Risks of Skipping Professional Waterproofing

Are you planning to construct a building from which you can run your business? Commercial building construction requires careful planning to execute successfully. Without due consideration of the various project activities, you may not achieve certain project goals.

Waterproofing is one of the key activities you should perform during the construction process. As the name suggests, its primary purpose is to keep water out. Failure to carry out adequate waterproofing can affect your building, its contents and its occupants.



Read along to discover some common problems associated with poor waterproofing in commercial buildings.

While some building materials are more water-resistant than others, almost every material is susceptible to water damage. One of the main issues associated with inadequate waterproofing is that it can allow water to enter areas of your building that should remain dry. When this happens, building materials will deteriorate, causing structural damage to the property.

If your construction site has a high water table, for example, specialised waterproofing  to the foundation of the building may be necessary to limit or stop the water ingress especially in heavy rain. 

Otherwise, you may experience serious structural integrity issues, including ingress of water into the sub-basements, and the deterioration of finished surfaces.

Water damage does not repair itself. The best course of action when you notice the signs of water intrusion in your commercial building is to carry out repair work immediately.



Water damage on a structural level can be difficult and expensive to fix, as the application of waterproofing systems normally sequence during different phases of the construction process.

Given the time-consuming and labour-intensive nature of repairs you would conduct due to water damage to your commercial building, costs can add up quickly. Expensive building repairs hurt your bottom line, reducing the amount of money available for facilitating the daily operations of your business. Tenants could move out with the loss of income or insurance claims or seeking redress through the courts could take months if not years.

Bacterial pathogens such as mould and mildew needs dampness to grow. Once the water activity inside your building is sufficient, these biological microorganisms will start to grow.



Inadequate waterproofing is one of the common causes of high water activity in buildings, creating damp conditions that encourage the growth of harmful microorganisms. Microbial growth can affect the health and safety of your employees and other building users if you do not detect it and remedy it early enough. 

As a business owner, you should care about the appearance of your commercial premises. After all, people create perceptions about your business based on what they see.

Water damage to buildings never looks good, whether it manifests as deteriorated building material or microbial infestations. Moreover, it can give people the impression that you do not care for your property. These perceptions can taint the image and reputation of your business.

While it is possible to repair failed waterproofing systems, the cost implications for businesses can be prohibitive, depending on the problem. The extent of the problem also influences the waterproofing repair costs. Using a professional commercial waterproofing contractor is the best way to prevent potential issues arising from poor waterproofing. 

If you are ready to discuss the waterproofing requirements for your commercial project, please talk to us at Smithy’s anytime. With our experience, of many years, we have seen and corrected nearly all mistakes of others. You can count on us to offer a professional and warranted service.