Waterproofing swimming pool is a critical component of the construction works required when building a pool. Certainly within the swimming pool industry, no specific specialised trades were ever employed to waterproof the structure of the pool. Instead, in-ground pool builders relied on:

• the density and thickness of the concrete pool shell
• the relative impermeability of the surface coatings applied to the concrete pool form
• the epoxy seals and expandable foams to seal around penetrations (pipes, etc).

Most people imagine a pool leak in a swimming pool to be related to the failure of plumbing lines. Although this is sometimes the case, it is uncommon and easily fixed due to:

• the widespread use of pipe pressure testing equipment to check for failed lines
• the use of mini excavators to excavate the pluming lines to fail safe depths.

Pools also leak through “penetration leaks”. Simply, this is when water leaks out of the pool concrete form around the pipe or fitting penetration. Pool builders try to mitigate these type of leaks through applying epoxy collars and swell-able water stops. This works really well when correctly implemented.

The other type of water leak in a swimming pool and by far the hardest to fix is a “structural leak”. In this type of leak, water leaks through the concrete form of the pool shell at a slow and often undetectable rate. Most people aren’t even aware of having a “penetration or structural leak” in their swimming pool. Unless they can visually see a buildup of water on an exposed part of the pool, it is difficult to notice a leak.

Leaks in Older Swimming Pools

Past building practices meant that nearly every swimming pool shell was built in-ground and was fully concealed within the excavation. A penetration or structural leak in an in-ground pool, built as such, would be undetectable. It is integral with modern building styles of elevating pools and building pools within apartments that the pool is waterproof. In these builds, even a small leak will show up in plaster works or the walls of the levels immediately below the pool. Hence, the present need for a specialist trade and methods in waterproofing pools.

Preventing Leaks

We mitigate water loss via swimming pool leaks through the following best practices:

Plumbing leaks 

We pressure test pipes and use our own excavator to dig trenches so they are at a safe depth. We also locate our pool plumbing lines near the pool shell and try to limit all services being enclosed in single service trench. Finally, we often back-fill over our plumbing lines with ¼ minus screenings or friable sand.

Penetration leaks

We fit epoxy collars around all our pipes and penetrations using a thixotropic plural component epoxy. We also use swell-able water stops when needed.

Structural leaks

We fit a 2 component polyurethane sprayed membrane. This is a practically indestructible and completely impermeable membrane lining. It is best suited to critical waterproofing applications in apartment buildings, etc. where even a small water loss forms a critical problem.

We don’t fit membranes when a pool is to be built in a traditional fashion, fully encased within an earth excavation. This is because the small water loss of a few litres a day (if at all) is minuscule and not worth the expense of fitting an expensive membrane lining to the pool form.

We often fit very dense 3:1 render mixes with polymer modified render linings to our pool forms. This is part of the tiling process. This creates a near impenetrable barrier to water loss, although small leaks through such cementitious linings are a low possibility.

Rectification of Leaking Swimming Pools using FRP

Issues with leaking swimming pools

Most swimming pools in condominiums here are built on top of underground facilities like car parks.

Rooftop swimming pools are built on top of the top-most units, usually also the most expensive units.

Therefore, leaking swimming pools can cause extensive and irreparable damage to private properties.

Most leaks are caused by cracks in the concrete and defective membrane waterproofing.

Current total repair method for swimming pool leaks is time-consuming and costly, while some methods are not permanent.

Typical Components of a Swimming Pool

Common Rectification Methods

1. Total Repair

Remove existing tiles, protection cement mortar and membrane waterproofing, replace the membrane waterproofing then reinstate the protection cement mortar and tiles.

2. Grouting structure below swimming pool

Grout either PU, epoxy or latex grout from below the pool to seal the cracks and stop the leaks.

3. FRP Coating

Remove existing tiles only, then apply 3 coats of FRP waterproofing and a coat protection top coat as a fresh waterproofing layer.

Total Repair

Most swimming pools in Singapore employ membrane waterproofing as the primary method of waterproofing.

The only viable method of repair is to remove the current membrane waterproofing and replace it with a new layer.

Doing so requires:

1. Removing the existing pool tiles, tile bed cement mortar screed and membrane waterproofing
2. Apply a new layer of membrane waterproofing
3. Redo a new layer of tile bed cement mortar screed
4. Reinstate pool tiles

Grouting Below Swimming Pool Slab

Grouting below the swimming pool pool slab does not require the removal of existing tiles, tile bed cement mortar screed and existing membrane waterproofing.

Most commonly used grouts in Singapore are PU and epoxy.

However, each has their own shortcomings:

• PU grout can stop water immediately but only lasts a maximum of 3 – 4 months
• Epoxy grout requires that the structure has less than 5% moisture content and it is extremely difficult to pinpoint the leaking points in order to carry out the grouting

Grouting Below Swimming Pool Slab

Our grouting lasts much longer than PU grout and does not have stringent requirements like epoxy grout.

However, sufficient structural thickness of 400 mm is necessary in order to perform its grouting.

Grouting is either not a long-term solution or have special requirements.

The Best Solution: FRP Waterproofing

The most economical and best solution for pool leak repairs is to use FRP coating.

FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastics, or Fiber-Reinforced Polymers) waterproofing coatings have inherent superior resistance to UV and chemicals.

Stronger material vs. membrane waterproofing, has high strength-to-weight ratio.

Cost & Time Savings – unnecessary to remove all components (except the tiles); the seal coat and FRP resin comes in variety of colors so there’s no need to reinstate the tiles.

No need to reinstate tiles – The FRP resin and protection coat come in a variety of colors and can meet clients’ requirements for any color for their swimming pool.

Swimming Pool with FRP Waterproofing

Summary

Save time and money with FRP waterproofing for repairing leaks in swimming pools.

FRP waterproofing is more durable than membrane waterproofing & has strong inherent resistance to chemicals.

Both the FRP resin and protection coat come in various colors so there’s no need to reinstate tiles.

FRP waterproofing can last 10 years or more.

Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)

In time, even the strongest of metals will rust. From aluminium to steel, no metal is truly resistant to the passage of time and the ravages of the elements. Wood can weaken and be destroyed in any number of ways: it can rot, it can break, it can become too moist and succumb to mold or mildew, it can even be devoured entirely by termites or other insects. Simple plastics can warp or crack or simply melt away when exposed to heat. It’s true, no material can retain its shape and strength forever – but fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) come pretty close.

Fiber reinforced plastics are a composite material consisting of a matrix, usually a thermoset resin, and a reinforcement of fibers. Thermoset polymers used as resins in the manufacture of FRP include polyurethane, polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, and occasionally phenol formaldehyde. Fibers chosen to serve as reinforcement are typically glass, basalt, carbon and aramids such as Kevlar, Nomex or Technora. In the past, paper, wood, and asbestos fibers were also used, but they have become significantly less common in recent years due to their low durability when compared to glass and carbon.

Like all composite materials, FRP exhibits beneficial properties exceeding those of either of its components. The reinforcing fiber adds strength and elasticity to the tough but weak matrix, creating a tough, long lasting material with the ability to produce sturdy, complex shapes in a variety of sizes.

Fiber reinforced plastics are strong, durable, and resistant to impact, extreme weathers and temperatures, and corrosion. FRP even boasts a strength to weight ratio higher than that of metals such as steel and aluminium, thermoplastics, and even concrete. Today, various FRP products are used in a number of industries including aerospace, automotive, marine vehicle, construction, and the manufacture of ballistic armor.

Despite the fact that it has so rapidly become the material of choice in so many industries, in truth fiber reinforced plastics are just barely over one hundred years old. The first fiber reinforced plastic was Bakelite, invited by Leo Baekeland in 1905. It was made from a combination of phenol formaldehyde resin and mixed asbestos and wood fibers. Within a few years, Bakelite saw wide use in the manufacture of everything from children’s toys and kitchen appliances to jewelry and firearms.

Baekeland’s invention inspired the creation of ever stronger and more efficient fiber reinforced plastics as science and industry progressed. The glass and polyester composite, most commonly referred to as “fiberglass” was developed in the 1930s, and soon saw use in the military aircraft and commercial watercraft industrials during the following decades. The 1950s saw the rise of carbon fiber, and the 1960s that of aramids, including the now world famous Kevlar.

Today, FRP is available in a wide variety of compositions utilizing different resins and fibers and featuring fiber volume anywhere between 20% and 70%. There are also a large number of different processes which can be utilized in the manufacture of FRP parts. At Romeo RIM, our engineers can help you determine which process is best for your manufacturing needs.

The Fiber Reinforced Plastic Molding Process

High-quality fiberglass reinforced plastic parts can be produced in any number of ways. However, the two most common processes utilized for making strong, flexible parts are known as the hand lay-up and the spray-up. Both are low cost, labor- and time-efficient, and create consistent, durable parts for use in any number of industries.

Crafting Fiber Preforms

However, first, the reinforcing fiber must be made into mats or meshes called preforms. Preforms can be created using one of four methods: weaving, knitting, braiding or stitching. These methods produce preforms in a variety of widths and strengths. It is important to consider factors such as the size and shape of the mold and the necessary strength of the finished product when choosing your method of preform manufacture.

In addition, preforms can be either two-dimensional (fibers are aligned only along the x- and y-axes) or three-dimensional (fibers aligned along the x-, y- and z-axes). Recently, three dimensional preforms have been increasing in popularity due to their strength and cost-efficiency. Three-dimensional orientation also decreases the risk of creating weak spots with low fiber content in the finished product.

While traditionally the fiber is placed into the mold and then saturated with resin, sometimes preforms are soaked in some amount of liquid resin, usually epoxy, before the molding and saturation process. These are known as pre-impregnated or pre-preg preforms, and are known for creating finished products with a high stiffness.

The Hand Lay-Up

Once the preforms are complete, they can be placed into the mold in one of two ways. A hand lay-up, as the name indicates, involves the preform being laid in the mold by hand. Once the preform has been placed, it is saturated with resin until the reinforcing fibers are thoroughly wetted. The composite then cures in the mold via the application of heat and some pressure until it obtains solid form.

The hand lay-up method is usually used in conjunction with the process of resin transfer molding (RTM) or vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). It is highly recommended for large parts and parts featuring a geometrically complex mold shapes.

The Spray-Up

In contrast to a hand lay-up, a spray-up process involves both the resin and the reinforcing fiber being inserted into the mold via mechanical processes rather than human labor. Short strands of fiber are sprayed into the mold via a pneumatic gun. The saturating resin can then either be inserted via a separate but similar gun or co-injected along with the fibers from a single spray head.

Spray-up is usually associated with the process of reaction injection molding (RIM), specifically structural reaction injection molding (SRIM). While the spray-up process usually comes with higher equipment cost due to the necessity of using specialized machinery, it simultaneously saves on labor costs as human workers are not needed to place the fiber preforms into the mold. SRIM using a spray-up technique is recommended for parts which require both high overall strength and stiffness. It is also the recommended process if encapsulation is required, especially encapsulation of complex materials such as textiles.

The Mold & Beyond

Both the hand lay-up and spray-up techniques are frequently carried out as an open-mold process. Typically, concave female molds are used, but convex male molds may also be utilized. Molds are usually made from either fiberglass or metals such as aluminium.

Mold release is applied to prevent the finished product from sticking to the mold upon the completion of the curing process. A gel coat may also be added to provide color to the finished part. FRP adheres excellently with the gel coat and may even be used to produce parts which require a variety of colors.

Although resin transfer molding and structural reaction injection molding using the hand lay-up or spray-up processes are the most common methods of molding FRP parts, it is important to note that they are far from the only ones. Alternate molding processes include bladder molding, compression molding, autoclave and vacuum bag, and mandrel wrapping. While these methods are not considered as time- cost- or labor-efficient as RTM or SRIM, they may still be useful in specific circumstances or for specifically shaped parts.

Choosing the Right Reinforcing Fiber

In addition to deciding on the manufacture method of your preform and the ideal molding process for your part, it is also important to consider what type of reinforcing fiber will be used to create your FRP material. Different types of fiber offer different advantages to suit your manufacturing needs.

Glass is the most widely and commonly used material in the manufacture of fiber reinforced plastics. It is most frequently seen in conjunction with thermoset polyester or polyurethane – this combination is so ubiquitous that it bears its own special name, fiberglass.

Glass is extremely easy to work with, allowing for the creation of specific fiber alignment to best suit specific part designs. It results in the highest strength, greatest elasticity and most deformation resistance of all the available fibers. It also features excellent resistance to both extreme heat and extreme cold. Glass-reinforced FRP is commonly used in the manufacture of automobile gas and clutch pedals, insulation for doors and windows, and load-bearing products such as elevator cables.

Both carbon fibers and aramid fibers such as Kevlar significantly boost the elasticity of the completed product. They also simultaneously increase both the compression strength and the electrical strength of the FRP material. Carbon- or aramid-enhanced FRP is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and X-ray transparent, making it an excellent choice for the manufacture of medical equipment. Carbon fiber reinforcement is also a common selection in the aerospace industry – recently, carbon-based FRP has been used in the manufacture of rudders for airplanes such as the Airbus 310.

Basalt fibers are highly resistant to a number of both environmental and inorganic factors. Basalt-enhanced FRP boasts the highest heat and chemical resistances of the available fibers. Its specifically high resistance to salt has led to its wide usage in the manufacture of boats, bridges and piers.

While it is significantly less common due to the advent of glass, carbon and other alternatives, wood fibers do continue to provide some advantages in certain forms of FRP. The use of wood fibers results in a product with a high tensile modulus and strength, although less environmentally resistant than inorganic alternatives.

Environmental Concerns

While parts made using fiber reinforced plastics are long-lasting and highly resistant to wear and tear, and their molding process has been lauded as energy-saving, they have prevented some environmental concerns in regards to disposal, re-usability and recyclability.

It is extremely difficult to reduce FRP to its component parts for reuse or recycling – once the resin matrix and the reinforcing fibers have combined in the mold, separating them again is nearly impossible. In addition, once a thermoset polymer has cured into solid form, returning it to a liquid is a similarly impossible task. Because of these properties, it is difficult to reuse or recycle FRP products which have reached the end of their usefulness.

However, merely disposing of FRP products in a landfill is not the perfect solution either. Due to the inorganic nature of many of the resins and fibers used, fiber reinforced plastics decompose slowly – or in some cases, not at all.

The problem of disposing of or reusing FRP materials in an environmentally conscious manner has not yet been completely solved. However, strides have been made via the development of biodegradable or UV-degradable resins called “bioplastics”. Products reinforced with basalt fiber also decompose significantly quicker due to the organic nature of the chosen fibers.

Structural Benefits of Fiber Reinforced Plastics

Despite the existence of some environmental concerns, fiber reinforced plastics are overall a highly advantageous material providing a number of benefits in a wide variety of areas from physical properties to resistances to aesthetics.

Fiber reinforced plastics first gained prominence as a manufacturing material due to their increased strength when compared to non-reinforced polymers, thermoplastics and even metals such as steal and aluminium. FRP products pair that strength with increased elasticity, durability, light weight and flexibility. The strength and elasticity of the finished product can be adjusted, as it depends on the mechanical properties of the chosen fiber as well as its relative volume, length and orientation within the resin matrix.

FRP can be used to create large, complex structures in any number of geometric shapes, including contoured and rounded parts. Material thicknesses of between 1/16 inch and ½ inch can be attained. In addition, molded FRP products boast tight tolerances – approximately 1/100 (0.01) inch on the tool side an 3/100 (0.03) inch on the non tool side. A precise and uniform thickness and tolerance can be obtained by carefully controlling the fiber ratio across all surfaces and areas of the part.

Fiber reinforced plastics also possess an excellent resistance to any number of factors including impact, deformation, extreme heat, extreme cold, mold, mildew, insects, and chemical corrosion. In addition, the majority of FRP products are waterproof, non-porous, non-sparking and feature extremely low thermal conductivity. For this reason, FRP is often used in the manufacture of high-performance parts for demanding industries such as aerospace, construction and waterproof. Its non-magnetic properties and transparency to radio waves and EFI / RFI transmissions has also led FRP to be chosen as the material used for medical machinery such as MRI and CAT scanners.

Aesthetic Benefits of Fiber Reinforced Plastics

The beneficial properties of FRP can be enhanced via the use of particular resins and special coatings. Two common examples are the addition of coatings to make the part flame-retardant or fillers to promote electrical conductivity. However, even without any additions, FRP is a durable material which can last years in extreme weathers and temperatures with minimal wear.

In addition to their physical toughness and long lifespan, FRP materials also allow for the production of aesthetically pleasing products. It experiences almost no shrinkage coming out of the mold, meaning that results will be highly consistent across an entire production run.

FRP can be painted in-mold using a gel coating, which produces a glossy Class A finish directly out of the mold. The material adheres extremely well to the gel coat, removing the risk of paint chipping, cracking, or flaking. In addition, the paint will remain shiny and bright over a long period of time with minimal wear or fading.

Lastly, choosing FRP as your material can have a large number of benefits for you as a manufacturer. It is cost-, time- and labor- efficient, boasting quick cycles, minimal need for skilled workers, and affordable materials. The manufacturing process is easy and highly repeatable even for product runs in the thousands. The standard open mold process, the possibility of in-mold rather than post-mold painting, and of course the long lifespan of the finished product itself provide even further opportunities for saving money.

There are so many reasons why choosing FRP is the best option for your next manufacturing project. From geometrically complex shapes to large, high-performance parts which can resist the wear of the elements, FRP’s benefits are practically uncountable. Contact Romeo RIM today and our engineers will help you select the correct resin, fiber, and molding process to help you produce FRP parts of unequaled quality!