Swimming Pool and Water Feature Waterproofing.
Pools, lazy rivers, fountains and reflecting ponds. A permanent head of water on a structure that moves with temperature: the membrane has to bridge cracks and the tiling has to stay bonded. This page sets out the layers, the order of work and the tests a pool goes through before it is tiled.
The build-up.
Six steps, from the concrete shell to the tiles.
From the shell up
- Structural integrity testBy the main contractor, before we start. The pool is filled to at least two-thirds of its depth and checked for leaks.
- Crack repair with CHEMFOAM PU 6261Injected where the test finds a path. Honeycombs are repaired with CHEMGROUT 215.
- BRUSHCRETE FX, three coatsFlexible two-component polymer-modified cementitious membrane, taken up the full height of the walls and 75 mm into every pipe sleeve.
- Cement and sand screedRendered and screeded to line.
- Tile AdhesivesFlexible, for pool tiles and mosaics.
- Tiles and finishesBy the pool contractor.
How the job runs.
- Structural integrity testThe main contractor fills the pool to at least two-thirds of its depth and holds it for 48 hours, and the shell is checked for leaks.
- Repairs on the shellHoneycombs are repaired with CHEMGROUT 215 non-shrink grout and leaking cracks are injected with CHEMFOAM PU 6261. The test is repeated until no leak shows.
- Clean surface, then filletsThe shell is cleared of dust, mortar, oil, laitance and curing compound. A 25 mm by 25 mm mortar fillet goes into every internal edge and corner.
- Three coats of BRUSHCRETE FXUp the full height of the walls and 75 mm into every pipe sleeve. Each coat dries for three to four hours before the next.
- Then we pond testThe pool is filled and held for 48 hours, and checked before it is handed to the tiler.
- Screed, adhesive and tilesThe render and screed are taken to line, then the tiles are fixed in flexible adhesive, by the pool contractor.
Walls, pipes and joints.
- Walls
The membrane is taken up the full height of every wall.
- Pipes
75 mm into every pipe sleeve.
- Corners
A 25 mm by 25 mm mortar fillet at every internal edge and corner.
- Shell concrete
MIXKOTE MIM is dosed into the concrete at 1% of the cement content.
- Construction joints
A CENTRESEAL 250 PVC waterstop in every one, cast in with the shell.
Materials.
- BRUSHCRETE FX
Two-part, polymer-modified, flexible cementitious waterproofing coating.
- CHEMFOAM PU 6261
Polyurethane injection grout. It reacts with water to form a flexible foam that closes the leak.
- CHEMGROUT 215
Cementitious non-shrink grout for honeycombs and patching.
- MIXKOTE MIM
Crystallisation admixture in powder form, added to the concrete at the batching plant.
- CENTRESEAL 250
Centrally placed PVC waterstop.
- Tile adhesives
Flexible, cement-based adhesive for pool tiles and mosaics.
These products are made by CHEMIND. Where a project specifies another manufacturer's system, we apply that instead.
Questions we are asked.
- Who carries out the structural integrity test?
- The main contractor, before we start. The pool is filled to at least two-thirds of its depth and checked for leaks.
- What happens if the pool leaks in that test?
- Honeycombs are repaired with CHEMGROUT 215 and leaking cracks are injected with CHEMFOAM PU 6261. The test is repeated until no leak shows.
- How far up the walls does the membrane go?
- The full height, and 75 mm into every pipe sleeve.
- How long is the finished pool tested for?
- 48 hours. A water-retaining structure is held full for two days before it is handed to the tiler.
- Who lays the tiles?
- The pool contractor, after our ponding test.
- Do you waterproof water features?
- Yes. Lazy rivers, fountains and reflecting ponds take the same system.
Talk to us about a pool.
Phone and WhatsApp016-332 7534
Emailinfo@hydrocon.com.my