Factors to Consider – and Why It Matters
Commercial waterproofing can protect your business for the long run. Keeping water out means protection for your material assets, keeping things consistent for tenants, easy building maintenance, and preventing expensive repairs or liability issues. Being proactive with your commercial waterproofing and drainage is an investment in the safety, longevity, and sustainability of your business for years to come.
Why Commercial Waterproofing Is Mission-Critical
One of the most critical threats to a commercial property often remains out-of-sight, out-of-mind until damage becomes difficult, or impossible, to ignore. Water intrusion.
When most people think about water damage, they picture a leaking pipe or even a flooded basement. But the issue can be much more stealthy. When water penetrates small cracks, accumulates behind walls, seeps through joints, etc., it can take months or longer to spot visible evidence of a problem. By then, remediation will be extensive and expensive.
Water intrusion creates a ripple effect through commercial properties:
- Damage to building materials (e.g., concrete, masonry, wood)
- Damage to inventory and equipment
- Damage to tenant property, if applicable
- Mold/mildew growth
- Reduced or even hazardous indoor air quality
- Disruptions to operations
- Potential insurance claims and liabilities
- More rapid deterioration of the building and systems
To further emphasize the point: Water damage is by far the biggest cause of property loss claims in commercial buildings (accounting for 71% of claims). The average insurance claim is approximately $80,000 – $90,000 (depending on several factors, including the size of the building). A single leak can cost $25,000.
Waterproofing is not a simple maintenance item; it should be a significant component of any risk management strategy. For commercial buildings, any downtime translates into lost revenue, whether in terms of actual time offline or in lost/damaged equipment and infrastructure.
Waterproofing Commercial Properties: What Owners Need to Know
It is not enough to apply a sealant to common intrusion points or address leaks as they pop up. Property owners need a comprehensive approach that takes into account factors including:
The Environment
No two commercial properties are the same, and each faces unique challenges when it comes to waterproofing. Surrounding soil conditions, groundwater levels, weather patterns, and site grading all play a role. A solution that works for one site may not be effective for another. A thorough evaluation is critical in assessing your specific situation.
Building Design
Even properties with similar infrastructure and attributes will have variables unique to them and which provide intrusion points for water. These can include anything from utility rooms and parking structures to expansion joints and elevator pits. And, of course, as buildings age, natural wear can exacerbate or create new vulnerabilities. Finding these early and working proactively keeps small problems from becoming expensive nightmares.
Water Management Strategies
Ideally, we manage water before it ever reaches the building/structure. Proactive steps include proper site grading, clean gutters and downspouts, foundation drains, and stormwater management systems. These work together to divert water away from the building while solutions like sheet waterproofing and air barriers layer on even more protection.
Solutions Built for Your Property
Commercial properties face a myriad of challenges, from controlling costs to protecting key assets. Waterproofing is a crucial investment that more than pays off in terms of reduced risk, expense, and downtime. The reality is that water damage does not improve over time. Intrusion leads to progressive deterioration, and few businesses can afford such significant costs while managing downtime.
At Jaco, our goal isn’t to simply seal up leaks. It is to assess and address the underlying causes of water intrusion to safeguard your property. To discuss your commercial waterproofing needs, connect with our experts.