Applications
Cisterns are where it starts, but the same spray system rehabs almost any structure that stores or moves water. Here is what each one involves.
Concrete cisternsReline cracked, leaking or leaching concrete with a seamless membrane that flexes with the structure instead of cracking with it.Potable water tanksDrinking-water storage lined with systems certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for the tank size and use.Rainwater catchmentSeal harvest tanks against leaks, root intrusion and UV-cracked liners.Fire & standby tanksStagnant water is brutal on steel and concrete. Line it before it fails an inspection.Pipeline & culvert rehabSpray-applied linings renew corroded culverts, large-diameter pipe and water mains, often with minimal digging.Manholes & wet wellsStop infiltration and gas-driven corrosion in lift stations, vaults and wastewater structures.
Underground vaults & reservoirsLarge buried storage repaired and lined from the inside, without excavating the structure.Steel & agricultural tanksLivestock tanks, ag storage and bolted or welded steel tanks protected from rust, pinholes and seam leaks.Don’t see your tank?Tell us what you’re working with. If it holds water, there’s a good chance it can be lined.In detail
Reline cracked, leaking or leaching concrete with a seamless membrane that flexes with the structure instead of cracking with it.
Drinking-water storage lined with systems certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for the tank size and use.
Seal harvest tanks against leaks, root intrusion and UV-cracked liners.
Stagnant water is brutal on steel and concrete. Line it before it fails an inspection.
Spray-applied linings renew corroded culverts, large-diameter pipe and water mains, often with minimal digging.
Stop infiltration and gas-driven corrosion in lift stations, vaults and wastewater structures.
Large buried storage repaired and lined from the inside, without excavating the structure.
Livestock tanks, ag storage and bolted or welded steel tanks protected from rust, pinholes and seam leaks.
Why polyurea
Polyurea is sprayed hot through plural-component equipment and cures into a tough, elastic membrane almost immediately. For water storage that changes the whole job.
Gels in seconds and builds thickness in multiple passes the same day, so tanks spend less time empty.
A continuous, monolithic membrane over walls, floor, coves and penetrations. No seams to peel.
High elongation lets the liner move with concrete and bridge hairline cracks instead of cracking with them.
Excellent abrasion and impact resistance for tanks that see sediment, cleaning and foot traffic.
| Typical comparison | Polyurea | Epoxy | Cementitious | Sheet liner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cure speed | Gels in seconds | Hours to days | Days (moist cure) | Install-dependent |
| Flexibility & crack bridging | High | Low | Very low | High |
| Seams | None, monolithic | None | None | Welded or taped seams |
| Abrasion & impact | Excellent | Good | Fair | Puncture risk |
| Build in one visit | Thick, multi-pass | Moderate | Thick | n/a |
General comparison of lining methods. Actual performance depends on the specific product, surface preparation and application.
How a cistern gets lined
Six stages, done in order, every time. Tap through them. This is the work you are trained to do.
Stage 1 of 6
Drain, clean and assess the structure: cracks, active leaks, spalling, moisture, old coatings and what the water will be used for.
Field note: Potable tanks need an NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-certified system. Confirm that before anything else gets ordered.
Stage 2 of 6
Abrasive blast or grind to the profile the system calls for. Laitance, biofilm and failing paint all come off.
Field note: Most liner failures trace back to prep, not product. This is where good applicators earn their reputation.
Stage 3 of 6
Route and fill cracks, rebuild spalled concrete and detail joints, penetrations and pipe entries so the liner has a sound base.
Field note: Stop active leaks and hydrostatic seepage first. A liner is not a patch for running water.
Stage 4 of 6
A moisture-tolerant primer locks into the concrete, boosts adhesion and helps prevent outgassing pinholes.
Field note: Check dew point and substrate temperature. Primer windows are short and they matter.
Stage 5 of 6
Heated, plural-component polyurea goes on in multiple passes to the specified thickness and gels in seconds.
Field note: Detail corners, coves and penetrations first, then build the field to thickness in crossing passes.
Stage 6 of 6
Verify thickness, test for holidays where required, cure, flush and refill on the system’s schedule.
Field note: Potable systems have defined cure and flushing steps before refill. Follow the listing, not a guess.
Get started
Tell us about the structure and where it is. We will connect you with a trained polyurea applicator or a coatings specialist who can help you spec the job.
Backed by ArmorThane. Polyurea and polyurethane coatings manufacturer since 1989, Springfield, Missouri.
