This document provides instructions for waterproofing and refurbishing water tanks using Welesgard products. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Preparation by cleaning and preparing substrates, 2) Priming and sealing surfaces, 3) Attention to detail for critical areas, 4) Spray application in multiple coats, and 5) Finishing touches. The document emphasizes the importance of proper substrate preparation, application technique, and product selection to ensure waterproofing lasts and the tank can safely store drinking water.
2. ? There is a big demand for water tank
refurbishment in most countries.
? Many infrastructures date from 1970s (or
before) and require maintenance.
? Loss of water is a problem, as well as tank
further degradation due to chlorine damage
to steel reinforcement and stressing strands
which may lead to structural failure.
Waterproofing of new water tanks and
refurbishment of old water tanks.
3. ? Tank structure may develop extensive leaks In
the walls through the joints between the
planks, and due to extensive cracking in the
walls happening over years leading to a
significant loss of treated water.
5. ? Frozen leaking water may lead to
fracturing and splitting to occur to the
walls of the tank
6. ? Roof slabs may have extensive cracking, leaking untreated
water into the tank and leading to further deterioration as water
freezes into fissures.
7. Key considerations in choosing a repair system:
? Fast curing to enable the reservoir to be filled with minimal down time.
? Certified to EU standards in regards to storage of drinking water.
? Sufficient elasticity to withstand the expansion and contraction of the joints and
cracks as the tank is filled and emptied, and due to thermal movement.
? Products that can be applied to the existing structure with minimal repair
? work and preparation to the existing structure.
Waterproofing of new water tanks and
refurbishment of old water tanks.
8. STEP 1. Preparation.
? SUBSTRATES MUST BE CLEAN AND FREE OF DUST, ORGANIC RESIDUE, DIRT,
etc. and EVEN (FREE OF HOLES).
? CLEANING OPTIONS:
? HIGH PRESSURE WATER (then dry with air)
? MECHANICAL / DRY PROCESSES (GRINDING).
Note: on contaminated / ruinous substrates it is possible to spray on Geotextiles as a seamless
liner.
9. STEP 2. Priming / Sealing.
? IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEAL CONCRETE BEFORE
SPRAYING.
? MATERIAL SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED ONTO
MOIST / HUMID SUSTRATES (AVOID
BLISTERING/DEBONDING).
? PRIMERS SHALL BE ALLOWED TO CURE
ENOUGH / NOT TOO MUCH (CRYSTALISATION).
? WATER BASED PRIMERS MUST ENSURE
WATER IS TOTALLY GONE.
? IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO APPLY PRIMER IN 2
OR MORE COATINGS IN ORDER TO SEAL
SUBSTRATE TOTALLY.
? ADVISE: THROW SAND IF THERE IS A CHANCE
THAT PRIMER MAY CRYSTALIZE.
10. STEP 3. Quality is in details.
? WELESTRONG MUST BE APPLIED AS PER
SUPPLIERS INDICATIONS CONCERNING
TREATMENT OF DETAILS AND CRITICAL
POINTS.
? IT IS KEY TO ALLOW FOR ELASTOMER
MOVEMENT IN MOST CRITICAL AREAS /
SPOTS.
? FISSURES/CRACKS SHALL BE
PREPARED WELL BEFORE SPRAYING ON
THEM, ENSURING THICKNESS IS AS
HOMOGENEOUS AS POSSIBLE.
11. STEP 4. Spraying.
? DO NOT SPRAY UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT PRODUCT COMES WELL
THROUGH THE MACHINE (i.e. YOU GET THE RIGHT HARDNESS).
? DEMAND HARDNESS CURVE FROM SUPPLIER.
? WG-WELESTRONG MAY LEAVE PORES ON UN-SEALED SUBSTRATES. IT IS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOT TO LEAVE ANY PORES.
? APPLY WG-WELESTRONG IN SEVERAL COATINGS / PASSES. THIS HELPS
TO SEE / DETECT PORES WHICH COULD HAVE CATASTROPHIC
CONSEQUENCES.
? WEAR APPROPRIATE RESPIRATORY / SKIN PROTECTION.
12. ? IN OUTDOORS WATER TANKS, AROMATIC POLYUREAS WILL YELLOW.
? IF COLOUR STABILITY IS DEMANDED, WE SHALL USE ALIPHATIC
POLYUREAS OR UV STABLE TOP COATS APPROVED FOR CONTACT WITH
DRINKING WATER.
? IT IS ADVISED TO RINSE WATER TANKS ALWAYS BEFORE FILLING THEM
UP WITH DRINKING WATER.
STEP 5. Finishing.
13. ? WELESTRONG IS A GREAT SOLUTION FOR THE WATERPROOFING AND
REFURBISHMENT OF WATER TANKS.
? JOB EXECUTION MUST BE DONE BY PROFESSIONAL COMPANY, AND AGREED
WITH MATERIAL SUPPLIER TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.
Conclusion.
14. ?Rheinheim SA? is Welesgard? trademark owner
and international distributor.
Rue de la Servette 93
1202 Geneva SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 501 7732
sales@welesgard.com
www.welesgard.com