5 Tricks to Get the Most From Building Waterproofing Services

North Carolina is no stranger to extreme weather events. According to Ready NC, all parts of the state have experienced tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and ice storms. If you own a commercial building, it’s vital that you’re ready for these events.

But even regular storms, rain, and snow can wreak havoc on buildings that are not correctly waterproofed. When you have water ingress in your building, mold soon follows. This makes your premises dank, smelly, and uninviting for customers and workers alike.

Building waterproofing services are here to help. Let’s explore 5 ways you can get the most from this valuable protection.

What Are Building Waterproofing Services?

Building waterproofing services are an essential part of preventative maintenance. Most business owners schedule an annual roof inspection because they understand the importance of keeping the roof fully watertight. But it’s easy to overlook the exterior walls of the building.

During regular rain showers, water can get into your building through the walls if they are not well sealed. Over time, this can damage the integrity of the structure. Mold will also start to grow, which could affect your indoor air quality.

Building waterproofing services use a range of techniques and products to make your building fully watertight. This can help you:

• Reduce building maintenance expenses
• Eliminate water damage
• Improve the health and productivity of your workforce

1. Get an Assessment

Your nose and your employees may be telling you that you’ve got a problem with water ingress in your commercial property. But finding out exactly where it’s coming from can be surprisingly challenging.

That’s why before recommending waterproofing solutions, the company will carry out a comprehensive assessment. They’ll examine:

• Masonry joints
• Areas where water is penetrating the brickwork
• Cracks
• Foundation

Once they’ve identified how water is getting into the building, they’ll put together a tailored quote to make your building watertight again and prevent future water damage.

2. Repair Damaged Sealant

Sealant is the first line of defense against water. Caulk is the main type of sealant that is used around windows, door frames, and other openings in the brickwork. It is flexible and is able to move with the building as it naturally expands and contracts throughout the year.

An annual sealant check should be part of every business’s building maintenance program. As the years go by, the caulk begins to lose its flexibility. This can lead to gaps emerging through which water can get in. 

Waterproofing services will identify these gaps and assess the general condition of all the sealants in the building. Only a small repair may be needed. But if it’s been more than 20 years since the caulking was replaced, it may be best to replace it all in one go. 

3. Take Care With Expansion Joints

Expansion joints are essential components in concrete buildings. They allow for the natural movement that occurs as the building warms up and cools down throughout the year. But when they start to fail, they can allow water to penetrate the building. 

It may be tempting to ask your building maintenance crew to simply cut out the old caulking and replace it with new. But if this isn’t done correctly, it can cause more problems. 

Professional waterproofing services know how to prepare the expansion joint so that the new sealant will adhere properly. They’ll form a strong bond that will be able to withstand the expansion and contraction of the building for years to come. Plus, it’ll look great from the outside.

4. Understand the Difference Between Paint and Waterproofing

It’s true that paint can provide a limited amount of protection from water. It seals external surfaces and may repel water, but it’s not designed to prevent water from penetrating the surface beneath.

Waterproofing materials are much thicker than paint. They form a skin over the building that is flexible. As the building expands and contracts, so do the waterproofing.

This allows it to provide an excellent level of waterproofing for many years. When the rain lashes down, it hits the waterproofing and runs away. There’s no way for it to get into the masonry or brickwork beneath. 

Another type of waterproofing treatment is a clear penetrating sealer. They soak into the brickwork or concrete, forming a chemical barrier. This protects the building from water damage by stopping water from penetrating the material.

They’re also breathable, so moisture can escape. They’re particularly useful when you want to maintain the original appearance of the building material but still want excellent protection.

5. Choose the Right Type of Waterproofing

There are several waterproofing options, depending on the style of your building and what you’re trying to achieve. Some buildings may benefit from waterproofing wraps, which provide a weathertight seal but can alter the appearance of the building. 

Other waterproof paints and coating, such as clear penetrating sealer, can allow you to refresh or retain the current appearance of the building. 

Everyone is looking to keep building expenses to a minimum. Choosing a durable waterproofing solution can reduce maintenance expenses for many years to come. Talk to a waterproofing services company about which option is best for your building.

Choose Custom Coatings Inc. for Building Waterproofing Services

Building waterproofing services can inspect your building and find out exactly how water is getting in. They’ll then recommend a plan of action. Refreshing your sealants and applying a waterproofing coating can protect your building from water damage.

At Custom Coatings Inc., we have over thirty years of experience in keeping water out of commercial buildings. We believe in attention to detail. We won’t leave a job until it’s right.

Click here to get an estimate today!