31 Jan 3 Essential Tips to Properly Manage Water Intrusion Proactively
Engineers and property managers should adopt a proactive approach towards waterproofing in order to prevent water damage to their properties.
Although expansion joints last for 5-20 years, window seals can last 10-20 years. However, this depends on the material and sun exposure. Even in older buildings, or with newly replaced caulking you need to be careful about water intrusion.
These three steps can save you a lot of time and money.
Watch out for signs such as water intrusions or failures of the building envelope.
- Check for these things as you walk around your property.
- Vinyl shrinkage around windows corners
- Concrete curtain wall cracks and gaps
- Parapet caps and walls with damaged or deteriorated seals
- Ask your vendor to inspect any signs that may be present during exterior building maintenance visits.
- Check for water damage on the exterior and interior of your building when it rains.
- There are pools of water inside the window frames.
- Water intrusions and leaks
- If you have a large structure, make sure to mark it, take a photograph and note its location.
A professional waterproofing contractor is part of your proactive defense.
- Ask them to look into the problem areas that you have identified. Water travels a lot, so the source of the water might not be obvious.
- You should follow up on any signs of joint wear or system failure in your building’s envelope.
- If you notice any problems or leaks that are not easily fixed, it is worth hiring a professional to inspect your home.
- Every three to five years, have a ground-level inspection of your building to find and fix any leaks.
Get rid of the problem right away!
- Although a repair or waterproofing of a joint may be more expensive than a regular maintenance project, water damage can be more disruptive and costly for tenants. This is especially true if they need to relocate.
- It is possible to prevent a new or small leak from being discovered by fixing it immediately.
- Water seepage can cause mold growth, which can then lead to hazardous black mold.
- Unseen moisture can cause damage to drywall, carpeting and office furniture.
- Tenants may be tempted to leave if they smell musty or mildewy throughout their space.
Overall, watching for signs of water intrusion, calling for expert support, and making necessary repairs/waterproofing when they first occur are smart, proactive measures that will save you money and headaches.
Warranty: Sealant/Caulking Materials and Labor
- Nearly all sealants and caulking manufacturers require that a field inspection be conducted in order to honor their warranty. To pass the manufacturer’s inspection, waterproofing agents must adhere to their instructions. When the job is completed, ask for the proof of the product warranty .
- For product warranties to be valid, it may be necessary that the entire plane or joint system is sealed.
- The contractor who performed the work provides the labor warranty. This warranty must be mentioned separately from the product warranty on your final bill. How many years has your contractor been in operation?