Protecting Rochester Offices, Hospitals, Campuses & Historic Buildings from Lake-Effect Winters
Commercial Building Restoration Experts Serving Rochester, NY
Rochester’s commercial buildings face some of the snowiest winters of any large city in the country. Lake-effect storms off Lake Ontario pile snow on roofs and ledges, and long stretches of freezing and thawing crack brick and stone and break down sealant joints. Road salt attacks concrete, steel and storefronts, especially in parking garages, spring and summer storms bring heavy rain, and humid heat ages coatings and roofing. Small failures left alone become leaks, loose masonry and costly interior repairs.
Presto Restoration is a nationwide commercial contractor with more than 25 years of experience restoring and waterproofing commercial buildings, parking structures and historic properties. In Rochester, our crews work on downtown office buildings, hospital and university facilities, former mills and factories converted to offices and lofts, historic brick and stone buildings and apartment communities across Monroe 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 ROCHESTER, NY
Exterior restoration, waterproofing and building envelope consulting for commercial properties in Rochester and across the Finger Lakes region.
Snowmelt, freeze-thaw and storm-driven rain test every Rochester building envelope. We seal expansion joints, window perimeters, curtain walls, parapets and masonry with systems that stay flexible through lake-effect winters.
From cast iron and stone commercial buildings downtown to converted factories and modern medical and campus buildings, Rochester facades wear down under freeze-thaw, salt and storms. We replace sealants, repoint brick, repair stone, refinish metal and restore glass.
Hospital, campus and downtown garages across Rochester take heavy traffic and a winter of road salt every year. We rebuild damaged concrete, replace leaking joints and install traffic membranes that keep salt water out of the slab.
Heavy snow loads, ice at the drains, meltwater and summer heat all age Rochester roofs. Many can be restored with seam and flashing repairs, better drainage and a silicone or elastomeric coating instead of a tear-off.
Rochester’s historic buildings range from the Powers Building and the Eastman Theatre to the mills near High Falls and the homes of Corn Hill and the East End. We preserve them with matched lime mortars, gentle cleaning and skilled masonry and metal repair.
Meltwater and storm water can travel inside a Rochester building and surface far from where it entered. We trace each leak to its source with controlled water testing, infrared imaging, moisture surveys, drone photography and hands-on inspection.
Why Rochester Property Owners Trust Presto Restoration
For more than 25 years, Presto Restoration has protected commercial buildings nationwide, and in Rochester we combine that experience with a working knowledge of lake-effect winters and the city’s historic and industrial building stock.
25+ Years of Commercial Experience
Trained High-Rise Access
Proprietary Restoration Products
Non-Union, Nationwide Contractor
Our Local Rochester, NY Support Network
Caring for buildings across Monroe County takes local support. To cover everything from major restoration to routine upkeep, Presto works alongside a network of Rochester-area service companies.
For routine upkeep and everyday facility support, owners can also contact our sister companies:
Building Restoration Rochester: Structural repairs and exterior upkeep for buildings throughout Rochester.
Building Maintenance Rochester: Preventive maintenance that keeps your Rochester property performing.
Building Services Rochester: Complete day-to-day commercial building support across the Rochester market.
Recent Building Restoration Projects in New York
Explore commercial waterproofing and caulking work Presto has completed in upstate New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Restoration in Rochester, NY
What types of commercial buildings does Presto restore in Rochester?
We restore office buildings, hospitals and medical buildings, university and college buildings, hotels, converted mills and factories, apartment communities, parking garages and historic buildings. Materials include brick, sandstone, limestone, cast iron, concrete, precast, EIFS, metal panels, glass and roofing.
How does Rochester’s climate affect commercial buildings?
Lake-effect snow and long freeze-thaw seasons crack masonry and break down sealants, 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 Rochester?
A sealant replacement may take a few weeks, while a full facade restoration can take several months. Most exterior work happens from April through October, phased so occupants can stay.
Does Presto handle permits in Rochester?
Yes. We work with the City of Rochester’s permit office 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 Rochester building needs restoration?
Watch for crumbling mortar, cracked brick or stone, split caulking, rust streaks, white salt deposits and water stains inside when the snow melts. Call us or request a quote, and our team will respond to help you plan the next step.
Seeing wear on your Rochester building after another lake-effect 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.

