The Hidden Cost of Storm Damage
For commercial property managers, a major storm isn’t just a weather event – it’s a stress test for your building envelope. High-velocity winds, flying debris, and torrential rain will find every weakness in your facade, whether it’s a dried-out sealant joint or a hairline crack in the EIFS.
The most expensive damage often isn’t the broken window you see immediately; it’s the water intrusion that seeps behind the cladding, causing mold, rust, and structural rot months later.
At Presto Restoration, we believe in a two-phase approach: Pre-Storm Hardening and Post-Storm Remediation.
Phase 1: Pre-Storm Hardening (The Inspection)
The best time to fix a leak is before the rain starts. If you wait until a hurricane warning is issued, it is too late. Your maintenance plan should include an annual Building Envelope Inspection focusing on three critical failure points:
1. Sealant Failure
UV radiation causes caulking to shrink and crack over time. When wind-driven rain hits your building at 60+ mph, water is forced through these tiny gaps. We recommend a complete Wet Glazing inspection to ensure the seal between your glass and metal frames is intact.
2. EIFS & Stucco Cracks
Synthetic stucco (EIFS) is vulnerable to impact damage. Small cracks allow water to saturate the substrate, leading to delamination. We repair these fissures and apply Elastomeric Coatings that act as a flexible, waterproof skin, bridging hairline cracks and preventing water entry.
3. Loose Debris
Loose metal panels or flashing can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Securing these elements protects not just your building, but the pedestrians and properties around you.
Phase 2: Post-Storm Remediation (The Cleanup)
Once the storm passes, the clock starts ticking. Floodwaters and wind-blown rain often carry salt, silt, and biological contaminants that aggressively attack your building materials.
1. Salt Corrosion on Metal
If your building is near the coast, hurricane winds deposit a layer of salt spray on your anodized aluminum frames. If left to dry, this salt will pit and corrode the metal within weeks. We use EnviRestore MSR to chemically neutralize the salt and remove oxidation, restoring the metal to its original condition before permanent pitting occurs.
2. Glass Etching & Impact Scratches
Flying debris can leave deep scratches in your architectural glass. In the past, this meant expensive glass replacement. Today, our Glass Restoration team can grind and polish scratches out of the glass in place, saving you thousands in replacement costs. We then seal the glass to prevent future staining from mineral-rich runoff.
3. Foundation Settling & Masonry Cracks
Excessive flooding can soften the ground, causing your building to shift slightly. This settling often creates “step cracks” in brick and masonry. Our Masonry Restoration experts can repoint these joints and inject structural epoxies to stabilize the facade and prevent further water intrusion.
Don’t Wait for the Leak
Storm preparation is an investment, not an expense. A secure envelope lowers your insurance risk and prevents catastrophic water damage.
Is your high-rise ready for the season? Contact Presto Restoration today for a comprehensive envelope inspection and storm-hardening plan.
