There are more than a few reasons why a commercial property has to be properly waterproofed and sealed. There’s the obvious one – any property, commercial or not, should be waterproofed and sealed to prevent damage from leaks or flooding. But with commercial properties, in particular, there’s a need for an ever higher degree of vigilance, as any damage to them can damage someone’s livelihood, and that’s not something that should be taken lightly.
Luckily, it’s not that hard to make sure a property is properly waterproofed and sealed. There are some areas that are more prone to taking damage from water, so they will need some special attention and special methods of waterproofing and sealing.
1. Above Grade Waterproofing and Sealing
Waterproofing and sealing the portion of the property that’s above the surface level can include making sure the doors and windows are waterproof and sealed, but in can also mean making sure there are no cracks on the walls of the building’s façade through which water could get in and cause damage to the walls. Depending on the materials of the building, different types of sealants and coatings can be used – there are special sealants that are used for concrete, and other ones that are used for bricks. As for the doors and windows, a carpenter should take a look at them to determine what their weak spots are and how they should be fixed.
2. Below Grade Waterproofing and Sealing
Waterproofing the portion of the property that’s below the surface level is trickier the portion that’s above. The reason for this is that there are more actions that need to be taken to make sure the foundation and the portions of the wall that are below the ground are waterproofed and sealed, and it can sometimes include digging out the ground that’s around the below grade level of the building, and creating slopes that will prevent water buildup around the walls.
3. Parking Deck Waterproofing and Sealing
Parking decks and lots take a heavy beating from the elements. But that’s not all they get, as there’s also the matter of cars leaking oil or fuel on them, which can cause staining and damage. To prevent that from happening, parking deck waterproofing and repair is extremely important for damage control, and any crack in them should be sealed as soon as it appears. If the parking deck is damaged significantly, it can be completely resurfaced using an epoxy coating that restores cracks, a methyl methacrylate top coating which increases durability, and urethane which will protect the deck from water intrusion.
4. Patio and Balcony Waterproofing and Sealing
Even if the patio or the balcony of your commercial property is more or less covered by the roof, it won’t stop the rain from falling at an angle and getting onto the patio or the balcony. These external features of a building are exposed to all the weather conditions, which mean they will, after enough time, become damaged. That is, of course, if they are not properly waterproofed or sealed. Depending on the material used for the flooring of your patio or balcony, different types of coatings can be used to seal and waterproof your patio and balcony. If the flooring is badly damaged, it will need to be repaired, and it also might be a good idea to check the integrity of the substrate, to make sure it’s not damaged as well. If it is, don’t fret – that can be fixed, too.
5. Positive Side Waterproofing
Positive side waterproofing is a term used to describe waterproofing of a structure on the side where the water is coming from – that is, outside of the property. This is the process in which the outer walls are coated with special water-resistant coating and membranes which will prevent water from entering either the walls or the foundation. It is the most effective way of preventing water damage, as it’s pretty much used to create a physical obstacle through which the water can’t pass and get into the wall.
6. Negative Side Waterproofing
Negative-side waterproofing is used for keeping water out of a space that’s inside the building, like a room or the basement. It differs from positive side waterproofing because it is used on the side opposite of the one from which the water is coming, meaning that it’s used from the inside. This, of course, implies that the water has already found a way through the wall or the foundation, and negative side waterproofing doesn’t address those issues – it just prevents water from moving further. As such, negative waterproofing is usually more of a temporary remedy than a thorough cure for the water problems. But as far as temporary remedies go, it is very effective.
Megan says
Making sure your home is waterproofed is SO important. No one wants to wake up to a flooded basement, right? I really liked what you said about positive side waterproofing. Waterproofing a structure on the side where the water is coming from is a really logical idea. I should look into that for my own house.
Karen Lamy DeSousa, Advance Air & Heat says
I have woken up to a flooded basement in my house before and it was NO FUN! Fortunately with a combination of waterproofing solutions, we were able to address the issue and get dried out. Prevention is DEFINITELY the way to go in waterproofing, for sure!
Paul Langley says
This is some really great information for anyone looking to waterproof a commercial building. I had never thought about how important it is to make sure that any entrance or open space is also waterproof. And I had never heard of positive side water proofing, but it makes perfect sense that where you know there’s going to be water, you want to make sure it’s waterproof. Thanks so much for writing!
Marie Watson says
Stephan, thanks for explaining some of the best ways to make sure your building is completely waterproofed. Since you mention that above grade waterproofing and sealing includes any portion of the property that is above the surface level, I am curious to know whether or not that would include your roof. It seems like it is important to make sure your roof is waterproofed so there is no ceiling or other structural damage. I would think that it is also a good idea if you live in an especially rainy or wet climate.
Braden Bills says
I’ve been trying to figure out what I should do to get a safe shelter in my back yard. I didn’t even think about making sure that it’s waterproofed! I’ll want to find a professional that can keep it completely airtight. Thanks for sharing!
Charles Kemp says
I think it is really helpful to know if your home is waterproofed because you never know when the flood is going to come. I like that you mention different types of waterproofing. I will definitely have to check and make sure that my whole house is protected.
April Cook says
I didn’t realize that there were so many areas that needed to be waterproofed. I especially like your tip to makes sure your covered balconies are waterproofed. I would have assumed those were protected enough by the roof and passed them by. Would it also be smart to make sure you have proper drainage so water doesn’t’ build up on the balcony? Thanks for this great information!
Kody Loveless says
I feel like if you wanted to really waterproof a basement you would have to do positive and negative side. I like the idea of stopping more water from coming in as well as stopping the water that has already got into the walls. Do companies do both services or can it only be one or the other?
Lauren Woodley says
It’s helpful to know that below grade waterproofing can be more difficult than above grade waterproofing. It makes sense, though, since things are harder to access. That being said, it makes sense to hire a professional to come in, inspect the property, and do the project for you. This way, they have the equipment necessary and the experience necessary to do it right.
James Bergman says
When it comes to waterproofing I think the best thing to do is to keep water away from your building. Sloping the ground away from the building helps, but I think it is a good idea to go a little farther. Like you mentioned, sealers can be used, but what about adding drainage pipes around the foundation? Do you think this is a good idea?
siaosi says
I would love to be able to get my basement to have water proof seals. I think it is cool how they have a bunch of different kinds of waterproofing. I would like to know my patio and balcony are waterproofed as well.
Dry Waterproofing says
Most of the companies does both things, and also do em’ very well.
Bernard Clyde says
It’s good to know there are these different approaches to waterproofing your property. I think it’s important to make sure the right approach is used to truly prevent the root of any flooding issue you might have. Prevention is always a better method as it saves money in repairs and the obvious inconveniences that come with treating flooding problems.
Burt Silver says
Thanks for the information on waterproofing. My wife and I are worried about mold in our basement, so we have been thinking about finding a waterproofing contractor. I didn’t realize you should waterproof on the outside and the inside of the house. I will have to find somebody who does both positive and negative waterproofing.
Kenneth says
I didn’t realize there were so many options on where to provide support when waterproofing. We are finishing up our basement this year and are going to need to waterproof it then. I appreciate the explanation on the difference between interior and exterior waterproofing. I think we will start with the exterior and add interior protection if needed.
Daniel says
I like how you pointed out that there are many ways to have your flooring sealing and waterproof, and that it’s important to do so because it prevents a wide variety of damage from leaks or flooding. We’ve had a stormy spring the past few years, so I think anyone who isn’t already prepared should really think about these options. The wide variety of options you listed seems like it would require a bit of expertise so I think anyone looking to get this done would be smart to find a professional who provides that service.
Burt Silver says
I like how you describe all the different terms used for waterproofing different parts of the building. Recently I’ve been looking into knowing more about roof waterproofing. It would be great if I could find a service that could tell me more about it and get a quote on how much the service would cost to have it performed on my roof.
Monica Chavez says
I like how you point out that parking decks and lots take a heavy beating from elements, so waterproofing is especially important for damage control. It must be vital to have some kind of protection against things like rain, and hail, and even leaking cars. I wonder what the process of waterproofing is.