Coastal Carolina Waterproofing and Spray Foam
Keeping Buildings Safe and Dry
Heber Aldridge believes that the best way to learn is by doing, and the best way to build a business is from the ground up. That’s how he built Coastal Carolina Waterproofing and Spray Foam, which now services buildings across North Carolina and into Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida.
Despite his success, as a young man entering the business world, Heber had no plans to get into waterproofing. Instead, he focused on cleaning the exterior of newly constructed buildings, particularly the masonry. Through his business, Hydro Clean, which he founded in 2012, Heber met customers who often complained they needed someone to provide waterproofing for buildings under construction.
“I just saw an opportunity there,” Heber says. “People kept telling me that they needed a contractor who was reliable.”
Coastal Carolina Waterproofing and Spray Foam provides important services to protect buildings against moisture.
In 2019, Heber opened Coastal Carolina Waterproofing and Spray Foam, which provides moisture-control solutions, including sheet- and fluid-applied waterproofing, damp-proofing, caulking, airproofing, and insulation to protect buildings against moisture and cold.
Because he was unfamiliar with the skills needed to waterproof and insulate, Heber hired an experienced worker and learned the trade by working alongside his own employee.
“I was the boss, but I was his laborer, too,” Heber says. “Every business I’ve had, I’ve learned to do the work. It’s important to do the same work as the people who work for you.”
From that modest start, Coastal Carolina has grown to 15 employees and now primarily works with government or commercial buildings. Among the buildings they helped construct are Legacy Residential Hall and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
Heber’s wife, Jenna Whitehurst Aldridge, serves as lead estimator and president, while Heber serves as vice president. Heber hopes to hire more employees later this fall. “We are a small business trying to grow.” The business is certified through the Air Barriers Association of America.
“Heber has always been an entrepreneur at heart, constantly looking for new opportunities and ways to grow and improve his business,” says Trey Quinn, senior vice president and commercial banker at TowneBank, who manages Heber and Jenna’s business relationship.
Heber values his relationship with TowneBank and with Trey, whom he says is always available when he needs him. They have worked together since Heber was building Hydro Clean.
“We first met about nine years ago when he was in the early stages of building his business,” Trey says. “I helped him with a small equipment loan that had been referred to me by another banker, and we've stayed connected ever since.”
At that time, Trey was working for another bank, but when he accepted his position at TowneBank, Heber moved with him. “He called me one day and told me that he was moving to TowneBank, so I did, too,” says Heber.
Trey now considers the couple as friends, and he values the relationship and the opportunity to work with them. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them build two successful businesses together. I'm grateful to have played even a small role in their journey and success.”
For more information, visit Coastal-Carolina.com.