The pool, like any other reservoir, is a rather complex hydraulic structure. Its main working part is the bowl - essentially a container for water. Most often it is made of monolithic concrete, since this material can withstand high loads and is moisture resistant.

However, no matter how high the strength qualities of concrete are, over time the material wears out and undergoes cracking. To a large extent, this is facilitated by the water inside the pool and groundwater. Waterproofing protects the structure from its effects.

What materials are there for waterproofing swimming pools?

Groundwater acts on the structure from the outside. The water in the pool affects the internal surfaces. Pool waterproofing includes protection from both internal and external influences. Read about the pavilion for a polycarbonate pool.

Waterproofing work is carried out during the construction phase. At a later stage, it will require significantly greater costs and time.

Materials for external waterproofing

This type of protection is provided for hydraulic structures that have contact with the ground. Indoor pools located on a foundation require only internal waterproofing.

The choice of material is made taking into account the groundwater level, the size of the pool, the shrinkage of the structure and the cost of materials:

• Penetrating compounds– the effect is based on filling the pores of concrete with a polymer material and its crystallization during hardening. The resulting film is absolutely waterproof. Bonus - you can carry out waterproofing with a penetrating composition with your own hands and even alone.
• Roll materials– roofing felt, PVC film, waterproofing membranes. The material is placed in the pit before concrete is poured, the seams are welded, and the remaining free edges are fixed to the walls of the pool. Film materials are sometimes classified as a separate group, but the technology for their use is the same.
• Coating materials– polymer and bitumen mastics, liquid rubber, hydroglass insulation. The compositions are applied in several layers, forming a coating up to 3–4 mm thick. Working with them is simple - liquid rubber, for example, is sprayed over the surface, but it takes more time, since the next layer can be applied only after the previous one has partially hardened.
• Injection– an expensive procedure, but also effective. Waterproofing is carried out by introducing a gel based on acrylic resins under a concrete wall or directly into it. The composition penetrates through the pores of concrete, completely filling the smallest voids, and hardens. At the same time, the gel retains its elasticity. This is the only way to waterproof an old pool if it is impossible to reach its walls by excavating the soil.

The practice of combining materials is very common. For example, PVC film or membrane material is combined with bitumen mastic.

If the groundwater level is high or the soil is heaving, it is necessary to supplement the waterproofing of the pool with auxiliary means. He will tell you about bitumen mastic for waterproofing foundations.

If the structure is located on a hill, which is desirable, a drainage system is organized. If on a flat surface, then a clay castle - a layer of compacted clay adjacent to the walls of the pool - gives a good effect. Clay absorbs excess moisture, swelling, and retains it.

Materials for internal waterproofing

Almost the same ones are used as for external work, with the exception of coarse rolled ones - roofing felt, for example, since it does not withstand constant contact with water. Film materials are suitable for this role, but, as a rule, in combination.

• Penetrating mixtures- used for interior work, although with some reservations. Firstly, to seal the areas where concrete and metal pipes are connected, it is necessary to use only special compounds, for example, Penecrit. Secondly, the surface treated with the mixture has low adhesion, and certain difficulties arise with plastering before laying the tiles.
• Polymer cement mixtures– one- or two-component compositions based on cement, sand and polymer plasticizers. They belong to the category of coating materials that are affordable and easy to handle. The disadvantage is low elasticity, which, with a large mass of water in a large pool and temperature changes, results in rapid wear.
• Polymer– for example, polyurethane mastic. Also a type of coating waterproofing. The resulting coating is strong, durable and quite aesthetic. The disadvantage is the same as that of penetrating compounds - low adhesion. It is very difficult to tile the bowl later.
• Membrane waterproofing– is carried out in several stages and requires patience and effort. Moreover, its average service life is 50 years. Based on the alternate use of reinforcing fabric and mastic. This option is ideal for tiles.
• PVC film– recommended for use in the construction of small tanks.

The PVC film itself is short-lived, and the worst thing is that it accumulates condensation in the cavity between the concrete wall and the finish. There is no need to talk about any durability in this case.

The choice of material for internal waterproofing is greatly influenced by further finishing. Tiles, for example, require plastering of the walls before installation and high-quality adhesion of the plaster composition to the waterproofed surface. Finishing with alcorplan is a type of PVC film that is much less demanding. He will tell you about waterproofing the roof of a house under metal tiles.

How to waterproof a pool under tiles

External work on insulating the bowl does not depend on the finishing method, and therefore does not limit the choice of material. Since most pools in suburban areas are open structures located in recesses, roll and film waterproofing remains the most popular for them.

The design of the pool is monolithic. In no case is a phased construction allowed, and, accordingly, alternate waterproofing of the bottom and then the walls.

Internal insulation under tiles usually includes two stages, since the penetration of moisture, and even more so the appearance of condensation, will lead to the destruction of the finish. Therefore, waterproofing with film materials is immediately excluded.

Work is carried out during the construction of formwork for the pool. Roll and film material is spread along the outer border of the future concrete bowl; the seams must be welded and not taped.

1. The concrete surface is cleaned. Seams and cracks, if any, are opened and treated with seam sealants. The joints are sealed with sealing tapes or cords.
2. The walls of the pool are leveled with waterproof plaster, and the bottom is leveled with a self-leveling cement composition. If tile finishing is intended, this is a mandatory procedure.
3. The surfaces are primed with a primer, the layer should dry for 3–4 hours.
4. Using a brush or spray, a penetrating composition is applied. Maximum attention should be paid to seams, connections to communications and cracks.
5. Concrete walls and bottom are treated with 4-5% hydrochloric acid, washed with a stream of water, and then treated with a solution of soda ash (4-5%) to neutralize.
6. Lastly, coating mastic is applied in a layer of 3–4 mm. If liquid waterproofing is used under the tile, then after the first layer has dried - after 6 hours and no later than 24 hours, the surface is reinforced with a mesh, and then the second layer is applied on top. To increase adhesion, after the same 6–10 hours, the surface is treated with fine-grained sand.
7. It is prohibited to walk on the bottom of a pool covered with a waterproofing compound for three days or even more. Concrete surfaces must be moistened for at least 3 days, and the bottom and part of the walls in contact with water - up to 14 days. The wetted concrete is covered with film.
8. After the mastic layer has completely dried, you can begin laying the tiles.

Waterproofing work cannot be carried out at temperatures below zero. The same applies to the entire drying period.

The video describes in detail the technology of pool waterproofing:

The weak link when tiling a pool is the seams between the ceramic elements. The tile itself perfectly withstands water pressure and is completely waterproof. But if the grout is not durable enough, water can penetrate into the space underneath the tile, which can lead to the tile peeling off.

For grouting, you need to use special compounds: epoxy-cement fugues and epoxy grouts. Price – 1950 rub.

Ready-made mixtures have a high viscosity and are difficult to work with without experience. If grout gets on the tiles, it must be removed immediately: cured epoxy film is much more difficult to remove. The link describes another one.

The Ceresit company offers a wide range of such compositions.

Today, the most inexpensive option for making a country pool with your own hands is to cast it from concrete. When choosing this technology, you should understand that along with this advantage, a person also receives one significant drawback - this is a complex pool manufacturing technology, which is distinguished by an abundance of subtleties and nuances. One of its stages is pool waterproofing. But this stage is no less complex than the process of building the font itself. This will be discussed in this article, in which, together with the website, we will deal with the question of how and with what waterproofing is done in a pool?

Pool waterproofing photo

Pool waterproofing: liquid glass and the nuances of its use

Most people are unaware that such an intriguing name hides nothing more than ordinary office glue, which was widely used half a century ago, and today it has given way to PVA glue. So, this ordinary office glue, if anyone remembers it, after hardening, creates a hard and durable film that resembles (both externally and in some physical characteristics) glass. It is this film that creates a barrier for water, preventing it from entering the concrete body. By itself, it is fragile and crumbles easily, but in combination with ordinary cement-sand mortar it creates a durable and reliable waterproofing coating.

Liquid glass for pool waterproofing photo

Liquid glass for waterproofing a swimming pool can be characterized as a cheap and not very simple method, which has a number of significant disadvantages, which, against the background of one single advantage - low cost - make this material unattractive. The main disadvantages of liquid glass include the following points.

1. The main disadvantage of this waterproofing material is that when combined with cement mortar, it hardens almost instantly - the master has about five minutes, no more, to do everything. During this time, you need to have time to apply the prepared solution to the surface and level it properly. This property of liquid glass dictates some requirements for the work: firstly, such a solution should not be mixed in large quantities; secondly, it needs to be applied in a thin layer and, thirdly, you will have to work very quickly.
2. Another disadvantage of waterproofing a concrete pool with liquid glass is its fragility. Essentially, by resorting to this method of waterproofing, you create a layer cake on the surface, the first layer of which is ordinary leveling plaster, the second layer is waterproofing and the third layer is glue and tiles. There are too many elements of unreliability - to ensure a reliable connection of all layers with each other, you will have to try hard. The slightest deviation from the technology leads to a reduction in the service life of the pool by almost half.

Waterproofing the pool bowl: insulating membranes

In fact, waterproofing membranes are classified as roll-surfaced materials, the installation of which requires adhesive mastic. There is nothing bad to say about this technology - it performs its functions perfectly, lasts a long time, and installing the membrane is easy. The only point that may discourage you from using this material for independent work is the need for some equipment - in particular, we are talking about a gas burner with a fuel cylinder. Almost all membranes for waterproofing are fused to the inner surface, and they require a connecting link, which is bitumen mastic.

Waterproofing a concrete pool photo

If we describe this technology point by point, it looks like this.

1. To begin with, the inner surface of the pool bowl is checked for cracks, potholes and other defects, which, if detected, must be eliminated. The membrane must be laid on a flat surface, on which there should be no elements that could damage it.
2. Next (after cleaning the surface from dust, dirt and other debris), the inner bowl of the pool is covered with a layer of bitumen mastic - it should be thoroughly absorbed into the concrete surface. After applying it, you need to make sure that no dust or dirt gets inside the bowl anymore.
3. Now about the roll waterproofing itself, and in particular about the polymer membrane - it is simply rolled out in a single strip from one upper edge of the pool edge to the other. After which it is heated with a burner and carefully glued to the surface - professionals use a thick rubber roller for this purpose. Such waterproofing must be glued especially carefully in the corners. You should also pay attention to the connection of individual strips of the membrane - it is done with an overlap of 10-15 cm on each other.

In most cases, such waterproofing is laid in two layers - it is very difficult to achieve reliable sealing of corners in any other way. And in general, this material is classified as professional materials, and without practical experience, it is better not to mess with it.

Coating waterproofing for the pool: material features

This is the easiest to use waterproofing material for other surfaces that require protection from water - these materials include all kinds of deep-penetrating impregnations that reliably clog the pores of concrete and mastic, mainly based on bitumen or modern polymers. This is a material that, at a relatively low cost, can provide long-term and, most importantly, high-quality waterproofing of the pool with minimal labor costs - such mastic is applied using a large brush or spatula. To ensure reliable sealing, it is applied in two or even three layers - quite often it is used in conjunction with built-up waterproofing.

Coating waterproofing for swimming pools photo

When choosing this type of material to solve the question of how to waterproof a pool with your own hands, special attention must be paid to seams, cracks, gaps and interfaces of various surface planes. Previously, before applying the mastic, cracks larger than 0.4 mm are sealed with M600 injection clamp. Injection resins PeneSplitSeal or PenePurFoam, polyurethane sealant Rubberflex or Penecrit solution are excellent for sealing such defects. Before directly applying the coating waterproofing, the inner surface of the pool bowl is primed with Gruntofol, AquaDur or similar materials. Only after the primer has dried can a layer of coating waterproofing be applied to the inner surface of the concrete pool.

How to waterproof a pool with liquid rubber with your own hands

What is liquid rubber? This is an attempt to combine all the useful properties of coating and roll fused waterproofing - an attempt, one might say, successful, and today this is the most effective way to waterproof pools. It is notable for the fact that with equal success liquid rubber can serve as both the final coating of the inside of the pool and the basis for laying ceramic mosaics or tiles. The surface resulting from the use of liquid rubber is soft and pleasant to the touch, but most importantly, it is solid, without seams or joints. In general, this is the best thing you can come up with today for waterproofing the walls and bottom of the pool.

Waterproofing a swimming pool with liquid rubber photo

This coating is applied as follows.

1. As in almost all other cases, the inner surface of the pool bowl is pre-prepared - it is leveled to an almost ideal state, all defects are eliminated (including cracks), after which it is degreased and coated with a primer.
2. After such simple preparation, liquid rubber is applied. Professionals carry out this process using a compressor, but to solve the question of how to waterproof a pool with your own hands, an ordinary paint roller is quite suitable. Again, special attention should be paid to the angular joints of the planes - in these places it is better to apply liquid rubber with a brush and generously.

You can watch the professional method of applying liquid rubber in this video.

In general, this is the entire technology for applying such a waterproofing material for a pool as liquid rubber. Agree, it’s not at all difficult. It is much more difficult to decide on the choice of this very liquid rubber - today it is produced by quite a lot of companies, and almost all of their products are of good quality and high quality. Naturally, it is better to give preference to proven materials - these include Top Coat Any Color, Trowel Grade, Roller Grade.

In principle, this is all that can be said about the question of how and with what help is self-waterproofing of a pool done? The only thing that can be added here is to bring some clarity regarding the use of cement-containing mortars for waterproofing. Some home craftsmen try to use it for the pool and then bitterly regret it - such compositions cope with high humidity, but not with 100% exposure to water. They are absolutely not suitable for a pool, and in order not to waste your work and money, it is better not to mess with them.

A swimming pool is both a decoration for a personal plot or home, and a place for sports, relaxation and entertainment. Let's make a reservation - a good pool, filled with invigorating moisture that sparkles in the light of the sun's rays or LED lamps. And not the one that stands without water, representing an unattractive depression in the ground or in the floor. The durability of a pool is primarily determined by its waterproofing.

Therefore, if you are building a pool from scratch or decided to restore an old one, you are interested in waterproofing yourself, then you need to know what to choose from, and what surfaces need to be covered with waterproofing.

Pool waterproofing: materials

There are a lot of materials, and which one is suitable for your pool depends on the area in which you live, the climate, and the type of pool you have.

Main types of waterproofing:

• PVC film;

• penetrating waterproofing;
• coating waterproofing;
• liquid glass;

• liquid rubber;

• bitumen-based materials (in comparison with the latest developments they are significantly inferior, and therefore are almost not used, although they were previously widely used);
• adhesive insulation made of bitumen-polymer compositions, applied hot.

Methods of waterproofing a pool

There are external and internal waterproofing.

To protect the pool bowl from groundwater, external waterproofing of the pool is used. During the construction stage, plasticizers are added to concrete to increase its strength and water resistance.

The second option is to coat the concrete with penetrating compounds. For external waterproofing of swimming pools, do-it-yourself mastics Izofast and Tenabit-M, Penetron and Infiltron are used. These are those mixtures that contain sand, chemical additives (plasticizers) and cement. The result is that the mixture penetrates deeply into the concrete base of the future pool, filling the smallest cracks and micropores, strengthening its physical and chemical properties.

External waterproofing of the pool: technology

If there is a need to repair the pool, then external waterproofing of the pool is a very important step.

1. The walls are dug out along the perimeter of the pool bowl.

2. They are cleaned of contamination and inspected.

3. In places where the concrete has begun to deteriorate and peel off, cleaning is also carried out.

4. Seams and cracks are unstitched and cleaned in order to subsequently treat them with material for waterproofing the seams.

5. The outer walls of the pool are first covered with penetrating, then coating and elastic insulation (if you use cement-based waterproofing) and coating and insulating if you use bitumen-polymer mastic, which is also called liquid rubber.

Internal waterproofing of the pool: technology

1. The concrete base is cleaned of dust and debris.

2. Seams and cracks are opened and treated with materials to seal the seams. The joints are sealed with sealing tapes.

3. The surface is leveled. To do this, the surface is plastered: the walls are treated with waterproof compounds for swimming pools, and the bottom is treated with a self-leveling cement mixture.

4. The surface is primed with a primer using a roller or brush. After 3-4 hours you can begin applying subsequent layers.

5. The dry mixture is diluted with water to the consistency of thin sour cream (the ratio of liquid and dry material must be strictly observed, taking into account the instructions for the specific material indicated on the packaging).

6. Apply the solution to the previously prepared base using a brush or spray.

7. Particular care must be taken in handling:

• seams between the bottom and walls of the pool;
• seams created during concreting;
• places where communications are introduced;
• cracks in the concrete base;
• formwork fastening holes.

It is important to note here that to treat a pool with waterproofing compounds, you need to use them in a complex manner: first a penetrating solution, and then a coating solution. After applying the penetrating composition, the surface is treated with a solution of hydrochloric acid (4-5%). Then everything is washed off with water, and after another 30 minutes the treatment is carried out with a 4-5% solution of soda ash. Only after this is the coating mastic applied. Two-component elastic waterproofing is applied with a thickness of 2.5-4 mm.

If you use Hyperdesmo liquid waterproofing, you will need to apply 3 layers. After 6 hours, but no later than 24 hours (when the layer has polymerized but is slightly sticky), the reinforcing mesh is laid, and the second layer is poured on top of it. After this, fine-grained sand is poured onto the polymer layer that has not yet completely hardened to improve adhesion - adhesion to the next layer. If the coating is being prepared for tiles, then the surface is allowed to dry completely, the sand is brushed off and the laying of the tiles begins.

If tiles are not provided, then a third layer of polymer is applied on top of the second layer, to which pigments are added to obtain the desired color. Sometimes mastics of different colors are mixed to obtain the desired pattern. Since the third layer still needs to be strengthened, accelerator A-3000 is added to the solution for the finishing coating at the rate of 1 liter of accelerator per 25 kg of mastic. Mix everything thoroughly with a mixer to prevent bubbles from appearing. The mass should be homogeneous. Then, using a squeegee, it is evenly distributed and “spiked” - passed over the mixture with a spiked roller. Everything is reminiscent of the technology for applying self-leveling floors.

8. After treating the pool surfaces with waterproofing, you cannot walk on them, and the temperature should not be below 0°C for 3 days.

9. To prevent peeling and cracking of the material, in some cases (when using Penetron and other products), the surface must be moistened for 3 days, and in the inner part of the pool (the one that will be under water pressure) for almost 14 days. This is done by spraying water and covering the treated concrete surface with plastic film.

10. After all work is completed, the pool bowl is checked for leaks. To do this, water is filled into it for 10 days. If no leak is found, the water is drained, and the bottom is cleared of possible debris and allowed to dry.

11. After drying, begin decorating the pool bowl with mosaics or tiles (if necessary).

Waterproofing mastics

Depending on the purpose, the following types of waterproofing materials are used.

Particular attention will need to be paid to seams, cracks and gaps. If the cracks are more than 0.4 mm, use the M600 injection clamp. Dry cracks or wet ones, injection resins PeneSplitSeal and PenePurFoam, Penecrit solution or one-component polyurethane sealant Rubberflex will help you effectively get rid of them.

Before waterproofing the pool, it is primed. To prime the base for applying waterproofing material, use primer Gruntofol, AquaDur or similar.

For external waterproofing of swimming pools, do-it-yourself mastics Izofast and Tenabit-M are used, for internal waterproofing - Hyperdesmo or Penetron, Cemizol 2EP and 2EN, Idrosilex Pronto, Polybit Polyflex and Ceresit.

This polymer-cement mastic creates an elastic, water-resistant layer on the concrete surface of the pool bowl, which additionally makes the concrete resistant to mechanical stress.

Waterproofing a swimming pool with liquid rubber

Liquid rubber is a bitumen-polymer mastic that is sprayed onto the surface, adheres well to it and provides good waterproofing properties.

It is also called membrane coating. Such a material can combine the advantages of PVC membranes and liquid waterproofing. In this case, you will get a continuous coating that adheres well to the surface without seams. It will be as pleasant to the touch as a PVC membrane, and as dense and durable as polymer-cement mastics. Liquid rubber can serve as a basis for further laying of mosaics or tiles, and maybe as a finishing coating. Colored materials are already being produced, which makes it possible to use liquid rubber without decoration.

Among modern brands, Trowel Grade, TopCoat AnyColor, and Roller Grade are common. These are bitumen-polymer emulsions, mastics, which are used for waterproofing both the seams at the base of the pool and the entire pool.

Before applying liquid rubber, the surface is carefully leveled and treated with a degreasing compound. See paragraph 7 of the “Internal insulation of the pool” section.

Then the bitumen-polymer coating is applied with a roller or brush - this is what those who will waterproof a concrete pool with their own hands do. When carrying out such work, construction professionals use a compressor.

Waterproofing a pool with liquid glass

In order for the concrete to be more durable, as an option, liquid glass is added to it. This is the name for a solution of sodium and potassium silicates. This helps strengthen the material, makes it resistant to mechanical damage and reduces moisture absorption. This procedure is carried out during the construction stage. But liquid glass is used without cement: the surface is impregnated with it, which serves as protection from moisture, temperature, ultraviolet radiation and corrosion for a period of at least 5 years.

PVC membranes

The most progressive and reliable of film waterproofing materials is PVC membranes. This material combines waterproofing and decorative functions. This is a soft, durable, elastic film in a wide variety of colors. Every year new types appear - mosaic, marble, etc.

This film is resistant to mechanical damage, tolerates well if the base underneath is not perfectly flat, and the welds are strong. A geotextile fabric is usually laid under it, which hides all the irregularities that could negatively affect the waterproofing of the pool. This material can be used at temperatures from -50 to +80 degrees. The price of ALKORPLAN brand PVC membrane is $12-27 per linear meter. It is used in conjunction with geotextiles, the price of which is $1 per meter.

No matter how strong the membrane is, this material can still be damaged under certain circumstances. You can make a hole in it on purpose or accidentally. Therefore, mastics, liquid glass or liquid rubber are more often used for permanent pools.

Pasted waterproofing

For this type of insulation, materials based on polymerized bitumen are used, which are applied hot. These are stekloizol, rubitex and glass elast. The material is durable, frost-resistant, not afraid of sunlight and has good elongation, which means increased strength.

When waterproofing a swimming pool, you need to evaluate your strengths. The chosen method of waterproofing can be quite labor-intensive. Therefore, carefully study the technologies for applying one or another waterproofing and choose the one that you can handle without the involvement of specialists.

A particularly important stage in the construction of a concrete pool is waterproofing the structure. Mistakes made during waterproofing work can seriously shorten the life of the entire structure, lead to the need for constant repairs, and even make further operation of the pool impossible.

Why do you need internal and external waterproofing?

First, let's figure out what the functional features of waterproofing are. Its task is to prevent moisture from outside and inside the pool from entering the internal layers of the construction material, because a microcrack of 3 mm is fraught with destruction of the concrete bowl. There are external and internal waterproofing. The external one protects the pool structure from ground and flood waters, the internal one protects from the water that fills the pool, as well as from chemical compounds (disinfectants) used to purify the water. Disinfectants that are harmless to humans have a destructive effect on concrete structures.

Important! Regardless of the type of waterproofing, it only protects the bowl structure from moisture, but will not save it if the construction technology is violated.

Requirements for the quality of pool waterproofing:

• Strength and durability.
• Resistance to external influences.
• Significant elasticity.
• High adhesion rates.

Ideal waterproofing should have all of the specified properties, while forming a monolithic and seamless layer on the surface of the pool bowl.

External waterproofing

External waterproofing is subject to requirements similar to foundation waterproofing. The difference lies in the parameters of shrinkage and changes in the geometry of the pool structure under the influence of a significant volume of water and the resulting dynamic loads.

External waterproofing of the pool is carried out using the following materials:

In the construction of swimming pools, a combination of various materials is often used, which increases the reliability of the waterproofing layer. For example, walls are covered with bitumen mastic, followed by laying rolls of waterproof membrane. The seams between the rolls are welded with a construction hairdryer.

The use of modern highly effective penetrating and injectable compositions is limited to a certain extent by their high cost, as well as the cost of work on their application.

The most accessible and proven method remains the construction of a clay castle. The soil at the site where the pool will be installed is selected, clay is poured into the pit and compacted. Clay castle is used in combination with other waterproofing materials.

Important! When constructing a pool, the groundwater level should not be higher than the level of the bottom slab of the concrete bowl. Ground and flood waters are the main factor in the intense impact of moisture on the pool structure. To lower their level, groundwater is removed from the structure using a drainage system.

External waterproofing is used only for outdoor pools. It is not required for indoor pools.

Internal waterproofing

The pool bowl is a monolithic reinforced concrete structure, and the penetration of moisture into the micropores of concrete will inevitably lead to corrosion of the reinforcement frame and a decrease in the strength of the entire bowl. Moisture trapped in micropores under the influence of negative temperatures will begin to expand and form cracks. The mass of water in the pool bowl constantly exerts static and periodically dynamic pressure on the structure, accelerating negative processes in the material of the bowl. Internal waterproofing should resist this.

To install internal waterproofing, the concrete bowl is cleaned of dust and debris, checked for cracks and seams, which are treated with materials to seal the seams. Sealing tapes are used to seal joints.

The surface of the bowl is leveled by plastering the walls with waterproof compounds for swimming pools; a self-leveling mixture is used to level the bottom. All surfaces are primed with a primer (Gruntofol, AquaDur).

• For lining, materials based on polymerized bitumen are used (Stekloizol, Stekloelast, Rubitex). They are laid hot.
  
  
• For coating, mastics such as Cemizol 2EP, Idrosilex Pronto, Ceresit, and Penetron are used. In terms of their composition, these are polymer-cement mastics that create an elastic layer on the surface of the bowl.
  
  
• Waterproofing a pool can be done with bitumen-polymer mastic, which is called liquid rubber. Liquid rubber is sprayed with a compressor (for large volumes of work) or applied with a roller or brush. This mastic has increased adhesion to the surface of the pool bowl and creates a durable, elastic layer with excellent waterproofing properties. Liquid rubber combines the qualities of liquid waterproofing and PVC membranes. You can lay mosaics or tiles on the resulting layer. Manufacturers have now mastered the production of liquid rubber in different colors, which eliminates the need to lay down a finishing layer and eliminates the need for decoration. Liquid rubber is as pleasant to the touch as membrane materials. If the work on applying this bitumen-polymer mastic is carried out by a team of specialists (usually 3 people), then they can process up to 1000 m² per shift.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The use of membranes allows you to combine waterproofing and decorative functions. Membranes are produced that imitate marble, mosaic and other finishing materials. The disadvantages of this material include the rather high cost and complexity of the application process. First, the corners and contact lines of the bowl surfaces are treated with a special liquid, then reinforcing fabric is glued to these places, and the liquid is applied again. After drying, the liquid is applied with a roller to the entire internal area of ​​the pool. A reinforced fabric is laid over the liquid, carefully distributed over the bottom and walls, and again covered with a special liquid. After drying, all layers form a single continuous membrane with excellent waterproofing properties. Membranes require strict adherence to installation technology and control over the safety of the material.
  
  
  
  
• The most affordable material for pool waterproofing is PVC film. Typically, such films are used on inexpensive pools. After the film is spread, the seams are welded with a construction hairdryer. The laying speed of this material is high. The disadvantages include a very small selection of material shades and the inability to spread the film without seams, which will be clearly visible in the pool.
  
  

When installing waterproofing, sealing cords must be used to seal joints and seams, for example, Penebar polymer cord. The polymer swells upon contact with water and seals the gap or seam. After sealing the seams with cords, they are treated with a penetrating waterproofing compound.

After waterproofing work is completed, mosaics or tiles are laid on the walls and bottom. To prevent water getting through the tile joints from causing the tiles to peel off, special insulating grouts are used. Insulating grouts are polymer or epoxy compounds. Using a rubber spatula, they are pressed into the space between the tiles. Immediately after application, the tiles must be wiped so that the remaining composition does not dry on the surface.

Many owners of private houses are thinking about their own swimming pool, and the high cost of a finished pool with installation scares off most dreamers. But you shouldn’t give up on your dream, especially since you can build a swimming pool on your property yourself. The reliability of the entire structure depends on many indicators, and one of them is the waterproofing of the pool. This is exactly what we will discuss in our article, since when constructing a swimming pool yourself, high-quality waterproofing will be the key to the reliability of the entire structure, it will ensure correct and uninterrupted operation throughout its entire service life.

Purpose and types of waterproofing of swimming pools

To understand the functional features of waterproofing, it is worth understanding its varieties. So, there are two types of pool waterproofing:

• external;
• internal.

External waterproofing is necessary to protect the pool structures from the effects of groundwater, and internal waterproofing protects the concrete pool from the effects of water collected into it.

Swimming pools installed inside a building have only internal waterproofing, while outdoor structures must also have external insulation.

Don’t think that high-quality waterproofing will solve all problems. It will not protect you from improper installation of the pool bowl and its subsequent destruction. The purpose of waterproofing is only to prevent the destructive effects of moisture, which can penetrate through low-quality materials or damaged areas.

The installation of waterproofing must also be carried out at the appropriate stage of construction before the start of operation of the pool. If waterproofing was not completed on time, then cracks of more than 3 mm that form during operation will lead to damage to the entire structure and waterproofing at this stage will no longer help.

Depending on the material used, the following types of pool waterproofing are distinguished:

• coating waterproofing
• roll waterproofing.

The first type of waterproofing is laid on the carefully prepared base of the bowl from the inside. The most commonly used is one- or two-component cement-polymer waterproofing.

Roll waterproofing is used only for external work, since these materials have poor adhesion to various surfaces. After laying on the ground, all seams are welded, and the edges are raised for their subsequent connection to the wall waterproofing material.

Waterproofing methods and technology

Do-it-yourself waterproofing of a pool comes down to creating a special protective layer on the outside and inside of the pool bowl, which protects the structure from the destructive effects of moisture.

As you already understand, our task is to construct two waterproofing layers, each of which is carried out as follows:

1. The outer waterproofing layer is performed by introducing plasticizing and mineral additives into the concrete mixture, which increase the strength and water resistance of the bowl. All this is carried out during the construction or major repairs of the pool. For the same purpose, special profiles made of expanding rubber can be used.
2. The internal waterproofing layer is performed before finishing the pool. Most often, reinforced coating waterproofing is used for these purposes. The purpose of this waterproofing layer is to prevent moisture from seeping from the bowl into the structure.

Expert advice: although at first glance it may seem that high-quality waterproofing should be elastic, strong and durable, this is only partly true. Professionals say that an important feature of high-quality waterproofing is its ability to form a durable, continuous monolithic layer.

Materials for waterproofing swimming pools

Today there are a lot of different waterproofing materials for swimming pools, but you should choose them based on the design features of the pool bowl. Let's look at each of these materials in more detail.

High strength polyethylene films

This waterproofing material is considered the most inexpensive and accessible on the building materials market, but it has one significant drawback - even the smallest hole in it will lead to the replacement of the entire waterproofing layer.

Membrane waterproofing materials (PVC film, TPO, EPDM)

The quality of this material has been tested for decades, but its installation requires the participation of qualified specialists. The disadvantages of membrane materials include their high cost and rather expensive installation; in addition, they are afraid of any mechanical damage.
Among the advantages are:

• durability of waterproofing (service life reaches 50 years);
• environmental friendliness of the material;
• possibility of self-repair.

Penetrating waterproofing (mastics)

This material is a special penetrating mixture (mixtures of Xypex, Penetron, Kalmatron, etc.).

It is better not to use penetrating waterproofing as an independent waterproofing material. It is more suitable for repair purposes.

Bentonite mats

Natural sodium bentonite is used as the main ingredient in the mats. A special feature of this material is its ability to self-regenerate. This occurs when bentonite granules turn into a gel-like state when moisture enters and absorbs them. As a result, the resulting gel closes cracks and damage. The advantage of the material is its resistance to any type of mechanical damage. Among the disadvantages it is worth listing:

• the inability of the material to withstand high water pressure (granules are easily washed out);
• the ability for high-quality waterproofing appears only under a load of 200 kg/m2.

Liquid rubber

This seamless waterproofing material is ideal for constructing swimming pools of any configuration. Also, the material is absolutely safe for human health.

Special polymerizing impregnations (liquid glass)

This material is presented in the form of aqueous emulsions of polymer resins. These resins penetrate into the thickness of the concrete thicket and after a certain period of time polymerize (turn into plastic). This material is more suitable for the top of the pool. It creates an ideal base for the plaster layer.

Coating compounds for waterproofing

They are applied to the inside of the pool in the form of paste-like waterproof solutions. After drying, the compositions become waterproof. This is a fairly reliable and effective method of insulation.

Choose more expensive coating materials that are more effective and, when combined with fiberglass mesh, provide excellent strength, durability, elasticity and water resistance.

Bitumen

Quite an inexpensive material that has a lot of disadvantages:

• fragility;
• low adhesion;
• requires a perfectly level base;
• due to unevenness of the base, it quickly deteriorates.

Cost of materials for pool waterproofing

How to waterproof a pool with liquid rubber, see the video:

Instructions for waterproofing swimming pools

As you already understand, all work on self-waterproofing a pool can be divided into two stages:

1. External insulation device to protect the structure from groundwater.
2. Organization of waterproofing of the pool bowl from the inside.

At the first stage, you need to perform the following steps:

1. If the groundwater level is high, it is necessary to take measures to reduce it even before starting work on constructing a pool. The groundwater level should not exceed the bottom slab of the pool. To solve this problem, a drainage system is installed around the base of the pool.
2. Before installing waterproofing, it is necessary to prepare the base of the pool. For this purpose, a cement-sand screed is performed.
3. Now you can lay the external waterproofing of the pool. It is made with a large margin around the edges, so that in the future it can be placed on the wall and attached to the internal insulation of the walls. For this purpose, you can use PVC film or any other roll waterproofing.
4. When the tide of the pool bowl is low, it is also worth taking care of waterproofing. For this purpose, it is better to use concrete of at least grade B6.

In order to increase the waterproofing properties of concrete, it is worth adding plasticizing and special waterproofing additives, which, in addition to additional waterproofing, give the concrete strength and durability.

At the second stage, we carry out internal waterproofing of the pool (including under the tiles). Here we need to perform the following sequence of actions:

1. After pouring and hardening the pool bowl, it must be thoroughly dried and plastered.
2. Now you can begin to do the internal waterproofing of the pool yourself. For this purpose, any elastic waterproofing mixture is used, which is applied to the inner surface of the pool bowl in two layers.
3. To avoid leaks, it is necessary to evenly distribute the layers of the mixture along the walls and bottom of the pool.
4. After the waterproofing has dried, you need to check the pool for leaks. To do this, the bowl is filled with water and checked after some time.

As you can see, such an abundance of waterproofing materials will allow you to waterproof your pool with your own hands without any problems and your dream of your own pool will become a reality.