Perhaps you've finally found your dream home on Funda. It looks beautiful and meets all your needs. Plenty of rooms and a lovely balcony where you can enjoy the fresh air. That all sounds great, but that balcony still raises alarm bells. Be extra vigilant if you're considering buying a house with a concrete balcony.
You might remember the tragic incidents where balconies or walkways collapsed. The thought of your new balcony being unsafe is undesirable. Yet, it happens more often than you think. We'd like to offer a few pointers.
Concrete rot and rust can make a balcony or walkway unstable, posing all the associated risks. It's therefore important to inspect the balcony for broken pieces, rust, or unusual protrusions, but you really need an expert eye to determine if your balcony is truly safe.
Concrete rot is particularly prevalent in houses built between 1950 and 1975, partly because the quality of concrete was lower back then and the use of calcium chloride was still permitted. This was used to accelerate the hardening of the concrete. Contractors used it less frequently in the subsequent period.
Actually, concrete rot isn't the best term, as it's actually the steel structure of the balcony. Something you can't see from the outside. When this structure corrodes, the steel expands and creates space for moisture. The result is even more rust. This corrosion pushes the surrounding concrete away, causing it to crumble piece by piece. Hence the name concrete rot.
A safe balcony isn't just about the concrete. Loose tile flooring is also dangerous. Therefore, always listen carefully to the tiles to see if they're loose. Also check the gate. Is it still secure or does it need replacing? Finally, it's important to check the drainage.
A balcony always needs to be inspected. An expert inspection can provide clarity on whether your balcony is safe or not. Therefore, always request a structural inspection if you've set your sights on a house with a balcony or walkway. The balcony may be neatly painted, but the first priority is the interior. With a building inspection report in hand, you can confidently determine whether it will indeed be your future dream home.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
