Unfortunately, drainage and waterproofing issues aren’t easy to spot in commercial spaces, especially during construction. Small leaks often pass unnoticed, and it isn’t until they become large that someone notices – we’re speaking of large issues like damaged items, water spots on walls, and flooded rooms.
A waterproofing inspection can detect issues before they cause extensive and pricey-to-repair damage. However, conducting commercial building inspections can sometimes be challenging, and it’s best to benefit from professional help. A waterproofing inspection checklist could prove useful because it helps you focus your attention on the defects and faults that could cause structural damage. Running an inspection shouldn’t take your day from productive to problematic but help you prevent issues before they trigger incidents.
We created this comprehensive guide to help you understand better what commercial building waterproofing inspections imply.
What to expect from a waterproofing inspection?
Regardless of the area where the inspection is conducted, it should be unbiased, and a checklist could help with this. Ensure you thoroughly check the structures, systems, and components that make up the space. It would help if you looked at the interior and exterior of the space, including its foundation. A waterproofing expert or building inspector is qualified to identify issues and recommend solutions. It’s best to perform the check-up even during the construction phase because waterproofing failures are challenging to spot but can provide extensive disruptions.
Sometimes waterproofing problems are only small issues masking larger ones, and you shouldn’t overlook their signs. Catching them too late in the construction stage can lead to expensive and complicated repairs.
Aside from regular inspections, you should also consider taking preventive measures such as waterproofing coatings and sealants. These can help protect your building from water damage and other issues that could arise if the structure isn’t properly inspected. By applying a waterproof coating to the exterior walls of a commercial space, for example, you can ensure that it is protected against moisture infiltration. Additionally, you may want to apply a sealant or membrane around windows and doors to create an additional barrier against water seepage or mold growth. Taking these steps now will save you time and money in the long run by preventing costly repairs down the road.
How does an interior inspection work?
The basement should be the start of the waterproofing inspection. Regardless if we’re talking about a finished or unfinished space, most waterproofing issues are usually detected in the basement. Common signs of waterproofing problems are:
- Water stains on the walls and floors
- Water in the crawl space
- Moisture around windows and doors
- Increased humidity
- Buckling or cracked walls
- Bubbling, peeling, or blistering paint
- Rotting wood
When inspecting the space, waterproofing inspectors usually use a Cleaning app and a moisture detector to ensure they don’t miss any signs.
How does an exterior inspection work?
As mentioned earlier, waterproofing inspections imply evaluating the entire space; therefore, the inspectors also examine the exterior of the commercial building. They often focus on some common weaknesses like:
- The area where the brick meets the foundation to check is the seal shows deterioration signs
- The junctions between the walls and foundation, basement floor, footing, and other space extensions.
- The basement window wells because water usually builds up around these spaces. Moisture can also seep through seals and deteriorate structures.
- The mortar joints and voids in brick and block walls could allow water to enter the wall crevices.
Waterproofing inspections aim to prevent water intrusion into your commercial building, which is supposed to stay dry. A space where water enters through the structure envelope could pose a risk to your resources, and it’s crucial to ensure its integrity.
