The basement is a critical part of any commercial property primarily because it sits directly above the foundation. Therefore, it is vital to protect the basement from potential damages resulting from groundwater leaks and accumulated moisture. Commercial waterproofing service providers offer the necessary protection to basement walls and floors. This article looks at the different types of waterproofing solutions available to commercial facilities.

Asphalt Membrane Waterproofing -- Commercial basements can be used for different purposes, including a parking lot or storage space. A common basement floor waterproofing technique entails the use of an asphalt membrane. The procedure is also called bituminous membrane waterproofing. A bituminous membrane is delivered onsite, and the rolls are applied over a tar-based adhesive. Notably, the membranes have a thickness of between 2mm to 4mm to ensure water doesn't find its way through. It is vital to apply torch fire uniformly and slowly over the membrane for better attachment to the subfloor.

Chemical Spray Sealants -- Another common basement waterproofing method involves the use of chemical spray sealants. As the name suggests, chemical spray sealants are applied directly to basement walls using a spraying machine. The sealants are in liquid form, and this means one coat is not enough to guarantee maximum protection. Quality waterproofing sealants only perform as desired when applied in multiple coats. Chemical spray sealants are particularly effective in basements that experience a lot of humidity and condensation, especially during the summer. That is why you should ensure that a basement's door and window frames -- if they are made of wood -- are also sprayed with a waterproofing sealant. It will prevent them from absorbing basement moisture that can lead to cracks in masonry and damage to concrete.

Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing -- It is arguably the most effective basement floor waterproofing method available to commercial facilities. The efficiency might also explain why the procedure is also the most expensive basement floor waterproofing method. The best part about polyurethane liquid membrane waterproofing is that it is highly flexible. The technique can easily fill and seal the tiniest crack on a floor, which ensures there is no space left for groundwater to flow from the foundation to the floor. However, it is important to be careful when dealing with polyurethane liquid membrane waterproofing because it is sensitive to moisture. Therefore, a contractor must first evaluate the moisture content in a basement before the application process begins. Application under the right conditions prevents premature peeling and debonding.