As mentioned in the previous post, there are several common causes for water ingress. A brief discussion will not provide the complete list of possibilities, but will provide the broadest range of water related risks in commercial properties: seepage from underground mineral deposits, ground water that has been redirected or runoff, surface water that has been diverted, and natural disasters. All of these can present serious and unique challenges to engineers and contractors in their ability to safely design and build commercial buildings and facilities – Read more

Water Ingress – Why Water Ingress Is So Bad

What can be done to prevent water ingress and the associated dangers? First, it is important to understand the relationship between soil conditions and the permeability of materials. Ground water can sometimes be found leaking into buildings through cracks in reinforced concrete, poor grading and pothole areas, and over-saturated areas with insufficient grading. This groundwater contains both natural and artificial contaminants and should be treated accordingly. In addition, materials can be cracked, broken, or damaged by water pressure or infiltration, resulting in excess moisture that can be the precursor of structural damage. Some of the more severe causes of structural damage are caused by excessive heat and/or water pressure that force excess groundwater to drain into the building and contribute to structural damage.

In the case of excessive groundwater flow and water ingress, water sealing of basement walls and windows can help to prevent the interior of buildings from being damaged by this process. Water sealing is applied to the exterior of walls in a wide variety of building materials, including vinyl, polyester, aluminum, wood, and concrete. A water sealer application will help to prevent the interior of buildings from becoming damaged by infiltration. It will also help to protect flooring and ceiling materials from moisture, mold, and fungus.