Penetron Technology Restores Crimea Youth Camp Water Tank

East Setauket, New York, April 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In time for the peak summer season, tests of the newly repaired water storage tanks at the Artek Youth Camp on the Crimean Peninsula were successfully completed in April 2019. Penetron topical crystalline materials self-healed all the leaking concrete tanks.

First established in 1925 as a key program of the Young Pioneers youth movement, Artek is an international youth camp located on the shores of the Black Sea in Hurzuf, on the Crimean Peninsula. Since its inception, the camp grew rapidly and steadily. By 1969, the camp covered an area of 3.2-km², with 150 buildings, including three medical facilities, a school, a film studio (Artekfilm), three swimming pools, a 7,000-seat stadium, and playgrounds for various other activities. Unlike most of the other Young Pioneers camps, Artek was maintained as a year-round operation, thanks to the warm climate of the Black Sea shore.

Artek was considered to be a privileged destination for Soviet children, as well as children from other communist countries. During its heyday in the 1960s, 27,000 children per year vacationed at Artek. Even after the dissolution of the Young Pioneers in 1991 (after the collapse of the Soviet Union), the Artek Youth Camp remained a popular vacation destination.

Poor Quality Concrete Needed Urgent Repairs
The Russian government began investing in reconstruction and development of the camp facilities in 2014. However, it was soon evident that, after decades of neglect and shoddy maintenance, the camp's enormous water storage tanks were in dire shape. Initial repairs fell short due to the poor quality of concrete originally used to construct the tanks. Further repairs with a number of materials provided only temporary solutions.

"The deterioration of the concrete tanks at Artek, which were used to store drinking water for the whole camp, continued rapidly. We had to do something, and do it quickly," adds Igor Chernogolov, President of Penetron Russia.

Penetron Crimea was asked to help repair the now widespread leaks in the concrete water tanks. The company proposed a comprehensive application of Penetron topical crystalline material. The proposal was quickly approved, and the team went to work, applying the Penetron System: PENECRETE MORTAR to repair cracks and voids and PENETRON as a final coat on all concrete surfaces of the water storage tanks.

Improving Concrete Durability
Once PENETRON is applied to the surface, it penetrates into the pores, micro-cracks and capillary tracts of the underlying concrete. The material's active ingredients react with minerals in the concrete to form insoluble crystals, which create a permanent barrier to the ingress of water and chemicals. This crystalline growth takes place deep inside the concrete matrix, relatively far from the initial point of application.

As an integral part of the concrete, PENETRON is also completely non-toxic, VOC-free, and NSF-61-certified. It has become the preferred solution for potable water applications.

"PENETRON is applied on either the positive or negative side by brush or spray, to waterproof and protect the concrete from chemical attack," adds Igor Chernogolov. "The PENETRON-treated concrete is now protected from any future deterioration from water ingress and chloride and sulfate attack – and it's a durable and maintenance-free solution."

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.

SOURCE Penetron