Water tanks are an integral part of water supply systems. Water is stored in the tank to be used for a variety of purposes, including fire safety, drinking, cleaning, and irrigation. Unfortunately, due to the wear and tear of many years on tanks that use steel or concrete materials, they can develop cracks. This causes leaks which can cause damage to your building’s foundation as well as make your system inefficient at providing water when it is needed most. If you want to avoid these problems with your next project then you should consider using PVC membranes for water tanks waterproofing before installation!
While this may sound complicated there aren’t any special tools required beyond what would normally be necessary for installing a new tank. You just have to know how to choose the right system for your project and who to call
Type of Water Tanks
Water tanks and reservoirs are a way to store potable water for periods up until it’s needed. They come in different shapes, sizes, materials of construction depending on what is required by law or industry standards with regards to their usage capacity requirements
The most common type is concrete-built above-ground tanks that can hold 150-500 million liters while also having been shown resistance against radiation from natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes because they’re not open at the top like smaller storage buildings would be.
Water tanks have different shapes and structures and can be built above ground or below ground like towers, caverns, etc.
Factors To Consider Before You Decide
The water in our region varies depending on where it comes from. Drinking waters throughout the area vary greatly and contain different minerals, pH levels, temperature conditions as well as chemicals that have been added locally to treat them for quality assurance purposes by reservoir holders. The majority of concrete structures such as reservoirs or treatment facilities are made out of concrete.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Low pH value as well as soft water attacks cementitious substrates
- Temperature variations may cause cracks in concrete
- Stray currents may accelerate hydrolytic corrosion
- Chlorine treatment and disinfectants of water to keep the water clean
- The alkalinity of concrete may influence the pH value of water
- Micro-organisms, algae, and fungi may influence the water hygiene
- Water turbulences request solutions to prevent washing out effects
Project Requirements and Choosing The Waterproofing System
Regardless of the environment, a waterproofing system must fulfill several requirements in order to be effective. These include:
- Resistance to cleaning agents
- Resistance to chlorine and ozone
- Resistance to algae and micro-organisms
- Resistance to hydrostatic pressure
- Smooth appearance of surface for easy cleaning
- No leaching from surface-applied waterproofing into water
- No effect on drinking water quality
- Easy and reliable to apply and install of surface applied system
- The long service life expectancy of the waterproofing
- Resistance against soft water
To choose the right materials and system, you need to get acquainted with the first conditions and requirements of the project and the specification of materials.
Some will be the requirements for the construction of a sprinkler tank and completely different for a drinking water tank.
Today we will not dwell in detail on drinking water tank systems.
Maybe we will do a separate webinar on this topic.
Today we will look in detail at the waterproofing system of sprinkler tanks.
Depending on the impacts that are exposed, waterproofing systems must meet the following requirements:
First of all, the system must form a waterproof layer
Second, this layer must retain its water resistance for a long time – longevity of the system
Then, depending on the composition of the water, the waterproofing system must be resistant to chemicals.
It must be a reliable system and be able to waterproof existing cracks and joints and those that will appear in the future during the movement of the structure
The next thing is that the system allows reliable processing of details – for example around pipes. Around these details come to the most common problems related to leaks
To be resistant to abrasion and vortex movement of water
For each specific case, there may be specific or additional requirements that need to be considered in advance and materials with technical characteristics can be selected that can meet these requirements.
The Benefits of Water Tanks Waterproofing With PVC Membrane
The main characteristics of PVC waterproofing systems for hydraulic structures are high physicochemical indicators and their durability over time.
These types of work are very specific and we need precision work in processing all the details.
When we talk about the life expectancy of the waterproofing system should be measured in decades, not years.
PVC waterproofing membranes are designed, formulated, and manufactured according to the specific needs of areas of application.
This approach ensures that the results are optimised from every point of view – mechanical resistance, resistance to aging, flexibility, easy installation, and last but not least is environmental protection.
The PVC waterproofing membrane is a thin layer of waterproof material that is applied to a surface.
This layer is continuous and does not allow water to pass through it.
For example, in the case of tanks, a waterproofing membrane is laid on the walls and on the horizontal part.
This will ensure that water does not penetrate the reinforced concrete structure.
These membranes are manufactured and delivered in rolls. Most are about 2 to 4 mm thick.
Ideally, the waterproofing membrane should be strong, flexible, tear-resistant, and elastic so that it can be stretched to cover cracks and also move along with the building.
If the membrane is to be exposed to the sun, it must be resistant to ultraviolet rays.
The membrane must be flexible enough to take any shape on which it is placed and to be able to turn on walls and other structural elements.
How to waterproof your water tank
The base is a reinforced concrete structure and includes a slab and walls. Surface preparation is usually the responsibility of the site’s general contractor or the investor unless otherwise agreed.
What are the Requirements to the Basis:
It should be flat and smooth; its compressive strength is not less than 15 MPa; to be dry; no contamination from grease, dust, and construction waste.
The bottom is laid freely with an overlap of 200 mm longitudinally and transversely, a protective and separating layer of a geotextile made of non-spun needle-punched polypropylene.
For sprinkler tanks, we recommend PVC membrane “Eurofllex V 2mm”. It is manufactured by the Italian company Imper, a long-term supplier and manufacturer of synthetic membranes. The membrane has very high technical characteristics such as mechanical strength, elasticity, and resistance to drilling.
Its properties cover most of the requirements for waterproofing of tanks, except for drinking water.
If you are about to design a drinking water tank, another material is suitable. Call the office and we will send you a technical specification and certificates.
the installation of the system starts first from the walls.
PVC membrane is fixed mechanically by means of concrete screws, plates, and perforated galvanized profile in the area of the joints.
Mechanical mounting ensures system stability and prevents splitting
or tearing of the material during operation, especially in tanks that are repeatedly emptied.
It is therefore advisable to check all seams as well as the surface of the finished waterproofing layer thoroughly after finishing work to prevent the occurrence of leaks caused by static drilling.
Laying a protective layer of geotextyle is mandatory, because in real conditions there is no perfectly prepared base, and during the drilling of concrete and laying the systems can always break off small stones and debris to break through the waterproofing.
Geotextyle with a minimum recommended weight of 500 g / m2, can protect the membrane from irregularities in the concrete base.
After the completion of the vertical part, the system is laid horizontally
Eurofllex V PVC waterproofing membrane with a thickness of 2 mm is applied.
The membrane is spread horizontally in one layer with overlapping of two adjacent sheets of at least 12 cm.
At 1.5-2 cm from the outer edge of the membrane are placed metal washers with mechanical mounting – 4 pcs./l.m. Thus overlapping adjacent sheets are welded with hot air.
Along the perimeter of the bottom, the laid horizontal waterproofing is left 20-25 cm longer, which rises up the wall.
A metal perforated profile is laid in the corner of the sub-wall by mechanical clamping in the base.
Protective tips are strung at the ends of every two adjacent profiles.
The protruding strips of waterproofing are wrapped inwards towards the horizontal layer, covering the fixed metal profile and welded with warm air to the horizontal waterproofing layer.
On the walls, from top to bottom, a protective layer of geotextile with an overlap of 200 mm is spread.
The geotextile is mechanically attached to the wall at its upper end by means of a metal finishing profile with PVC coating.
The profile is mounted 30 cm above the water level, and in addition to fixing the geotextyle to the wall, it retains the waterproofing sheets while they are fixed to the wall.
This is followed by the laying of the waterproofing on the walls, which is glued with hot air to the profile at the upper end of the wall and is lowered downwards, overlapping the horizontal surface 15-20 cm.
The membrane is welded with hot air to the finishing metal profile with PVC coating.
After the vertical laying of the waterproofing sheets, the free lower edges (waiting strips of 15-20 cm) are welded to the horizontal waterproofing layer.
Conclusion
Water tanks can be a very important part of any property’s infrastructure. When they are not properly waterproofed, your water tank may leak and cause a lot of damage to the surrounding areas.
Water tank waterproofing with a PVC membrane is the most economical and practical way to protect your investment.
We know it’s not always easy choosing what kind of system or product is best for your project needs and requirements, but we are here to answer any questions and provide advice as needed so that you get exactly what works best for your situation.
What are your thoughts about water tanks waterproofing with PVC membranes? Let me know in the comments
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