Water-Retaining Structures

Integral Crystalline Waterproofing for Water Tanks, Treatment Plants, and Concrete Reservoirs

How Xypex Integral Crystalline Waterproofing Works

Xypex Admix C-Series provides integral crystalline waterproofing for concrete water tanks and other water-retaining structures. Contractors incorporate the admixture directly into the concrete during batching. Once added, its proprietary active chemicals react with moisture and cement hydration byproducts.

As a result, insoluble crystalline formations develop within the concrete’s pores and capillary pathways. These formations help reduce concrete permeability and restrict water penetration.

Unlike conventional surface-applied waterproofing membranes, Xypex Admix becomes part of the concrete itself. Consequently, the waterproofing treatment does not depend solely on an external barrier.

This technology supports waterproof concrete construction for water storage tanks, wastewater treatment plants, and concrete reservoirs. However, proper construction joint detailing, waterstops, and penetration seals remain essential for watertight performance.

Waterproof from Within. Protect Concrete for the Long Term.

Key Benefits

Supports safe drinking water storage with appropriately certified products

Provides long-term resistance to water penetration

Helps withstand positive and negative hydrostatic pressure

Improves concrete durability and service life

Reduces maintenance and leakage-related repairs

Potable Water-Safe Crystalline Waterproofing

Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology provides long-lasting protection for concrete structures used in potable water storage and distribution. Its crystalline technology reduces water penetration, improves concrete watertightness, and withstands hydrostatic pressure.

Suitable Xypex products with the required drinking-water contact certifications can be used in potable water tanks, concrete reservoirs, filtration basins, and municipal water storage facilities.

Contact AVA Concrete Protection for technical consultation, product recommendations, and certification guidance for potable water applications.

Waterproofing Solutions for Water-Retaining Structures

Concrete Water Tank Waterproofing

Protect concrete water tanks against leakage, moisture penetration, and hydrostatic pressure with Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology. Designed for long-term durability, Xypex helps maintain watertight concrete in potable water storage, industrial tanks, and water-retaining structures.

Potable Water Reservoir Waterproofing

Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology forms insoluble crystals within concrete to resist water penetration and hydrostatic pressure. Suitable for potable water applications where the required certifications are met, Xypex provides long-lasting protection for water tanks, reservoirs, filtration plants, swimming pools, and aquariums.

Water Treatment Plant Waterproofing

Protect concrete water treatment facilities against water penetration, leakage, and hydrostatic pressure with Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology. Xypex enhances concrete durability and provides long-lasting waterproofing protection for filtration tanks, treatment basins, and water storage structures.

Concrete Reservoir Waterproofing

Protect concrete reservoirs against water leakage, seepage, and hydrostatic pressure with Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology. Xypex helps improve concrete watertightness and long-term durability, providing reliable protection for water storage reservoirs, municipal water facilities, and large-scale water-retaining structures.

Wastewater Treatment Plants Waterproofing

Protect concrete wastewater treatment facilities against water penetration, leakage, and hydrostatic pressure with Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology. Xypex enhances concrete durability and provides long-lasting waterproofing protection for aeration tanks, clarifiers, treatment basins, and wastewater containment structures.

Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Waterproofing

Protect concrete sewage treatment facilities against water leakage, seepage, and hydrostatic pressure with Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology. Xypex improves concrete watertightness and long-term durability, providing reliable waterproofing protection for sewage tanks, treatment basins, aeration chambers, and underground containment structures.

Why Use Integral Crystalline Waterproofing for Water Retaining Structures?

Conventional waterproofing systems often rely on coatings, membranes, or linings applied to the concrete surface. These systems may require maintenance or replacement depending on exposure and service conditions.

Reduces Concrete Permeability

Reduces Concrete Permeability

Xypex crystalline technology forms insoluble crystalline structures within concrete pores and capillaries, helping restrict water penetration.

Supports Long-Term Concrete Durability

Supports Long-Term Concrete Durability

Reduced permeability can help limit the transport of water and certain dissolved substances associated with concrete deterioration.

Static Crack Self-Sealing Capability

Static Crack Self-Sealing Capability

Xypex reports the ability to seal static hairline cracks up to 0.5 mm under suitable conditions, subject to manufacturer specifications and project conditions.

Integrated During Concrete Batching

Integrated During Concrete Batching

Xypex Admix C-Series is added during concrete production, reducing dependence on a separate surface-applied waterproofing barrier for the treated concrete.

Suitable for Infrastructure Construction

Suitable for Infrastructure Construction

Crystalline waterproofing can be considered during the design and specification stages for large concrete tanks, reservoirs, and water treatment facilities.

Watch How Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Works

Waterproofing Design Considerations for Water-Retaining Structures

Effective water tank and wastewater treatment plant waterproofing requires more than selecting an admixture.

Project teams should evaluate the concrete mix design, structural loading, water pressure, crack-width limits, exposure conditions, and construction sequence.

Construction Joints

Specify appropriate waterstops and approved joint treatments.

Pipe Penetrations

Detail sleeves, seals, and interfaces to prevent leakage.

Movement Joints

Use suitable flexible joint systems designed to accommodate movement.

Concrete Cracks

Evaluate crack width, movement, structural significance, and repair requirements.

Potable Water Applications

Verify the required drinking-water contact approvals and certifications for the specific product and installation.

Wastewater Exposure

Assess chemical exposure, including sulfates, acidic conditions, and biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion, and specify supplementary protection where required.

We support projects during the design, specification, tender, procurement, and construction stages. Our focus is helping teams identify suitable crystalline waterproofing materials and coordinate technical requirements before concrete placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best waterproofing system for a concrete water tank?

The appropriate system depends on the tank’s design, intended use, water pressure, concrete quality, and exposure conditions. Xypex integral crystalline waterproofing is an option for new concrete water tanks because it reduces permeability within the concrete itself. Joints and penetrations still require dedicated waterproofing details.

Can Xypex Admix be used in sewage treatment plants?

Yes. Xypex crystalline admixtures are used in water and wastewater infrastructure. However, aggressive chemical exposure must be assessed separately, and supplementary protective linings may be necessary in particularly corrosive environments.

Is Xypex suitable for potable water tanks?

Xypex products may be suitable for potable water applications, subject to the relevant product-specific drinking-water contact certifications and local project requirements. Confirm current approvals before specification.

Does crystalline waterproofing replace waterstops?

No. Waterstops remain important at construction and movement joints. Integral crystalline waterproofing reduces permeability through the concrete matrix but does not replace proper joint design.

Can Xypex repair an existing leaking water tank?

Xypex offers surface-applied crystalline waterproofing and repair products for certain leakage conditions. The appropriate repair method depends on the cause of leakage, concrete condition, crack movement, and hydrostatic pressure.

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