How to waterproof concrete rings for a septic tank. How to seal well rings. Waterproofing septic tanks made of concrete rings. Method using rolled waterproofing materials

There are several ways to build a septic tank. The most popular is laying out two or three cameras from ready-made concrete rings. This method is considered relatively quick, although it requires the use of special equipment, compliance with a number of building codes and financial costs.

Waterproofing concrete rings is one of the most important stages in constructing a septic tank. If this work is carried out incorrectly, you will not have to wait for a long and full operation. Waterproofing is in progress various methods and materials. It is important to find out about everyone, evaluate and choose the most suitable one.

Many of us iron concrete structures are perceived as something very durable, almost indestructible. In fact, in an aggressive environment the following can happen:

• leaching of concrete body;
• reinforcement corrosion;
• deterioration of load-bearing properties;
• loss of structural qualities.

If a concrete structure is located underground, its repair is a highly complex and expensive matter.

What is meant by aggressive environment? First of all, soil water. They contain a certain amount of acids or alkalis. Their concentration is quite low, but long years chemical reactions manifest themselves in full.

The destructive effect of the contents of any septic tank is beyond doubt. The chemical composition of wastewater can very quickly, within a few years, manifest all its corrosive properties.

Waterproofing a septic tank from concrete rings from the inside during the construction phase will strengthen the entire structure and extend its service life for many years. And it will also save owners and visitors of the land plot from many unpleasant consequences of violating the integrity of the septic tank. These consequences include: the penetration of wastewater into the soil, its contamination with microorganisms and the well-known “toilet smell” in the air.

Opponents of septic tank insulation claim: this event is completely useless. The reason is the composite nature of the structure. An earthquake and/or soil that has “floated” after melting snow or heavy rainfall will easily lead to displacement of the concrete rings relative to each other. Integrity will be violated, and with it - waterproofing layer.

You should not take such arguments on faith, and for the following reasons:

• concrete rings for a septic tank can be firmly connected using plates or clamps;
• there are rings with special locks;
• Some waterproofing techniques almost completely eliminate the displacement of rings.

Important: if the waterproofing of a septic tank made of concrete rings is not groundwater will be performed poorly or in violation of technology, the consequences will be exactly the same as if moisture protection had not been carried out at all.

Exist different kinds waterproofing. Work using some methods requires the use of special equipment. Some technologies are only available to professionals. There are waterproofing methods that are available for DIY. Regardless of the chosen method, it must be presented at least in general terms.

In the process of designing a septic tank, future owners often have a question: what shape and width should the pit be? Form in in this case not important, it can be round, rectangular or irregular. Width is a more important indicator. The pit for the septic tank should not only allow the installation of reinforced concrete rings there. Additional space should be planned for further sealing and waterproofing work.

Types of waterproofing

They differ in materials, processing methods and final cost.

Penetrating

Many experts recognize this method of protecting concrete as the best. It is carried out using special chemical compounds. Special substances penetrate deeply into the concrete body, fill all existing voids and crystallize.

Penetrating waterproofing is known for its “smart” effect. When humidity decreases, crystallization decreases; when humidity increases, it accelerates. If a crack appears in the concrete, it will be filled with an insulating substance.

The disadvantages of the method are its high cost and labor intensity. The surface of concrete rings requires special preparation and pre-treatment. But penetrating waterproofing compounds perfectly seal the seams between the rings.

Bituminous

Treatment with hot bitumen to impart moisture-proofing properties to materials has been known for many decades. Now this method has only one advantage - low cost. The bitumen coating is not resistant to freezing and thawing, it does not last long and soon begins to crack and peel.

There is another option - specialized bitumen mastics. They contain special additives that increase the durability of the coating and its service life. Another difference from ordinary bitumen is that mastics are applied cold, this simplifies and speeds up the work.

Polymer-cement

It is more expensive than bitumen, but cheaper than penetrating. Cement-based compositions with additives can be applied with a brush. It will take two layers; you don’t need to wait for the first to dry before applying the second (which means the work will go quite quickly).

Clay castle

If on plot of land or nearby there is an abundance of pure clay without admixture of sand, you can build a clay castle. The space around the concrete rings must be filled with clay with regular tamping.

Only external moisture protection cannot be carried out using this method. Usually a clay castle is made in addition to bitumen waterproofing.

Plastering

Using a special high-pressure cement gun, two thick layers of non-shrinking cement are applied to the walls of the rings. In addition to special equipment, the process requires a lot of time. Cement layers must dry gradually, slowly, so they must be watered with water at intervals of three to twelve hours. The second layer is applied only “dry”.

Plastic

Waterproofing a concrete septic tank from the inside can be successfully performed using a special sealed insert. This is a special plastic structure, which is reinforced with stiffening ribs and equipped with a hatch. It is recommended to fill the space between the insert and the concrete rings with a mixture of sand and cement or fill it with concrete. A plastic insert in concrete rings for a septic tank lasts about thirty years.

Sealing a septic tank, regardless of the chosen method, begins with treating the seams. But even before carrying out moisture protection work at the joints of concrete rings, it is necessary to seal the seams. Without this work, even the best waterproofing technique will not give a full result.

Sealing

Interring seams – weakness any septic tank. It is in this part of the tanks that the first leaks appear if the concrete rings for the septic tank are displaced. To prevent such an “accident”, concrete joints are sealed. Various techniques have been developed for this:

1. Applying rubber gaskets with bentonite granules to the places of future joints. The result is a plastic connection with a filling effect.
2. Use of rubber sealing tape or reinforcing fabric. They provide a high level of sealing, but are expensive. The reinforcing fabric must be exposed to ultraviolet irradiation.
3. A layer of polymer cement plus a lining made of rope (hemp or jute).

Important: sealing the septic tank does not replace the fastening of the rings. If concrete structures are not equipped with special locks, metal fasteners can be used.

Waterproofing is truly necessary when building a septic tank from concrete rings. Particularly important here are thorough preliminary calculations, selection of the most suitable technique and professional execution. If everything is done on high level, then the septic tank will last a long time and without problems.

Wells made of reinforced concrete rings require insulation after their construction. Waterproofing a septic tank made of concrete rings is conventionally divided into insulating the bottom and the rings themselves and sealing the seams between them. Let's consider the need for such a process, as well as the types of insulating materials.

Reasons for waterproofing concrete rings

The main reasons why such ring wells require mandatory waterproofing are as follows:

1. Water, especially the aggressive environment of septic tanks, leads to leaching (destruction) of concrete;
2. Corrosion of unprotected reinforcement frame;
3. It is possible that the well will overflow with rising groundwater. In addition to overflowing the well, they also lead to the destruction of concrete structures;
4. Seepage of fecal fluid from inside a well into the soil. This causes it to become infected. An unpleasant odor appears in the area around it.

For these reasons, it is more profitable to seal the structure than to periodically carry out major repairs.

Septic tanks

1. Polymer cement mixtures. Waterproofing a septic tank made of concrete rings with polymer-cement mixtures (for example, cement-coating) is cheaper than using bitumen materials. They also have a longer service life. This septic tank waterproofing is applied with a brush to the rings in two layers using the “wet on wet” method, i.e. Applying a second layer does not require the first to dry.

Popular brands of waterproofing include: Penetron, Penekrit, Lakhta, Hydrotex, Bastion RB 1, Tekmadray, Gidrostop, Aquastop. Insulation work is carried out in accordance with the instructions attached to it.

The prevailing opinion about the unnecessaryness of waterproofing concrete septic tanks can be easily refuted this coming spring. Therefore, you should not rely on chance. Carry out the insulation work correctly, and you will not have to redo the well in the near future.

The construction of a well is always accompanied by the protection and strengthening of the walls with waterproof materials. If the design is based on reinforced concrete rings, then they will be reliable, durable and hygienic, because the material does not contribute to the growth of bacteria. The system will protect against soil seepage and, but only if it is sufficiently protected. Therefore, at the construction stage, the well must be waterproofed using concrete rings.

The need for work

Concrete is not destroyed by moisture. The main feature of this material is that it allows water to pass through well if it has not been waterproofed. Because of this, the properties of the structure will be exposed to moisture when in contact with wet concrete, this includes metal and wood. Rust will grow throughout the reinforcement, deforming it and making it less durable. This causes the destruction of the entire structure.

Waterproofing a well made of concrete rings is necessary to prevent the material from absorbing moisture. Reinforced concrete rings are subject to such protection even at the production stage. Typically suppliers use the following waterproofing methods:

• constructive;
• technological;
• use of waterproof cement.

The first method involves treating products with water-repellent substances after manufacturing. At the production stage, technological waterproofing is used, this should include the technology of compacting concrete that is still in the molds. The material is subjected to centrifugation, vibrocompression and vacuum removal of excess moisture.

Moisture protection can also be ensured by adding various water repellents to concrete. These ingredients begin to work after the concrete hardens, swell and clog pores and microcracks. This provides the concrete with the ability to withstand moisture. These measures contribute to the rise in price of reinforced concrete rings, but if you decide to save on rings, then it is important to seal the seams and joints between structural elements. This will provide long-term protection against rot, corrosion, mold and mildew.

Waterproofing materials

Waterproofing a well made of concrete rings may involve the use of one or more materials. They can be classified according to internal and external purposes. Last option involves the use clay castle, but this method cannot be called the only one. Internal insulation is a treatment of the following types of materials:

• injection;
• penetrating;
• coating

Before waterproofing a well made of concrete rings, it is important to correctly determine the method of protection, which depends on the degree of mineralization of groundwater. Some technologies private developer does not have the opportunity to choose, because they involve the use of special equipment.

Waterproofing methods: injection waterproofing

The dimensions of the concrete rings are not the only thing that is important to choose for the correct operation of the system. It is also necessary to provide water protection. Injection materials are the case when you should seek help from specialists. Waterproofing of this kind - expensive pleasure, but you won’t have to do it again, because the material is ready to last as long as the entire structure will be used.

Polymer compounds are pumped into the material, plugging cracks and pores. The advantages of this method of moisture protection are:

• possibility of using for insulation of new structures;
• possibility of repairing well waterproofing;
• no need for surface preparation;
• the ability to eliminate gushing and pressure leaks.

However, such waterproofing of a well from groundwater also has some disadvantages, among them the high cost and the need to use pumping equipment high pressure.

Use of penetrating materials

This technique is an example of a unique principle where the power of water is used to protect against attacks. Water repellent particles crystallize under the influence of water and clog pores. As humidity increases, moisture protection becomes more reliable, because waterproofing hardens much faster. The following types of materials can be used to carry out such work:

• "Remstream-T".
• "Infiltron-100".
• "Penetron".
• "Penecritus."

Solid elastic coating materials

This solution can be used for waterproofing wells, swimming pools and foundations. Application is carried out on prepared substrates, and then the material is left until dry. After this, the waterproofing acquires:

• elasticity;
• high tensile strength;
• resistance to low temperatures.

The most popular solution on domestic market The Spanish product “Tekmadray Elast” is used, which is a two-component coating. DuPont products have also proven themselves well, as has the Italian Mapei. If you want to save money, you should purchase Russian waterproofing “Rastro”, which will be cheaper than its foreign counterparts. Waterproofing the well seams can be done using a tape sealant such as Rubber Elast.

External well waterproofing technology

When constructing a well, external waterproofing measures are usually taken. If we are talking about the need to protect the old structure, then a fairly large amount of excavation work will have to be carried out. For this, roll materials are usually used, for example, roofing felt. However, penetrating protection can also be used.

The surface should be prepared. The outer walls of the structure open as much as possible. To do this, dig the ground around the well to a depth of 4 m. The base is cleaned of dirt. If you have to work with an old structure, then you may see some parts of the reinforcement that have become exposed during operation. They should be cleaned and treated with an anti-corrosion compound.

If the waterproofing of a well is being repaired, then the walls must be covered with soil; you can use “Betonkontakt” or a bitumen-rubber composition, which have proven themselves well, as well as cement-sand mortar, to which PVA glue is added. The composition is left to dry, and then bitumen or tar mastic is applied to it. Roofing felt is glued onto its surface, the seams between the sheets should be coated with mastic. When choosing penetrating insulation, you should skip the step of priming the walls. They are moistened and coated with Penetron, leaving them to dry for three days. The surface should be moistened periodically.

Internal waterproofing

Waterproofing the well from the inside should begin after pumping out the water. It is important to ensure that the level does not rise until the work is completed. The internal surfaces are cleaned with a wire brush, it is important to remove dirt, moss and loose concrete. The cracks and joints should be cleaned and deepened, only then can waterproofing measures begin.

If leaks open during this, they can be sealed with Aquafix or analogues of this substance. Megacret-40 repair compound is excellent for cracks. Once the layers have dried, the walls of the well must be moistened and applied using a wide brush. The technology requires compliance with SNiP; waterproofing of a well from concrete rings, according to the rules, is applied as the first layer to the moistened surface. The second coat should be applied without wetting. It will take 24 hours for the materials to harden; during this time it is important to ensure that the water does not rise.

Additional information about waterproofing with bituminous materials

Waterproofing a well made of concrete rings bitumen mastic carried out quite often. This technology is most suitable for external protection. The surface is prepared, cleaned and coated with a primer that will be able to provide a good degree of adhesion. For sewerage and technological structures, you can use a composition of three parts gasoline and part bitumen. In order to achieve high quality waterproofing, the seams should additionally be taped with bentonite rubber tape. Instead, CeresitCL 152 tape is sometimes used.

After drying, you can begin repairing the rings, repairing chips, cracks and potholes. For this you should use cement mortar. After this, the surface is primed again, coated with tar mastic, because bitumen can crack, after which you can begin gluing the roll waterproofing in 3 layers. It is recommended to treat all seams and joints with mastic and fill them with soil. Around concrete well After the soil subsides, it is better to make a blind area.

Conclusion

Before starting sewer installation work, you should familiarize yourself with the dimensions of the concrete rings. For example, the diameter depends on the type of structure and can vary from 70 to 200 cm. As for the height, on average it is 50 cm. But the parameters of the rings are not the only thing that should be taken into account before installing a well. It is also important to comply with SNiP 3.05.04-85, which contains recommendations for waterproofing.

Waterproofing a well is one of the most difficult types of waterproofing work. Without high-quality waterproofing of concrete rings, structures made from them are of little use as a source of drinking water. Special requirements for septic tanks and drinking wells allow the use of only a limited range of materials that do not pose a danger to humans and environment. This article discusses the waterproofing of a well made of concrete rings.

Well - indispensable attribute suburban, rural, summer cottage area. There are three types of wells according to their purpose:

• 1. Wells for obtaining drinking water. Over time, the walls of the well gradually lose their waterproofing properties and particles of soil and clay, products of agricultural and other activities, ground salts and much more get into clean water. This is why wells of this type require very high-quality external waterproofing.
• 2. Sewer well or septic tank. In this case, the hydraulic protection should work differently - to prevent contamination of the soil surrounding the well.
• 3. Technological (dry) well for servicing the water supply and sanitation system. We can say that these are a kind of technical premises in which they are located various systems, for example, water supply. There should be no moisture in such wells and there should be high-quality waterproofing both inside and outside.

Each of the three types of wells must have completely sealed walls so that the external moisture of their upper soil layers does not get inside, or vice versa - contaminated water does not leak from the septic tank into the ground. To do this, it is imperative to carry out such measures as waterproofing the well, especially if it is built of concrete rings. The fact is that, depending on the number of rings, there will be the same number of circular seams in the well through which water exchange will occur.

Figure No. 1. Drinking well

If these requirements are not met, the consequences can be very unpleasant - from poisoning with poor-quality water to contamination of water-bearing levels, surrounding water bodies, or failure of water supply equipment.

Waterproofing for a drinking well eliminates the most efficient materials, for example, bitumen-polymer mastics, as they give the water an unpleasant taste and are potentially hazardous to health.

If you plan to place both a septic tank and a septic tank on your site, then keep in mind that the distance from the well to the septic tank must be at least 15 meters. The most important thing is that the septic tank is located below the well according to the terrain.

Reasons for possible leaks in concrete wells

Water can penetrate into the well or from the inside out not only through the joints between the rings. Also problematic is the place where the pipe enters, leakage through poorly executed bottom waterproofing, or cracks that may arise, which can be caused by improper installation, poor-quality concrete, or temperature changes in winter. Another one common reason Leaking concrete sewer wells is a constant aggressive environment, due to which the concrete gradually collapses and moisture seeps out.

Therefore, waterproofing the well must be done both from the inside of the walls and from the outside.

Figure No. 2. Waterproofing a well made of concrete rings

External waterproofing of a well

Sealing the walls of wells from the outside is done the same for all types. External waterproofing of the well is carried out to the upper edge of the well.

Preparation work can be carried out at an air temperature of at least + 5 degrees.

It is most convenient to install waterproofing of a well from the outside during the construction stage. Otherwise, you will have to carry out a significant amount of earthworks and completely open the walls of the well.

Figure No. 3. External waterproofing of seams of concrete well rings

Surface preparation

It may also be necessary to dig a well when performing repair work. The depth of soil removal should be at least 3-4 meters.

An existing well must first be drained. Draining the walls of the well is carried out until they disappear dark spots on concrete. In rainy weather, the well must be protected from precipitation.

Loose concrete should be removed using a chipper. The outer surface is thoroughly cleaned: dirt, overgrown moss, salt deposits, etc. are removed. If metal parts are exposed when cleaning the surface, they must be carefully treated - remove rust and cover with an anti-corrosion solution.

Around places where there are seams and cracks, at a distance of up to 2 cm, it is necessary to make a recess in the concrete to a depth of about 2.5 cm. This will increase the area of ​​​​contact of the concrete surface with the sealant.

Figure No. 4. External waterproofing of the well with bitumen mastic

Waterproofing with bituminous materials

For external waterproofing of wells, rolls are most often used. bituminous materials and bitumen mastics.

1. 1. The initially prepared surface is coated with a primer to ensure good adhesion. For wells with drinking water it is necessary to use a ready-made safe composition (for example, a primer composition such as “Betokontakt”). For technological and sewerage structures You can use a composition of 1 part bitumen and 3 parts gasoline.
2. 2. If you want to make very high-quality waterproofing, then additionally the seams can be taped with a special bentonite-rubber tape or CeresitCL 152 tape.
3. 3. After the primer has dried, repairs to the concrete rings begin: cracks, chips and potholes are repaired - the surface should be as smooth as possible. To fill the voids of damaged concrete rings, a cement mortar or a cement-sand composition with the addition of PVA glue in a ratio of 5 to 1 is useful.
4. 4. After the cement has dried, the surface is primed again.
5. 5. The next step will be the actual installation of waterproofing. To do this, the walls of the well are coated with tar mastic, since bitumen tends to crack.
6. 6. Then pasted roll waterproofing in 3 layers, no less.
7. 7. Next, all seams and joints of the insulating material are treated with mastic and the soil around is filled up. After its subsidence, a blind area must be made around the concrete well.

This work must be performed with respiratory protection, and then the well must be well ventilated.

Figure No. 5. Waterproofing "Penetron"

Application of penetrating waterproofing

A clay castle is not needed if there is stone, sand, or peat after the fertile soil layer. In this case, only rain and melt water must be drained, which in turn prevents surface water from entering directly into the storage part of the well.

Figure No. 7. Preparing clay for a clay castle

The clay castle is made to a level just above ground level. You can lay tiles or crushed stone on top around the well.

Video No. 1. Construction of a clay castle

Work on arranging a clay castle should be carried out dry warm weather. In this case, the soil most often used is the one that remained during construction. The clay must be selected very carefully: there should be no stones or sand.

Initially, the top fertile layer of no more than 1-2 m around the well is removed. Tamping is carried out in several successive stages. Each stage consists of creating a thin clay layer with a slight slope in relation to the walls of the well. The clay is wetted and firmly compacted into a small ball that fits in the palm of your hand. So, ball by ball, the clay is laid along the walls and pressed firmly. Such clay does not allow water to reach the walls, but forces it to flow to the sides. In order for the clay to be laid with maximum effect, the thickness of each layer should be maintained at 12-15 cm. The initial layers of clay must be compacted very well. The dimensions of the clay castle should be in the range of 2 to 3 meters from the walls of the well.

Figure No. 8. Arrangement of a concrete blind area around the well

Concrete blind area

If you rush to concrete the area around the well without waiting for the soil to shrink, then in 2-3 years the water in the well will be cloudy during floods and after each rain. Your well will turn into drainage well. If the clay lock of a well is broken, then in a few years it will be simply dangerous to drink from such a well.

Video No. 2. Internal waterproofing of a well

Internal waterproofing of a well

Internal insulation is carried out after the construction of the well and the installation of the bottom. If you need to seal an old well from the inside, then the water must be pumped out and the concrete walls must be thoroughly dried, since most insulation materials must be applied to dry surfaces.

The work can be performed using the following waterproofing compounds:

• - special cement putty;
• - molten bitumen or bitumen-gasoline composition;
• - cement-polymer mixture;
• - bitumen-polymer composition;
• - polymer waterproofing.

The first two methods are the cheapest, but they can only be used for concrete sewer wells. Compositions containing bitumen should never come into contact with drinking water.

If, while preparing the walls for insulation from the inside, leaks of external water are observed, use the so-called hydraulic plug - cement composition instant hardening AQUAFIX or Peneplag. This will allow you to perform all the necessary operations to waterproof the well efficiently.

AQUAFIX is a quick-setting hydraulic solution for instantly stopping water leaks, which has a flow rate of about 1.6 kg/l.

Figure No. 9. AQUAFIX hydraulic plug

“Peneplag” – dry mortar, which consists of special cement, quartz sand specific granulometry and patented active chemical additives. "Peneplug" is used to instantly eliminate pressure leaks in structures made of concrete, brick, natural stone and has a consumption of about 1.9 kg/l.

Technology of work execution

Preparatory work is generally similar to work during external waterproofing well: the well must be drained and kept dry throughout the entire period of repair work, cleaned and the surface prepared.

Joints, crevices and cracks must be carefully gouged to a shallow depth of 20-25 mm and thoroughly cleaned with a hard-bristled metal brush.

Figure No. 10. Coating waterproofing AQUAMAT-ELASTIC

All potholes must be repaired using a cement-polymer mixture and wait until the solution has completely dried, and then proceed to the final stage of work. At the end, it is necessary to cover the surface of the well with coating waterproofing in two layers. Follow the recommendations in the instructions for the material. Our experts recommend using special composition AQUAMAT-ELASTIC from ISOMAT.

Review of materials

Cement mixture– there are ready-made dry mixtures on sale, which only need to be diluted with water according to the instructions and applied in several passes to form a layer of about 0.7 cm. The composition must dry for several days, so the surface must be moistened several times a day, and the well itself must be closed lid. The service life of such insulation does not exceed 15 years. For example, such mixtures are produced by the manufacturing company LITOKOL.

Bitumen-gasoline painting– the composition is prepared with their components in equal quantities. It must be applied in three layers with a break of 12 hours. Follow safety regulations. This option, like bitumen-polymer mixtures, is acceptable for use only in sewer wells. The service life is short - 5-10 years. Fused roll insulation can serve up to 30 years.

Cement-polymer mixtures- This is the most affordable of modern effective waterproofing materials. The best system today is the ISOMAT system. It includes the already mentioned AQUAFIX hydraulic plug, a modified repair composition MEGACRET-40 for sealing cracks and puttying joints and a finishing two-component elastic mixture of cement and polymer materials, which must be applied by coating with a layer of up to 0.3 cm. This composition is completely inert, environmentally friendly safe, does not affect water quality in any way.

Figure No. 11. Repair composition MEGACRET-40 for sealing cracks and puttying joints

Same quality result can be obtained using inexpensive non-shrink coating Penecrit or Penetron Admix. It is applied in 3 layers with a spatula. The service life of cement-polymer waterproofing is about 40-50 years.

A more expensive option is the two-component composition CeresitCR 166, which has increased elasticity. It should be applied in two layers, with a reinforcing fiberglass mesh placed on the first layer before it hardens. The service life of this waterproofing exceeds 60 years.

Polymer waterproofing mixtures - this is the most expensive, but also the most effective method, since the polymer membranes that are installed on special mastics are very elastic. If your well is unstable, deformations and new cracks may appear, then you should not save money, but purchase polymer waterproofing. The most attractive price/quality ratio is for domestic products of the TechnoNIKOL brand. In this case, you will not be bothered by leaks in the well for at least 40 years.

Features of waterproofing a septic tank and a technological well

The design of a multi-chamber waste septic tank requires the presence of several successive wells. So, the last of them does not need to be waterproofed, because the essence of filtration is to ensure that the water goes into the ground as much as possible. Since it is an excellent biofilter, a small amount of wastewater will not cause harm. But, anyway, you should first consult with the environmental service - they may have their own restrictions.

But what the septic tank must be very carefully protected from is the ingress of rain and melt water. Therefore, it is necessary to very carefully seal all joints between elements.

Since the well is for Maintenance must be completely dry, then insulation must be performed both externally and internally.

Video No. 3. Waterproofing a well from the inside

Waterproofing of ring joints

For the construction of wells, rings with locks are usually used. A lock is a groove on the top and bottom of a ring. When the rings are lowered into the well, they stand on top of each other, which is called “groove in groove”, a kind of “lock” is obtained, thanks to which it is easier to align the shaft vertically, and it is more difficult for the rings to move to the side. The advantage of rings with a lock is that a strong and tight connection of the rings is ensured and there is no need to additionally seal the joints between the rings. However, it would not be a bad idea to cover the joint with cement mortar.

Figure No. 12. Waterproofing joints of concrete rings

Work should begin with insulating the bottom, then installing the ridge plate and the first ring. A special plate with a ridge is installed at the bottom of the well, which is needed for proper centering of the first ring.

Waterproofing of the joints of concrete well rings is carried out inside and outside. Between the rings (as well as between the first ring and the bottom), it is necessary to install a spacer cord (“Gidroizol M” or bentonite-rubber “Barrier”).

Inside, the joints can be waterproofed using the same coating waterproofing AQUAMAT-ELASTIC from the ISOMAT company, and outside using coating waterproofing on a bitumen or rubber basis, as well as roll waterproofing, for example, the most common roofing material will do.

Video No. 4. Rules for constructing a well

Conclusion

After reading this article, you can draw an obvious conclusion - waterproofing a well is not a simple matter, which is best left to a competent and reliable specialist, rather than done with your own hands.

Without high-quality waterproofing of concrete rings, structures made from them are of little use as a source of drinking water. Only the organization of a protective layer will help prevent organic matter and sand from getting into the well, as well as significantly extend the service life and prevent the destruction of the internal reinforcement of the reinforced concrete structure.

Joints between rings in reinforced concrete wells in almost all cases require sealing, especially in middle lane, where the soil is periodically or constantly saturated with water. Waterproofing is carried out during installation of the shaft, using different methods, as well as during operation if leaks occur.

Which wells need to be sealed?

A concrete well has three basic purposes:

• Source of drinking water at a private house. Needless to say, the walls of such a well must be carefully insulated so that contaminants from the soil, especially from its upper layers, do not enter the water?
• The septic tank must also be sealed so that sewage and household waste entering it do not seep into the surrounding soil and poison it.
• Inspection well on the telephone, stormwater, water and sewer serves as a kind of technical room for monitoring the status of communications, so access to it should be easy.

In all cases, sealing the seams between the rings is mandatory. It ensures the maintenance of a stable environment in the well, and therefore its normal functioning.

Weak spots

During operation, waterproofing protection wears out due to various factors:

• Exposure to groundwater and aggressive environments;
• Seasonal temperature changes;
• Penetration of moisture under the insulation through cracks in concrete;
• Installation errors or use of low-quality materials.

In order to prevent significant leaks, it is important to periodically inspect the well from the inside and, if defects are detected, correct them in a timely manner.

The seams between the rings can be depressurized, but more often problems arise with the sealing of the well wall at the place where the pipe enters. The fact is that the pipe enters the shaft at an angle; in addition, it is made of a different material (metal, plastic), so an ideal seal cannot always be achieved.

Types and materials of waterproofing

To prevent waste from getting into the drinking well from the ground, and to prevent waste from leaking out of the sewer well, the walls of the shaft are insulated:

• From the inside;
• Outside.

When installing rings, the joints are worked out on both sides. To enhance the effect, competent specialists process not only the seams themselves, but also the entire wall. This reduces the risk of water seeping through individual cracks, and the concrete remains unharmed during the life of the insulation.

How to seal joints:

• Roll or coating insulation based on bitumen binder (coating, roofing felt sheets);
• Penetrating waterproofing based on cement and polymer additives;
• Concreting (plastering);
• Liquid glass and ready-made solutions for insulating walls from the inside.

In addition to the main ones, they will be useful rubber seals, clay lock and other products for sealing the pipe entry.

Working with input

• Use of sealing kits. They are sold assembled, so you just need to assemble the insulation according to the instructions. The kit may include sealing gaskets, pressure disks, fittings, and adapters.
• The second method is to wrap the pipe with bitumen tape in several layers and fuse it to the concrete walls.
• Seal the pipe with cement mortar and polymer sealant.

External waterproofing

Let's consider the work algorithm for insulating the outer walls of a well shaft. Please note that before starting work, in all cases it is necessary to clean the surface of the rings, fill potholes with cement mortar, and prime the base with primer solutions deep penetration.

Bitumen coating and pasting

The prepared surface of the rings must be put in order and dried. Next, a coating is made with molten tar or bitumen mastic, onto which roll waterproofing is glued.

It is important to treat the joints between the sheets with mastic in order to achieve complete tightness of the insulation.

Independent coating waterproofing not effective enough in ground conditions, so it is recommended to combine it with a roll one.

Penetrating waterproofing

Impregnated insulation will help prevent leaks from the outside. Its advantage is ease of application - it is a deep penetration solution that is distributed over the surface of the wall with a roller. Mixtures for preparing the product are dry powders “Gidropronic TOP”, “Etalon GO(P)” and others, the popular and effective ready-made emulsion Penetron (also available in the form of powder and concrete additive).

Before application, the wall is not treated with a primer, only moistened if required by the technology for using the product used.

Unlike concrete and roll waterproofing, penetrating waterproofing is not able to cover the joint itself, so it is coated with cement during installation. The treatment solution covers both the outer wall and the frozen seam, compacting its structure with its own components. As a result, resistance to water and aggressive environments in the soil increases significantly.

Plastering

The traditional way to protect a well shaft from the outside is plastering with cement mortar with improvers. Any special additive can be used as a plasticizer, for example. The modified material acquires increased strength and resistance to water due to its very dense structure after hardening.

Plastering is carried out several days before filling the soil; the layer thickness is usually 5-9 cm. A thick coating should be reinforced with mesh for additional rigidity.

Internal protection

If the purpose of the well is a septic tank or an inspection shaft, then the inside can be waterproofed with the same materials as the outside. In the case of a drinking well, the use of chemicals is unacceptable; then special means will come to the rescue.

During waterproofing work at the construction stage, the treatment of seams can begin immediately; in the case of restoration of a well, its cavity must be cleaned of waste and contaminants, and the water must be pumped out. The walls should be cleaned and degreased, the seams should be embroidered up to 3 cm deep for ease of filling. If a leak occurs during the cleaning stage, the hole should be closed repair mixture MEGACRET-40 and wait for it to dry completely.

The waterproofing itself is carried out using any safe solutions intended for drinking wells, for example, liquid glass, the joints are filled with AQUAMAT-ELASTIC, Peneplag or their analogues.

It is not necessary to process the entire inside of the well; it is enough to work on the joints of the rings and the junction of the bottom with the shaft.

One of the indispensable conditions for achieving comfortable stay at the dacha or in country house– this is the presence of all plumbing fixtures and their normal functioning, which cannot be achieved without good sewerage. The thought immediately comes to installing a septic tank made of reinforced concrete rings on the territory of your estate. It is not at all difficult to carry out such a construction at home. To do this, you need to dig a hole with an excavator or manually, and install reinforced concrete rings using a truck crane (or manually).

After completing the installation work, it is necessary to seal the septic tank for its proper operation. In this article, let's look at all the details of the sealing job. Using these recommendations, it will not be difficult to complete the work on your own.

Purpose of sealing

Currently, the use of a septic tank made of concrete rings is popular among owners of summer cottages and private houses. But it’s no secret that for the septic tank to work properly, it is necessary to waterproof it - this will make it airtight. This work should be done in mandatory. If these rules are neglected, the septic tank can become a source of infection. personal plot. Sewage will seep through the leaky walls of the septic tank, thereby contaminating groundwater. And if groundwater itself gets inside the septic tank, it will overfill it and lead to improper operation. This is why sealing a concrete septic tank is so necessary and represents protection for the entire concrete structure.

Mainly used for sealing:

• bitumen waterproofing;
• penetrating waterproofing;
• polymer cement waterproofing;
• plastic inserts;
• silicone

In its structure, silicone has a high degree of density. By treating the entire surface of the concrete rings, silicone gets into all holes and cracks. Thereby preventing both groundwater from entering the septic tank and the release of sewage into the ground. Of course, other means of sealing are used, but the most high degree Silicone has protection.

Sealing process

So, you installed concrete rings into the dug hole using a truck crane. If the edge of the ring has a special lock for installation, then its connection will be tight. Rings with a flat edge do not have good tightness, so the joints must be sealed with a cement-based sealant.

The bottom ring with the bottom of the pit must have special tightness. When the ring design has a poured bottom, the question of additional sealing disappears. But if you installed a simple ring, then the bottom of the hole must be concreted before installation. The bottom of the pit is concreted using reinforcing mesh. From pieces of reinforcement according to the size of the bottom of the pit, a mesh is laid out on the brick. The rods are tied together with wire and filled with concrete with the addition of crushed stone. After installing the ring on the makeshift bottom, seal well all the cracks formed between the bottom and the flat edge of the ring. Sealing is also performed with a cement-based sealant. Further, sealing is performed depending on the location of groundwater. After all, this whole process is intended to prevent contact of sewage with soil and water.

A septic tank made of concrete rings is sealed in two ways:

1. If the groundwater is low, enhanced sealing is performed on the lower part of the septic tank. This prevents germs from entering the soil and water through the cracks.
2. When groundwater levels are high, immediate contamination occurs due to contact with sewage. Therefore, enhanced sealing of the upper part of the septic tank is performed.

The best option is to completely seal the concrete septic tank. This is done by installing plastic cylinders. The cylinder is made of polyethylene with a wall thickness of 8 mm. Its height can be from 1 to 4.5 meters. The material from which the cylinder is made has high tightness. It is more profitable to install a solid cylinder to reduce the consumption of silicone for sealing seams.

The polyethylene cylinder is cut with a jigsaw to the right size and is inserted into concrete rings. All joints and seams are filled with silicone for complete sealing. To prevent rain and melt water from filling the septic tank, the top of the cylinder is additionally strengthened. To perform this work, ring stiffeners are used.

After all the sealing work has been completed, the pit with concrete rings is filled with earth and the septic tank is ready for use.

After the first winter, it is necessary to check the structure for leaks. Due to frost and thaw, soil displacement occurs, and concrete rings can move out of place, thereby breaking the insulation of the septic tank. To avoid disaster, you must immediately begin restoring the septic tank and its tightness.

Insulating a septic tank from concrete rings is not difficult and can be done with your own hands. To do this, you will need to familiarize yourself with the technology of the work being carried out, collect some information and purchase the necessary materials. For a better understanding, you can watch the video at the end of the article. And if everything is clear, feel free to get to work.

Video

This video demonstrates how to eliminate water leaks between concrete rings:

This video shows how the Raberit waterproofing test was carried out on a concrete ring:

Wells made of reinforced concrete rings in our conditions require waterproofing. Waterproofing a well made of concrete rings is a common task, but the reasons for it are different. In water wells made without high-quality insulation, the water becomes polluted and is not suitable for drinking. Special requirements apply to septic tanks to prevent the release of household waste. The restrictions applied to wells narrow the list of materials and techniques for applying waterproofing.

Typically, well rings have locks at the ends. It is these locks that keep the stack of rings from moving relative to each other.

At the very beginning, we need to distinguish between the types of wells that we may encounter:

• Water wells. The well shell can allow grounded, unfiltered water to pass through; along with the water, agricultural products, soil, and much more enter the well. As you can see, high-quality external waterproofing of drinking water wells is important from the moment of construction.
• Sewer wells or septic tanks. Here the situation is the opposite. The hydrobarrier must prevent waste from entering the soil.
• Technological wells represent a vertical descent to some rooms below (usually to the rooms of engineering systems and the like). For such wells, waterproofing is needed to protect against destruction of the well itself and to prevent flooding of the room where it leads. Typically, such protection is mounted both inside and outside.

When installing both a septic tank and a drinking well on the site, remember that there should be at least 15 meters between them and the septic tank should be located lower, if you look at the topography of the site.

The peculiarity of waterproofing a well for drinking water is that the most effective waterproofing materials based on bitumen cannot be used: the taste changes and the materials can be harmful to health.

Let's consider necessary work for waterproofing a well assembled from concrete rings.

A well made of concrete rings can flow not only at the joints of the rings. The rings themselves allow water to pass through cracks and capillaries in the concrete. When inserting pipes or the well has a bottom, these places also require attention and high-quality waterproofing.

For achievement best result, sealing a well made of concrete rings is done both inside and outside.

External waterproofing of a well made of concrete rings

For all types of wells, the external waterproofing device is similar. External waterproofing is done all the way to the top edge.

Most types of waterproofing materials cannot be applied at temperatures below 5°C.

At the stage of immersion of the rings it is convenient to apply waterproofing. If we postpone waterproofing works for later, you will need to dig around the well to get to the outer wall. Almost always, this is an unjustified complication of the work.

Preparing an existing well for waterproofing

The existing drinking well needs to be drained. Not only pump out water, but also protect from precipitation. When the wet spots on the concrete disappear, you can begin work.

The outer surface is cleaned of everything foreign. Clean concrete should remain. Loose concrete must be removed. If the fittings are exposed, then it is necessary to close it in this place protective layer quality concrete.

Cracks and joints must be widened to 2 cm and deepened to 2-3 cm. This is necessary so that the sealing compound holds better.

Bitumen-based waterproofing

Bituminous waterproofing materials are considered the most effective. For external waterproofing of wells, both mastics and roll materials based on bitumen are used.

1. The first stage is priming the concrete surfaces. This is necessary for better adhesion and strengthening of the base. Wait for the soil to dry.
2. To strengthen the joints, you can use rubber waterproofing tape(or bentonite-rubber).
3. The next stage: repair cracks, chips and joints. Here you can use a cement-sand mixture with the addition of PVA glue (5 to 1) or use ready-made mixtures.
4. Re-priming.
5. The next step is to apply mastic to the surface in an even layer. After drying, apply the next layer of mastic. There should be at least 2-3 layers in total.
6. Rolled waterproofing is glued onto the last layer of mastic. Tape the joints carefully.
7. The seams are additionally coated with mastic.
8. Completes work on external waterproofing of the blind area.

When working with waterproofing materials, protect your respiratory tract.

Penetrating compounds

Deep penetrating waterproofing can be a good alternative to bitumen.

In this case there is no need to prime the rings.

The composition is applied to the moistened surface in two layers without intermediate drying. After applying penetrating waterproofing, the surface must dry within three days.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Clay castle for drinking well

To surface water flowing down the outer wall into the aquifer, it wouldn’t hurt to make a clay castle. This will divert the water, and it will follow its usual path, passing through the necessary layers of soil until it reaches the aquifers, already purified.

A clay castle is a layer of clay around the outer perimeter of a well.

The best time to make a clay castle is in early May. After soil subsidence. Work should be carried out in dry weather.

First, an area of ​​2-3 m is dug around the well. The fertile layer is removed. The soil is leveled and compacted. It is important to create a slight slope away from the well.

The clay should be moist and tightly plastic. The clay should not contain stones or sand. Place the clay on the formed slope in an even layer and compact it. To ensure uniform laying of clay, we recommend molding balls and placing them tightly, and then compacting them.

The thickness of the clay castle should be about 15 cm.

Blind area

Until the soil completely shrinks, and this will happen only after 2-3 years, it is impossible to make a monolithic blind area. Otherwise, the clay castle will be broken and surface and wastewater. It will be impossible to drink from such a well.

A monolithic blind area does not replace a clay castle.

Waterproofing from the inside of the well

Having finished installing all the well rings, you can begin internal waterproofing and arrangement of the bottom.

For internal waterproofing you can use:

• Special cement putty compounds;
• Bitumen heated or diluted in gasoline;
• Cement-polymer mixtures;
• Bitumen-polymer compositions;
• Polymer waterproofing materials.

Please note: the first two options are the cheapest materials, but they cannot be used for drinking wells.

If, when preparing the inner surface of a well for waterproofing, water leaks from the outside are discovered, we recommend using a special fast-hardening cement composition “Peneplug”, AQUAFIX or their analogues. Such compositions are also called “hydraulic plug”.

Sequence of work inside

Preparatory work inside and outside is similar. It is also necessary to clean the surface, widen cracks and joints (up to 2 cm wide and 2-3 cm deep), remove weak concrete and cover cavities and exposed reinforcement with a plaster composition (cement-sand mixture with PVA glue in a ratio of 5 to 1 or a special composition).

The same mixture is also used to grout the joints of the rings from the inside.

After a day, you can continue processing.

For the whole inner surface A cement-polymer composition of penetrating waterproofing is applied.

The prepared mixture of penetrating waterproofing is applied to a slightly damp surface. Should be applied with a brush. A roller for round rings is a bad helper.

You need at least 2 layers. The previous layer must dry before applying a new one. This takes a day.

A concrete surface treated with penetrating waterproofing is ready to work in water after 3-7 days.

For details of the technology for applying the composition, see the instructions for it.

Waterproofing of septic tanks and technological wells

Multi-chamber waste septic tank consists of several wells connected to each other. The last of them is filtration and does not require waterproofing. The entry of groundwater into the filtration well will not cause harm. The environmental service can advise you on the parameters of the septic tank.

The remaining two chambers of the septic tank must be well waterproofed.

Preparation for waterproofing consists of draining and clearing the skeptic and excavating to access the external walls.

Processing of joints

At the bottom of the well, which is built from concrete rings, a slab with a ridge is placed, on which the ring is then placed. It is from the bottom that you need to start waterproofing. Before installation, the comb slab is coated with bitumen primer and 2-3 layers of bitumen mastic. Every new layer applied after the previous one has dried.

The concrete surface is primed on both sides.

From the inside, a coating of bitumen mastic waterproofing is applied to the joint. You can use other types of waterproofing, but it will be either less effective or more labor-intensive.

The outer surface is covered with mastic in 2-3 layers. If necessary, roll waterproofing materials are laid.

Processing of pipes and transitions

As you know, a septic tank consists of several well chambers. The joints between wells and pipes require more careful treatment.

Seal the joint with a waterproofing cord and fill it with plaster cement-polymer composition.

The pipe connections and the pipes themselves must be coated with primer and bitumen mastic in 2-3 layers.

To insulate with roll material, use special bitumen or bitumen-polymer tapes for hard-to-reach places or heat strips of rolled waterproofing.