproofing system before the finishes and artificial grass were reinstated. Sectional excavations were also carried out along the south-facing areas to access, repair, and waterproof the affected structures, and drainage outlets were inspected and improved to direct water away from the building. Around 100m² of balcony and 120m² of concrete slab and façade area were treated, along with the associated walkways. The project took around three months, completed between October and December 2024.
This was a complex, large-scale project spanning several connected external areas across different levels of the property. The visible damp at the entrance couldn’t be resolved by treating that one wall alone — the surrounding balcony, façade, concrete slabs, and drainage system all had to be addressed together. The area where damp becomes visible isn’t always where the water is entering — a thorough inspection is essential to identify and repair the actual source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did fixing one damp wall require work across the whole property? +
Water travels — the point where damp shows up inside is often far from where it's actually getting in. Tracing it back properly can mean the balcony, façade, and drainage all turn out to be connected to the same problem.
What's involved in waterproofing a retaining wall? +
It usually means excavating to access the wall from outside, repairing the structure, applying a waterproofing membrane, and making sure drainage directs groundwater away rather than letting it build up against the wall.
How long does a project spanning multiple levels of a property typically take? +
For connected areas like a balcony, façade, and retaining wall together, three months is a realistic timeline once you account for structural repairs, waterproofing, curing time, and reinstating the finishes.
Need a multi-area waterproofing problem tracked down and fixed?
Reach out to Ikapa Waterproofing and Roofing for tailored solutions in Cape Town.