A Mapei Polyurea waterproofing system has been used to restore the historic Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire. Applied by Anderson Specialist Contracting, the project forms part of renovation works carried out by Aberdeenshire Council. A polyurea waterproofing membrane with excellent chemical resistance, exceptional flexibility and tear strength, Mapei Purtop 1000 N is designed to waterproof structures above and below ground, including roofs, podiums, pools and storage tanks. Mapei was pleased to support Fairhurst Engineers as they explored specification options to establish the right product fit for such a prestigious project.
Opened in 1934, Stonehaven Open Air Pool is the UK's only art deco Olympic-sized heated sea water lido. During the Second World War, it provided recreation for locally-based troops and, afterwards, it once again proved a major visitor attraction. Threat of closure in the 1990’s prompted the founding of a community group - The Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool – which is now a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) that works in close partnership with Aberdeenshire Council. Alongside Council funding to carry out extensive improvements, 2,000 hours of volunteer work were carried out post-pandemic to repaint and improve the Listed attraction, with £50,000 raised by The Friends to fund a new slide.
Although regularly maintained and repaired, the lido’s multi-layered concrete and paint surface was in need of renovation. With its extensive expertise in pool waterproofing, Mapei was first approached in 2015 and recommended its Mapelastic Smart system overlaid with a finish. Last summer, Mapei was asked for further advice, as the client was now seeking a seamless solution. With an in depth understanding of previous works carried out - and after discussions with the engineers, and careful consideration of the pool’s age, exposed location and position - Mapei recommended specification of Purtop 1000 N - a two-component pure polyurea membrane which forms a completely waterproof coating, with high chemical resistance, exceptional flexibility and tear strength.
Mapei’s proposal covered all aspects of the pool refurbishment, from repairs of the defective concrete using products from the Mapei concrete repair range, through to the Purtop 1000 N system build-up required for the lido.
Throughout the project, Mapei worked closely with Anderson Specialist Contracting and the client, making regular site visits. During the renovation, a tent was erected over the pool to allow works to continue unhindered: Existing coats of paint were removed, and the concrete substrate was inspected and tested, with the proposal amended to take into account the test results. Defects were repaired and cracks were filled and injected with water-stopping resin. All joints and cracks were then bandaged with Mapeband Flex Roll tape. The substrate was then primed with Mapecoat I 600 W epoxy-resin based sealer and two layers of Triblock P epoxy-cement which created a damp proof membrane to hold back any moisture within the concrete. Following a further coat of epoxy primer, Primer SN, the surface was cast with aggregate. Purtop 1000 N was then spray applied across the 1200m2 pool surface, followed by two coats of Mapecoat PU 20 N coloured aliphatic polyurethane topcoat and pool lines were painted.
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