In New Jersey, commercial buildings are at the mercy of the weather. From coastal patterns like residual hurricanes coming in from the coast to deep snow in the winter and blazing summer sun, these structures put up with a lot of abuse every year.
While regular maintenance is a critical element of keeping commercial buildings functioning well, one often overlooked option is waterproofing. Waterproofing can mitigate or even prevent some of the most common damage that buildings in New Jersey deal with regularly.
Here are four reasons why your NJ commercial building needs waterproofing and how you can achieve this, regardless of whether your structure is brand new or has been serving the community for decades.
What Is Waterproofing, Anyway?
Before you can decide whether waterproofing is the right decision for your commercial structure, you will need to understand what waterproofing is. As its name implies, the waterproofing process makes your building resistant to water so that moisture cannot pass through the affected area.
However, waterproofing is more complex than simply a physical barrier that repels water. Good waterproofing will be applied strategically so that moisture inside the building can still escape; more on that below.
Multiple types of waterproofing are available, from spray-on applications to bonded membranes that attach to the underlying material. An expert can help you to understand which type of waterproofing will suit your NJ commercial building’s current risks and condition.
Reasons NJ Commercial Waterproofing Is Right for Your Building
Buildings can benefit from waterproofing in multiple ways. These coatings—regardless of which form is right for your structure—can achieve more than simply keeping the water out. Some of the reasons to invest in waterproofing for your commercial building include:
Prevention of Water Damage
Perhaps most obviously, waterproofing can help to prevent water damage. When water enters cracks and gaps in a structure, it gradually widens over time. What started as a hairline crack barely worth your notice can grow into a crumbling section of brick that threatens the structural integrity of the entire building. Waterproofing stops moisture from infiltrating these cracks so that the damage does not grow in this way.
As an additional benefit of keeping the water out, your structure will avoid many issues that can arise from mold and mildew. When these spores sneak into the inner walls of your structure, they can proliferate into a substantial mold colony long before anyone notices that anything is amiss.
Mold and moisture can weaken framing by rotting the load-bearing wood, and it can pass through the HVAC system and cause physical symptoms for workers and visitors.
Release of Interior Vapors
As mentioned previously, the best waterproofing applications will still allow moisture from inside the building to escape. This ensures that humidity and water vapor are not trapped against an impermeable barrier within the building, which could cause the same mold and dampness issues as water infiltrating from the outside. Waterproofing means making your building breathable.
UV Protection
One of the less commonly known advantages of waterproofing a commercial building is boosting its UV resistance. Over time, the UV rays from the sun can bleach the exterior of a structure and degrade its components until they are weaker than before.
However, waterproofing membranes reflect much of the UV radiation away from the structure, so materials such as mortar will last longer before needing to be repaired. Added UV resistance coupled with a reduction in water damage can significantly decrease both the number and frequency of repairs to a building’s exterior.
Energy Waste Reduction
Another benefit of waterproofing your NJ commercial building is the savings you can enjoy on energy bills. As airflow permeates small cracks and moisture wicks away heat, your structure may spend more than necessary to maintain its ambient temperature.
Once waterproofing stops the infiltration of water, your building will no longer have direct access to the outdoor environment—meaning that your cool areas will remain cool and your warm rooms can stay warm without drafts. This can save businesses money on utility bills over time and reduce wear on important HVAC machinery such as AC units.
Get NJ Commercial Waterproofing Done the Right Way
Your NJ commercial building requires consistent upkeep and care to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. By investing in waterproofing, you can reduce the impact of many damaging elements and save money over the long term.
The experts at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration can guide you on the right type of waterproofing for your structure. Contact Waterproof Caulking & Restoration to discuss your budget, goals, and any questions that you have about the waterproofing process.