Much like it’s important to find ways to waterproof your roof at home, it’s equally important for companies to make their buildings or offices waterproof.
Commercial waterproofing involves creating a solid barrier around or over a building’s wall, roof and foundation to keep the water out. As any homeowner can attest, water is public enemy No. 1. Damage from water and from moisture can take a long time to fix or at other times can’t be undone.
If your company is considering having commercial waterproofing done on its place of business, know that there are many waterproof products that can be used in the process including liquid waterproofing membrane, polyurethane liquid membrane and cement-based materials. When it comes to waterproofing a building, contractors will waterproof the basement, the bathrooms, the water tanks, the balconies and any other important structural parts of the building.
In commercial waterproofing, there are many methods, but some of the most common are:
- Bituminous membrane: This method of commercial waterproofing is popular for buildings that have low-hanging roofs. The membrane of this material can be self-adhesive, meaning that it bonds over time with the surface it is applied to.
- Bituminous coating: This type of waterproofing offers flexibility against water. This is also known as asphalt coating and is usually used on concrete foundations of buildings. When it is applied, a contractor must take care not to expose it to sunlight; doing this causes it to become brittle and very fragile. On a good note, it can be exposed to sunlight if it is modified with a more flexible material.
- Cementitious waterproofing: This is one of the easiest methods of commercial waterproofing because materials are readily available and they’re very easy to mix and apply. This method is usually used in internal wet areas-think toilets, dams, bridges, sewage and water treatment plants and tunnels. Since it’s usually not exposed to sunlight, cementitious waterproofing materials won’t contract or expanded.
- Liquid waterproofing membrane: This commercial waterproofing method involves a thin coating of material which is comprised of a primer coat and then two coats of material on top of that. The coats are usually applied as a spray or on a roller and cure into a rubber coating. Whether or not that coating lasts a long time usually depends on the type of polymer used to make the initial coatings.
- Polyurethane liquid membrane: This method of waterproofing is often used for buildings with a flat roof and stands up against weathering. This is one of the most expensive types of commercial waterproofing, but offers a high degree of flexibility.
Regardless of which method is chosen, there are many benefits of commercial waterproofing in much the same way roof coating offers protection for a house:
- Better strength: By waterproofing a building’s basement, that helps the foundation. This is because waterproofing keeps the basement from deteriorating due to moisture.
- Less damage: As previously, water damage of any kind can be awful for any business to deal with. Waterproofing greatly reduces the chances of buildings sustaining water damage and incurring major costs for repairs as a result.
- Better health: Waterproofing a building also cuts down on the chance that mold and mildew will form and grow. Mold and cause a whole host of health problems, so cutting down on it and eliminating it creates a healthier work environment for all employees.
- Aesthetics: Waterproofing can be helpful in restoring and maintaining the beauty of a building, especially if its an older building or an historic building.
- Less energy costs: Commercial waterproofing can also bring down a building’s energy costs. Waterproofing helps seal areas where water and moisture can seep in, so this helps reduce the use of a building’s HVAC system.
Properly installed commercial roofing can last two decades or longer and commercial waterproofing can help extend that life even further. There are many methods of waterproofing and picking the right one and the right commercial waterproofing products (think floor coatings and roof sealant) for your company’s needs will help prevent water damage, lower energy costs, improve health conditions and ensure your company’s building will be standing for a long time.