What We Do: Waterproofing
Water. It’s essential for life, but it's also your building's worst enemy. From the moment the first brick is laid, water is conspiring against your investment. And unfortunately, most people don't realize the extent of the damage until it's too late.
The Silent Destroyer
Water infiltration is the silent destroyer of buildings. It creeps in through cracks, seeps through porous materials, and condenses within walls. The results can be catastrophic:
Structural Damage: Water weakens building materials, leading to cracks, rot, and even collapse.
Mold and Mildew: Damp conditions create the perfect breeding ground for harmful mold, posing health risks to occupants.
Energy Inefficiency: Water compromises insulation, increasing heating and cooling costs.
Aesthetics: Water stains and damage can ruin the appearance of your building.
Architects: Your Waterproofing Experts
Architects are trained to anticipate and mitigate water's destructive potential. They possess the knowledge and experience to design buildings that can withstand the test of time. Here at Q Sterry - Inspired Architecture, we understand the wet climates of the PNW and can protect your investment. We are well versed in detailing buildings to minimize errors in material interactions as well as overseeing the construction process to ensure that waterproofing measures are correctly implemented.
To illustrate the importance of expert design, let's explore some common waterproofing blunders:
Below-grade building: Hilly areas where the building is nested into the earth require special attention to waterproofing measures and are often overlooked, leading to costly water damage.
Improper Flashing: Correctly overlapping the weather barrier and flashing is paramount to successfully keeping moisture out of the building. Faulty flashing around windows, doors, and roof penetrations is the most common place for water intrusion.
Inadequate Drainage: Poor drainage around the foundation that doesn’t lead water away from the building can lead to water pooling around the foundation.
Skipping Waterproof Membranes: These essential barriers protect against moisture intrusion. In fact, we specialize in detailing rainscreens, which is the next level of waterproofing for buildings and is the best way to protect the entire cladding system from water damage.
Investing in expert architectural design is a wise decision that will save you money and headaches in the long run. By prioritizing waterproofing from the outset, you're safeguarding your investment and ensuring a building that stands the test of time.
Don’t gamble with your building’s future, contact us today!
