The Business Of Waterproofing

Waterproofing, as a separate construction job, is now usually handled by concrete contractors themselves. As a supplementary profit center, waterproofing is actually a good addition in their construction business.

Also, as an additional new service, it is one profitable way for the company to grow. Since concrete contractors are at the jobsite in the first days of construction, it is only logical that they stay longer and make additional money.

Waterproofing types

Basically, there are two types of waterproofing materials – sheet membranes and sprays. Typically, a contractor would use only one system and recommends it to the owner.

However, their decisions normally consider the initial cost of equipments required to do the job. The upfront costs for sheet membrane waterproofing are not prohibitive while initial cost of equipments for the spray system requires some investment cash-outs.

Equipments for sheet membranes

One special equipment needed for sheet membranes is a relatively cheap linoleum roller. This is used to firmly press the waterproofing membrane against the concrete wall.

Most other tools are those that concrete contractors already have. These equipments include the angle grinder, scrapers, roller covers, brushes, and knives.

Sprayed-on waterproofing

Compared with sheet membrane waterproofing, sprayed-on waterproofing is much costlier. There are several initial equipments needed: a van, a bulk tank with a spray rig, hoses and nozzles.

They would also need ladders for going up and down the site. The workers are also to be supplied with protective equipments that include face shields and respirators, as well as disposable coveralls to protect them from the spray materials.

Aside from the costs, there are other occupational considerations. The spray had to be heated first before being sprayed. There are temperature gauges to be controlled and another engine to circulate the spray to keep it warm enough.

Learning to waterproof

Representatives of spray manufacturers have been training workers from construction contractor companies on how to use the system and how to spray the waterproofing product properly.

The workers were also trained on right application rates and right temperatures. Some manufacturing companies send out their representatives and do a few jobs with the waterproofing companies just to make sure everything was okay. Other companies put on some seminars.

Selling the service

For waterproofing companies, selling the service is not very difficult in terms of the type of waterproofing services preferred by customers or what is deemed better. The benefits of waterproofing are the same regardless of the type used.

The basic benefits include protecting the foundation or the basement walls from moisture (or vapor) transmissions and stopping concrete efflorescence.

Return of investments

Waterproofing can be more profitable than contracting concrete foundation or basement building. Companies can earn an extra 5 to 6% profits.

Sheet membrane waterproofing system takes about a week to finish. Spray waterproofing is finished in about 3 to 4 hours, sometimes less. Some concrete contractors contend that it might not have increased the business much, but it can bring in some extra profits.

Also, a concrete contractor becomes more valuable to a homebuilder or a general contractor if it is also able to do waterproofing jobs.