How-to guides

How to clear out a balcony in a weekend

1. Pick dry days

   Start when there is no rain or strong wind. Get bags, boxes for things to give away, gloves and a spot inside the flat where you can temporarily put what stays.

2. Empty the balcony completely

   Carry everything into a room or the hallway. An empty balcony is easier to inspect: you can immediately see cracks, rust, water marks and whatever was standing on the emergency hatch.

3. Sort things into groups

   Make three piles: keep, give away, throw out. Set aside paints, solvents, gas canisters and anything else flammable; find a place for them off the balcony or a way to dispose of them properly.

4. Clean and inspect

   Sweep out debris and leaves, wipe the floor, sill and glass. Look out for cracks, flaking concrete and rusty railing fixings, and report them to a professional.

5. Put back what you need

   Return only what made the cut. Heavy things go low and close to the wall, seasonal items into closed boxes. Keep the way to the door, windows, hatch and ladder clear.

6. Set a date for the next clear-out

   Put a date in your calendar to look at the balcony again, for example at the change of season. A short check stops things from piling up again.

How to hang flower boxes safely

1. Choose light boxes

   Go for light boxes with drainage holes and trays. Wet soil is heavier than it looks, so large ceramic pots on the railing are a bad idea.

2. Inside the railing only

   Place boxes on the inside of the railing or on the floor. A box on the outside can fall on passers-by or on the neighbours' balcony, and it is awkward to water.

3. Use secure fixings

   Fix the boxes with purpose-made holders designed for this use and check that they do not wobble. Do not drill into the slab or railing: if you need a new fixing in the structure, consult a professional.

4. Add trays

   Every box should have a tray underneath to catch excess water. Without one, water runs down the facade onto the windowsills and laundry of the neighbours below.

5. Water carefully

   Water a little at a time, close to the soil, and keep an eye on the tray. The best time to water is morning or evening, when the sun is less fierce and the water does not evaporate at once.

6. Check after bad weather

   After strong wind or heavy rain, check that the boxes are holding, the fixings have not loosened and the trays have not overflowed. Before winter, annuals are cleared and the boxes taken down or emptied.

See also

• Tools

  Useful things for cleaning and small jobs on the balcony, no brands: a stepladder, a spirit level, gloves, a brush, a watering can with trays, window restrictors.

• Care

  Glass and frames, drainage, seals, plants, railing checks and a clear emergency hatch: care through the seasons.

• Planning

  How to plan a balcony makeover: inspection, goals, what needs approval, which professionals to call and in what order to do the work.