Cistern Coatings provides professional coating and lining services for water storage structures of all types and scales — from private residential cisterns to large-scale agricultural reservoirs and municipal water storage facilities. Every project we undertake is guided by the same core principles: rigorous surface preparation, matched coating chemistry, and documented quality control at every step.
New Cistern Coating Installation
A new cistern is an opportunity to protect a long-term asset from day one. Our new installation services begin with a thorough evaluation of the cistern structure, water chemistry, and service requirements to select the optimal coating system. We specify only products that are appropriate for the specific application — whether that requires NSF/ANSI 61 certification for potable water contact, chemical resistance for process water, or UV stability for above-ground service.
Our application crews are trained and certified in spray-applied polyurea, brush and roll epoxy application, and hybrid system installation. Every installation includes pre-application surface preparation documentation, wet film thickness checks during application, dry film thickness measurement after application, 100% holiday detection testing of completed surfaces, and written documentation of all quality control steps.
Cistern Rehabilitation and Recoating
Aging cisterns with failing coating systems are our most common project type — and the application where our experience in structural assessment, surface preparation, and coating system selection matters most. A successful rehabilitation depends on accurately diagnosing the condition of both the structure and the existing coating, developing a repair and preparation plan that addresses the root causes of previous failure, and specifying a new coating system appropriate for the service environment.
We do not apply new coatings over failing old coatings. When coating removal is required — whether by abrasive blasting, chemical stripping, or mechanical grinding — we execute that process completely before proceeding. Our commitment to thorough surface preparation is non-negotiable, because we understand that coating performance is determined more by what happens before application than by what’s in the can.
For more information on the rehabilitation decision process, see our guide to cistern rehabilitation vs. replacement.
Polyurea Spray Coating
For applications requiring maximum durability, rapid return to service, and long-term performance in immersion service, our plural-component spray polyurea systems deliver results that no brush or roller application can match. Spray polyurea creates a seamless, pin-hole-free membrane that conforms perfectly to complex geometry — inside angles, penetrations, curved walls, and irregular surfaces that are problematic for other application methods.
We operate professional-grade plural-component spray equipment capable of applying both aromatic and aliphatic polyurea formulations. Our certified applicators understand the critical process parameters — material temperature, ratio control, gun pressure, substrate preparation — that determine whether a spray polyurea application succeeds or fails.
Learn more about our polyurea services on the dedicated polyurea coatings page.
Concrete Repair and Structural Preparation
Coating work on deteriorated concrete structures invariably reveals substrate conditions that must be addressed before any coating is applied. Our teams are equipped and trained to perform: removal of carbonated, delaminated, or contaminated concrete by mechanical and blast methods; application of cementitious repair mortars matched to the substrate; crack injection with structural or flexible polyurethane resins depending on crack activity; joint sealing and reconfiguration; and surface profiling to the ICRI standards required for our coating specifications.
This integrated approach — combining structural repair and coating application in a single coordinated project — eliminates the coordination risk of separating these closely related scopes of work.
Quality Control and Inspection Services
For clients who have existing coating work performed by others, or who need independent assessment of coating condition, we provide standalone inspection services including: visual coating condition assessment with photographic documentation; adhesion pull testing to ASTM D 4541 or ISO 4624 standards; dry film thickness measurement surveys; holiday detection testing at appropriate test voltages; and written condition assessment reports with maintenance recommendations.
Coating System for Every Application
Our service capabilities span the full range of cistern types: concrete cisterns (above and below grade), steel tanks (above and below grade), fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) cisterns, masonry cisterns and reservoirs, plastic cisterns requiring surface rehabilitation, and open reservoirs and irrigation ponds with geomembrane or spray-applied liner systems.
Ready to discuss your project? Contact our team for a consultation, or explore our resources and articles to learn more about cistern coating technology and best practices.