How do I channel the water flow off a balcony?

[MsMazz]

  

  

I would like to stop water flowing over the edge of the balcony by channeling it into a gutter or similar. (I throw a bucket of water over the floor each morning to wash away dog wee). The balcony floor slants towards the street already. What is the best way to easily attach a gutter or similar? Original picture and then picture with lines indicating where the pipes will go (there’s a drain at the bottom at the indicated vertical line).

*Edited to add more photos of the bottom edge of the balcony. I haven’t measured but I’d say it’s a 100 mm overhang of brick and tile. 

Also, I have never drilled into tile before and have very little experience with drilling into masonry. I am confident with drilling into metal and timber though. 

[KatieC]

Hi @MsMazz,

Thank you for asking about your water drainage from your balcony, our resident DIY expert @MitchellMc will be back online on Friday to help assist with a solution. In the meantime, let me tag members @TheHandySqirrel, @Adam_W and @JoeAzza to see if they have any advice. 

Katie

[TheHandySqirrel]

Hi @MsMazz,

that looks a bit tricky. What are the pipes to the left of the balcony? Are they drains or electrical? And could you post a photo of the edge of the balcony. Is there any existing indentation that might collect and direct water? Once we see those details we might help with more specific advice. Thank you! 

[MsMazz]

Hi @TheHandySqirrel

I’ve uploaded some photos from underneath the balcony. I’m guessing it has about a 100 mm overhang. 

The pipes to the left are; far left Foxtel and the other is air con run off. I don’t want to use the air con one as it drains to the street. I want to utilise the drain in the ground on the other side (where the vertical blue line is in one of the pictures).

Thanks.  

M

[Adam_W]

Hi @MsMazz, the most straightforward solution would be an actual gutter and downpipe.
If the slab overhang is 100mm then you'll likley need to add a timber plate to the wall first to get enough of the lip of the gutter protruding.
The gutter would need to be set with enough fall to carry water away perhaps faster than normal due to the wee. You don't want water ponding in the gutter...

It would be a reasonably advanced sort of DIY job involving quite a bit of tricky ladder or platform work. It may be worth getting a quote from a couple of gutter specialists even if only to see what they propose.

[TheHandySqirrel]

I agree, and you probably also need two peoples and two ladders when installing the timber and gutter. The timber should be at least H3 treated pine so you’re safe re moisture. And use galvanised screws for the same reason. 

[Jewelleryrescue]

I think @Adam_W   has  the most visualy appealing and practical solution @MsMazz 

I added a rough  drawing to one of you photos @MsMazz  so you could see Adams idea  with a  bit of a detail cut away.  My apology Adam if i didnt   draw your idea 100% correctly. Treated  pine H3 like @TheHandySqirrel  mentioned.

My 2 cents worth says  add small diameter down pipe approx 40mm  to be less obtrusive 90mm if its a big dog.  I might  want to water  seal that concrete edge as stain may build up over time.

 Skills required ladder and or platform.

Best with two people but ok with one skilled  person.

Concrete drilling 

painting

gutter fabrication

Conclusion  A pro gutter  installer will have all the required materials and skill working at height and there fore charge more reasonably one  would hope.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @MsMazz,

It's great to see our members have offered some helpful suggestions. I'd agree that installing a gutter and downpipe would be the most effective solution. 

Please feel free to let us know if you have further questions.

Mitchell

[JoeAzza]

Hi @MsMazz

I too agree with all recommendation’s by @MitchellMc @Jewelleryrescue  @KatieC @TheHandySqirrel 

if you are going to get a professional to install the guttering and downpipe, ask them to check if the there is a drain installed on the balcony floor, if so ask them if they can install a a concealed perimeter drain at the end of the balcony connect to the pre existing drain, however, doing this would be expensive.

You could buy a good steam vacuum machine and wash and vacuum up the water on the floor.