Waterproofing Checklist for South Florida Commercial Buildings Before Hurricane Season Ends

Why the Last Weeks of Hurricane Season Matter

By the end of a South Florida summer, every small weakness in a building has had months of daily rain and heat working on it. Caulk that was borderline in spring has opened up. Thin coating has started to peel. Expansion joints have moved with the building all season.

Storm rain is different from normal rain. Strong wind drives it sideways, into gaps that shed ordinary rain without trouble: the tops of window frames, open joints halfway up a wall and unsealed openings. Water that gets in under storm pressure travels along the structure and often shows up as interior damage far from where it entered.

The Commercial Waterproofing Checklist

Parapet walls and where the roof meets the wall

• Caps on top of parapet walls are tight and sealed, with no open joints
• The waterproofing where the roof meets the wall is continuous, with no gaps at the edge
• No standing water that points to a blocked or failed drain

Caulking and expansion joints on the walls

• Every control and expansion joint has an unbroken bead of sealant
• Caulk around windows and doors is stuck on both sides, with no gaps or cracks
• Every opening through the wall, such as conduit, pipes and sign anchors, is sealed

Balconies and raised concrete slabs

• No cracks at the slab edge or where the slab meets the wall
• No rust stains on the slab face, which can mean the steel inside is rusting
• Drains are clear and no water sits after rain

Parking garages

• The top deck coating has no bubbles, split joints or bare concrete showing
• Sealant at ramps and column bases is intact
• Expansion joint covers are seated and working on every level

Planters over occupied space

• Planters above occupied rooms have a working waterproof liner
• Drains under the soil are clear, since a blocked drain holds water against the liner

Expansion joints are a common first failure, covered by our expansion joint repair service. Cracked slab edges are balcony repair work.

What South Florida Weather Does to Waterproofing

Salt air is the first problem. Commercial buildings near the ocean, including those in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and coastal Palm Beach County, have salt landing on every joint and coating all year, which shortens how long sealants last.

Daily heating and cooling is the second. Joints squeeze and stretch every day as the building moves. Once the original sealant is past its useful life, that movement opens gaps a newer seal would handle. Picking the right product for each joint matters, which we explain in caulking vs sealants.

Buildings in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach with walls facing east toward the ocean should put those walls first on this list. Our commercial waterproofing services cover the whole outside of the building.

Schedule Your Building Assessment Before the Season Closes

Anthony Pennacchi & Sons handles commercial waterproofing across Palm Beach County and Broward County. We cover the rest of South Florida too. Call (561) 475-0775 to set up an assessment. FL License CGC1538576.

Where failed caulk is the main problem, our commercial caulking services cover finding and replacing it. If water has already gotten inside, see our commercial water damage restoration.

Frequently Asked Questions