The first step of the application process was surface preparation. We prepared the 35-year-old concrete using grinding tools that can remove old coatings, grime, and any weakened top layer of concrete. In doing so, the surface is also modified for optimal coating adhesion by controlling the surface roughness. After grinding we thoroughly cleaned the basin to eliminate any remaining dust and debris, after which, we applied a primer to all prepared surfaces. The primer soaked into the concrete’s pores and chemically bonded to it, which sealed the substrate and promoted excellent adhesion for the polyurea base coat. With the concrete now sound and sealed we next moved on to applying the main layer of the system.

We sprayed a thick layer of our polyurea coating onto the basin floor and walls, as well as the interior of the new effluent troughs. Applying the coating with high-pressure spray equipment allowed us to create a uniform liner covering every corner, curve, and joint, and because polyurea cures extremely fast (starting in as little as seconds), it rapidly builds up to a durable film and doesn’t drip or sag on vertical surfaces. The resulting coating would now shield the concrete from sewage chemicals, like from acidic biogas byproducts to chlorine, preventing those agents from reaching the concrete surface. Polyurea’s inherent abrasion resistance also means it can withstand the constant scouring of water flow and sediment, significantly reducing future wear.