How A Waterproofing Contractor Might Solve A Moisture Problem In Your Restaurant

If your restaurant has a moisture or water problem due to water seeping in from the outside, you should call a commercial property waterproofing contractor before the problem gets worse. The moisture might encourage mold growth, and that could give your restaurant a bad odor. In addition, the moisture could attract bugs, and you don't want an insect infestation in your restaurant. 

Here's how your waterproofing contractor might go about sealing and coating your foundation to keep water from getting inside your restaurant.

Assess The Water Problem

If the water leaking into your restaurant is a recent problem, the contractor may figure out what's going on so repairs can be made that redirect the water. This might be something like adjusting gutters or repairing a gap in a gutter seam. The problem might be caused by foundation plants or by the sprinklers that keep the plants watered.

If a problem is found, the contractor may recommend repairs, such as getting new gutters or removing landscaping from around your building. As long as your building is structurally sound, the contractor might also recommend waterproofing with a coating or membrane to reduce the risk of future problems with water and dampness.

Seal Joints In Masonry

If your building is old, the joints where two parts of your building meet may have caulk that's crumbling and not protecting your restaurant. If so, the waterproofing contractor can scrape out the old caulk and apply the new caulk so water can't get in. Sealing the joints also keeps out bugs, which is important for a restaurant.

Besides filling joints with new caulk, the contractor may also look for cracks in the foundation and fill those with epoxy or caulk to keep rain from seeping through.

Apply A Coating To Slab On Grade

There are different types of waterproofing coatings your contractor can choose from depending on your situation. They may apply waterproof paint to the interior to block water from seeping through concrete. They might also apply a coating to the lower part of the exterior wall. Clear coatings are available that can be used on brick and other types of walls to block water while being invisible. Coatings can be labor-intensive to install since they often can't go over paint. This requires the walls to be cleaned and scraped. However, since there are many types of coatings to choose from, your contractor will find one that fits your needs.

Apply A Coating Or Membrane To A Foundation Wall

If your restaurant has a basement, the contractor won't be able to work on the exterior walls unless the soil is dug away. They can still apply a waterproofing coating to the interior walls, and that might be enough to solve your problem.

However, your contractor may recommend moving the soil to expose the exterior walls so a membrane can be applied. A coating can be painted on the exterior walls too, but a membrane is sometimes a better choice. The exterior wall is exposed, cleaned, and covered with a waterproof membrane. Then the soil is replaced so the membrane is covered and out of sight. 

Reach out to a company like Authentic Restoration & Waterproofing Inc to learn more.