Concrete is one of the world’s most common building materials for a reason: it’s comparatively cheap, very strong, and highly durable. But chances are you’re going to wind up dealing with a crack in the concrete at some point in your building’s lifespan. And you’ll need to know what you’re looking at.

Buildings are constantly under attack from the elements. Whether visible or invisible, leaks have the potential to let those elements in. Unfixed leaks can wreak havoc on any structure, but the easiest way to stop them is to understand how they start.

The number one enemy of every building is water.

Cracked concrete is usually a good sign of a bad sign.

Water is the natural enemy of concrete. Want your concrete to last? Keep the water out. There are several different ways to do that. You’ve probably heard of both sealing and waterproofing, but do you know the difference?

There’s a reason we say something is “solid as a brick wall.” Brick is a strong, durable construction material that’s been used for thousands of years. It’s attractive and stands up to the elements well. But it doesn’t last forever.

It’s a sound that strikes fear in any building manager’s heart. The mysterious puddle or dripping ceiling tile is a sign of bad things to come unless it’s taken care of immediately. And that involves tracing it back to the source.

If you want to keep your commercial building’s outdoor surfaces in good condition, you have to make sure you paint them—regularly. But painting isn’t as simple as “dip roller in paint can and apply paint.” You need to know the dos and don’ts.

Masonry is one of the oldest building methods on earth for a number of reasons — and durability is high on the list. A well-built structure made of masonry can last for decades or even centuries with little upkeep, at least if it doesn’t start to crack. Moisture is masonry’s #1 enemy, and cracks let…