Water, Water Everywhere

Q Our condo was built in the early ‘80s. The developer didn’t have the foresight to include a slope or pitch when constructing the balconies. (My building has 6 floors, for example). Needless to say, when it rains, water enters through the screen and sits on the tiles until it dries, or I get rid of it by me sweeping it out of the balcony through the screen. This is not my idea of fun. I’ve contacted a roofing company about installing gutters but because of the way our roof was constructed, this is not an option. I was told to contact a flooring company, and that perhaps they could add a slope to the balcony.

Since I am on my board, I would like to discuss this for all units. Many people complain about the standing water. We are a small association, with two buildings, which total 86 units. One building has 6 floors, the other has 4. Is a flooring company our only option? Adding 'weep holes' was a waste of time. I’d appreciate any suggestions you may have.

—A Slippery Slope

A “Interesting question. The only thing that I can think of doing would be to float a slight slope on each of the balconies,” says John Browne, the general manager of Roof-a-Cide, USA in Miami/Fort Lauderdale.