POLY-SEAL Cementitious Waterproofing & Hydrostatic Pressure Control System

POLY-SEAL

Cementitious Waterproofing & Hydrostatic Pressure Control System

Engineered Waterproofing Technology for Concrete Rehabilitation, Water-Retaining Structures & Underground Infrastructure

Engineering Overview

Concrete structures continually exposed to water are subjected to one of the most persistent deterioration mechanisms in civil engineering—water ingress.

Whether caused by hydrostatic pressure, groundwater infiltration, capillary moisture migration or structural cracking, uncontrolled water penetration accelerates concrete deterioration, promotes reinforcement corrosion and significantly reduces the service life of critical infrastructure.

POLY-SEAL is a two-component, polymer-modified, fibre-reinforced cementitious waterproofing system engineered to provide long-term protection against both positive and negative hydrostatic pressure.

Developed specifically for concrete rehabilitation and waterproofing applications, POLY-SEAL forms a flexible, chemically bonded waterproof membrane that protects cementitious substrates while accommodating normal structural movement and hairline cracking.

The Engineering Challenge

Water rarely remains on the surface.

It migrates through concrete pores, construction joints, micro-cracks and capillary pathways, eventually reaching reinforcing steel and internal structural components.

The consequences include:

• Reinforcement corrosion 
• Concrete deterioration 
• Delamination 
• Rising damp 
• Internal water leakage 
• Structural degradation 
• Increased maintenance costs 

Traditional waterproofing systems frequently rely upon surface films that cannot adequately accommodate substrate movement or hydrostatic pressure over extended service periods.

Successful waterproofing therefore requires a membrane that becomes an integral part of the concrete structure rather than merely covering it.

Engineering Solution

POLY-SEAL has been engineered as a polymer-modified cementitious waterproofing membrane that chemically bonds with cement-based substrates to create a durable, flexible and highly impermeable waterproof barrier.

The fibre-reinforced formulation combines cementitious strength with polymer flexibility, allowing the system to bridge fine cracks while resisting both positive and negative hydrostatic pressure.

Unlike rigid waterproof coatings that may crack under substrate movement, POLY-SEAL maintains membrane integrity under normal structural movement, providing reliable long-term waterproofing performance.

Technology Platform

The system combines several complementary engineering technologies:

• Polymer-modified cement chemistry. 
• Fibre reinforcement. 
• Flexible waterproof membrane technology.  
• Hydrostatic pressure resistance. 
• Crack-bridging capability. 
• Chemical bonding to cementitious substrates. 

Together these technologies provide a waterproofing system specifically engineered for demanding civil engineering and infrastructure applications.

Engineering Performance

When incorporated into professionally designed waterproofing programmes, POLY-SEAL assists engineers, contractors and infrastructure owners by providing:

• Resistance to positive hydrostatic pressure. 
• Resistance to negative hydrostatic pressure. 
• Long-term waterproof protection. 
• Excellent adhesion to cementitious substrates. 
• Crack-bridging capability. 
• Flexible membrane performance. 
• Protection against water ingress. 
• Reduced maintenance requirements. 
• Extended structural service life. 

Positive & Negative Hydrostatic Pressure Protection

One of the defining characteristics of POLY-SEAL is its ability to resist water movement from either direction.

Positive Hydrostatic Pressure

Protection against water acting directly on the coated surface, such as:

• Swimming pools 
• Reservoirs 
• Water tanks 
• Canals 
• Fish ponds 

Negative Hydrostatic Pressure

Protection where groundwater or retained moisture pushes against the reverse side of the structure, including:

• Basements 
• Lift pits 
• Retaining walls 
• Underground structures 
• Tunnels 
• Foundation walls 

This dual-performance capability makes POLY-SEAL particularly suitable for complex waterproofing projects.

Typical Engineering Applications

Water Infrastructure

• Swimming pools 
• Water reservoirs 
• Potable water tanks 
• Fish ponds 
• Irrigation dams 
• Water canals 

Civil Infrastructure

• Bridges 
• Concrete culverts 
• Tunnels 
• Retaining walls 
• Underground structures 
• Lift shafts 

Buildings

• Basements 
• Cellars 
• Concrete roofs 
• Balconies 
• Bathrooms 
• Wet areas 
• Under-tile waterproofing 

Industrial Infrastructure

• Wastewater treatment plants 
• Pump stations 
• Cooling water structures 
• Concrete process tanks 

Product Characteristics

POLY-SEAL has been engineered to provide:

• Fibre-reinforced waterproof membrane. 
• Polymer-modified cement technology. 
• Excellent flexibility. 
• Crack-bridging performance. 
• UV resistance. 
• Oil resistance. 
• Application to damp substrates. 
• Non-corrosive formulation. 
• Excellent long-term durability. 
• Over-paintable finish where required. 

Curing & Commissioning

Touch Dry:

Approximately 24 hours

Full Cure:

Approximately 7 days

Where used in fish ponds or aquatic applications, the membrane should be fully cured, pressure washed to remove residual surface alkalinity and the water stabiliZed before introducing aquatic life.

Relationship Within the PCG Asset Preservation Engineering Methodology

Within the Polymer Coatings Group Asset Preservation Engineering Methodology, waterproofing is regarded as a critical component of long-term infrastructure preservation.

Effective waterproofing not only prevents water ingress but also protects concrete durability, minimiZes reinforcement corrosion and extends the operational life of civil infrastructure.

POLY-SEAL forms the cementitious waterproofing component within the PCG Concrete Preservation Technology Platform and is designed to integrate with other Polymer Coatings Group repair, rehabilitation and protective coating systems.

When incorporated into a complete rehabilitation strategy—including correct substrate preparation, crack repair and protective coating selection—POLY-SEAL assists infrastructure owners in reducing life-cycle maintenance costs while improving long-term structural reliability.

Engineering Support

Every concrete structure presents unique waterproofing challenges.

Polymer Coatings Group provides engineering support regarding:

• Hydrostatic pressure assessment. 
• Waterproofing system selection. 
• Concrete rehabilitation strategies. 
• Crack treatment. 
• Surface preparation. 
• Long-term asset preservation planning. 

Our engineering team works with consulting engineers, contractors and asset owners to develop waterproofing systems tailored to the operational requirements of each structure.

Engineering Insight

Concrete is not naturally waterproof.

Although concrete appears dense and solid, it contains an interconnected network of microscopic pores and capillaries through which water can migrate over time.

Without a properly engineered waterproofing system, moisture penetration can lead to reinforcement corrosion, structural deterioration and costly repairs.

POLY-SEAL has been engineered to become an integral part of the concrete substrate, providing durable resistance to hydrostatic pressure while extending the service life of critical infrastructure.