Do you run a car wash, own a dairy farm, or run another type of business that gets messy? Anytime you have liquid or other messy substances thrown around throughout the day, your building is going to deteriorate quickly. There’s no way to maintain perfection, but you can absolutely avoid destruction.

If you run a business that requires any kind of waterproof components, here are some ideas to protect your investment and keep your business clean.

1. Use PVC wall panels

When your business involves moving or splashing liquid, you can’t skip the waterproof walls. The last thing you want is to have rotted drywall that produces mold and mildew, or compromises the physical integrity of the structure.

PVC wall panels are the ideal solution. For instance, Duramax PVC wall panels are smooth, easy to clean, and anti-bacterial. These vinyl walls meet CFIA and FDA requirements for hygiene and can be used in businesses like dairy farms, food storage rooms, and milking parlors, just to name a few.

The best part about PVC wall panels is they can be retrofitted for existing buildings. For example, if you operate a dairy farm and you’re looking to upgrade your existing FRP wallboard to something more waterproof and durable, consider these dairy wall panels as your first choice.

2. Buy cheap disposable components when possible

If there are certain components that you always need to replace no matter what, start looking for cheaper alternatives. Don’t sacrifice quality if it’s important, but when quality isn’t an issue, get your components as cheaply as possible.

3. Waterproof existing components

In a perfect world, you could spray Scotch Guard on everything and it would magically be waterproof. In reality, you can waterproof things, but it takes a little more effort.

4. Try to shield components from the mess

If you can’t waterproof something, you can try to shield it. For example, say you have a sign that must be mounted to the wall, and you’re not allowed to produce your own version. Maybe you’re regulated by a government agency and must buy and display their signage.

If you’re stuck posting a sign that isn’t entirely waterproof, find a way to shield the sign from the mess. You might need to hang an acrylic divider in front of the sign or mount a clear plastic box to the wall right over the sign.

Signs are easy to protect. Some shielding needs might require a professional engineer, but it’s worth looking into when the components you need to protect are important and/or costly.

5. Use stainless steel

Stainless steel is ideal for wet environments because it won’t rust. That’s why most dog kennels are made with stainless steel walls and doors. You can spot clean a kennel without worrying about ruining the material. Stainless steel isn’t the most comfortable material, but you can make up for that in other ways.

If you need to clean your floors on a regular basis, but you can’t have solid walls, stainless steel is the next best solution. You can build walls and doors with holes that you can see through, and everything can be hosed down to clean.

6. Use Otter Wax

If you need to waterproof any kind of semi-stiff fabric, Otter Wax will do the trick. It won’t leave behind residue, but the fabric will get a little more stiff and dark.

7. Use Liquipel

Liquipel is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to make something water-resistant. Most people use it for electronics, like smartphones and tablets. However, you can use it for anything.

This product is similar to Rain-X, but it also provides impact protection and makes the surface scratch-resistant. Waterproofing is important for smartphones, but you can easily use it for other things like small windows and viewing monitors.

Protect your business as much as possible

There’s no way to get around the messy nature of certain businesses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t implement protection. Whether you need to protect the walls, the floor, or anything in the general area, the ideas in this article can help.