Removing A Cantilevered Balcony

By Robert Robillard on Decks And Porches

Balcony removal

Removing A Balcony And Installing A Railing

The second floor balcony on front of this house has been leaking into the garage ceiling below for some time. After going back and forth on whether to repair the leak it was decided to remove the balcony and install a railing across the doorway. We staged the balcony with pipe staging for safety and accessibility.  Plywood screwed to two 2×4’s was used to protect the picture window below the staging.

removing a cantilevered balcony

Using a reciprocating saw and pry-bar we slowly took apart and removed the balcony components.

Even though we were removing the leaky balcony I still was interested in knowing what caused the leak.  In the end it seems there was a safety issue and several issues that may have contributed to the water infiltration. Deck safety is a real concern and one folks should educate themselves on.

Here’s what we found:

Lack of rubber flashing and redundant flashing

The original carpenter used a small aluminum flashing to seal the balcony off from the house.  the only rubber we found was at the door.  The door rubber was installed more for a door pan than balcony flashing.

Rubber flashing should have covered the house to joist connections and run down between the joists.  Then apply the aluminum flashing.deck flashing leak

Improper Joist Hanger Fasteners

I couldn’t help but notice that the joist hangers were installed with screws. The rim joist was direct nailed but the hangers should also have been installed properly.  A railing system and posts were attached to this rim joist and this mistake could have caused injury.

Caulking Failure

The French door sill and jamb connection was open and allowed water to enter.  Someone had caulked this joint prior to use arriving.

joist hanger using screwsGaps in Trim

A large gap between trim on the lower section allowed water as well as bees or wasps to build a huge nest in one of the joist bays.   Areas like this should have had trim installed tighter and caulked.

No Joint Flashing

On both corners where the built out  house and the main house wall met leaked.  This was where a small cedar ground was installed to butt trim and clapboard to.  Neither the trim nor the siding were installed tight.  No joint or under flashing was utilized and no caulking was observed.   Water definitely entered here.

When the balcony was removed there were visible water stains on the joists where water found its way into the building.

cantilevered balcony

Removing The Balcony

We cut the joists back into the building envelope, installed solid blocking and then plywood sheathing over it.  We then tied in the trim and siding.

New Guard Railing

To finish the project we constructed a new mahogany balcony to look similar to the old fir one.  The railing was installed to with 8″ flat heat Torx timber lock screws into the framing on either side of the doorway.  [last picture]

RELATED POST:

Deck Safety – repair or replace

 

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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