Water leaking in basement areas can swiftly spiral into substantial damage if ignored. Taking a proactive approach to commercial caulking will help protect a property from future water issues. Thus, it’s prudent to have experienced contractors check out the building and fix any vulnerabilities before they become significant issues. So, how exactly does proper caulking protect your property?
Preventing Structural Damage
While it might not be apparent, buildings aren’t completely static and tend to move and settle in time. This can lead to caulking deterioration, which can cause small cracks to form. What starts as a minor leak can become a deluge if these cracks are ignored. This leads to saturated foundations and water accumulation in basements.
On the other hand, catching and resealing aging or deficient caulk in time keeps moisture out. Of course, identifying problematic caulking isn’t always obvious. That’s why thorough inspections by waterproofing professionals are recommended, as they can effectively spot gaps needing fresh sealant.
After removing the old caulk completely, contractors apply new commercial-grade waterproof sealant designed to last. The caulk is carefully applied in damaged areas and allowed to cure properly to make sure it adheres as intended. Catching issues early prevents further cracking, which can lead to leakage disasters down the road.
Stopping Mold Proliferation
Certain construction materials, such as drywall, are more porous, meaning they’re more likely to absorb moisture. This can lead to the fast proliferation of mold colonies.
If moisture is not controlled, these mold colonies will spread like wildfire on surfaces and into structural cavities. To get rid of the mold, it’s often necessary to remove the affected materials, implement special drying methodologies, and thoroughly remove the mold.
These significant repairs usually cause substantial disruptions and cost far more than routine caulking maintenance. The solution is preventative basement caulking, which makes walls and foundations waterproof, thereby preventing moisture from accumulating, which mold needs to grow.
A professional waterproofing contractor has the experience to determine the best application methods and caulking products to keep your building safe from moisture seeping in through the cracks. By repairing the problems before they exacerbate, you’ll maintain good air quality and avoid having to deal with the high cost of fixing mold problems in the future.
Preventing Damage to the Foundation
Once water starts building up in foundations, severe deterioration can take place. Prolonged exposure to moisture causes wood to rot and the corrosion of important metal components in the foundation. The more these essential materials weaken, the more the building shifts and settles, threatening overall structural stability.
Spotting and resealing deficient basement caulking early helps minimize damage from water saturation. Being proactive to prevent the problem will also help you avoid the expense of having to fix your building foundation later, including strengthening structural elements that have lost stability or swapping out sill plates that have rotted.
Cutting Down Energy Loss
If you have gaps around any building access points, such as basement windows, wires, pipes, and joints, the temperature-controlled air inside your building will be able to escape while warm or cold air, along with dust and potentially allergens, gets in. Consequently, HVAC systems work much harder to maintain set temperatures, spiking energy costs.
Checking for drafts and determining how worn down your basement caulk is and replacing it reduces this energy loss. Waterproofing professionals can choose the ideal caulk for each application and substrate. Their experience also helps properly seal deficient areas containing air leaks, boosting your building’s efficiency.
Blocking Pest Intrusion
Mice, spiders, insects, and other pests can easily access buildings through even tiny exterior cracks and openings. Cockroaches and rodents are particularly tough to deal with as they can cause much damage in basements by getting into voids in the walls, which they can do through deteriorated caulking and other holes.
Once populations are established inside, they spread rapidly. Their droppings also introduce allergens and bacteria into indoor air. Trying to wipe out entrenched infestations carries a steep price tag. A wiser and more cost-effective choice is to be proactive with your maintenance.
Properly sealing all potential pest entry points prevents repeatedly calling the extermination company. At a fraction of the cost, waterproofing techs can carefully apply durable caulk to thoroughly seal exterior cracks and gaps as part of your routine building maintenance, blocking pests from the start.
Commercial Caulking Safeguards Your Business and Property Value
If you ignore even minor basement leaks, they can lead to a whole host of massive issues. These problems will eventually damage the value of your business and your property.
Consider the significant costs involved in fixing these problems. Not only can this lead to business disruption, but it can also negatively affect cash flow. Plus, by being proactive with caulking and avoiding these issues in the first place, you could use those funds to expand your business.
The more work a property requires, the more its value will decline, which is certainly something any business owner wants to avoid. After all, an essential asset, such as a building, should maintain its value at the very least, if not increase it.
Again, maintaining your basement’s caulking will help you prevent these problems before they become insurmountable. Having waterproofing professionals re-inspect and conduct preventative sealant repairs means you can be certain the job has been done right, and you won’t have any unexpected problems down the road.
Turn to Waterproof Caulking & Restoration to Keep Your Basement Dry
Properly caulking a basement to make it waterproof requires having the gear to access hard-to-reach areas and the experience to seal effectively. Professional techniques and the right products and tools for the building are necessary to establish that the end result performs well and lasts.
Trying to waterproof a commercial building basement area without help from a professional can lead to seals that aren’t watertight and, eventually, water damage. Waterproof Caulking & Restoration’s team of professionals can identify problems early – before they become serious issues – and determine the best solution for your building.
We rely on the best practices in the industry and adhere to strict safety standards to protect your building at all times. Contact us today at 484.265.9646 or schedule an inspection online for proactive caulking maintenance that will minimize the risk of water leaking in basement areas.