Designing Resilient Water Containment Systems

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Waterproofing commercial buildings involves significant complexity and risk. Systems that perform well initially may deteriorate over time, allowing moisture to penetrate the building envelope and compromise structural integrity. According to an Environmental Protection Agency study, 85% of commercial buildings evaluated experienced water damage at some time, and 45% had active leaks at the time of the study.

Water containment systems experience greater pressure and risk than conventional waterproofing applications. These systems must prevent both external moisture intrusion and reliably contain water within the structure. Hydrostatic pressure continuously presents stress on the exterior of a below-grade water containment system while the contained water applies similar stress on the internal structure, increasing the risk of eventual failure.

Architects are facing growing demand to design water containment systems as more commercial projects include onsite water containment applications, such as potable water storage, wastewater, fire suppression, stormwater management, and thermal energy systems. In addition, the growth in data center construction, currently 10.70% CAGR, is also increasing the demand for water containment systems. Many data centers deploy water containment to handle their cooling needs, which can reach up to 5 million gallons per day.

Reviewing evolving options and best practices can help efficiently develop water containment systems equipped to withstand the immense pressure they will encounter.

Address Installation Challenges That Magnify Risks

Installing waterproofing solutions for water containment systems is more complex and error-prone than standard building envelope systems in commercial buildings.

Improper mixing, inconsistent thickness, inadequate curing conditions, and poor quality control of a fluid-applied waterproofing system can introduce hidden defects. Because waterproofing systems are typically concealed after installation, these issues often go undetected until failure occurs. Without proper inspection methods, such as leak detection and adhesion testing, these common mistakes can cause ongoing problems.

• Substrate preparation oversights: If substrates are not properly cleaned and prepared, the waterproofing system will not fully bond.
• Long curing times: Extended exposure to UV rays, foot traffic, weather, and debris can weaken fluid-applied waterproofing membranes before they fully cure, causing continuity breaks and adhesion failures.
• Seams, laps, and terminations: Create breaks in continuity in a sheet-applied waterproofing membrane that are susceptible to failing under pressure.

Polyurea Tackles Waterproofing Challenges in Water Containment

Polyurea technology offers a promising option. Spray-applied Henry Prodeq™ System creates a fully monolithic membrane without seams, laps, and terminations, thereby eliminating common failure points. Prodeq delivers a fully adhered waterproof barrier with exceptional durability, chemical resistance, flexibility, and rapid cure times.

Prodeq also includes options engineered specifically for water containment systems. Prodeq FX600 and FX650 outperform traditional waterproofing methods with:

• Seamless Protection: Provides a continuous waterproof barrier with no weak points.
• Fast Cure Times: Reduce downtime with one-hour return-to-service times.
• Superior Adhesion: Fully bonds to the substrate, preventing failures and water migration.
• Chemical & Corrosion Resistance: Withstand harsh environments without degradation.
• Durable & Flexible: Resists wear, accommodates movement, and prevents cracking.
• Wide Application Range: Performs in extreme temperatures and humidity.
• Low VOC formula: Supports sustainable building practices.

Pursue Complete Protection Starting Early in Design Phase

As water containment applications become more prevalent, architects play a critical role in specifying systems that must perform under constant pressure. Evaluating advanced, seamless waterproofing technologies early in the design process can help prevent failures, streamline installation, and ensure lasting protection. Seamless polyurea technologies and integrated system approaches help project teams deliver long-term performance, reduce risk, and protect both the infrastructure and public health.

Want to learn more? Contact Henry, a Carlisle Company.

By Austin Moss, Director of Strategic Accounts for Advanced Coatings at Henry, a Carlisle Company

Austin Moss is the Director of Strategic Accounts for Advanced Coatings at Henry, a Carlisle Company. Since 2018, he has supported large scale commercial polyurea applications across major North American projects, including airports, stadiums, hospitals, and water containment facilities. Austin has played a key role in the commercialization of polyurea coatings and accessories, collaborating closely with multiple R&D teams to develop robust, high performance solutions for the building envelope.