The Business Of Waterproofing

Waterproofing, as a separate construction job, is now usually handled by concrete contractors themselves. As a supplementary profit center, waterproofing is actually a good addition in their construction business.

Also, as an additional new service, it is one profitable way for the company to grow. Since concrete contractors are at the jobsite in the first days of construction, it is only logical that they stay longer and make additional money.

Waterproofing types

Basically, there are two types of waterproofing materials – sheet membranes and sprays. Typically, a contractor would use only one system and recommends it to the owner.

However, their decisions normally consider the initial cost of equipments required to do the job. The upfront costs for sheet membrane waterproofing are not prohibitive while initial cost of equipments for the spray system requires some investment cash-outs.

Equipments for sheet membranes

One special equipment needed for sheet membranes is a relatively cheap linoleum roller. This is used to firmly press the waterproofing membrane against the concrete wall.

Most other tools are those that concrete contractors already have. These equipments include the angle grinder, scrapers, roller covers, brushes, and knives.

Sprayed-on waterproofing

Compared with sheet membrane waterproofing, sprayed-on waterproofing is much costlier. There are several initial equipments needed: a van, a bulk tank with a spray rig, hoses and nozzles.

They would also need ladders for going up and down the site. The workers are also to be supplied with protective equipments that include face shields and respirators, as well as disposable coveralls to protect them from the spray materials.

Aside from the costs, there are other occupational considerations. The spray had to be heated first before being sprayed. There are temperature gauges to be controlled and another engine to circulate the spray to keep it warm enough.

Protecting Your Asset: Commercial Waterproofing

Waterproofing is an aspect that should not be ignored in construction of commercial buildings. Moisture and humidity could cause serious damage to any property, over the long period of time. Water and moisture could seep into the crack of the walls and floors, a serious threat to the stability of the structure.

A commercial building should be properly monitored over time to determine if there are water seepage and moisture problem occurring after construction. Property managers and owners would often hire commercial waterproofing professionals to inspect if the property is still waterproof.

Waterproofing inspectors would check different aspects of commercial inspection like detecting leaks and recommending repairs for it. Inspectors should not recommend “easy fixes” which could eventually cause more serious problems in the future. They would also recommend the proper sealants that would be suitable for the building’s condition and even color.

Structural problems are not the only dangers of water seepage, moisture and humidity. These conditions could cause molds and mildew to grow. Such growth could be detrimental to the health of the residents or workers in the building. Severe mold and mildew growth could sometimes cause the building to close down for treatment.

Rain and storms are not the only elements that a commercial building should be prepared for. Internal air condensation and water leaks could also contribute to the building’s moisture accumulation. Using permeable or poor materials and badly sealed structures are also factors.

Do You Need A Waterproofing Specialist?

Over the last 20 years, there had been a series of technological advances in the construction industry and its adjunct waterproofing services. Mostly, this is more in the use of materials of advanced qualities and sophisticated systems.

All of these have varying costs, degrees of effectiveness, and toned-down invasiveness of the nature of installation. Some are simpler to install, and others need some detailed systems information. The question is: Do you need a waterproof specialist?

Why waterproofing

A concrete building or structure needs waterproofing for the simple reason that the concrete itself is not watertight on its own. A moisture-laden room, caused by water seepage (usually your basement) is a good breeding ground for molds and mildew.

In time, these will cause an additional problem of unpleasant musty odors. Damp areas can also cause faster rusting of your appliances and attacks the wooden surfaces of anything inside that room.

Services

A waterproof consultant’s typical service is a survey and inspection of your problematic area. These can include visual inspections, laboratory testing, investigation and discovery of leaks, measurements in moisture and extent of job requirements, and pricing.

They would also include mapping out your basement, provide drawings and specifications, and highlight the trouble areas. These professionals can easily formulate a repair plan-of-action specific to your needs.

Waterproofing consultants also offer quality control management for your project, if you need it. They can also ensure quality control should you hire an outside contractor for the work. They will see to it your specifications are met.

Also, after the job is done, the waterproof consultant offers follow-up inspections. This will go a long way in averting future damages and save costs.

Learning What To Watch For With Waterproofing

Representatives of spray manufacturers have been training workers from construction contractor companies on how to use the system and how to spray the waterproofing product properly.

The workers were also trained on right application rates and right temperatures. Some manufacturing companies send out their representatives and do a few jobs with the waterproofing companies just to make sure everything was okay. Other companies put on some seminars.

Selling the service

For waterproofing companies, selling the service is not very difficult in terms of the type of waterproofing services preferred by customers or what is deemed better. The benefits of waterproofing are the same regardless of the type used.

The basic benefits include protecting the foundation or the basement walls from moisture (or vapor) transmissions and stopping concrete efflorescence.

Return of investments

Waterproofing can be more profitable than contracting concrete foundation or basement building. Companies can earn an extra 5 to 6% profits.

Sheet membrane waterproofing system takes about a week to finish. Spray waterproofing is finished in about 3 to 4 hours, sometimes less. Some concrete contractors contend that it might not have increased the business much, but it can bring in some extra profits.

Also, a concrete contractor becomes more valuable to a homebuilder or a general contractor if it is also able to do waterproofing jobs.

Advantages Of Using A Waterproofing Specialist

Professional consultants in waterproofing are very knowledgeable in locating leaks or other waterproofing problems. Finding them, they would immediately know the exact causes and best way to fix them.

Like any other professional job specialists, these experts had undergone intensive training or had long years of experience in the industry. These consultants can often do the job themselves or can refer you to a competent contractor.

Costs

Prices for hiring a waterproofing consultant vary from place to place. Since problems in waterproofing also vary from place to place (each place has unique specifications and related solutions) you can rest assured that the needs of your home are going to be met.

If your consultant is not from your local area, they would expect to be compensated for travel expenses as well. Depending on your needs and the extent of the job requirements, costs can exceed a thousand dollars.

Do-it-yourself

Sometimes, when home owners deem the expense of hiring a waterproofing consultant is too steep, they would venture to perform the entire project by themselves.

However, some people have found out that their own mistakes are more costly than hiring a consultant from the very beginning.

Others, having found no professional consultant are around their areas, usually hire a professional waterproofer. A professional waterproofer often had the experience and skills to diagnose and treat your home problems.

If you want to save some money, be sure you can follow waterproofing instructions to the letter to ensure success. If you are unsure of your skills, get a real professional.

ommerial Waterproofing

There are different kinds of commercial waterproofing which building owners and managers could take advantage of.

• Waterproofing surfaces using sealants, paints, coating plates, epoxic materials, polymer, silicone, plastic and metal coats.

• Waterproofing products which are already part of the concrete or could be mixed with to improve its resistance against moisture

• There are also waterproofing materials that would help the structure to deal with changing temperature like emulsions and asphalts which are water or solvent-based.

• Interior waterproofing systems that would remove water which is accumulated inside. A French drain could be used to channel the water out of the building which would be eventually pumped out of the building through a sump pump.

Internal waterproofing to keep water out like insulation or membranes applied on walls and floors.

When hiring a commercial waterproofing provider, the first thing that you should do is check the credentials of the provider. Check previous clients and if they were satisfied with the work. There are different building codes which could cover building waterproofing. It is important that these codes are followed, you could check previous contractors if they were able to meet these requirements.

Before signing any kind of contract, make sure that the system they would be installing or recommending to you would actually improve the building condition. There are some providers who would recommend low-priced alternative but they actually cause more harm that provide a solution.

Waterproofing protects your property, whether it is residential or commercial, as long as you will be making the necessary steps in choosing the right system for your needs and condition.