Water Tank Waterproofing and Crack Repair in Ghana — Concrete, Polytank, and Overhead Storage

Water is expensive in Ghana. When storage tanks leak, the losses add up fast. This guide covers the four types of water storage tank waterproofing we install, including food-safe systems for potable water.

Types of Tanks We Waterproof

1. Underground Concrete Cisterns

The most common form of water storage on Ghanaian residential and commercial properties. Reinforced concrete tanks buried below ground level, typically 10–50 m³ capacity.

System: Food-safe polyurethane liquid membrane on the interior. Reinforced with polyester fleece at high-stress joints.

Typical cost: GHS 5,000–16,000.

2. Overhead Storage Tanks (Concrete)

Elevated concrete tanks on rooftop or purpose-built plinth. Typically 5–20 m³.

System: Same food-safe PU lining. Also externally waterproofed to protect from rain and thermal cycling.

Typical cost: GHS 4,000–11,000.

3. Industrial and Commercial Reservoirs

Larger reinforced concrete storage tanks used in hotels, hospitals, factories, and multi-unit residential developments. 50–500 m³ or larger.

System: Cementitious crystalline waterproofing (Xypex, Penetron, or equivalent) plus food-safe PU topcoat where the water is potable.

Typical cost: GHS 15,000–150,000+ depending on volume.

4. Fire-Fighting Water Reserves

Dedicated fire-water tanks required by code for larger buildings.

System: Robust PU lining plus corrosion protection on steel components.

Typical cost: GHS 10,000–50,000.

Common Tank Failure Modes

Hairline cracks in the walls

The most common form of tank failure. Crack width of 0.3–1 mm is enough to drop a full tank overnight.

Fix: Chase and fill the crack with flexible sealant, then apply fleece-reinforced membrane over the full affected area.

Joint between wall and floor

Highest-stress location in any tank.

Fix: Cove fillet cast into the corner, wrapped with butyl rubber tape, encapsulated in fleece-reinforced PU.

Corroded reinforcement steel

Long-term problem where cracks let water reach the reinforcement.

Fix: Full chip-out of affected concrete, rebar treatment or replacement, rebuild with polymer-modified repair mortar, full internal waterproofing.

Pipe penetration leaks

Every inlet, outlet, overflow, and vent pipe is a penetration point.

Fix: Chase out old sealant, install butyl tape around pipe, apply PU coating over the whole penetration zone.

Food-Safe Certification for Potable Water

Not every waterproofing product is safe for drinking water contact. When we quote a potable water tank job, we specify materials that carry one or more of these certifications:

• NSF/ANSI 61 (US drinking water contact)
• WRAS (UK Water Regulations Advisory Scheme)
• KTW-BWGL (German drinking water)
• ACS (French potable water conformity)

Testing After Repair

Every waterproofing job on a water tank should end with a filling test.

Book a Water Tank Assessment

• Phone: 0555 548 001 or 0241 737 026
• WhatsApp: Send us tank dimensions and photos
• Related: Foundation · Fish Pond

Festghana Waterproofing Solution Company Limited provides food-safe water tank and reservoir waterproofing across Ghana. Workmanship warranty on every job.