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How to rejuvenate waterproof membrane on water feature?

I emptied my water feature for cleaning and would like to redo the waterproof membrane. I believe the structure is glass reinforced concrete. Should I paint over it with a primer and Crommelin pond sealer or use a pond liner. A pictures of the base is attached. The outside needs repainting as well. The water feature is over 10 years old.

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JacobZ

Hi @Cathy001,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

You'll have to start by cleaning the surface thoroughly with warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush, ensuring you remove all contaminants that can affect the adhesion of your waterproofing membrane.

Once clean, check for any pinholes in the water feature and fill them with silicone.

After this, allow the water feature to fully dry before applying Crommelin Black Pond Sealer, following the application instructions closely.

This will give you a good solid seal that will keep your water feature watertight for years to come.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Cathy001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/48813#Comment_48813

Hi Jacob

I have pressure washed the inside of the base and it is dry. Do I still need to scrub with soapy water? Do I remove the blistering parts of the current membrane and prime before recoating? As far as Im aware, the water feature wasn't leaking when it was emptied but needs topping up once a week when windy or in hot weather .. so no holes in the base.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86495#Comment_86495

Hi @Cathy001,

You want to remove anything that is not well adhered to the substrate, so if there is any mould mildew, or powdery substances on the existing membrane, then you'll need to remove it by scrubbing. The same applies to the blistering parts of the old membrane as they are no longer well adhered to the substrate.

If the existing membrane is not well adhered in a number of areas, you may need to remove it entirely before starting again, but you would need to assess the surface yourself to determine this.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Cathy001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108626#Comment_108626

Hi JacobZ

I will scrub the inside and reassess the condition. I'm not sure whether using a pool liner would be better than total removal of the membrane. I was looking for the easiest option..

Many thanks for your advice.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121601#Comment_121601

Hi @Cathy001,

The main reason I would use a paint-on membrane as opposed to a pool liner is because of the stem in the middle.

The pool liner would need to be cut and stretched up the stem to the height of the water to ensure everything is watertight. I imagine it is possible, but it would be more difficult than a painted on membrane.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Cathy001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129783#Comment_129783

Hi Jacob

I hadn't thought about the middle stem. Thanks for the advice. I will go with the painted on membrane and see how I go.

I have the Crommelin Diamondcoat base tint to redo the outside part of the feature as well.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134939#Comment_134939

Hi @Cathy001,

Sounds like a plan.

Let us know how you go and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any advice along the way.

Jacob

Cathy001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138334#Comment_138334

Hi Jacob

I would like some more advice please. Removing some of the blistered membrane has revealed a blue plastic type lining under the current membrane on the water feature base which appears to be installed using an adhesive tape. I have attached photos.

The blistering is around the edges and a couple of lines in the middle.

Can a tape like Gorilla patch and seal waterproof tape be used over the blistered areas or can the Crommelin primer and pond sealer be used directly. I want to avoid removing what is currently there if possible. As I mentioned the water feature wasn't leaking when emptied. It was taken apart to be cleaned. Any advice would be appreciated. I have also included a picture of the actual water feature found online.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140605#Comment_140605

Hi @Cathy001,

What you've uncovered is waterproofing tape like this Crommelin 5m Waterproofing Tape.

It is used as a strengthening material in waterproofing systems where there are junctions. It bridges the gap between the horizontal surface and the vertical surface before a membrane is applied over the top.

As it is not well adhered to the substrate, you should remove it and replace it with new waterproofing tape like the Cromellin one I have linked to above.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Cathy001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142260#Comment_142260

Hi Jacob

Sorry for a further question. Do I use the tape directly over the areas where the blue liner is showing through as well? I had commenced removing the blistered sections, i.e., can I put the tape over the remaining blistered sections without removing the membrane.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143437#Comment_143437

Hi @Cathy001,

The sections on the base where there is blue poking through should be fine without additional tape, just make sure all the blistering membrane has been removed and paint over the top.

At the corners where it is lifting, cut away the lifted matting, apply the new waterproofing tape so that it bridges the gap between the vertical and horizontal surface and then paint your membrane over the top.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Cathy001

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144330#Comment_144330

Thanks again Jacob. I will give it a go.

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