COMMERCIAL
WATERPROOFING
IN HOWE, TX.
By the 1880s Howe was a major grain shipping center on the Union Pacific line — three elevators, a bank, a newspaper. Today it's the southern gateway to the Sherman-Denison metro on US-75, and its population grew 37% in a single decade. The commercial buildings along the US-75 Business Route that anchor the town are now over 40 years old and have never seen a comprehensive waterproofing restoration. That's the gap we close.
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 Howe's US-75 Business Route commercial strip — masonry buildings now averaging over 40 years old — elastomeric coatings deliver a comprehensive moisture barrier that addresses the accumulated joint cracking and surface degradation these facades have developed over decades.
We pair coatings with substrate preparation and mortar joint repair where needed. On Grayson County clay, applying a coating without addressing the underlying movement is a short-term fix — we build systems designed to last 10-15 years.
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.
Grayson County's heavy clay soils are among the most expansive in North Texas, with seasonal moisture cycles driving lateral pressure against commercial foundation walls. The Union Pacific rail corridor through Howe adds vibration loading that compounds clay soil movement and accelerates joint failure in below-grade assemblies.
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.
On Howe commercial buildings along US-75, we deploy our 56' and 72' boom trucks for efficient elevated access. The self-performing capability means we control quality and schedule without subcontractor delays.
Penetrating Masonry Sealers
Howe's historic grain elevator complex along the Union Pacific corridor — heavy masonry and concrete structures built for an agricultural economy — requires specialized restoration expertise. Penetrating sealers are the appropriate treatment for these substrates: they absorb into the masonry without changing appearance, repelling water while preserving the character-defining features of these landmark structures.
We evaluate substrate porosity, concrete carbonation depth, and previous treatment history before specifying any sealer system for Howe's older masonry and concrete buildings.
Industries We Serve in Howe
Why Howe's Commercial Buildings Need Waterproofing Attention
Howe is part of the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area and functions as the southern gateway on US-75 — approximately 10 miles south of Sherman and 12 miles from Texas Instruments' $30+ billion semiconductor campus. The commercial traffic and economic spillover from that development is beginning to move south on the corridor, and Howe's businesses are positioned to capture it — if their buildings can support the upgrade.
The commercial reality is that Howe has a median household income of $51,108 and a median year built of 1983. Maintenance cycles on commercial properties here have historically been stretched thin. Surface degradation that would trigger a waterproofing call in Sherman or McKinney has been painted over, patched, or simply deferred. The accumulated damage is now deeper in the wall assembly — more expensive to correct, but absolutely addressable with a systematic restoration approach.
We serve Howe as part of our Grayson County core service area from our Whitesboro headquarters. Our team is experienced with exactly the kind of deferred-maintenance commercial work that defines the US-75 corridor south of Sherman.
Howe grew from 2,600 to 3,571 in one decade — Sherman-Denison metro spillover is driving new demand on commercial buildings built for a smaller town
US-75 Business Route commercial strip now exceeds 40 years old — sealant, brick veneer, and concrete joint systems are past design life
Howe sits 12 miles south of the Texas Instruments fab on US-75 — the corridor's commercial character is shifting and building condition matters more than ever
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. Howe's commercial strip along the US-75 Business Route is now over 40 years old — past prime for original sealant, brick veneer, and concrete joint systems. With the city's population growing 37% in a single decade (from 2,600 in 2010 to 3,571 in 2020) and the $30+ billion TI semiconductor campus just 12 miles north in Sherman generating new commercial traffic, building condition directly affects your ability to compete.
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. In Howe, Grayson County's heavy expansive clay soils cause persistent mortar joint cracking. The Union Pacific rail corridor running directly through town adds ground vibration that accelerates sealant and caulk deterioration beyond what you'd see in comparable buildings elsewhere. Deferred maintenance has been the norm on Howe's commercial strip — most buildings here haven't had a professional inspection in years.
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. Commercial buildings also require phased application to keep tenants and operations running. For Howe's US-75 frontage buildings — many of which are single-story masonry strip commercial dating to the 1970s and 1980s — the primary issue is failed sealant at window and door perimeters combined with deteriorated mortar joints. We address these comprehensively, not piecemeal.
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 Howe's commercial portfolio, we most often combine tuckpointing with elastomeric coatings on masonry facades. For Howe's historic grain elevator complex along the Union Pacific corridor — heavy masonry and concrete structures with specific moisture challenges — we use penetrating sealers and structural crack repair matched to the substrate age and porosity.
How often should commercial waterproofing be inspected?
We recommend annual visual inspections and a professional assessment every 3-5 years. Howe's open position on the Grayson County plain provides no topographic shelter from severe North Texas weather — hail events, straight-line winds, and hard freezes hit Howe's commercial buildings full force. If your building was last professionally inspected before 2020, schedule an assessment before the next hail season.
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 Howe Property
Whether you own a US-75 commercial building, an agricultural supply facility, or a historic structure in Howe — we'll assess your waterproofing needs and provide a detailed scope of work that addresses deferred maintenance systematically rather than piecemeal.