Waterproofing Concrete Water Tanks Explained for the Rookie
Posted on: 12 November 2020
Concrete tanks are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to store water on a large scale. Concrete is durable, rust-resistant and capable of delivering excellent service for many years. However, all these qualities boil down to proper construction of the tank, including sufficient waterproofing. The waterproofing requirements for concrete tanks vary depending on the specific type of tank that you want. In this piece, you will learn about the waterproofing systems and requirements that will help you make the most of your concrete water tanks:
Waterproofing Concrete Underground Tanks
An underground concrete water tank must meet certain conditions for it to serve you well. First, you must seal it properly so that water does not seep into the surrounding soil. At the same time. The waterproofing system must prevent the ingress of groundwater from the soil into the tank. Secondly, the waterproofing layer must form a robust bond with the concrete walls. These bonds allow it to stand up to the external pressure resulting when your tank is empty in the middle of a rising water table. The occurrence is temporary but capable of affecting the wellbeing of your tank.
Waterproofing Concrete Above-Ground Tanks
Waterproofing systems for above-ground concrete tanks must prevent leaks effectively. More importantly, they must have significant levels of elasticity that allows contraction and expansion as conditions outside the tank change significantly.
Application and Construction of the Waterproofing Elements
Plasticised concrete waterproofing mixtures are your best bet when you want reliable waterproofing. They provide tight seals and elastic waterproofing membranes needed for the wellbeing of the underlying substrates.
Majority of the work also goes into preparing the substrates underlying the waterproofing membrane. Typically, the process involves the following:
- A thorough cleaning to remove shuttering agents, loose materials, dust and grease resides from the surface in need of waterproofing.
- Cleaning and removing loose particles stuck in cavities in the concrete.
- The surface that needs waterproofing should undergo dampening and filling. A fibre-reinforced cement or polymer-modified cement is the right material for this job. You can also opt for fast-setting mortar designed for patching works.
- The fibre-reinforced and polymer-modified cement also comes in handy for filling the intersections between the vertical wall elements and the tank's floor. Make sure that you mix and use the materials as per the recommendations of the manufacturer. If not, the joints will form lines of weakness on the waterproofing seal and jeopardise the efficiency of your concrete water tank.
For more information on concrete water tanks, reach out to a local concrete contractor.
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