Above-Grade Waterproofing for Detroit Towers, Medical Centers, Lofts & Apartment Buildings
Commercial Waterproofing Contractors in Detroit, MI
In Detroit, water and winter work together against a building. Rain and melting snow seep into small openings in sealant, mortar and flashing, then freeze and widen them each cold snap. Spring and summer storms bring heavy rain, and the record flooding that hit metro Detroit in 2021 showed how quickly water can overwhelm a building’s defenses. Long winters and humid summers both shorten the life of the sealants and coatings meant to keep it all out.
Presto Restoration has more than 25 years of experience in above-grade commercial waterproofing. In Detroit, our crews reseal expansion joints, window perimeters and curtain walls, coat parapets and walls with silicone and elastomeric systems and protect masonry with breathable repellents on office towers, medical and university buildings, converted lofts and apartment communities. We also make our own restoration products, including Glass Defender for glass and Leach Stop for precast concrete.
OUR COMMERCIAL WATERPROOFING SERVICES IN DETROIT
We handle every kind of above-grade waterproofing on Detroit commercial buildings, from one leaking window to a full envelope program.
Core Waterproofing Services
Expansion and control joints let concrete and masonry buildings move between Michigan’s extremes. As the sealant ages, it tears and lets snowmelt into the structure. We remove failed joint materials, rebuild damaged edges and install sealants or preformed systems sized for the movement, and we rout and seal active cracks.
Window perimeters cause many leaks in Detroit offices and apartments. Freezing, thawing and wind-driven rain crack the sealant or pull it from the frame. We replace perimeter seals, reseal mullion joints and fix gaskets, and stained glass can be restored and protected with Glass Defender.
Ledges, parapets, setbacks and balconies hold snow and meltwater, and freeze-thaw cracks them open. We apply high-solids silicone coatings that tolerate ponding water, stay flexible in deep cold and resist UV.
Many older Detroit office buildings rely on dry glazing gaskets that have shrunk and hardened. Once they pull away, rain gets into the frame. Wet glazing adds a continuous silicone seal between glass and frame, stopping leaks without replacing the windows.
Concrete, stucco and EIFS walls crack after years of freeze-thaw, and every crack lets water in. Elastomeric coatings span the cracks and flex as the wall moves, applied at full thickness after larger cracks are repaired.
Brick, block, stone and precast absorb water that freezes and breaks them apart. Breathable water repellents cut that absorption while letting trapped moisture escape, applied after cracks and joints are repaired.
Specialized Restoration-Waterproofing
Beyond sealing, Presto restores the glass, metal, stone and concrete beneath, using products we make in-house, so cleaning, repair and waterproofing happen in one project.
Precast panels leach natural salts that leave white streaks as water dries, and road salt makes it worse. Leach Stop is our treatment designed to reduce this. We clean deposits, treat the panels and reseal the joints.
Metal panels, Alucobond cladding, coping and curtain wall frames rely on sealant at every joint, and metal moves sharply between a Detroit January and July. We replace failed sealants with products made for metal movement and reseal every lap and fastener.
Our Commercial Waterproofing Process in Detroit
Each Detroit waterproofing project follows five steps, and you see our findings and the cost before work begins.
Building Envelope Inspection
We review joints, glazing, coatings, flashings and penetrations on every elevation.
Diagnostic Testing
Water testing and moisture readings confirm the real entry point before repairs are planned.
Scope & Specification
We choose products rated for Michigan’s temperature range and write a clear scope.
Waterproofing Installation
Trained crews install each system to manufacturer requirements in suitable weather.
Project Closeout & Warranty
You receive photos, product data and warranty documents.
Talk to Presto About Waterproofing Your Detroit Building
Leaks after storms, damp walls during the thaw or caulking that is cracking and pulling loose? Call us or request a quote, and our team will respond to discuss your Detroit building.
Why Detroit Property Managers Choose Presto for Commercial Waterproofing
With more than 25 years of experience across the country, including many cold-weather cities, Presto knows which sealants stay flexible through a Michigan winter and how to make the most of a short construction season.
Our Local Detroit, MI Support Network
Waterproofing lasts longest when the building gets steady care the rest of the year. Presto connects Detroit owners with a local support network for everyday upkeep.
For routine upkeep and everyday facility support, owners can also contact our sister companies:
Building Restoration Detroit: Hands-on exterior repairs for Detroit buildings.
Building Maintenance Detroit: Scheduled maintenance that keeps small problems from becoming leaks.
Building Services Detroit: General commercial building support for Detroit properties.
Recent Waterproofing Projects in Michigan
MICHIGAN PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Browse Presto’s Michigan caulking and waterproofing work.
Detroit Commercial Waterproofing FAQs
How often should sealants be replaced on a Detroit building?
Most commercial sealants in southeast Michigan last about 10 to 15 years. Joints on sunny or wind-exposed elevations usually fail first, so a yearly look is worthwhile.
What is the difference between waterproofing and water damage repair?
Waterproofing stops water at the exterior. Water damage repair fixes what water has already harmed inside. We focus on stopping the water so interior repairs do not have to be repeated.
Can waterproofing be done while the building is occupied?
Yes. Almost all of our work is done from the outside, so occupants stay in place, and noisy tasks are scheduled around operations.
What is the difference between elastomeric coatings and water repellents?
Elastomeric coatings form a flexible film that bridges cracks and changes the wall’s look. Water repellents soak into masonry and block water invisibly. Historic brick and terra cotta usually need a breathable repellent.
How do I know if waterproofing can wait another year?
Leaks during storms, damp walls in the spring thaw or split caulking are reasons to act now, because each winter refreezes the water already in the wall. If sealants are still flexible and nothing leaks, planned replacement over the next few seasons is usually fine.
Can waterproofing work be done in a Michigan winter?
Most sealants and coatings need about 40 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer to cure, so the main season runs from spring through fall, with emergency repairs possible in winter.
Other Detroit Building Restoration Services
Keep Water Out of Your Detroit Building
A single failed joint left through a Michigan winter can soak a whole section of wall. Tell us what you are noticing, and we will help you get it sealed.
Call us today at 1-800-785-9927 or click Request A Quote.