Water tank Waterproofing: What you should know!

Water tanks in large complexes and even in small homes, are usually placed underground or overhead. Therefore there is always, a chance that water may seep through the common joints between the house and the tank; especially if the tank is badly constructed, or simply not waterproofed. This is a huge risk because leakage and seepage can damage your internal walls, and even result in health complications to the inhabitants.

Repairing an existing water tank is a time-consuming process. It is very difficult to pin point the exact location of the leakage. Water travels through the smallest capillaries, and can be visible or drip through a part of the structure, when in fact the point of leakage is actually somewhere else.

Let’s learn how to tackle these challenges related to water tanks, and the best solution to opt for.

Two ways to waterproof a water tank
There are two ways you can waterproof your water tank:

The conventional way is the application of cement slurry that will stop the leakage for the time being. It’s only a temporary solution to waterproof the tank which is done to arrest the leakage from cracks & joints.

The more economical and more effective solution involves a lot more work, but it is a long-lasting solution. It is actually a two-step solution that is achieved by saturating the surface to be treated with a high performance Polymer modified cement-based coating. The second step involves complete waterproof grouting of the construction joints using a polymer modified mortar over the treated surface.

Why opt for the polymer modified mortar option?
The polymer-modified mortar solution wins hands-down over the conventional method. 

The process involves a thorough repair of all cracks, leaks and other joints prone to leakage. Prior to the repair, the water tank is thoroughly cleaned of dirt, oil and other loose material. This ensures that this is not a stop-gap treatment, but the entire surface is treated and waterproofed.

The material used is a latex and cement or polymer and cement ratio, which is far more durable than the conventional cement slurry. A plain concrete solution is less flexible and cracks over time.

The entire surface is treated, instead of just the problem areas. This ensures that it is a much longer-lasting solution. 
Dr. Fixit Pidifin 2K is a two-component acrylic cementous waterproof coating for water tanks. Another solution to try out is Dr. Fixit Dampguard , a two-component epoxy waterproof coating. The benefits are long-term waterproofing, and it can be applied inside the tank without affecting the potability of water.

Serious home repairs such as water tank leaks should never be ignored. They can cause an unbelievable amount of damage, and the adage, “a stitch in time saves nine” is very relevant to the situation. Waterproofing gives home owners long-standing peace of mind, and protects homes.

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