WATERPROOFING OF POOLS AND RESERVOIRS

Reservoirs are parts of a structure designed to contain a specific type of liquid (most commonly water).

The walls of the reservoir can be exposed to hydrostatic pressure from both the outside and the inside. Therefore, waterproofing must be applied on both sides of the reservoir.

The technical solution used depends on the intended purpose of the reservoir.

Cement-Based Waterproofing Coatings

Rigid waterproofing materials refer to cement-based products used for reservoir waterproofing. These waterproofing systems are applied on the interior surfaces of pools/reservoirs.

1. Polymer-cement coatings are applied over the entire surface of the reservoir in two layers, reinforced with fiberglass mesh and strengthened with corner tapes at all floor-to-wall and wall-to-wall joints.
2. Waterproofing material with crystallizing action, applied topically to provide deep protection. It consists of Portland cement, quartz sand, and a mixture of active chemicals.

Synthetic Waterproofing Membranes

Synthetic membranes reinforced with fiberglass voile are one of the systems used for waterproofing reservoirs and pools. The membrane is applied onto a clean substrate, free of dirt, grease, and oil, with all loosely bonded or unbonded concrete parts removed. To protect the membrane from physical damage, a layer of geotextile is installed underneath. This type of waterproofing can be used to protect reservoirs and pools from both the outside and the inside.

Epoxy-Based Waterproofing

Epoxies are used for internal reservoirs prone to heavy contamination, fertilizer storage facilities, wastewater treatment tanks, structures subjected to strong mechanical loads, and chemical storage tanks exposed to aggressive wastewater effects. Epoxy coatings are applied exclusively on the interior surfaces of the reservoirs.

Waterproofing with Crystallizing Additive for Water Resistance

A crystallizing additive is an additive to concrete that provides waterproofing. Special attention must be paid during the concrete placement process. For waterproofing construction joints, swelling waterproofing tapes are recommended. In addition to common finishing materials for pools such as tiles, terrazzo, and granite, polyurethane protective coatings can also be used.