Balcony Balastrate footings. Tiling going to be done - Can footings be done after tiling
Hello @Gillie1
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's marvellous to have yo join us, and thank you for sharing your question about repairing your steel balustrade.
From a repair point of view, I suggest repairing the balustrade first by digging into the concrete foundations and establishing a new post for the rails. This would be the ideal way to repair it rather than having to address the damage once the tiles have been put into place. I recommend engaging the services of a registered welder and you can either have it repaired or replaced with a new set.
Please note that if your balcony is very high and the balustrade is severely damaged, I suggest isolating the area to prevent anyone from leaning onto the balustrade. If repair work needs to be conducted at height, it might be necessary to use scaffolding and a trade person to carry out the repair.
Please take all necessary precautions to make sure that everyone is safe when passing through the area.
If you need further assistance, please let me know.
Eric
Thankyou so much for answering. The concrete flooring which the tiler will waterproof and screen? Is that the terminology?? Anyway there is no one under me I am the ground floor so safety is OK but if I cannot get or find a welder will it be very difficult for the balastrate to be done after ?. Your suggestion I know is the ideal one but it appears we are not in an ideal world and by looks and without knowing enough maybe the whole thing needs replacing in which case then it becomes a more difficult project because the Body Corp know of my retiling but of nothing else and I feel it will then come under their realm which means it will be on the never never scheme.
Hi @Gillie1
I suggest doing a bit of research for steel fence makers on google or perhaps you can speak to the property custodian and ask them if they have the contact for the fence fabricator that made the original railing. Now that you've mentioned the Body Corp, I'm afraid the railing will have to look exactly like the one that was there as I'm sure they will want to keep a uniform look.
It is possible to assemble a different balustrade system using the fence systems available at the store, but the issue is will it pass the Body Corp scrutiny. I propose looking for a local welder first and getting a quote for the railing. Another way to do it is to post the job on Airtasker or Hipages and see what kind of quote you get. I also suggest asking family and friends if they happen to know a builder who happens to know a welder.
Is it OK for waterproofing to be done prior to balcony rail footings being repairs or replaced
Hi @Gillie1,
The first step is to have the balustrading repaired. All other work comes after that. The concrete must be removed to repair the balustrading when installing new uprights. It's fairly major work and can't be done after waterproofing or tiling, as it will damage that work. The tiling is an aesthetic fix for the area's look and comes after functional repairs to the balustrade. I understand it might be difficult to find someone to repair the balustrade, but this issue must be resolved before all other work as it could involve a significant additional cost to try and deal with it later.
Mitchell
Afternoon @Gillie1
I saw this pass my feed and went woooooo I know that feeling!
I have a question tho I think I know the answer. Are those metal posts connected to meltal handrails? I am presuming so as to teh talk of a welder needed.
I had the same issue but my handrails were timber. I had two posts totaly hanging in the breeze. I have managed to repair it and the posts feel solid. With the posts that you have shown id suggest to replace those for sure as the rust looks like its gone forther then a third through them.
Here is my project, I havnt put up the timber slats yet as am saving $$$ 🙂 The posts were sealed and then put in place. I have leant on tehm, shaken tehm and it seems to be solid. I had to use two new pieces of iron as the old ones were like yours.
Concrete patio repair
I would suggest to do all the prep work (post repair) and handrails, concrete repair before the tiling starts. Its easier to sort out issues and not have to redo work that way.
Dave
Hello Eric, again about this rusted out balastrate fitting . I have tried through Hipages with no replies for a welder or anybody in that field. a handyman that came to my aid for another job suggested a type of splint then putting a bolt through it therefore not actually taking the thick spike / footing out but rejoining it that way and then cementing the base ready for screening waterproofing and finally tiling. Do you have any thoughts on that??? Gillian
Good Evening @Gillie1
I think @EricL is away until tomorrow.
Always willing to throw my two bobs in 🙂
It certainly sounds like a pain. Are you set on the same type of balcony handrail? It may be an easier solution to have a different type put in? I understand about the body corporate but maybe if you had a suggestion of what balcony that could be replaced and an estimated cost they may take it on board?
The handrail is unsafe so it definently becomes an issue. Maybe a two pronged project. First step replace handrail with the body corporate and then once that is done start on the retiling of your balcony your way? That way the body corporate isnt involved with part two.
Hi Dave thank’s for replying and I am happy to have your two bobs worth Body Corp when speaking to them were fine about me retiling but the balastrate they were not willing to assist and had nobody on their books that could help especially welders. It all boils down to having to put in some effort and ofcourse money as although I am just paying for it myself the balastrate may come under exterior common boundary which by rights is under their jurisdiction monetary wise.?? With that being said and trying to do the right thing my handyman will be at a Bunnings tomorrow am looking for bits and pieces and some poor unsuspecting employee ear. Anyway do you have any opinion about this possible splint solution?? Gillian
Evening @Gillie1
A pain all round 😕
I wouldnt go for that splint solution. There is one post that has totally gone and would be next to impossible to repair. The others look like they have been eaten halfway through? Not sure what your body courporate rules are but they should be listed for your stucture somewhere?
It could be worthwhile weighing up pain of dealing with the body courporate or paying for the work yourself. When I have priced the glass balcony panels I was surprised at the overall price as it was lower then I expected.
You could go with stirrups bolted to the patio and a timber railing put in instead. That way no welder required and you cut off the old posts with a grinder then rust converter and then paint them to stop rust continuing.
Dave I think your idea about maybe a timber post as the stabiliser might be a way to proceed (placing it right next to the strut that is rusted through cause it may be unnoticeable in the scheme of things and yes I have raised the issue of the balcony some 7/8yrs ago and ofcourse the balastrate was not so bad then and now due to the privacy laws (according to the Body corp ) and most being rented I get absolutely nowhere. I have raised the idea of glass panels but you need a majority and landlords will not spend money and Body Corp Co’s don’t reply if it is a problem. So as always I just pay for it although I do let them know of intentions when renovating ( when I had a Bunnings kitchen put in from scratch ) just in case they become nastier than usual. There is a moral to this story and I think you know what it is ……. It is only a block of 8 and all trouble !!! Apart from that would that idea be better a wooden strut next to each upright especially focusing on the bottom where they could be cemented in???
Morning @Gillie1
This are what I was thinking to attach to your concrete balcony, probarly at least 100mm from the edge of the old posts (A Rule I had from installing stuff years ago as you dont want to drill too close to an existing hole) I would then cut off the old posts and prep the bases so they are flush and rust proofed. Your handyman can check out the posts and the timber types you may want. The height of handrails has changed so that might be something to check. I think it is 900mm in NSW but wiser to check.
My apologies for the late reply, would it be possible for you to take a photo of the entire steel balustrade? This will give everyone a good idea what the balustrade looks like. It might be possible to replicate the look and feel of the original with new aluminium parts from the store.
In regards to the splint system you were referring to, it might work but I don't think it will look very nice as the joint of the splint will be very visible.
Having had a good look at your situation one option that might work for you is using ProtectorAl 1800 x 950mm Black Aluminium Flat Top Square Picket Balustrade Panel. This balustrade fence can be cut down to the size you need which means that you can have your entire balustrade removed and replaced with an all-aluminium fence.
The balustrade fence can then be anchored to the concrete base and sides of the building. I suggest measuring the height width and length of your current balustrade and taking it to the stores special orders desk and asking them for a quote on how much it will cost to make a balustrade to the size that you need.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let me know.
