Water damage is no joke. According to World Metrics, The average cost of a water damage claim is $10,234 in the United States, and roughly 98% of US basements suffer from water damage in their lifetimes. 

Flooding expands the threat nigh exponentially, as shown by Joint Economic Committee estimates that flood damage costs the United States up to $496B each year. 

How can you protect your commercial buildings from these threats? While it’s wise to use multiple tactics, waterproofing is a must-have element of an effective strategy. 

With this resource, the commercial flooring and exteriors experts at Mclean Company will guide you through the complexities of waterproofing. Discover how waterproofing works, the ten best options on the market today, and the typical uses, benefits, and drawbacks of each. 

What Is Commercial Waterproofing for Floors, Surfaces, and Rooftops?

Waterproofing protects solid surfaces from water damage. It falls into two mechanical categories: hydrophilic waterproofing and hydrophobic waterproofing.

Hydrophilic Waterproofing 

In this form, they block water from penetrating cracks and pores in otherwise porous materials, like concrete. 

Hydrophilic waterproofing materials, like crystals  embedded in concrete and waterstops, are gelatin-like solids that react to an “overload” of water by expanding and solidifying (often into a crystalline structure). These gels naturally “seek” water, and they expand to fill cracks and gaps. 

Later, hydrophilic materials release captured water as vapor (through evaporation). This way, the water doesn’t remain trapped, so its accumulation won’t overwhelm or damage the substrate over time. 

As a result, hydrophilic waterproofing is best for protecting materials that can be safely exposed to water vapor (humidity), but still need protection from liquid water or ice. 

Hydrophobic Waterproofing 

In contrast, hydrophobic waterproofing is typically coated or layered over the top of a surface. It creates an impermeable physical barrier that prevents water from touching the protected material at all, in any form. 

Surfaces with hydrophobic coatings are typically shaped or designed to encourage water to bead up or otherwise slide off the protected surface to a safe spot (like down a drain or off a slanted roof into a yard). 

Water-Resistance Protection Classification: A, B, C (UK / Aus. Standard)

In the United Kingdom and Australia, waterproofing materials and designs are classified according to British standard BS 8102:2009. 

Type A waterproofing designs utilize external hydrophobic barriers or casings to prevent water from entering a space. 

Type B waterproof designs wholly integrate either hydrophilic or hydrophobic materials into building materials (like concrete), to improve resistance to water from all sides (particularly ground water).

Type C waterproofing designs use drain systems to depressurize and route water away from spaces where it would damage a building and into safe areas. 

While this classification system isn’t standard in the United States, it’s still a useful point of reference.

Top 6 Types of Waterproof Flooring by Material

There are six key material categories to consider when choosing the right waterproofing option for a commercial space. Explore each option’s definition, typical use cases, key benefits, and potential drawbacks.

1. Water-Resistant Polymeric Structural Adhesives

These hydrophilic membranes are rolled on in adhesive sheets, or painted on and cured. They’re typically used on interior floors to create a hard durable seal. 

There are four subtypes of polymeric waterproofing adhesive: 

• PVC (vinyl) membranes
• Liquid acrylic membranes
• Polymer composite membranes
• Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) membranes

Additionally, polymeric waterproofing materials can be applied as a cementitious waterproofing coating. While the core materials are the same, its cement mixture gives it distinct properties.

Key Benefits

Polymeric waterproofing membranes are:

• 100% waterproof
• Adaptive to temperature fluctuations
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Significant durable and long-lived

Notably, thermoplastic membranes offer these benefits, plus one in addition: weldable seams. This trait eliminates the necessity of caulk.

Drawbacks

Polymeric waterproofing membranes have a few negative qualities, including:

• Poor environmental friendliness
• Low resistence to slashing and puncture damage (poor choice for roofs)
• Proneness to water pooling
  • This is typically only true if the membrane isn’t paired with an effective water runoff direction / drain design

2. Single-Component Polyurethane or Epoxy Coatings and Sealants

Waterproof polyurethane and epoxy coatings are hydrophobic sealants. They’re typically used on indoor commercial floors made of vinyl, concrete, or tile, as well as metal subflooring and, more rarely, wood subflooring (though this last option isn’t recommended in industrial spaces). Occasionally, these coatings are used on outdoor patios and decks. 

Benefits

Key benefits of polyurethane and epoxy waterproofing include:

• Additional protection from corrosion, weathering, scratching, and degradation
• Enhanced safety due to epoxy’s anti-slip properties
• Anti-bacterial and anti-mold properties

Notably, it’s both a low-cost and low maintenance option.

Drawbacks

These coatings have a few drawbacks, including:

• High degree of temperature-sensitivity
• Long cure time
• Prone to discoloration from UV light exposure

3. Aluminum Composite Panels

Aluminum composite panels are solid, waterproof materials used both indoors and outdoors. Each panel blends layers of aluminum and low density polythene in high-pressure mixtures until they solidify. 

Benefits

Waterproof aluminum composite panels are:

• Fire-resistant
• Highly versatile
• Durable even in extreme conditions
• Lightweight
• Corrosion-resistant
• Easy to clean

Drawbacks

Aluminum panels have a few drawbacks, including:

• High thermal conductivity (low insulation)
• Prone to warping or denting under duress
• Poor waterproof sealing (unless they’re paired with caulking when installed)
  

4. Crystalline Waterproofing Admixtures (Hydrophilic Crystals)

Crystalline waterproofing materials are dry hydrophilic powders. Mixed with cement or other flooring materials, these crystals seek out water to grow and expand. 

This material is almost exclusively used to waterproof subterranean structures like tunnels, basements, and foundations. Occasionally, pools are made waterproof with crystalline admixtures. 

Benefits

Hydrophilic waterproofing crystals’ beneficial properties include:

• Eco-friendliness
• Zero VOCs
• Self-healing properties
• Long-term durability

Drawbacks

Waterproofing crystalline admixtures have a few downsides, including: 

• Vulnerability to chemical corrosion
• Slow reaction time in dry environments
• Risks damage to construction joints if the crystals expand within them

5. Rubberized Asphalt

Rubberized asphalt is a versatile, hydrophobic waterproofing agent. It’s a compound combining post-recycled rubber and conventional asphalt. It’s longevity and dynamic nature make it a popular pick for water-resistant roofing underlayment as well as external flooring and roads. 

Rubberized asphalt and similar materials (like bituminous membranes and EPDM rubber) are occasionally used to create waterproof interior floors in industrial spaces. However, for now, it’s a less popular interior flooring material than coated concrete.

Notably, EPDM rubber is more affordable, but also heavier. 

Benefits

Rubberized asphalt, much like EPDM rubber, has several beneficial qualities, including:

• Incredible durability
• Significant flexibility
• Thermal aging reduction
• Resistance to extreme cold
• Seamless application
• Cost-efficacy

Drawbacks

Rubberized asphalt isn’t always the best choice, as it’s prone to:

• Blistering
• Heat damage
• Pinhole gaps

It’s also more expensive than popular alternatives. 

McLean Company: Complete Commercial Flooring, Waterproofing, and Exteriors Solutions

With so many options to choose from, selecting the right waterproofing system for your building can be an onerous task. 

Fortunately, the experts are here to help. Call us at 978-774-4330 to get in touch with our roofing and flooring specialists today! Or, fill out the contact form below. We’d love to bring your commercial waterproofing project to life.