Reinforced Concrete Tanks Leaking Water

Reinforced CONCRETE water tanks are found on thousands of rural properties around Australia. Poured on site, concrete tanks are usually large in volume, some of which have been around for many years. Many concrete tanks leaking water require urgent repair. These have been neglected over the years and as a consequence, structural issues have resulted in cracking and leaking.
Concrete Water Tank Design goes a long way to increase the longevity of concrete tanks

1. The tank’s overflow system should ensure any water overflowing does not sit around the base of the tank.

2. Concrete tanks which have water continuously have water sitting around the base increase the potential for disaster over the years. The tank foundation (base) can subside, especially if only on one side, to the wet side and cracks can be a result of this movement.  The solution, of course, is to keep the foundation of the tank dry, sit the tank on a properly constructed slab relevant drainage, such as spoon drains.

Old Concrete Tanks Leaking Water

3. Like with all buildings AVOID planting any trees/shrubs/ plants close to the tank, as roots can lift and crack concrete as well penetrate concrete the concrete itself looking for water. Tree roots can penetrate small cracks or porous parts of the tank creating leaks.

4. Once the foundation has been undermined by leaking and weakening leaching of concrete walls.  The pressure from changes in the weight of the water inside the tank (as it fills or empties) causes movement resulting in cracking.

5. Early maintenance of leaking tanks will ensure the longevity of your concrete tank – leaking concrete tanks creates conditions where any steel reinforcement inside the concrete walls and floors will corrode (can expand around 8 times original size) causing further cracking weakening structural strength & more leaks. Leaking tanks allows the earlier breakdown of the strength of concrete surrounding the cracks through the entire wall or floor

tank cracks from poor structure, reinforced concrete tanks leaking waterHow to stop leaks in Reinforced Concrete Water Tanks Leaking Water –

Repair your leaks now don’t wait and save $$$ in your future maintenance

  1. Water losses when you can worst afford to.
  2. Where leaking Drizoro Maxplug can be used to stop leaks in minutes.
  3. When repairs to Reinforced Concrete Water Tanks Leaking Water are not carried out promptly.  Extra costs are incurred restoring the structural integrity of the tank

Extra Maintenance Costs include but are not necessarily limited to the following

  1. Use of structural aids such as steel bands
  2. steel reinforcement treatment or replacement
  3. rebuilding structural strength of walls & floors of tanks using Drizoro restoration products
  4. cracking of walls or floor due to subsidence  caused water on the surrounding ground around your reinforced concrete water tanks leaking water

Reinforced Concrete Tanks Leaking Water, repaired leaking-concrete-water-tank

Specification for Repairing Concrete & Masonry Block Water Tanks  Leaking Water

Rigid Water Tanks Sealed Internally | Externally

External Waterproofing Method
Products required
MAXSEAL FOUNDATION | MAXSEAL FLEX  |  MAXREST  |  MAXPLUG | MAXJOINT ELASTIC

Method Repair for External Cracks of Concrete Tanks Leaking Water

Note:- Tank should be structurally sound and leaking cracks not flexing

1. Remove all render, paint or other material from the substrate. Pressure clean to remove any growth on the surface.

2. Any cracks or voids (wider than 1mm) should be ground open (avoid chiselling, impacts may cause other areas to leak) other at least 3.5mm wide and 20mm deep with dovetail or square shoulders (see diagram below) and repaired with either MAXREST or MAXPLUG if there is flowing water. Go to our video here & give us the thumbs up! DRIZORO MAXJOINT ELASTIC may also be used

maxplug-squarecut-reverse-cork stop leaking tank

4. Apply the first coat of DRIZORO MAXSEAL FOUNDATION  or MAXSEAL FLEX approximately 150 mm – 200 mm on each side of the crack. For a neat finish use masking tape along the edges.

5. Leave to cure overnight (recommended 14 hours minimum between coats)

6.  Any cracks still leaking, seal them with Drizoro MAXPLUG, then apply the second coat of  MAXSEAL FLEX.  High humidity will affect the curing of Drizoro products. It is recommended that the tank be well ventilated to prevent longer curing.

7. Whether coating just the crack or the entire external surface of the tank recommended usage should be approximately 2.5 Kg of product per square meter. If this coverage has not been achieved a third coat may be required.( 1.25 mm per coat)

Internal Waterproofing Method
Products required
MAXSEAL FOUNDATION | MAXSEAL FLEX  |  MAXREST |  MAXPLUG

Method for Internal of a Concrete Tanks Leaking Water

Warning:-You are entering a confined space for your safety before entering a water tank open all external drains and ventilate the tank to ensure the air is breathable!!
Carbon Dioxide displaces Oxygen.
Oxygen required for life function 

IE. needed to continue breathing!

Note: The tank should be structurally sound and leaking cracks not flexing.

1. Remove any loose material from the substrate. Pressure clean to remove any organic growth from the surface.

2. Any cracks or voids (wider than 1mm) should be ground or chiselled open. Recommended, to be 20-25 mm wide and 20 mm deep with dovetail or square shoulders (see diagram below) and repaired with MAXREST | Maxrite 700. We strongly recommend that where the crack is also apparent on the outside of the water tank it be repaired as per Method Repair for External Cracks

Reinforced Concrete Tanks Leaking Water, maxplug-squarecut-reverse-cork

NOTE:- On old tanks reduction of structural of the strength of the tank is often the reason for the crack formation and to AVOID the crack reforming, in this instance, it would be strongly recommended that area surrounding the crack be built up using MAXREST restore some structural integrity and to create extra support (like a pillar) and spread the pressure created by the water, across a greater area, when full.

3. Floor-wall joints make a coving using MAXREST.

4. Apply the first coat of DRIZORO MAXSEAL FOUNDATION  or MAXSEAL FLEX  to the entire internal area and leave to cure overnight. (recommended 14 hours minimum between coats)

5.  Apply the second coat of DRIZORO MAXSEAL FOUNDATION  or MAXSEAL FLEX.  High humidity will affect the curing of Drizoro products. The tank should be well ventilated to prevent longer curing times.

6. Tank surface requires approximately 2.5 Kg of product per square meter. If this ratio has not been achieved a third coat may be required.( 1.25 mm per coat)

7. After the final coat has been applied. Leave for a minimum of 7 days when using MAXSEAL FOUNDATION. MAXSEAL FLEX requires a minimum of 14 days before filling the tank with water

 Water Tanks That are Flexing Sealed – InternallyExternally

External Waterproofing Method
Products required
MAXSEAL FOUNDATION | MAXSEAL FLEX  |  MAXREST  | MAXRITE 700 | MAXPLUG  | MAXMESH

Method for External Repair of Flexing Concrete Tanks Leaking Water

1. Remove all render, paint or other material from the substrate. Pressure clean to remove any growth on the surface.

2. Any cracks or voids (wider than 1 mm) should be repaired with either MAXREST or MAXPLUG. (Where there is flowing water.) MAXRITE 700 can be used to replace Maxrest when the tank is empty.
The crack should be ground at least 3.5 mm wide and 20mm deep with dovetail or square shoulders before filling as per MAXPLUG.

DRIZORO MAXJOINT ELASTIC may also be used for crack & joint repairs Go to our video here & give us the thumbs up!

concrete-water-tanks-leaking-water, maxplug-squarecut-reverse-cork

3. For joints;
a. Joints. Coat with MAXSEAL FLEX using MAXMESH to reinforce & strengthen the product.

b. Expansion joints. Use MAXFLEX XJS bandage and MAXSEAL FLEX. This will flex to absorb excessive movement in the substrate

4. Leave to cure overnight.

5. 14 hours minimum between coats on the remainder of the surface area with MAXSEAL FLEX. High humidity will affect the curing of the Drizoro products. Recommended the tank be well-ventilated to prevent the curing time from being longer.

6. A tank surface requires approximately 2.5 Kg of product per square meter. If this ratio has not been achieved a third coat may be required. ( 1.25 mm per coat)

7. After the final coating wait for a minimum 14 days before filling the tank with water

Internal Waterproofing Method
Drizoro Waterproof Membranes required
MAXSEAL FOUNDATION | MAXSEAL FLEX  |  MAXREST |  MAXMESH or MAXFLEX XJS

Repair Mortars: – MAXRESTMAXRITE 700 | MAXPLUG

Method for Internal Repair & Waterproofing Concrete Tanks Leaking Water

Warning:-You are entering a confined space for your safety before entering a water tank open all external drains and ventilate the tank to ensure the air is breathable!!
Carbon Dioxide displaces Oxygen. Note: 
Oxygen required for life function

1. Remove any loose material from the substrate. Pressure clean to remove any organic growth from the surface.

2. Any cracks or voids (wider than 1 mm) should be ground or chiselled open. Recommended the opening be 20-25 mm wide and 20 mm deep with dovetail or square shoulders (see diagram below) and repaired with MAXREST or MAXRITE and that where the crack is also apparent on the outside of the water tank it be repaired as per Method Repair for External Cracks

concrete-water-tanks-leaking-water, maxplug-squarecut-reverse-cork

NOTE:- In old tanks reduction of the structural strength of the tank may be the reason for the crack formation. To AVOID the crack reforming, in this instance, it would be strongly recommended that the area surrounding the crack be built up using MAXREST or MAXRITE. This will restore some structural integrity to create extra support (like a pillar) and spread the pressure created by the water, across a greater area, when full.

3. For joints;
a. Joints. Coat with MAXSEAL FLEX using MAXMESH to reinforce & strengthen the product.

b. Expansion joints. Use MAXFLEX XJS bandage and MAXSEAL FLEX. This will flex to absorb excessive movement in the substrate

4. Leave to cure overnight.

5. 14 hours minimum between coats on the remainder of the surface area with MAXSEAL FLEX. High humidity will affect the curing of the Drizoro products. It is recommended that the tank be well ventilated or longer curing times will result.

6. A tank surface requires approximately 2.5 Kg of product per square meter. If this ratio has not been achieved a third coat may be required. ( 1.25 mm per coat)

7. After the final coating wait for a minimum 14 days before filling the tank with water

Prevent Concrete Tanks Leaking Water.

  • Seal Brand New Concrete Tanks Leaking Water immediately using Maxplug
  • Restore old Concrete Tanks Leaking Water using the Drizoro waterproofing system

 

Drizoro Product Limitations

 

Drizoro is designed to perform. They perform best on concrete structures with basic structural integrity. Successful repair requires a sound and structural movement (excessive) free. Inadequate foundations and reinforcement will result in further cracking. Please follow all instructions for use on bags.

The video shows a new concrete block water tank waterproofed using Drizoro Maxseal Flex – https://onlinewaterproofingshop.com/product/maxseal-flex-white-grey/ – If you’re searching for a New concrete block water tank waterproofed using Drizoro Maxseal Flex then watch this video now to learn everything about New concrete block water tank waterproofed using Drizoro Maxseal Flex.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note – This information is based on information from the manufacturer and from our own experience. Obtain more information in the appropriate technical data bulletins and material safety data sheets available from our office or website.
© DRIZORO S.A. All rights reserved.

Scientific Waterproofing Products Pty Ltd. ABN: 155 659 948 All rights reserved.  Address: 3 Watson Road, Padstow, NSW 2211, AUSTRALIA  Tel: +61 2 9771 0011 Fax: +61 2 9771 0111  Email: info@scientificwaterproofingproducts.com.au  National Hotline: 1300 303 301 National Fax: 1300 369 932  http://scientificwaterproofingproducts.com.au/
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