A Diagnostic Checklist for

Damage Evaluation in Concrete Balconies

Worksheet

This checklist can help assess specific observations and problems as preparation
for conducting a condition survey and developing a repair strategy in consultation
with a design professional.
Designing and executing a long-term effective repair strategy for concrete balconies (and walkways or eyebrows) starts
with a thorough investigation and analysis of the nature and cause of the problem. A good condition survey will include
three main components: an analysis of the structural plans, a visual inspection, and field and laboratory testing.

1. Identify the type of balcony and/or walkway construction.

A. Structural type of balconies (B) and/or walkways (W)
__ Cast-in-place cantilevered concrete slab (flat plate)
Balcony slab is monolithic with floor deck?
Yes or No
__ Post-tensioned cast-in-place cantilevered
concrete slab (flat plate)
Balcony slab is monolithic with floor deck?
Yes or No
__ Beam and slab (cast-in-place)
Bond beam? Yes or No
__ Precast T-beam and slab
__ Precast plank with topping
__ Metal pan deck with topping
Steel support framing? Yes or No
Concrete beam supports? Yes or No

B. Number of balconies (B) and/or walkways (W)?______

Design type:
__ Parapet
__ Kneewall w/ railing
Upturned or downturned beam?
_ _ Slab with railing
__ Railing type and installation (if applicable)
Type metal?_______________________________________
Installation:
__ Cast in
__ Rail pocket/grout pocket
__ Surface mount/shoe mount
C. Is a copy of the plans available? Yes or No

2. Conduct a visual survey of the structure and list the location

and extent of damage and indicators of potential damage.
Documenting observed conditions/problems with photographs is recommended.
A. Rust stains or spots
PROBABLE CAUSES: Corrosion of reinforcing steel/
embedded metal, Chloride contamination, Galvanic reaction,
Carbonation of concrete, Atmospheric contaminants,
Moisture penetrating the slab, Ponding water
_ _ Probable source?
Number and location of balconies/walkways affected
per elevation?
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation
Areas affected:
_ _Slab edges
_ _Top of slab
_ _Underside of slab (overhead)
_ _Near railing pockets
_ _Near/under door frames
_ _Tranistions (column/wall; slab/wall)
_ _In PT, near anchor pockets

B. Efflorescence (Calcium carbonate exhibited

as white crust/flaking)
PROBABLE CAUSE: Moisture moving through the slab.
Number and location of balconiesand/or walkways
affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation
Areas affected:
_ _Slab edges
_ _Top of slab
_ _Underside of slab (overheads)
_ _Through-slab cracking
_ _Near railing pockets/c.i.p. railings
_ _Near/under door/window frames/tracks
_ _Construction joints
_ _Transitions (column/wall; slab/wall)
_ _In PT, near anchor pockets

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Worksheet

H. Weatherproofing and waterproofing problems*

PROBABLE CAUSES: Inadequate/improper slope,
Unevenness of surface, Sag or settling, Sealant failure,
Waterproofing membrane failure

Number and location of balconies and/or walkways

affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation

Ponding Water? Yes or No

Intrusion of water into interior? Yes or No

J. Inadequate cover over concrete

PROBABLE CAUSE: Poor construction practice

Number and location of balconies and/or walkways

affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation

Number and location of balconies and/or walkways

affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation

Areas affected:
_ _Top of slab
_ _At thresholds
_ _Transitions (column/wall; slab/wall)
_ _Joint seals
_ _Penetrations/conduits
_ _Drains
_ _Scuppers
_ _Drip edges
_ _Flashing
_ _Other________________________________

How observed?
_ _Exposed reinforcing steel

I. Corrosion of metal
PROBABLE CAUSE: Moisture intrusion (through cracks,
porosity, etc.), Chloride contamination, Dissimilar metals,
Galvanic reaction
_ _Metal railing posts
_ _Grout pockets
_ _Cast-in-place
_ _Surface mount
_ _Metal door/window tracks/frames
_ _Pipe column supports
_ _Reinforcing steel
_ _Spalled?
_ _Inadequate original cover?
_ _In PT, broken/exposed casings/strands?
_ _Other fittings
_ _Drains
_ _Conduits
_ _Scuppers
_ _Flashing
_ _Drip edges

_ _Other___________________________________
K. Moisture Traps
_ _Failed existing waterproofing membrane/vapor
barrier coatings
_ _Carpet on balconies
_ _Consistently wet?
_ _Mildew?
_ _Tiled balconies
_ _Delaminated? Yes or No
_ _Cracked? Yes or No
_ _Mildew in grout lines?
_ _Pebble stone deck covering
_ _Paint/vinyl coverings
_ _Landscaping, planters, pots
_ _Other____________________________________________
Number and location of balconies and/or walkways
affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation
L. Popouts or voids
PROBABLE CAUSE: Poor construction practice
How severe?_________________________________
Number and location of balconies and/or walkways
affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation

*For a Diagnostic Checklist for waterproofing problems, please see issue 1/97 of restoration direct.

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M. Deterioration/failure of previous repairs

When were previous repairs performed?_____________
Type of failed repair____________________________
Number and location of balconies and/or walkways
affected per elevation:
_ _North elevation
_ _East elevation
_ _South elevation
_ _West elevation
N. Aesthetic problems
PROBABLE CAUSES: Weathering/aging,
Owners perceptions
_ _Discoloration
_ _Staining
_ _Lack of modern railings
_ _Outdated color
_ _Screens/enclosures
_ _Hurricane windows

Test Methods for Observed Conditions

Part of a thorough investigation involves conducting a condition
survey. The design professional, as part of her/her analysis, may
choose to use several test methods to help determine the cause and
extent of the damage observed. Listed below are a variety of observed
conditions and some of the test methods used. Test methods are
typically classified as either destructive or nondestructive.
OBSERVED CONDITION

TEST METHODS

Delamination, spalling

Hammer sounding
Chain drag
Mechanical delamination
detectors
Impact echo
Ultrasonic pulse velocity
Infrared thermography

Cracks

Hammer sounding
Crack gauges to measure width,
depth
Impact echo
Infrared thermography
Calibrated crack monitors
(moving cracks)
Structural movement monitors
Ultrasonic pulse velocity
Radiography
Petrographic analysis
Analysis of core samples for
tensile, flexural strength

Corrosion

Pachometer
Delamination detectors
Half cell potentials/electrical
potential measuring equipment
Rate of corrosion probes

Chloride contamination

Chloride titration
Analysis of dust/core samples
for chloride levels

Carbonation

Phenolphthalein test for pH

Infrared spectroscopy
Petrographic analysis

Inadequate cover/location
of reinforcing steel

Pachometer
Rebar locators

Loss of concrete strength/

Defective concrete

Swiss hammer
Impact echo
Probe penetration (Windsor probe)
Core sample analysis
(Compressive strength,
Tensile strength, Flexural
strength, Petrographic analysis)
Pull out tests for existing concrete
Ultrasonic pulse velocity

3. Identify any hindrances to adequate visual

survey and testing.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
4. Summarize findings of visual survey
as background for designing field and
laboratory testing.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
5. Designing a repair strategy
Developing an appropriate repair strategy can ensure
durable, long-term balcony restorations. Using this
checklist to help identify and analyze specific problems
as preparation for consulting a professional specialzing
in concrete restoration can be an important first step in
developing the best repair strategy and selecting the
most appropriate repair technniques and materials for
your balcony restorations.

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