Re-Waterproofing CAPEX Planning in the Philippines: What Every Property Manager Should Know

Megan Chua
Oct 23
3 min read

Protect your property, reduce tenant complaints, and avoid costly emergency repairs.

Metro Manila’s Climate Demands It

In a region with high humidity, heavy monsoon rains, and year-round UV exposure, waterproofing isn’t optional — it’s essential. Property managers in Metro Manila face elevated risks of water infiltration, mold growth, and building envelope deterioration.

Re-waterproofing CAPEX planning in the Philippines is one of the smartest moves for property managers who want to reduce emergency costs and protect asset value. If your building hasn’t been re-waterproofed in the last 5 to 10 years, your 2025 CAPEX plan is the right time to act — before typhoon season hits again.

1. How Re-Waterproofing CAPEX Planning Saves Money in the Philippines

Even minor leaks in high-rise condos or commercial buildings in areas like Makati, Ortigas, BGC, and Quezon City can trigger expensive repairs. Moisture infiltrates slabs, corrodes steel, and compromises finishes — especially in tropical climates like Metro Manila.

70% of a building’s lifetime cost comes from maintenance, not construction. And water infiltration significantly accelerates that cost.

Planned re-waterproofing can save 5 to 10 times the cost of emergency fixes.

2. Re-Waterproofing Extends Building Lifespan

Membranes, elastomeric coatings, and sealants all have limited life spans — typically 5 to 10 years under Metro Manila’s environmental stress.

To spot early signs of waterproofing fatigue, property managers should look for:

Cracked or brittle sealants
Clogged roof drains and pitch pans
Standing water on roof decks
Hairline cracks or spalling in concrete
Mold or damp smells inside units

Including re-waterproofing in your CAPEX plan prevents reactive maintenance that often costs more and disrupts tenants.

3. Reframe Waterproofing as a Value-Add

When pitching re-waterproofing to your building owner, board, or head office, frame it as asset protection — not just maintenance. Here’s why it adds long-term value:

Protects asset value and extends building life
Reduces insurance risk and liability exposure
Increases tenant retention by minimizing complaints
Supports smoother inspections (e.g., PEZA audits, board evaluations)
Boosts property value for future resale or turnover

4. Sample CAPEX Justification Table

Item	CAPEX Justification	ROI / Impact
Roof deck waterproofing	Prevents ceiling leaks and HVAC damage during typhoon season	Avoids ₱XX M+ in repair costs and downtime
Exterior wall coating	Stops water ingress in flood-prone areas	Reduces repainting cycles and complaints
Sealant replacement	Prevents mold in high-humidity units	Reduces tenant dissatisfaction by up to 60%
Podium waterproofing	Protects parking and retail areas	Extends lifespan by 5 to 15 years

5. Recommended Re-Waterproofing Intervals in the Philippines

Building Area	Maintenance Cycle
Roof Decks	Every 5 to 10 years
Exterior Walls	Every 5 to 10 years, depending on exposure
Bathrooms and Wet Areas	Every 5 years
Window Perimeters / Sealant Joints	Inspect every 2 years, re-seal every 5

Regular inspection and maintenance scheduling helps avoid budget shocks and sudden OPEX spikes.

6. Proactive Inspection = Better Budget Planning

A professional inspection with photo documentation and risk mapping allows you to:

Present visual evidence during CAPEX proposal
Prioritize the highest-risk areas (joints, flashings, penetrations)
Justify maintenance budget using real data, not guesswork
Prevent future water-related emergencies and tenant complaints

90% of leaks come from just 1% of the building’s surface — often at transitions, edges, and termination points.

7. How to Get Re-Waterproofing Approved Faster

If you’re presenting to a building owner, general manager, or head office:

Attach photo inspection results with risk annotations
Present 2 to 3 vendor quotes in a side-by-side format
Highlight warranties (e.g., 10-year TPO coverage)
Link waterproofing to risk reduction and tenant experience
Use simple ROI messaging: "₱400K now prevents ₱3M in future repairs"

Make your proposal easy to say yes to.

Work with Everdry Waterproofing Philippines

Everdry PH supports property managers across Metro Manila with:

Site inspections and condition assessments
Full proposal kits with BOQ, SDS, warranties, and documentation
Industry-grade waterproofing systems with 5 to 10 year warranties

Want a copy of this guide for your board presentation?

Download PDF: Re-Waterproofing CAPEX Justification