Waterproofing to Preserve Your Building

  If anything can destroy the image of a graceful commercial building and cost owners heavily, it is lack of proper waterproofing which causes moisture intrusion, and damage!

  Waterproofing plays an active role in keeping a solid non-pervasive layer over different spaces so that the water won’t permeate and cause harm. Water and oxygen pervading into the depth of any structure can lead to corrosion and massive damage that might be difficult to recover from.

​Do you know that lack of proper waterproofing can cause massive regret later in life? It is time to take this very important process seriously. Here are various ways of waterproofing to preserve your commercial building in Jacksonville:

Different Techniques of Waterproofing:
   The selection of a particular waterproofing technique depends on the area that needs protection. Here are a few important waterproofing techniques:

• Waterproofing started by creating slanting concrete roofs so the water wouldn’t stay put. Instead, it safely drained away without causing harm. However, it was later discovered that this was not effective in completely saving commercial buildings or houses from harsh weather conditions that can stay for long spells.
• The easiest and most readily available form of waterproofing is cementitious waterproofing. In this method, either a polymer-modified breathable layer or crystallized silicon layer of cement is applied atop concrete. This is done because concrete on its own absorbs water and by applying this smooth layer of cement, all the possible cracks or gaps are filled. Thus it leaves no space for water or any other environmental factor or chemical spillage to damage the structure of the building.
• Another innovative and much preferable method for waterproofing is by utilizing membranes. Two different forms of membranes are prevalent these days, namely liquid and sheet membranes.

  With liquid membranes, the ease of use is immense and that is the reason it has grown in popularity. They can easily and quickly be applied on both vertical and horizontal spaces that might be difficult to reach otherwise, through spraying it or by using rollers. However, caution needs to be taken while applying this type of membrane to the surface as an even and double layer should cover the surface. The thinness of the liquid membrane layer can spoil the overall structure or cause water seepage as this layer will break under environmental factors’ stress.

Sheet-based membranes are only suitable for flat horizontal surfaces as the name suggests. Large rolls of sheet membranes are utilized to cover surfaces by applying a sticky thick substance below them and by using blowtorches so that the resultant heat will cause the sheet to stick properly. Overlapping the sheets is important here so that water can’t find any spaces or gap to pervade. 

These Techniques of Waterproofing are just the tip of the iceberg! Over time with settling and the harsh Florida climate, even the exterior walls will need protection with elastomeric waterproofing coatings. Sherwin Williams offers many products such as Loxon XP. Research silicone waterproof coating systems here.

  It is important to realize which technique of waterproofing will be appropriate for different parts of a building whether internal or external. Important factors to consider are budget, application surface, reliability and durability of the materials used, bonding and adhesive qualities, etc. Once you and your waterproofing contractor have made a careful evaluation, choosing the right waterproofing technique will be easy.