How to Install a Second Drain in Your Balcony: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many people prefer to install drainage on their balconies when renovating, allowing for the placement of washing machines and other appliances. However, if there is only one drain initially, how can it be modified to have two? How should the balcony be decorated?

Transforming a balcony from one drain to two

If there is only one drain on the balcony and you wish to increase it to two, the renovation is somewhat challenging. First, you need to remove the entire leveling layer around the existing drain, being careful not to damage the drain itself.

Next, add a T-junction at the drain site to route the plumbing to different locations, while ensuring that the ground height is set slightly lower to facilitate drainage.

Once the pipes are arranged, you can lay tiles on the balcony floor to cover the drainage pipes, ensuring that the height does not exceed that of the living room.

Then, create grooves along the drainage pipes so that they lie flush with the ground, allowing drainage to be effectively managed through the T-junction.

Key issues to consider when modifying the drain

When carrying out the renovation, it is vital to pay attention to the slope, ensuring that there is a significant drop relative to the living room floor, especially regarding the height of the balcony. It is best to remove the floor around the drain, and to open up channels that will facilitate tiled flooring later and encourage effective drainage.

Additionally, a thorough waterproofing process must be performed during the balcony modification. Apply several coats of waterproofing material and conduct a leak test to ensure there are no water leaks before laying the tiles. This is crucial to prevent issues for the apartment below.

After the drain transformation, sealing should be done to prevent anything from falling into the pipes, which could lead to blockages in the future.

How to decorate the balcony

One can create a living area in one corner of the balcony and place the washing machine in that corner, thereby maximizing the use of space. A washbasin can be added nearby to facilitate use for larger families, preventing congestion in the bathroom. This also makes washing clothes easier, minimizing water spills indoors.

In summary:The above content outlines how to modify a balcony with only one drain to accommodate two. The process involves redoing the drain and opening up channels for effective drainage, which can be a complex task. However, once the transformation is successful, it will bring significant convenience in the long run.