Waterproofing materials for pool tiling. Pool waterproofing: methods and materials

Very important point in the construction of a concrete pool, is the waterproofing of the pool bowl. It is this fact that should be studied more thoroughly before starting the planning of the pool. If waterproofing is neglected, then the pool bowl will be simply destroyed from the inside, by groundwater and water, which will be located directly in the pool itself.

It is foolish to assume that a person who cares about waterproofing simply does not know what to do with money. Pool waterproofing work is a necessity that serves to protect against damage in the form of cracks, collapses and water leakage. There are such cases that the appearance and expensive finishes play the first role for a person, and practically no attention is paid to waterproofing, which leads to a short-term pool itself and a waste of finances. Accordingly, the restoration of the pool and the work on laying the waterproofing layer will entail considerable financial investments.

If it so happened that the waterproofing of the pool bowl does not work or it does not exist at all, then you have to remove the decorative coating and completely dig out the pool. Then again carry out concrete work and close up the leakage cracks. That is why one of the first stages of construction should begin with waterproofing, only in this way it will be possible to use it for a long time without worrying about leaks and destruction.

Internal waterproofing of the pool bowl

At the beginning of construction, you should consider how to achieve tightness, and what you need to remember first.

A lot of importance in the construction of a concrete pool is waterproofing work on inside pool. This type of waterproofing will protect your building from even the smallest cracks, which are subsequently washed away by water and lead to the destruction of the entire concrete bowl. Any type of pool, including concrete, needs waterproofing, and at the same time, it doesn’t matter what its shape or size is.

It is important to remember that the waterproofing of a concrete pool must be carried out before finishing work on the inner surface of the pool. Often, if waterproofing is not done in time, then after the first filling, the concrete coating is destroyed, which no longer allows for high-quality waterproofing of the pool.

What is waterproofing for?

High level of protection against moisture due to waterproofing;
Accounting for the adhesion of waterproofing materials and the material from which the pool was mounted;
Cleanliness of ecology;
After waterproofing the pool, resistance to a large amount of water being filled in the pool increases;
Resistance to the appearance of mold fungi and the growth of bacteria after waterproofing;
Good adhesion of facing materials to the waterproofing layer.

There are several options for waterproofing, which are quite expensive in terms of finances, but at the same time, the highest quality and durability will be guaranteed. These waterproofing methods use waterproof materials such as waterproofing pads and finishing materials. But not everyone can afford expensive materials and use cheaper, traditional methods of pool waterproofing.

Type of waterproofing for swimming pools

The most popular materials for waterproofing a concrete pool bowl can be purchased at a store or on the market. Such materials for waterproofing include:

Liquid rubber compound;
Latex membrane;
PVC film;
Glass in liquid form;
Impregnation with polymerization process.

Well waterproofing the pool bowl PVC film. Only it should be very carefully and efficiently glued to the concrete surface, avoiding wrinkles, holes. Ensure a tight fit to the surface of the pool. This waterproofing material is excellently cleanable, resistant to sudden temperature fluctuations and can withstand both very high and low temperatures.

Rubber in liquid form is used in waterproofing for grouting joints, cracks. It copes well with its task, but it does not have resistance to sunlight, and in order for the rubber not to lose its properties, it should be treated with liquid glass on top. Both layers are applied only on a dry surface.

The latex mixture, when dried, becomes an elastic film, and in turn, in addition to the task of waterproofing, does not allow the development of mold and bacteria.

In the process of erecting and arranging a concrete pool bowl, among the many problems that builders have to face, the issue of providing waterproofing of the pool stands apart. The insidiousness of the task lies in the fact that the fate of the entire project depends on the quality of the protection of concrete from the effects of water, a small flaw is enough for frost and internal stresses to split the concrete building. Therefore, in the process of forming a protective layer, several types of coatings are used, among which coating waterproofing for a pool is in greatest demand.

What gives the use of coating waterproofing in the pool

The term "coated" is understood as a plastic and liquid waterproofing, which is applied to the surface to be insulated in the form of a homogeneous mass or solution. Coating materials are massively used for waterproofing the concrete walls of the pool due to a number of reasons:

High manufacturability made it possible to simplify the isolation procedure and make it practically independent of the qualifications of the worker;
For waterproofing concrete structures pools, several types of coating materials can be used in series, the highest efficiency is achieved by combining coating and sheet types of waterproofing;
Due to the high elasticity and resilience, coating waterproofing is often used as a substrate for laying a more durable and durable coating of PVC membrane sheets, rolled bituminous insulating materials.

Coating types of insulating materials have high adhesion to concrete, which allows you to effectively protect both the internal and external surfaces of the concrete structures of the pool. At the same time, the external coating waterproofing withstands winter and seasonal soil shrinkage. Even in conditions of strongly heaving soils, the high quality of adhesion to the base and elasticity allows you to maintain the insulating properties of the coating layer.

Important! The cost of applying coating types of insulation is about half the price of laying a roll or membrane coating.

The main advantage of coating materials is that the technology of applying it to the concrete walls of the pool can be mastered by almost any worker after several hours of practice. The absence of seams between sheets, as is the case, for example, with roll or membrane waterproofing, eliminates the likelihood of the most common defect in protective coatings of pools - delamination of joints.

The coating type of pool waterproofing does not have the second serious drawback of bituminous roll coatings, which, due to low elasticity in winter, can easily peel off from the base. Peeling occurs especially often when the outer layer of waterproofing is violated.

At the same time, due to the specific color of the material, the quality and thickness of the applied waterproofing coating can be relatively easily controlled visually. Any inhomogeneities and violations of the monotonous layer on the walls of the pool are easily eliminated by applying an additional coating mass. Some types of coating waterproofing can be used as finishing coatings even without laying tiles and protective finishes.

Types of coating types of waterproofing

Coating-type non-sheet waterproofing materials include all insulating compounds that are applied to the concrete surface with a brush, roller, special spray equipment, sprinklers. This category of waterproofing for swimming pools includes:

Liquid rubber for pool waterproofing is a durable and highly elastic material based on a bitumen matrix modified with polystyrene;
Compounds based on sodium silicate, better known as water glass for pool waterproofing. Relatively inexpensive and easy to handle material for protecting concrete from penetrating water pressure;
Waterproofing additives in concrete, compacting the concrete surface to the level of fused materials;
Waterproofing two-component mastics.

Most swimming pool linings were originally developed as insulation for submerged roofing and concrete structures, piping, cisterns, storage tanks, and sewers. The essence of coating waterproofing is to create an elastic and at the same time low-porous barrier layer that does not change its characteristics during a long stay in water.

Coating waterproofing based on polymer additives

When arranging the protection of the concrete body of the pool, special polymeric additives to concrete for waterproofing are used without fail, capable of changing the structure of concrete in a specific way. Additives are available as a dry mix, such as Penetron Adminx, or in the form of an aqueous solution, like PLASTIPROOF.

In the first case, the dry mixture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1.5 parts of the powder to 1 part of water, mixed with a mixer until a homogeneous consistency is obtained, after which the mass is added to an ordinary concrete mortar at the rate of four kilograms of Penetron per centner of concrete.

According to the manufacturer, branded concrete M200 acquires water resistance characteristics at the level of hydraulic grades with the W20 index. In practice, casting a pool body from such a material will be quite expensive, so a concrete solution with a polymer additive is used as a primary coating waterproofing.

The process of compaction and the set of design characteristics with a coating layer ends in two weeks at an air temperature of at least +5 ° C. After that, a primer can be applied and liquid waterproofing or a coating layer of mastic can be rolled. Additives are used for arranging hydraulic insulation of the bottom parts of the pool and walls of non-standard shape.

Deep penetration coatings based on acrylic resins, surfactants and liquid glass are also used to protect internal walls. Such a primer, penetrating into concrete to a depth of several millimeters, provides good clogging of residual micropores in concrete and forms a transitional barrier sublayer for liquid rubber or mastic waterproofing.

Swimming pool waterproofing with sodium silicate

Liquid glass for pool waterproofing can be considered the oldest and most proven recipe for arranging pool waterproofing. An aqueous solution of sodium silicate with a 1% addition of an acrylic polymer is used to provide inexpensive and durable water protection. The solution perfectly penetrates into small cracks on the concrete surface and, after drying, firmly clogs all cavities. Such a coating is not afraid of any microflora, perfectly tolerates frosts and strong temperature overloads. The disadvantages of "glass" waterproofing include the loss of insulating properties in the absence of moisture. For example, if the pool has been in a dry state for a long period of time, without water, then there is a risk of drying out and cracking of the waterproofing.

In addition, the coating mass dries quickly enough, therefore, when applied to the walls of the pool, the solution is prepared in small portions in order to have time to lay the waterproofing in five minutes and at the same time rub the mass intensively so that it penetrates into all the cracks. The service life of the coating layer of liquid glass without protection with a paint layer is no more than 5-6 years. Waterproofing the pool with liquid glass cannot be used as a finishing layer, so a barrier layer is applied over the coating and a mosaic or tile coating is laid. The joints between the tiles must be sealed with special mastics based on epoxy compounds.

Liquid rubber protection

Compositions based on polystyrene-modified synthetic bitumen are widely used as coating waterproofing, primarily due to the automation of the process of applying a protective coating to concrete walls. Liquid rubber coating is an emulsion of a polymer in an aqueous solution.

The water base allows the use of pneumatic and pump sprayers to apply the insulation material, but often the coating waterproofing is applied manually with rollers and special brushes. In order for the coating mass to harden, a catalyst is added to the container with liquid rubber - a solution of calcium chloride.

After applying the coating material to the walls of the pool, the elastomeric emulsion is destroyed by the action of salt, water is drawn out of the waterproofing by the water-absorbing component, resulting in the formation of an elastic and very dense dry precipitate, similar to artificial rubber. After hardening, the pool is washed or filled with water for a day so that the chloride salts come out of the coating insulation.

The disadvantages of liquid rubber include poor resistance to ultraviolet radiation. If the bottom and lower parts of the walls are reliably isolated from the sun by the water column, then the upper layers of waterproofing can gradually collapse and crack. Recommended swimming pool wall insulation materials include Trowel Grade and TopCoat AnyColor one-component material.

Coating mastic

Coating waterproofing mastics based on an acrylic matrix are today recognized as the most resistant and reliable coatings. An example is the binary mastic ACRILET 1260, specially designed to obtain a very dense and at the same time elastic coating, reminiscent of linoleum in texture. Coating mastic does not react with detergents, chlorine, ozone, which are used to disinfect water in pools.

Important! A pool lined with ACRILET 1260 can be used to store potable water.

Preparation for applying mastic begins with a thorough cleaning of the concrete surface of the pool walls, removing the smallest sharp protrusions or chips. After cleaning and treating concrete with primer ACRILET 130 in two coats on the bottom and side surface pool walls at the joints, edges and junction zones are attached geotextile tapes and canvas.

Coating insulation is applied with a roller or brush. When applying the first layer, the mastic consumption is 1.5 kg/m 2 . After a couple of hours, after hardening and drying of the surface, it is possible to apply a second layer of coating waterproofing with a consumption of 1.5-2 kg/m 2 . The standard thickness of the protective layer is 2 mm, in case of an increase in the total thickness to 4 mm, a thin ACRILET masking mesh is laid between the layers to improve adhesion. Full curing of the coating is completed after 72 hours, after which the pool bowl is filled with water for a day.

Conclusion

Two-component mastics based on acrylic polymers among all the listed options showed best results By appearance, protective properties and service life. Provided that the laying technology is observed, coating insulation is quite capable of replacing the more labor-intensive PVC membrane and roll insulation in laying.

Swimming pools are increasingly appearing in country houses and even on summer cottages and gradually move from the rank of luxury goods to the elements necessary for life to equip a full-fledged living environment. Of course, most of our fellow citizens do not have enough finances for a chic “turnkey pool” from leading manufacturers and cool companies. But if you wish and with a minimum investment of funds, you can completely equip a full-fledged bathing place on your own or with the involvement of some outside help.

One of the most important stages of work is the waterproofing of the pool. Quality performance of these works will ensure the main thing - the full functioning of the facility. And those who make high-quality protection of the walls and bottom of the pool with their own hands, using inexpensive materials, will receive a huge bonus - tangible savings for the family budget and sincere gratitude from relatives, friends and relatives. And what could be more valuable?

Do-it-yourself pool waterproofing

The pool, like no other room in the house or on the site, requires the utmost care in the implementation of leakage protection. Moreover, waterproofing works should provide not only protection against leakage from the inside, but also from the outside. The ingress of groundwater (far from clean!) into the pool bowl can cause big health problems for home owners, especially for children.

Pool waterproofing option

Therefore, competent pool waterproofing is perhaps even more important than finishing with expensive tiles. It will be very disappointing to knock it down in a year to fix the jambs with insulation. The opening speech is over. Now on business.

Pool waterproofing materials

In the pool, water creates not only a direct impact on the finishing materials, but also, first of all, significant loads on the frame of the structure. Therefore, the waterproofing materials used must not only not allow moisture to pass through, but also be very durable to deformations, temperature extremes and resistant to shock and other mechanical stress. That is, the used waterproofing of the pool bowl must be both durable and elastic.

Not all materials on the market meet these criteria. This is due to the fact that the main materials used to construct the bowl are monolithic concrete, reinforced concrete, less often brick. The most relevant option is the insulation of a concrete pool, which we will talk about.

Suitable materials for moisture protection:

bituminous materials;
cement waterproofing materials;
liquid rubber;
liquid glass;
penetrating waterproofing;
membranes.

There are two options for how the pool can be waterproofed - from the outside and from the inside. Of course, you need to do both. External insulation will protect the concrete frame structures from ground, rain and melt water. And the processing of the walls from the inside will exclude internal leaks.

For external insulation, in order to save money, cheaper materials are often used - bituminous mastic, roofing material, cement mortar, and even PVC film. This is a very big mistake.

Firstly, these materials do not provide 100% concrete protection due to the presence of a large number of joints and the properties of the material itself. Even microscopic portions of moisture penetrating into the pores of concrete destroy its structure and cause corrosion of reinforcement. Ultimately, the internal insulation will also be broken as a result of the deformation of the frame.

Secondly, the listed materials have a limited service life - from 10 (film) to 20 years (mastics, roofing material), after which they lose their protective properties (crack, etc.). Then you have to dig out the outer walls of the pool and update or replace the insulation.

Thirdly, the materials for pool waterproofing must be sufficiently elastic, because its reinforced concrete structures are subject to many adverse effects: soil shrinkage, sudden temperature changes. And insulating materials must be stretched and compressed accordingly without damage.

The fourth reason is that the listed materials often simply peel off from the concrete surface, so they must be additionally pressed against the walls, which increases costs.

Figure #2. Pool protection with deep penetration waterproofing

Thus, with the use of cheap insulation, the savings turn out to be imaginary. And high-quality waterproofing of the pool made by oneself using expensive but effective materials - liquid rubber, penetrating or membrane insulation, will allow using the pool for at least 40-50 years without problems and the need for additional work.

Liquid glass is not suitable for processing pools, because, when hardened, it becomes very brittle and quickly cracks.

If you still decide to use a coating for external insulation of the walls of the pool, then the most suitable compositions are Izofast and Tenabit-M mastics. They are specially designed for these purposes, modifiers are introduced into the composition that increase the elasticity and frost resistance of the coating, and its service life is one and a half times higher than that of conventional bitumen.

Internal waterproofing of the pool

These works provide protection of walls from leaks. The materials used must meet a number of requirements:

be completely waterproof;
the insulating layer must be elastic, but very durable;
high resistance to hydrostatic and dynamic loads;
wall insulation should be thin enough;
the material must have high adhesive properties;
not be subjected to biological destruction (microbes, fungus);
do not age under the influence of UV radiation and low temperatures;
be environmentally friendly.

All these qualities are met by three options:

pool waterproofing with liquid rubber;
with the use of waterproofing materials of deep penetration;
membrane protection.

On our website you can find detailed instructions how to handle each of these materials. We will provide you with an overview of the most suitable compositions in terms of price / quality ratio and advice on how to prepare the pool bowl for processing.

Work on the internal waterproofing of the pool should be carried out in alkali-resistant rubber gloves, a respirator and goggles.

Waterproofing the pool with liquid rubber

The most affordable and easy-to-work material is the processing of the pool bowl with liquid rubber. This material is incredibly elastic (you can stretch it more than a hundred times and the coating will return to its original shape). At the same time, it is very durable to mechanical and other influences, has no seams and is completely inert. The material is applied either manually or by spraying.

To isolate the pool bowl from the inside, the following compositions are most suitable:

liquid mastic DELS BP;
liquid rubber Trowel Grade;
Roller Grade composition;
copolymetic colored one-component rubber TopCoat AnyColor;
liquid silicone Hyperdesmo PB-2K (Greece).

The color of liquid rubber does not matter, because further finishing is required (PVC film, mosaic, tile).

Deep penetration waterproofing

These so-called impregnations for concrete penetrate deep into the walls and bottom by 40-50 cm, completely clogging all pores and cracks. At the same time, it gives concrete complete moisture impermeability and additional strength. There are several types of deep penetration impregnations: based on mineral acids, polymerizing impregnations, adhesive compositions. Plus - the frost resistance of the base increases, and additional modifiers exclude the appearance of concrete mold.

This type of insulating materials in their use in pools has one unpleasant drawback - they lose their capabilities at the junction of concrete and pipes, equipment attachment points. Therefore, these places must be additionally treated with other types of insulating materials (the same liquid rubber). In addition, if cracks form in the concrete layer during the shrinkage of the bowl, they will not be protected from moisture ingress.

For the pool, the most suitable composition is Perentron, and Penekrit is best used to isolate the places of technological holes.

Waterproofing the pool using a membrane

This is the most modern way to protect the pool from leaks from the inside, and without the need for additional finishing. Most membrane materials have an attractive blue, azure or greenish color, imitating tile or mosaic finishes. On sale there are films with pictures of the sea or river bottom, etc. Membrane films are very strong in tension and tear, are not afraid of strong dynamic loads, do not lose their properties for many decades.

But! Only under the condition of a high-quality installation, which requires a special welding machine and work experience. It is unlikely that it will be possible to make the correct installation of the membrane film with your own hands, and even a minimum hole of 1-2 mm in the seams or places of contact with the equipment, imperceptible to the eye, will lead to leaks. Therefore, it is best to entrust the work on finishing the pool with membranes to a specialized company. The price for their work and guarantees are much less than the cost of solving problems that may arise due to poor quality work.

Preparation of the pool bowl for waterproofing work

The more thoroughly the preparatory work is done, the better the result will be.

It is necessary to start work by cleaning the entire surface of the walls and the bottom from dirt, construction dust, various efflorescence, which will prevent the waterproofing material from adhering to concrete as tightly as possible. To do this, first you need to treat the surface with a brush with metal bristles, and then wash everything off using a water jet. high pressure. If there are places of not very high-quality concrete (it crumbles or has a different shade), then they must be treated with the material Skrepa M 500 repair. This will prevent further destruction of the bowl.

The second stage is the processing of the most problematic places, this is the junction of walls and the bottom, concreting seams, entry points for communications and cracks in concrete. They also need to be cleaned and treated with Penekrit. For cracks, there are special injection resins PenePurFoam (PenePurFoam) and PeneSplitSil (PeneSplitSeal), which completely seal dangerous holes.

Only after such preparation can you start applying the waterproofing composition according to the instructions for it.

Conclusion

Before solving the problem - how to waterproof the pool, you need to take into account its size, shape and material of the bowl, your financial capabilities.

The best option is to use liquid rubber. This quality modern material will ensure the durability of your water entertainment venue.

In the summer, every owner thinks about building a pool in the country: in such a reservoir you can cool off in the heat or play sports. However, not every homeowner can afford a full-fledged capital pool, but you can save on its construction if you do some of the work yourself.

Waterproofing the pool from the inside is an important stage of work, on which the tightness and quality of the coating of the future reservoir depend. You can process the walls of the structure yourself, the main thing is to know the rules for performing work.

Purpose of waterproofing

Not every novice master and even an experienced builder is a professional in the field of waterproofing. However, professionals speak about the importance of this stage, but why exactly is waterproofing needed and is it possible to do without it?

Waterproofing in construction is the application of a protective layer on the pool (or any other structure), which protects the interior of the building from destruction by water. The pool is in constant contact with water, which increases the risk of cracking the body of the font. Water penetrating the concrete contributes to its coloring, so the building, which is in direct contact with moisture, will not last long. After damage to the walls of the pool with water, it will be necessary to carry out major repairs, which can cost even more than building a new reservoir. Therefore, it is so important to carry out work on the waterproofing of the pool with high quality, for reservoirs it can be of two types:

internal;
external.

It is the internal waterproofing of the pool bowl that protects against the penetration of liquid into concrete. It is applied to the screed directly on the font, creating a mechanical barrier to water.

External waterproofing also protects the body of the building from moisture, it is external. The pool is exposed to moisture not only from the font, but also from the ground. And external waterproofing is especially important in areas with high groundwater. External processing of the pool is carried out with the addition of plasticizing and mineral inclusions, they not only reduce the water permeability of concrete, but also improve its mechanical characteristics. A common way to waterproof the pool outside is to install expanding rubber. It is a treatment with liquid rubber, which is applied outside the font. Compositions of this kind are produced in the form of mastics or pastes, which are convenient to apply with your own hands.

Types of waterproofing materials

The range of waterproof impregnations and mastics is very wide, which allows you to choose the material according to your wallet and taste. When buying a composition for processing and repair, you need to take into account the type of terrain and the climatic features of your locality. An important indicator is the type of pool.

The most common and effective waterproofing treatments are:

PVC film;
penetrating impregnation;
liquid glass;
mastic coating.

Bitumen-based waterproofing materials (such treatments are rarely used today, since the above waterproofing impregnations are more effective).

Stages of internal waterproofing

When processing the inside of the pool font, it is very important to follow a strict sequence of work. The instructions below will allow you to do everything yourself. Do-it-yourself pool waterproofing includes the following steps:

When the waterproofing is checked and dried - you can deal with the cladding. The decorative finish of the pool is made of mosaic or tile.

Liquid rubber treatment

Liquid rubber is a mastic based on bitumen and polymer additives. The material has a high degree of adhesion with concrete, and most importantly, liquid rubber perfectly protects the font from water penetration. The material is applied to the walls of the pool by spraying. It is optimal to treat the font with several layers of liquid rubber. It is most convenient to apply the material with a compressor, but it is also possible with a brush or roller, such processing will take much more time.

Note! Liquid rubber combines the characteristics of membrane and liquid waterproofing which makes it extremely effective. When treated with such a mastic, cast impregnation is formed on concrete without seams and cracks. The coating has a pleasant surface, similar to PVC membranes, while it has a very high web strength. You can safely apply a decorative finish to liquid rubber, or you can leave the pool like that. Today, there are many varieties of such mastics of all colors, which allows them to be used as a topcoat, saving on tiles.

Before treating the pool with rubber materials, the surface must be leveled and thoroughly degreased. Then, with a compressor or a brush (with self-processing), the rubber is evenly distributed over the concrete, so that it covers all the walls.

Waterproofing with liquid glass

Liquid glass is made from sodium and potassium silicates. Waterproofing of pools with such material is carried out even during the construction of the pool font. Liquid glass is mixed into the concrete itself at the construction stage. Dilution proportions: 1 to 100 (1 liter of glass per 100 liters of solution). This inclusion makes the body of the reservoir durable and more resistant to mechanical stress. The main advantage of adding glass is the increase in the water-repellent properties of concrete.

Liquid glass can be applied to the body of the pool and after construction, directly onto the concrete. For such purposes, waterproofing coatings are produced with the same composition as in mortar additives. Such materials have high rates of waterproofing. In addition, liquid glass protects concrete from fungi, temperature, destruction and ultraviolet radiation. Liquid glass has a low cost, and a little material is required to process the pool, since it has a low consumption. The coating is very easy to use, so you can do the processing with such material yourself.

Applying glass is very simple, the technology includes the following work:

Surface preparation. Before processing with any coating, the concrete must be cleaned, the surface under the liquid glass must be rough, so if it is smooth, it is degreased. This measure is necessary for good adhesion.
Dilute the solution. It is necessary to prepare the solution strictly following the instructions, the recipe and proportions must be indicated on the package.
After complete mixing, the composition is applied to the concrete. When the first layer dries a little, you can apply the second. Rollers or brushes are used for processing.
Applying a finishing touch. Any kind of decorative finish can also be applied to liquid glass.

Liquid glass is unique in that it can be added at the stage of concrete mixing. This will free you from waterproofing work in the future.

PVC films

Today in waterproofing concrete pools PVC films are very popular. The material has high strength, and most importantly - it absolutely does not let water through. In addition to waterproofing functions, the film acts as a decorative layer. Therefore, if you want to save on finishing, you should look at PVC materials.

Films differ not only in color, but also in thickness, strength and design. The material is produced with various patterns and imitations. In the construction market, you can find PVC films with a tile or mosaic pattern. The color of the films is very intense, and thanks to the protective layer, the coating does not fade with prolonged contact with ultraviolet light. For this quality, the material is often used in outdoor outdoor pools.

Laying and repairing with a film is little different from waterproofing with coatings. First, the pool is cleaned and dried. After that, fixing tapes and film holders are attached.

Important! The film is mounted on geotextiles, this increases the service life and quality of the coating. In addition, the layer reduces the friction of the PVC film on the concrete, thereby maintaining its integrity.

After placing the fasteners, the film is spread and welded with a special apparatus. This method is considered the most reliable and simple.

Conclusion

All types of waterproofing have their pros and cons, so choose the material that is right for your pool. Consider the ease of applying impregnation or film, if this is your first time doing such work, it is better to give preference to coatings and mastics. Waterproofing is extremely important in the construction of the pool, so it is highly undesirable to neglect it.

Currently, many owners of country cottages, traditional dachas and individual houses arrange pools of various sizes and configurations on their plots. In addition to the fact that this hydraulic structure performs a decorative function, giving the territory luxury and relevance, it also contributes to the improvement of all those who use this reservoir.

Having built a pool with your own hands, you will not become a real hydraulic engineer, but you will acquire many building specialties that will be useful to you many times in the future when building a variety of buildings.

It should be noted that technically the pool is a rather complex structure. A significant volume of water inside exerts a constant uniform pressure on the frame, ultimately leading to the destruction of the pool structure. This happens if certain deviations, incorrect calculations were made during the construction of a hydraulic structure, or insufficiently high-quality materials were used.

However, this, all of the above, does not mean that a home pond cannot be built. with my own hands. One of the most important stages of the technological process is the waterproofing of the pool. It is the waterproofing of the water tank that determines the purity of the water inside the pool, the frequency of its filling, as well as its overall service life.

Types of pool waterproofing

Waterproofing occupies an intermediate stage between the main construction of the pool and subsequent finishing work.

Experts distinguish between two types of waterproofing:

External, providing protection from soil water;
Internal, the function of which is to prevent the impact of pool moisture on its walls and bottom.

External waterproofing of the pool

Under no circumstances should the external waterproofing of the pool be neglected. Seasonal movements of the soil, the flow of groundwater, a change in the state of aggregation of water - all this has a devastating effect on the reinforcement of the pool in cases where the external waterproofing is not of sufficient quality. And if this is not done from the very beginning, then in the future such problems will appear that will no longer be possible to solve without destroying the hydraulic structure to the ground.

Internal waterproofing.

The internal waterproofing of the pool protects the frame from the penetration of water into it and, as a result, prevents its corrosion. As well as well-executed internal waterproofing prevents peeling of the finishing layers, which is a guarantee of long-term operation of the pool.

Requirements for the device of internal waterproofing:

High adhesive properties;
Resistance to opening cracks smaller than 3 mm;
Excellent waterproofing properties;
Elasticity of the insulating layer;
Excellent hydrostatic properties;
Resistant to mold and fungal structures.

Waterproofing: technological methods

Before proceeding with waterproofing work, the work surface should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt, as well as cracks, sinks and other surface defects should be carefully repaired.

Processing of the insulated surface: methods and techniques

The most qualitative result is provided by the use of sandblasting tools.

Together with it, in order to obtain a high-quality result, effective materials for waterproofing are used.

1. Polymerizing compositions.

The special type of molecules of this substance through the polymerization process creates a durable polymer coating with the properties of high-quality plastic. Its purpose is to enhance the structural characteristics of the water reservoir and prepare the concrete surface for the application of a finishing layer in the form of plaster.

2. Treatment with mineral acids.

Solutions of mineral nature provide effective susceptibility of the concrete base of the pool frame to the subsequent application of waterproofing.

Additives different kind to waterproofing solutions.

To improve the adhesive properties of the concrete base, a variety of adhesive solutions and grouts are used, including such proven materials as

liquid rubber,
polymer membranes.

3. Penetrating cement impregnation.

Based on modern polymeric materials, high-tech insulating impregnations were created. The principle of their operation is that the polymer molecules penetrate into the pores of the concrete base of the water reservoir and securely seal them on a hermetic basis.

The polymer is frost-resistant, it retains its properties in the temperature range from minus 20 to plus 40 degrees Celsius.

An important quality of the material is that it has increased adhesion, so its penetration depth varies from 0.3 to 0.5 meters. In addition, this polymeric material has fungicidal properties, that is, it prevents the occurrence and spread of mold, bacteria and fungi that can a short time bring the pool into disrepair.

The action of the penetrating waterproofing of the pool could be considered as the most effective method However, this method also has disadvantages. For example, at the joints of the equipment and coating elements, as well as at the junctions of the parts of the water supply system with an insulating layer - in these places it is quite difficult to ensure the tightness of the entire tank when using a penetrating composition.

4. Bitumen based materials.

These include roofing material, mastics and roll coatings of welded application. This material has been successfully used for more than fifty years, however, despite the low cost and ease of installation, it does not compete with modern materials for facing work when waterproofing.

5. Sand-cement mixture.

It is this simple and reliable method of waterproofing that is chosen in most cases when arranging pools in mid-latitudes. It is suitable for the construction of a reservoir on the site, and for waterproofing a home pool.

Modern sand-cement mixture is a multicomponent composition, it necessarily contains modifying additives. It is applied in several stages: a new layer of the mixture is applied after the previous one has completely dried. The thickness of each layer can vary from 3 to 5 cm, so the drying time also varies. After that, various adhesive materials can be used for high-quality application of finishing materials, such as plaster.

Due to the successful combination of composition and application technology, the pool is very strong and durable. The structure erected by this method perceives both static and dynamic loads without destruction.

6.Cement strainer.

The traditional cement screed has proven its worth in waterproofing work for decades. Compared to other methods, cement mortar-based waterproofing has excellent performance:

high vapor permeability, which eliminates the presence of swelling, shells, bubbles in the design of the pool bowl;
excellent reliability;
good manufacturability, which allows you to apply the solution on a moistened surface;
durability of the building;
maintainability.

Nevertheless, this method has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. Cement mortar does not respond well to temperature changes. Such a quality as elasticity, this material is practically absent. With seasonal changes in climate and soil, centers of concentrated stress appear in the cement structure, which lead to cracks - precursors of the destruction of a water reservoir. To solve this problem, it is recommended to use silicone-based sealants.

7. Liquid glass.

The technology of waterproofing works using liquid glass has become widespread at the present time. The term "Liquid glass" refers to a water-based sodium silicate solution. This method of waterproofing works has undeniable advantages:

excellent antiseptic properties,
high tightness,
ease of application,
excellent adhesive properties,
can be used as a modifying additive.

Liquid glass, applied according to all the requirements of the technology, can increase the service life of the tank bowl by several times. The effectiveness of liquid glass does not change depending on the type of material used. The material hermetically fills microscopic voids in concrete or other material, creating a protective coating for it from moisture and microorganisms. Liquid glass is immune to high temperatures.

The disadvantage of this method of pool waterproofing is the high cost of the work. In this case, the possibility of using liquid glass as an additive in the main, cheaper solution is considered.

8. High strength polyethylene

Waterproofing with plastic sheeting is one of the cheapest ways to protect your pool deck. However, when choosing this method, one should also take into account the fact that even the smallest hole in the polyethylene sheet will lead to the unusability of the entire waterproofing layer. Moreover, over time, this danger will only increase due to the fact that the material will gradually lose the plasticizer.

9. Waterproofing of swimming pools using membrane technology.

membranes the best way correspond to the goals and objectives of waterproofing pools. They have a unique tensile strength, can easily withstand tensile and compressive deformation loads, and are distinguished by excellent elasticity and pressure resistance. For high-quality installation of membranes, welding equipment is used, which should be operated by a qualified professional.

During the implementation of waterproofing work, special care should also be taken in welding the seams. Even the slightest omissions or shortcomings in the connection of the membrane elements will lead to the fact that the entire huge volume of water from the tank will seep under the waterproofing of the pool.

Do-it-yourself pool waterproofing

When choosing one or another method of waterproofing a future personal reservoir, you should:

determine the type of soil composition of the building site,
depth of passage of groundwater;
landscape and slope of the territory;
the presence and location of shrubs and trees.

Based on all this, choose the most suitable waterproofing material, and in accordance with it, take into account the features of the application process.

Thus, based on a careful approach to all stages of the process, it is possible to produce high-quality waterproofing of the water reservoir, which will ensure the reliability and durability of any pool.

Video

Step-by-step instructions for waterproofing pools

Site marking.

The territory intended for the construction of the pool is measured and marked with wooden pegs and a rope. If the construction is large-scale, then from the outside it is necessary to build a technical unit designed for repairing pipes and monitoring the system. Also at this stage, it should be foreseen how the reservoir will be protected from the expansion of frozen soil at low temperatures, i.e. mark the necessary gaps.

The device of an effective drainage system on the building site

If the groundwater level is quite high on the site, then this step should not be neglected. Soil moisture should not rise above the surface of the bottom of the water bowl. Drainage of the site through the device of the drainage system around the base of the pool should include diversion grooves of different directions, laid taking into account the natural slope of the territory.

Pool excavation.

Depending on personal preferences, the pool can have different sizes and configurations, so you can dig a foundation pit for it manually using a garden shovel or use the services of a rented excavator. The finished pit is carefully leveled.

The device of external waterproofing of the pool.

The stage of manufacturing the external waterproofing of the pool has begun. The selected insulating material is laid on the bottom of the bowl in such a way that the edges remain large stock. Later, it will be laid in the walls of the future water resource with subsequent attachment to the internal insulation of the walls.

After laying the insulating material, a 20-25 cm layer of sand is applied to the bottom of the future reservoir, followed by tamping. After that, gravel of a low fraction is laid on the sand, which also requires tamping.

Communication device.

After preparing the sand and gravel pad, pipes are installed for filling and draining water from the pool tank. Communications for the supply and intake of water are located on opposite sides of the pool tank. To do this, pre-plan the location of the holes and cut them into the walls of the future pool. For emptying, a drain pipe is installed at the bottom. The drain pipe must have a diameter of at least 10 centimeters, this is necessary to increase the efficiency of the outflow. To prevent possible clogging of the drain with dry leaves and other debris, cover the drain pipe with a grate. If natural outflow is not possible, an electrically powered water pump can be used when installing the outlet pipe for the pool.

After that, a layer of B6 concrete is applied to the communications. It is very good if plasticizing additives are introduced into the concrete mix - this will enhance the waterproofing properties of the pool. The thickness of the applied layer must be at least 10 centimeters, a metal mesh of reinforcement is immediately laid on it. On top of the reinforcing mesh, another concrete pour is made to a depth of 15 centimeters.

Wall arrangement.

After the bottom filled with concrete sets, we begin another important stage - the construction of walls. Prior to the start of concreting, all provided communications of the structure should be removed. The walls are also filled with concrete plasticized mixture. To do this, we use a wooden formwork, in which holes for draining and filling water should be provided. Pour in layers of 10-15 centimeters in stages with the obligatory drying of each layer. As soon as hardening occurs, we produce the internal waterproofing of the pool.

If you want to build a curved or round pool, then you should use a different technology. In this case, a steel sheet is used for the device of wall surfaces. With it, you can get a round or oval pool configuration. Using a steel profile, we connect the sheet into a circle. This profile provides overall stability and strength to the system. On this design, a facing film is attached around the entire perimeter using a fastening ring. After that, we proceed to the installation of technical equipment. But the equipment can be installed only after testing. To do this, we collect water, which will press the film to the walls. After that, we install communication equipment.

Internal waterproofing of the pool.

The dried surface of the tank is leveled and plastered. We apply a waterproofing mixture with a sufficient degree of elasticity to the prepared bowl. After drying, repeat the procedure.

Examination

To make sure that there are no leaks, you should test the operation of the pool with a full load. To do this, fill it with water and measure the filling level 2 times a day, taking into account natural evaporation. It is also necessary to test the installed system for draining and filling water into the tank. To do this, first fill the bowl with water and measure the time for which a full set will occur. Then you should also drain the liquid, which should go away quite intensively. To check the functioning of the system, an organoleptic test is recommended, i.e. visual monitoring of liquid inflow through pipes and outgoing flow check with the palm of your hand. To do this, you just need to put your hand on the pipe: with proper functioning, the flow will be clearly felt.

If the check showed the quality of all stages of work, then you can be sure that this water facility will serve you for many decades! Of course, to preserve its waterproofing properties, timely security measures should be taken:

do not leave liquid in the pool after the onset of cool days. The coming autumn seems to be warm, it creates the illusion that the water can be drained a little later, when the weather becomes cooler, but this is not the case. Frosts at night occur already during the last summer month - August, therefore, in order to avoid breaking communications and damaging the insulating layer, you should take care to drain the tank bowl.
pool cleaning should be regular. Timely cleaning work will help to carry out repair work to restore the insulation in a timely manner, if necessary. Careless operation of the water facility will exacerbate the extent of the damage, jeopardizing the very functioning of the pool.

In conclusion, I would like to add that after going through a difficult and thorny path to build a pool on the site, you should immediately please yourself with a reward - try out the pool with friends and family!