When it comes to commercial building leaks, the biggest perpetrator is the roof, being responsible for 15% of commercial water damage. Not only can this negatively affect the safety of the building, but it can also be a major issue for any electrical equipment kept in the building.
But that’s not the only place leaks are common – both the foundations and the basement are culprits, too. For top tips on commercial waterproofing and keeping your business nice and dry, read on!
Roof Waterproofing
If your roof is the main problem area for your leaks, there are two main types of waterproofing you might want to consider:
- Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing
- Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing
Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing is best used for low-sloped concrete roofs. It’s a case of applying the rolls to the roof and then covering them with tiles as per usual. Advantages include being resistant to UV heat, being cost-effective, and being both flexible and breathable.
As for Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing, this works much better for flat roofs and is applied in a thin coating, making it incredibly easy to install. Furthermore, it has a high elongation percentage, having the ability to stretch 280% bigger than normal size!
Basement Waterproofing
If the basement is the issue, the first thing to do is to check the draining systems. It is crucial to find out how the water is getting into the basement in the first place. If all is secure there and draining as expected, the next place to look is the basement windows, as the seals may have been damaged.
However, it is possible that the water may be getting in from cracks in the basement walls. In this case, crack injections or paints and primers can be a temporary solution, while a permanent solution would be a full exterior excavation. While expensive, this will completely eradicate the problem.
Foundation Waterproofing
But if the leak is from the foundations, don’t panic! There are treatments for this, too. Three main ones, in fact:
- Blind-side waterproofing
- Positive-side waterproofing
- Negative-side waterproofing
Blind-side is installed prior to concrete placement and therefore is only suitable as preventative maintenance. It is usually used as a sheet or hybrid membrane system. In contrast, the positive side is installed after the concrete placement and can use roll-on or spray liquids.
However, if waterproofing is required for an existing basement that has started leaking, negative-side waterproofing is the best option to use. Certainly, it is a preferred option to a full excavation, and the concept is to cover the dry walls with a barrier so the water can no longer leak through.
Contact a Commercial Waterproofing Contractor Today!
Commercial waterproofing is important to any commercial building to ensure a safe and dry environment for workers and equipment. The preferred method would be to install the waterproofing during the construction stage of the building. However, sometimes leaks can occur long after the construction has been completed.
In this case, the above tips can help waterproof your business! For more information on waterproofing, get in touch today!
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