Delaware weather is notoriously unpredictable. From sudden wintertime snow storms to the occasional summer hurricane, the commercial properties in this state are no stranger to moisture. An occasional humid day is no problem for most buildings.
However, when heavy snow spends months piled against a structure, or hurricanes drop inches of rainwater without stopping, constant moisture exposure harms even the sturdiest buildings.
Even regular maintenance to keep piled snow away from the walls of a building is not sufficient to fully remove standing moisture. Delaware commercial waterproofing is the best method of ensuring that your building stands the test of time, regardless of the weather.
But how does waterproofing work, and is it worth the cost? The right type of waterproofing for your commercial building will depend on numerous factors, including the structure’s environment, its typical use, what it is made of, and more.
Some buildings benefit from sprays, while others are best equipped for permeable membranes. An expert can help you understand which waterproofing option suits your structure.
Here’s an overview of why waterproofing your Delaware commercial building is a smart choice and how it adds value to the structure, both now and in the future.
Reduced Water Damage
One of the biggest threats commercial buildings face when exposed to moisture is damage caused by the water. Because Delaware experiences fluctuating temperatures throughout the year, any moisture within the cracks and crevices of the building will expand and contract over time.
This can push bricks apart or widen existing holes and cracks. What was formerly a hairline gap in a brick can quickly turn into a crumbling section of wall that makes the structure unsafe to inhabit.
Waterproofing your building prevents moisture from wreaking this type of havoc. The added value your building will see comes in the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars saved in repair costs and better structural integrity overall. There will be no hairline fractures that appear in hard-to-see places.
Decreased Mold and Mildew Buildup
In order to grow, mold requires continued access to moisture. Waterproofing adds value to your building by eliminating the damage that mold and mildew can cause. This savings is reflected in numerous ways.
First, moisture will not intrude to supply a mold colony with the humidity it needs to spread behind walls and into support structures, rotting and weakening them. Second, your business could see an increase in worker productivity and a resultant boost in income as employees avoid exposure to allergenic spores.
In some sensitive individuals, mold can cause more than just the sniffles—it may also result in severe respiratory symptoms. Investing in waterproofing bolsters value both in terms of the building itself and the employees who work there.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Water is a natural conductor—it is very susceptible to temperature changes. When an uninterrupted path of moisture connects the outside of your commercial building with the inside, you may be paying more for heating and cooling.
Comfortable indoor air gets wicked to the outside through water pathways and unpleasant outdoor air infiltrates. This makes maintaining a comfortable temperature more difficult, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to compensate.
Waterproofing adds value to your building by decreasing the toll on your heating and cooling systems, lowering wear and tear, and improving energy efficiency so you pay less.
Increased Long-Term Trust
One of the most direct measures of increased value for Delaware commercial buildings that have invested in waterproofing is their sale value. Waterproofed structures see better offers when a sale occurs because buyers feel confident in the integrity of the building.
They know they will not need to worry about unseen water damage that could threaten their investment and are willing to pay more for this reassurance. On average, waterproofing can produce around 30% ROI in this area alone.
Coupled with the many other ways that the process saves your business money and increases efficiency, many companies find waterproofing a smart choice among their other maintenance tasks.
Get Comprehensive Delaware Commercial Waterproofing from the Pros
Whether you are confident in your choice to waterproof your structure or still need more information to make an informed decision, the next best step is to speak with the experts.
The professionals at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration can help you explore options for waterproofing your structure, either during initial construction or even years after the building has been completed. Contact Waterproof Caulking & Restoration to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions you have about the complexities of waterproofing a building.