Waterproofing your commercial building creates a barrier to stop water from infiltrating the building. Water intrusion can corrode the steel in concrete, warp walls and flooring, cause cracks in the foundation, stain the building’s interior, and more. Adding preventative measures to your building is the best way to address the issues before they begin and protect your investment.
Problems Caused by Outdated or Poor Waterproofing Systems & Prevention Tips
Structural Issues: Over time, water exposure can cause the steel framework to rust and corrode, causing structural damage and potentially dangerous conditions. Water intrusion can also weaken and crack foundations and concrete in the basement.
How to Prevent: Applying sealants and coatings to the exterior walls and building joints will create a waterproof membrane. To protect the foundation, a sealant can be applied to the concrete slab to prevent water seepage.
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Health Concerns: When water sits on building materials for an extended period of time, it can impact the air quality and cause musty odors. This can lead to respiratory issues and allergies for the building’s occupants.
How to Prevent: Creating a waterproof membrane using sealants where needed will help prevent these issues. It is also important to make any necessary repairs at the first sign of a leak such as pooling water on the floor or watermarks and stains on walls and ceilings.
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Weakening Building Materials: Waterproofing is important because it will reduce how many repairs you have to make. Water intrusion can weaken and corrode most building materials. Without proper waterproofing, your building is vulnerable to this damage.
How to Prevent: Have your waterproofing systems checked regularly and update as needed. Our team can address any issues such as cracks, leaks, and worn sealants.
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Rising Energy Costs: Along with damaging your building’s materials and causing structural issues, leaks can lead to air leakage which results in your HVAC system working harder to cool the building. This increased strain on the system will result in rising utility bills.
How to Prevent: While this air leakage can happen anywhere in your building, it is common around windows, doors, and building joints. Checking and repairing weather stripping and sealants in these areas will help reduce air leakage.
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More Spent on Repairs Long-Term: All of the issues above will lead to costly repairs over time. Minor leaks can turn into extensive damage that can require you to replace walls, concrete, flooring, and other materials.
How to Prevent: Waterproofing is important because it will save you money and protect your building. Investing in waterproofing solutions will prevent water intrusion before it causes damage.
To learn more about waterproofing solutions and how our team can help protect your building, contact us today here, or give us a call at 713-691-1430.
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