How to Repair Cracks on a Balcony

Concrete balcony floors are tricky to repair once they develop cracks. Not only are the balcony cracks unsightly, but they may also grow to the point that they can affect the structure of the balcony. Many do-it-yourselfers start the repair process by adding more concrete to the cracks. That may only make the problem worse. Unless the new concrete is a total match in composition, it won’t have the same structure as the original concrete and will only crack again. Epoxy products are often a better solution to repair cracks because they do allow for expansion and contraction of the concrete floor.

Broom
Scrub brush
Dish detergent
Bucket
Epoxy hardener
Epoxy resin
Wooden paint stirrer
Silica sand
Paintbrush
Epoxy color
Paint roller or trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Sweep all debris from the balcony floor. Take extra care to remove any debris hiding in cracks. Scrub the floor with a few drops of dish detergent mixed into a bucket of warm water. Pay particular attention to removing any oily stains. Rinse the floor well with clear water and allow the balcony to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
- 2
  Mix equal parts of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener. Add four times the amount of silica sand to the amount of epoxy mixture. Stir the mixture well with a paint stirrer.
- 3
  Apply this mixture to all of the cracks on the balcony floor with a paintbrush. If the floor is uneven, use the epoxy as a leveling compound to even out the surface. Pour a small amount of epoxy into a low spot and feather it around the edges using a paintbrush. Allow the balcony’s floor to dry completely following the manufacturer’s recommendation. Temperature and humidity may affect drying time.
- 4
  Mix another batch of equal parts epoxy hardener and resin. Add two parts sand per each part epoxy for this batch. Add epoxy color to the mixture if desired.
- 5
  Coat the entire balcony floor with the second batch of epoxy, using a paint roller, to help prevent future cracks from forming. If you prefer, use a trowel, spreading the epoxy 1/16 of an inch thick. Let the epoxy finish dry according to the instructions on the manufacturer’s label before replacing furniture on the balcony.

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