If rainwater runs down the front face of your balcony, a working drip edge is missing. The good news: it can be retrofitted – with an aluminium balcony profile connected to the waterproofing underneath the floor covering.
Signs that a drip edge is missing
- dark water streaks, algae or lime stains on the balcony front and underside
- render or concrete spalling at the edge
- loose or hollow-sounding edge tiles
- water dripping onto windows, entrances or the balcony below
Which profile do I need?
The profile depends on the floor covering:
| Covering | without gutter | with gutter |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles in thin-bed adhesive | K102 (€47.49) | K35 (€67.28) |
| Slabs on pedestals | W30 (€91.71) | W35+ (€76.78) |
| Resin floor | K10 (€46.68) | K10R |
| Stone carpet | K20 (€58.06) | K20R |
Prices per 2 m profile incl. VAT.
Tools and materials
- Drip edge profiles, outer/inner corners, connectors and wall end pieces (accessories)
- PL3 sealing tape for joints and corners, bonded waterproofing
- Tile adhesive, tiles, grout
- Metal saw or cutting disc for aluminium, spirit level, folding rule
Step by step
- Remove the edge tiles. Take off the outer row of tiles and the adhesive underneath until a sound, clean substrate is exposed.
- Check the slope. The balcony should fall about 1.5–2 % towards the edge so that water runs to the profile.
- Cut and lay out the profiles. Start with the corners, then lay the straight profiles. Each joint gets a connector, each wall junction a wall end piece.
- Fix the profile. Bed the profile flange fully in adhesive or fix it to the substrate according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Waterproof. Cover the transition from flange to substrate with sealing tape, then take the bonded waterproofing over the flange.
- Tile and grout. Lay the edge tiles in thin-bed adhesive up to the profile and grout.
Important: simply gluing a profile onto the existing tiles is not a permanent solution – water then runs under the profile into the build-up.
Calculate your material in 2 minutes
Enter your edge lengths and corners in the material calculator – it creates the complete parts list with profiles, corners, connectors and sealing tape. More background in the guide choosing the right edge profile and drip edge.
Frequently asked questions
Can I retrofit a drip edge without removing tiles?
Usually not permanently. The profile must sit under the waterproofing and the covering, otherwise water runs behind it. In most cases, removing only the outer row of tiles is enough.
How much does it cost to retrofit a drip edge?
For the material, expect about €21.00–€49.00 per metre for the profile depending on the system, plus corners, connectors and sealing tape. The material calculator shows the exact price for your balcony.
How far should the drip edge project?
The drip nose should sit freely in front of the face so water drips off instead of running back. Our drip edge profiles are already shaped for this.