How to waterproof a fish or koi pond

How to waterproof a shower

A concrete fish/koi pond adds interest to the landscape by providing habitat for these colourful fish. However, concrete is a porous surface and can eventually leach lime and other chemicals into your pond or loose water through cracks. Therefore, you need to seal the pond with a waterproofing compound like super laykold, a rubberised bitumen emulsion that can be reinforced with abe®.membrane to provide a seamless professional waterproofing system. It is also non-toxic and koi/fish friendly.


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What you'll need

  • Equipment to prepare the surface
  • Container to mix prime coat
  • Paint brushes to apply the product
  • Roller to embed the membrane
  • Scissors to cut the membrane
  • Gloves and old clothes
  • super laykold – 1 L, 5 L and 20 L containers
  • a.b.e.®membrane – 200 or 250 mm wide
  • a.b.e.® super brush cleaner – 1 L, 5 L and 25 L containers

GOOD TO KNOW:

  • super laykold is water based, so dries fairly quick. The wet material looks dark brown but dries black.
  • When used for a pond, allow to dry for minimum 14 days. Flush with clean water before filling completely. Let the water and product stand for a day or two before adding fish.

Here's How: 4 Steps

Step 1

Preparation

  • All surfaces to be clean, dry, sound, free from all laitance, fungal growth, grease, oil or loose and flaking particles.

Step 2

Mixing

ALL SURFACES (EXCEPT METAL)

  • Mix 1 part super laykold with 1 part clean water and prime the total area to be covered. As a guide 0.25 L of diluted primer will cover 1 m².
  • Allow to dry.
  • Stir well before use

Step 3

Application

First coat

  • Brush or roll on a fairly thick coat (0.75L/m²) and embed a.b.e.®.membrane well into the wet coating.
  • On flat surfaces, it is recommended to use a fluted aluminium roller for this purpose.
  • Membrane overlaps should be a minimum of 100 mm on end laps and 75 mm on side laps.
  • Not required to apply membrane everywhere, but essential over cracks, gaps and right angles. 

Second coat

  • When the first coat has dried sufficiently (2 – 3 hours), apply a second coat of super laykold (0.75 L/m²) to ensure the membrane is completely saturated and allow to dry.
  • To ensure saturation, apply the second coat in the other direction to the first coat. 

Third coat

  • Apply a final coat of super laykold (0.6 L/m²) to give a smooth finish.
  • Coverage 2.1 L/m² full system

Step 4

Cleaning

  • Tools, brushes and mixing equipment should be cleaned immediately after use and before material has set with a.b.e.®.super brush cleaner.
  • Wash with soap and water.

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