Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012 - (Page 8)

Why Waterproof? Keep your building watertight & upright. By Val Williams f a building shows disturbing signs of water intrusion, its facility manager must take the necessary steps to mitigate the problem. Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of your building, threaten the health and safety of occupants, and expose the facility to the risk of building code violations. I Why Waterproof? Let’s remember that no other surface in a building takes more abuse than concrete floors and surfaces. These surfaces are subjected to just about every kind of abuse—impact, abrasions, water intrusion, chemical attacks and thermal shock. And, although we think of concrete as a solid material, it still needs waterproofing since concrete itself is not watertight. Plus, concrete surfaces tend to crack due to shrinkage, movement, and wear and tear. If it’s left unprotected, long-term corrosion of the reinforcing steel can occur. Waterproofing with the use of membranes and coatings acts as a barrier between the water and the surface and structure. It also protects buildings against elements such as chemicals, moisture, salt and other contaminants. Waterproofing products are specifically designed to be a lasting remedy for maintenance problems. They effectively protect against moisture and other corrosive elements, while prolonging the life of the concrete beneath it. Waterproofing Waterproofing should be done during regular building maintenance, when the facility conducts inspections, tune-ups and re-servicing. Otherwise, it can be applied during construction, retrofits and renovations. Facility and property managers can spot waterproofing problems through these visible signs: • Wet basement walls and floors are a sign of continuous moisture seepage coming from above or below ground. • Mold and fungi growth indicate a source of moisture. • Rot: Decaying wood or concrete is a sign that excessive moisture is changing the room temperature and humidity. • Pools of water: Water brought in by foul weather disappears in time. If pools of them remain, this means there is a failure in the building’s waterproofing system. Val Williams is the president of Williams Hawaii Inc., providing a full range of commercial building restoration services, waterproofing and decorative coatings, concrete spall repairs, painting, water intrusion repairs, elevator pit repairs, railing installation and retrofit. Williams Hawaii is a qualified women 0wned business and HI DOT Certified. A Neogard Waterproof polyurethane coating protects this downtown rooftop courtyard. 8 June-July 2012 BMH www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://www.thefloorstorehawaii.com http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012

Contents
Editor’s Note
When the Winds Blow
Why Waterproof? Keep your building watertight & upright.
Get Watertight Water is the greatest solvent in the world ... keep your building dry.
What Drains Your Building?
Asbestos Exposed How to safely recover from mold and flood damage.
Mold Misunderstood
Water Leaks—from Bad to Worse
The Power of Paint
Life of Paint
It’s Best to Test A paint test can detect lead, and be the trick in finding a paint that will stick.
Industry News
Movers & Shakers
Association Updates
Resource Guide: Waterproofing & Painting

Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012