COMMERCIAL
WATERPROOFING
IN GAINESVILLE, TX.
The 1910 Cooke County Courthouse — restored through the Texas Historical Commission's courthouse preservation program and rededicated in 2011 — set the standard for what Gainesville's historic commercial district can look like when properly cared for. The surrounding downtown commercial masonry, much of it from the same 1910s-1940s era, has absorbed over a century of North Texas weather without the same investment. With a median commercial year built of 1971, Gainesville's building stock is among the oldest in the region — and the most in need of systematic waterproofing assessment and restoration.
What Commercial Waterproofing Includes
Comprehensive moisture protection for commercial facilities — from elastomeric coatings to full membrane systems.
Elastomeric Coating Systems
Spray-applied or roll-applied flexible coatings that bridge hairline cracks and expand with temperature changes. For Gainesville's mid-century industrial and commercial buildings — concrete block, brick, and CMU construction from the 1950s through 1980s that never had modern waterproofing applied — elastomeric coatings are often the most cost-effective first-time treatment.
For large-footprint industrial facilities like Safran's approximately 500,000-sq-ft aerospace manufacturing plant, we self-perform with our 56' and 72' boom trucks, enabling efficient high-coverage application without scaffolding. Proper waterproofing is especially critical on facilities with contamination-sensitive manufacturing interiors.
Membrane Waterproofing
Self-adhering and torch-applied sheet membranes for below-grade walls, plaza decks, and parking structures. These create a continuous moisture barrier where elastomeric coatings alone can't handle hydrostatic pressure.
Gainesville sits on expansive black-gumbo clay that can exert enormous lateral pressure on foundation walls during wet seasons. For the Gateway Industrial Park's I-35 corridor buildings and older commercial structures throughout downtown, below-grade membrane systems are the reliable solution for foundation wall moisture infiltration driven by clay soil movement.
Sealant & Joint Replacement
Expansion joints, control joints, and perimeter sealants are the first line of defense — and the first to fail. We remove deteriorated caulking, prepare substrates, and install commercial-grade silicone, polyurethane, or polysulfide sealants matched to your building's movement characteristics.
Buildings from the 1960s and 1970s were detailed with minimal sealant allowance at joints — the assumption was that mortar would do the work. It can't. On Gainesville's older industrial and downtown commercial buildings, systematic sealant joint replacement is often the highest-impact intervention available, protecting the entire facade from water infiltration at minimal cost relative to the alternative.
Penetrating Masonry Sealers
The 1910 Cooke County Courthouse — built in Beaux-Arts/Prairie Style with a 3,000-lb cornerstone — was restored through the Texas Historical Commission's courthouse preservation program and rededicated in 2011. The historic masonry surrounding it in downtown Gainesville requires the same approach: penetrating sealers that absorb into the substrate without altering historic character.
Gainesville's downtown Business Improvement Grant program (50% match, up to $25,000 per building for exterior improvements) creates an opportunity for building owners to pair public funds with professional waterproofing for comprehensive facade restoration. We evaluate substrate porosity, mortar condition, and grant requirements before recommending a sealer system.
Industries We Serve in Gainesville
Why Gainesville Buildings Need Waterproofing Now
With a median commercial year built of 1971, Gainesville has some of the oldest commercial building stock in North Texas. Most of it was built before modern elastomeric sealants, waterproofing membranes, and freeze-thaw-resistant detailing were standard practice. These buildings have absorbed 50+ years of I-35 corridor hail, black-gumbo clay soil movement, and Texas freeze-thaw cycles without the benefit of modern waterproofing systems.
The city is now investing in its future: a $14.25 million five-story mixed-use building broke ground downtown in July 2024, an 800-acre I-35 mixed-use development is planned, and the Gainesville EDC's Business Improvement Grant program is actively funding exterior improvements of up to $25,000 per building. That public momentum raises the competitive stakes for building owners who haven't maintained their envelopes.
Griffin Restoration is based in Whitesboro, 22 miles from Gainesville — this is our home service area. We've worked on commercial buildings throughout Cooke County and understand the clay soils, the historic masonry substrates, and the scale of Gainesville's industrial buildings. Licensed in TX, OK, AR, and LA with 26+ years of commercial exterior experience.
55+ year average commercial building age — constructed before modern waterproofing standards, creating a pervasive maintenance backlog
Aerospace seat manufacturing demands contamination-controlled interiors — waterproofing failure has direct operational consequences
Gainesville's Business Improvement Grant covers 50% of exterior improvements — pair public funding with professional waterproofing for maximum impact
Why Choose Griffin Restoration
Commercial exterior restoration since 2000
Licensed in TX, OK, AR, and LA
56' and 72' — self-performing capability
Full coverage for commercial projects
Commercial Waterproofing FAQ
What is commercial waterproofing and why does my building need it?
Commercial waterproofing protects your building envelope from moisture infiltration that causes structural deterioration, mold growth, and tenant complaints. Gainesville's commercial building stock has a median year built of 1971 — constructed well before modern elastomeric sealants, waterproofing membranes, and freeze-thaw-resistant masonry detailing were standard practice. Buildings constructed in the 1950s through 1970s were often detailed with minimal sealant allowance; those original systems have been failing for decades. If your building hasn't had a professional waterproofing assessment in the last 10 years, it's overdue.
What are the signs that a commercial building needs waterproofing?
Look for water stains on interior walls or ceilings, efflorescence (white mineral deposits) on exterior masonry, bubbling or peeling paint on exterior surfaces, visible cracks in mortar joints, and musty odors in lower levels. Gainesville sits on expansive black-gumbo clay that swells dramatically with moisture changes, stressing foundations, parapet walls, and sealant joints of its 1960s-1980s building stock year-round. Along I-35, the city is in North Texas's primary hail track receiving 2-3 significant events annually — cumulative impact damage on aging masonry accelerates mortar joint erosion and water infiltration.
How is commercial waterproofing different from residential?
Commercial waterproofing addresses larger surface areas, multiple substrate types (concrete, masonry, curtain wall, metal panel), and stricter code requirements. Gainesville's largest commercial facilities — Safran Seats US (approximately 500,000 sq ft manufacturing aerospace components), North Texas Medical Center (60-bed hospital on 52 acres), and the Camp Howze Industrial Rail Park — require industrial-scale access and application that residential contractors cannot provide. We use industrial-grade elastomeric coatings and membrane systems and self-perform with 56' and 72' boom trucks.
What types of waterproofing systems are used on commercial buildings?
The three primary systems are elastomeric coatings (spray- or roll-applied flexible membranes), sheet membrane systems (self-adhering or torch-applied), and penetrating sealers for masonry substrates. For Gainesville's 1910 Cooke County Courthouse — a Beaux-Arts/Prairie Style landmark restored through the Texas Historical Commission courthouse program — penetrating sealers that don't alter the historic masonry's appearance are the required approach. For Safran's temperature-controlled aerospace manufacturing facility and the I-35 industrial corridor's mid-century buildings, elastomeric coatings and below-grade membranes address different exposure conditions.
How often should commercial waterproofing be inspected?
We recommend annual visual inspections and a professional assessment every 3-5 years. Gainesville's Cooke County Courthouse was restored in 2011 through the THC courthouse preservation program — that landmark restoration set a high standard for the surrounding historic commercial district, where many buildings have never received comparable attention. For industrial facilities like Safran's plant, protecting contamination-sensitive manufacturing interiors from moisture infiltration is an ongoing operational requirement, not just a maintenance preference. If your building hasn't been assessed since before COVID, schedule one now.
Related Services
Commercial waterproofing often works alongside these complementary services.
Caulking & Sealant Replacement
Failed sealant joints are the #1 cause of water infiltration in commercial buildings. Often combined with waterproofing for complete envelope protection.
Learn more about our sealant services →Exterior Building Repair
Waterproofing after concrete or masonry repair ensures the restored substrate stays protected. We coordinate both services to avoid redundant mobilization.
See our exterior repair capabilities →Parking Garage Repair
Traffic-bearing waterproofing membranes are essential for parking structures. Our team handles structural repair and waterproofing as a single scope of work.
Explore parking garage services →Protect Your Gainesville Property
Whether you manage a historic downtown building near the Cooke County Courthouse, an industrial facility in the I-35 corridor, an aerospace manufacturing plant, or a healthcare facility — we'll assess your waterproofing needs and provide a detailed scope of work.