COMMERCIAL WATERPROOFING

First, you need to understand how a conventional corporate building is constructed, and which parts are most vulnerable to water damage:

• Roofs (especially flat roofs without adequate drainage solutions)
• Balconies and terraces
• Podium decks
• Planter boxes
• Lift pits

When conducting a check, you should focus primarily on these areas. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore the rest of the areas or that they cannot be affected. These people are simply the most vulnerable.

Even if you don’t plan to do an in-depth inspection, it’s a good idea to glance at this list when you’re inspecting your balcony or roof.

PREVENT LOST RENT – A building owner’s worst nightmare is to have their property uninhabitable due to water leakage, so it is imperative that the property is waterproofed properly from the beginning.

SAFETY –Insufficient waterproofing can expose wiring to leaks, and so there’s a real risk of fire or electrocution. Your liability for damage or injury to your tenants would lie with you as the building’s owner. A building’s occupants can experience allergic reactions or respiratory problems caused by mould and mildew, which can be long-term health risks. It is also possible for bacteria to flourish in damp areas, and this can eventually lead to a building being labelled a ‘sick’ building, making leasing more difficult.

STRUCTURE – Timber rots, metal rusts and concrete get cancerous when moisture accumulates. Long term water damage can lead to a building becoming structurally unsound, posing a major disaster waiting to happen.

HYGIENE – In addition to posing a health risk to the occupants, damp areas in a building also serve as an ongoing expense to the owner, who must hire exterminators periodically.

Having worked on commercial properties for years, we have years of experience replacing and repairing waterproofing. Contact one of our sales representatives today to find out more about the process.