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Articles : Waterproof Your Commercial Property Investment to Secure a Greater Return

Posted 6/26/2009 (650 reads)

If you're a building owner or property manager, no doubt you're well-acquainted with never-ending to-do lists. Properties require constant maintenance and monitoring of all aspects, from the landscaping to the structural upkeep. One of the main goals of a building owner or property manager should be to make the structural integrity of their building last as long as possible, with as few repairs as possible.

Waterproofing your building is a mandatory step in the construction phase, but as the elements wear on the original materials, they begin to deteriorate over time. It is imperative that you verify that your building is being thoroughly and continuously protected from moisture. This is accomplished by staying on top of things and ensuring the building is properly maintained and waterproofed at all times. The property owner/manager would need to contact a waterproofing company  to perform periodic inspections; thereby determining moisture has no places to penetrate into the building and potentially weaken the structure. If these inspections are done correctly, future repair costs can be kept to a minimum.

Another important part of building ownership or property management is ensuring the health and safety of building occupants, whether by protecting them from the elements or from mold growth. Mold can be found on the inside and outside of a building, due to moisture buildup from leaks that result when waterproofing systems fail. If the mold growth inside the building becomes too severe, a governing agency such as OSHA may need to investigate and grant approval before remediation can progress. Depending on how long the remediation takes, your building could be shut down for days, even weeks, thus creating a huge inconvenience for your tenants.

Maintaining your building's appearance, internally and externally, is also an important step in protecting your investment. Water leaks down the outside of your building can cause unsightly streaks and rust-colored staining. Moisture buildup within a location can develop dark spots and brown shaded areas. These types of markings, spots, and stains are unpleasant to the eye and may indicate that the building is in disrepair. We've all walked into a building affected by this issue and looked up at the stained ceiling tile and thought, "If this were my building, that would not be there!" Exterior building façade restoration can be very costly. If your building is properly maintained from a waterproofing standpoint, then all of these unsightly stains, marks, and spots can be avoided.

When you own/manage any type of structure or building, preventative maintenance is always important. It will save you time and trouble, not to mention future repair costs. There are many companies that will provide periodic waterproofing inspections and perform any necessary repair work.

"Waterproofing your building and protecting its exterior and interior is the key to securing both your investment and your continued success." Mike MacDonagh, Vice President, Exterior Diagnostic Services

You've worked hard to get to this point in your business. Take pride in your success by taking good care of your commercial building. By doing so, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches and get more out of your investment in the long run.


Tags: waterproofing, building restoration, façade restoration
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