Tank Repair

[bob w]

Hi all
Can anyone help? I have a 20000gallon (90000ltr) concrete water tank approx 18years old that now has water seeping out where the wall joins the base. Not all the way around but in patches.
Is there a simple way to seal this joint or will I have to get a professional to do the job?

Regards
Bob W:mad: :mad: :mad:

[scooter]

Gday Bob

Bondall make a waterproofing product called Silasec that can be mixed with cement to a putty consistency to press into cracks, or with cement and water I think to make a waterproofing cement paint.

I would assume though you would need to do this inside the tank :(

They also make a product called Epoxy Prep which may be suitable for application from the outside.

Give their Head Office number a ring and ask for Julie Champion, she has good tech knowledge and may have useful advice. Find contact details on website or on one of their product labels.

No affiliation, just bits of product knowledge :)


Cheers...........Sean, tanks fer dat :)

[Robert WA]

There used to be a product called "Silastic" that was just the thing for that task. It may be the same product as suggested by Sean. If so, it needs to be applied from the inside.

[Ratbag Oz]

I deal with leaking cement tanks everyday :D first instant fix, get a few handfuls of sand (this is still OK if it's for drinking, as long as it's clean) and drizzle it into the tank as close to the leak as possible, have a little patience and you will see the leak slow, and perhaps stop altogether, repeat if nescessary, once the sand has "taken up" it should keep the leak at bay for a few days, it will save you an awful lot of water.
Silastic, or a Selleys all weather sealer may help on the outside of the tank if it is a small leak, but unfortunately a good job for a larger crack can only be done by draining the tank. Bladders can be bought, but we generally find the best method to be fibreglass, depending on the leak, the type of tank, and it's age / degradation.

Hope this helps,
Ratbag

[Munga]

If the leak is flowing it will have to be repaired from the inside & there are various treatments for this depending on the tank being full or empty, if the leak is only slowly seeping there is a product called Mr. Crystals (i think) that works very well by working its way in following the water and setting, I have some hidden away somewhere i'll find it and post the exact name if you like.

Arch

[Bodgy]

Temporary fix would be a product available for leaking concrete swimming pools. Some sort of powder you introduce around the area of leakage.

Not sure about whether water would then be safe to drink tho. Call your local pool guys.

This together with the sand idea would certainly slow or stop it for months.

[Wildman]

I have successfully sealed a leaky concrete tank by draining, throughly cleaning and drying it then coating the entire inside surface with a couple of coats of bitumen waterproofer. No taste imparted to the drinking water. However requires draining which is probably not what you need leading into summer.

The repair lasted a couple of years until the incident with the tractor.....