Protecting Detroit Towers, Medical Centers & Historic Landmarks from Michigan Winters & Road Salt
Commercial Building Restoration Experts Serving Detroit, MI
Detroit’s buildings take a heavy beating from Michigan weather. Winters bring snow, ice and dozens of freeze-thaw cycles that crack brick, terra cotta and stone and break down sealant joints. Road salt is used heavily on city streets and freeways, attacking concrete, steel and storefronts and turning parking garages into corrosion zones. Spring and summer storms bring heavy rain, as the 2021 flooding across metro Detroit showed, and humid summers age coatings and roofs. Small failures left alone become leaks, loose masonry and costly interior damage.
Presto Restoration is a nationwide commercial contractor with more than 25 years of experience restoring and waterproofing high-rise buildings, parking structures and historic properties. In Detroit, our crews work on downtown and New Center towers, medical and university buildings in Midtown, converted lofts in Corktown, hotels and apartment buildings across Wayne County. We use proven sealant systems, breathable coatings and our own restoration products to repair winter damage and protect your building.
OUR BUILDING RESTORATION & WATERPROOFING SERVICES IN DETROIT, MI
Exterior restoration, waterproofing and building envelope consulting for commercial properties in Detroit and across metro Detroit.
Snowmelt, freezing and storm-driven rain test every Detroit building envelope. We seal expansion joints, window perimeters, curtain walls, parapets and masonry with systems that stay flexible through Michigan winters.
From terra cotta towers downtown to brick lofts and modern precast and glass, Detroit facades wear down under freeze-thaw, salt and storms. We replace sealants, repoint brick, repair terra cotta and stone, refinish metal and restore glass.
Stadium, casino, hospital and downtown garages across Detroit take a winter of heavy road salt every year. We rebuild damaged concrete, replace leaking joints and install traffic membranes that keep salt water out of the slab.
Snow loads, ice at the drains, meltwater and summer heat all age Detroit roofs. Many can be restored with seam and flashing repairs, better drainage and a silicone or elastomeric coating instead of a tear-off.
Detroit’s landmarks range from the Guardian and Fisher buildings to Michigan Central Station and the historic homes of Brush Park and Indian Village. We preserve them with matched lime mortars, careful terra cotta and stone repair and gentle cleaning.
Snowmelt and storm water can travel inside a Detroit building and surface floors away. We trace each leak to its source with controlled water testing, infrared imaging, moisture surveys, drone photography and hands-on inspection.
Why Detroit Property Owners Trust Presto Restoration
For more than 25 years, Presto Restoration has protected commercial buildings nationwide, and in Detroit we combine that experience with a working knowledge of Michigan winters and the city’s historic building stock.
Our Local Detroit, MI Support Network
Caring for buildings across metro Detroit takes local support. To cover everything from major restoration to routine upkeep, Presto works alongside a network of Detroit-area service companies.
For routine upkeep and everyday facility support, owners can also contact our sister companies:
Building Restoration Detroit: Structural repairs and exterior upkeep for buildings throughout Detroit.
Building Maintenance Detroit: Preventive maintenance that keeps your Detroit property performing.
Building Services Detroit: Complete day-to-day commercial building support across the Detroit market.
Recent Building Restoration Projects in Michigan
MICHIGAN PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Explore commercial restoration and waterproofing work Presto has completed in Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Restoration in Detroit, MI
What types of commercial buildings does Presto restore in Detroit?
We restore office towers, hospitals and medical buildings, university buildings, hotels, converted lofts, apartment buildings, parking garages and historic landmarks. Materials include brick, terra cotta, limestone, granite, concrete, precast, EIFS, metal panels, glass and roofing.
How does Detroit’s climate affect commercial buildings?
Freeze-thaw winters crack masonry and break down sealants, heavy road salt corrodes concrete and steel, storms drive rain into joints and windows, and humid summers age coatings and roofs.
How long does a building restoration project take in Detroit?
A sealant replacement may take a few weeks, while a full facade restoration on a large tower can take several months. Most exterior work happens from April through early November, phased so occupants can stay.
Does Presto handle permits in Detroit?
Yes. We work with the City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department when permits are required, coordinate through general contractors on larger jobs and welcome owners who pull their own permits. Every project is covered by Presto’s nationwide general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
What is the difference between building restoration and building maintenance?
Maintenance covers routine cleaning and touch-ups. Restoration fixes what has failed, such as worn sealants, cracked masonry and damaged concrete, so the building stops letting water in.
How do I know if my Detroit building needs restoration?
Watch for crumbling mortar, cracked terra cotta or stone, split caulking, rust streaks, white salt deposits and water stains inside during the spring thaw. Call us or request a quote, and our team will respond to help you plan the next step.
Seeing wear on your Detroit building after another Michigan winter? Tell us what you are noticing, and our team will respond to help you find the right solution.
Call us today at 1-800-785-9927 or click Request A Quote.