Winter weather can wreak havoc on your facility’s exterior, particularly if you’re in cold, icy, or snowy areas like the Northeast U.S. But many facility owners neglect to properly prepare for the elements that come with the transition into the winter season. One of the best ways to protect your building’s exterior is with concrete waterproofing. Here’s what to expect this winter and how waterproofing can help.
Snow, ice, sleet, and hail can cause some serious issues with your facility’s exterior this winter. The buildup of precipitation always means the presence of water at some point later – whether that’s during the storm, the next day, or through weeks of melting. A lot of the issues that happen with facility exteriors during winter are direct results of water infiltration into cracks, joints, or poorly designed or constructed parts of the building.
And regardless of how sturdy you think your facility’s foundation is, water can quickly pass through it without you even knowing it. Despite how it looks and feels, concrete is porous and water can, in fact, infiltrate it.
You may be familiar with commercial exterior painting and how important it is to regularly maintain your building’s finish. But failing to prepare your building for inclement weather can damage the actual foundation of your building – causing structural safety issues, leaving the potential for asbestos and other mold growth wide open, and possibly damaging insulation, plumbing, and more.
Concrete waterproofing’s primary function is to keep moisture from intruding into the facility, particularly through the flooring. Many below-grade concrete surfaces, like basements, can be infiltrated with melting snow and ice.
This waterproofing (and ultimately, weatherproofing) process involves the application of concrete waterproofing coatings. First, the exterior is cleaned to remove all debris and loose particles. Then, cracks and other structural damage are repaired to properly prepare the wall for waterproofing. Finally, an impermeable coating is applied, extending the entire length of the exterior wall, and the floor or sidewalk if applicable. This concrete waterproofing coating provides a barrier that is resistant to punctures or damage and potential resulting water infiltration.
There are many factors that can influence how long the concrete floor waterproof sealer or wall coating will last. One of the things to consider is how often and how heavily the surfaces are exposed to threats. In regards to weather, this usually comes in the form of cold, snowy winters. But generally speaking, these membranes should remain impenetrable for about five to ten years. Once it’s time for a refresh, make sure you do it quickly to keep your facility’s structural integrity intact. One winter storm is all it takes to cause damage that will end up very costly in the long run.
And once winter is gone and spring has sprung, don’t forget to evaluate your facility’s outside surfaces to see if it’s time for a commercial exterior painting job. Keep your building in great shape this year – inside and out!
PAINTech professionals can help with your facility’s general preventative maintenance, like exterior painting, concrete waterproofing, and more. Our team has more than 20 years of experience. Best of all, we’ll work with you to avoid any downtime during the process. If you are in Pennsylvania, The Main Line area, Maryland, Delaware, or Northern Virginia and would like a quote, contact PAINTech today.
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