How to Protect Your Warehouse from Water Damage

While it can be shocking to find water seepage, mold or cracks in your warehouse, these behaviors are somewhat common and should be expected given warehouses are often subject to extreme temperature changes or exposure to elements.

Our first recommendation? Try not to panic!

Next? Find a way to slow down the behaviors you’re seeing. This is where a skilled and knowledgeable contractor, like Alpine, can help.

Elastomeric Coatings
Elastomeric coatings are an incredibly versatile waterproofing paint protection option that stretches and expands or retains shape in extreme temperatures. They offer preventative maintenance in that the waterproofing capability restricts water from sitting on surfaces, which can lead to mold, mildew, rotting, and ultimately structural damage. And, it's not just surfaces, elastomerics can prevent moisture buildup in HVAC systems, which means both your surfaces and the air within your warehouse stay mold and mildew-free.

Elastomerics in Extreme Temperatures
Given their elasticity, elastomeric coatings have the ability to expand or contract with extreme temperatures or building movements, which helps avoid facade cracking or internal damage. In fact, they are flexible enough to endure wind speeds up to 100 mph!

Repelling Other Fluids
While elastomerics are a great, diverse waterproofing option, we also recommend Ultra Ever Dry. This thin coating system can be used for specific applications like repelling oil, ice, and other liquid materials from a surface by creating an air barrier.

Beyond the Surface
Once your surfaces have been waterproofed, expansion joints are the next piece of the puzzle in ensuring your warehouse is water-resistant. In general, vertical expansion joints, which are customary on concrete tilt-up structures, will last between 10 and 25 years depending on the sealant caulk that is used. When that sealant is in need of replacement, it’s important to ensure that all the old material is properly removed and cleaned from the surface. This will help the new sealant bond appropriately and last for many years to come.

Working with an experienced contractor will keep your warehouse waterproofed with the appropriate products and the right methods. Our skilled team has more than 50 years of experience in waterproofing, including using elastomeric coatings. We are proud to ensure the projects we take on delivering the highest quality results on time and within budget. Give us a call today to get started!