Commercial Waterproofing in Lake Worth Beach

The Lake Worth Lagoon is a 21-mile tidal estuary. Three flood control canals draining over 350,000 acres discharge into it. The FEMA Palm Beach County Flood Insurance Study identifies Lake Worth as a community where storm surge on the Lagoon raises water levels in adjacent Intracoastal properties, compounded by rainfall runoff. For commercial properties between Lake Avenue and the Lagoon, below-grade waterproofing addresses tidal groundwater conditions that are not solely storm-event dependent. Sheet membrane systems, crystalline waterproofing, and interior drainage provide the required barrier and active water management for these sites.

Yes. Lake Worth Beach requires a Use and Occupancy Inspection for all commercial properties every three years. This applies to all commercial properties regardless of height and is distinct from the SB 4-D milestone inspection program. Waterproofing deficiencies identified in these inspections must be addressed through permitted work, which on historic district properties also requires a COA. For multi-story condominium and cooperative buildings of three stories or more, SB 4-D also applies, with the 25-year coastal threshold potentially applicable to Lagoon-adjacent properties. The Lake Worth Beach Building Division at (561) 586-1647 provides flood zone determinations and inspection status information.

Historic Old Town Commercial District buildings from 1912 to 1949 use lime-based mortar and early masonry substrates that are vapor-permeable by design. Applying a film-forming elastomeric coating traps moisture vapor within the wall, causing internal deterioration. Breathable penetrating sealers and Jahn-compatible joint treatments are appropriate for these buildings, and COA-compliant documentation must accompany the application. Standard CBS commercial buildings on Federal Highway do not have vapor permeability requirements; elastomeric coatings are appropriate there. Our Certified Jahn Applicator status enables substrate-compatible specification and COA documentation on historic buildings while applying standard systems on non-historic properties.

For Historic Old Town Commercial District buildings, the timeline includes a COA application process that typically adds two to four weeks before work can begin. Pre-application meetings with City Historic Preservation staff are required for major projects; we support this meeting and prepare material data documentation as part of the scope. Physical waterproofing work on a single historic commercial facade typically runs two to five days once the COA is issued. For non-historic commercial properties on Federal Highway, standard elastomeric coating scopes run three to seven days without COA lead time. Every proposal includes the full timeline including any COA application period.

Call us at (561) 475-0775 or request an on-site assessment through pennacchiindustries.com. For Historic Old Town Commercial District properties on Lake Avenue, let us know the building address so we can confirm historic district status and review COA requirements before the site visit. For Lagoon-adjacent and canal-adjacent properties, let us know the proximity to the waterway so we can include below-grade assessment. All proposals are written and fixed-price with no obligation. Anthony Pennacchi & Sons, 2875 South Ocean Blvd., Suite 200-18, Palm Beach, FL, (561) 475-0775.