The city of Mojave in southeastern California’s arid desert has dozens of water storage tanks to improve the reliability of the water supply, especially during dry years. These tanks are essential for collecting and storing rainwater ensuring water availability for residential, industrial, and agricultural needs, as well as emergencies.
Situated within a vast wind farm, the tanks face dual challenges: blending harmoniously with the desert landscape, as mandated by city leadership, and withstanding the harsh desert environment. The extreme conditions, including strong winds with a “sandblasting” effect and relentless heat, demand an exceptionally durable exterior coating.
The strategy? A partnership between Hydrona LLC, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based water solutions company dedicated to reducing the global water footprint, and Polyglass USA.
Initially focused on integrated rainwater harvesting systems, Hydrona now offers a broad range of water solutions, including fire suppression tanks, well water storage tanks, and systems for capturing rainwater and air-conditioning condensation. From pre-construction consultation to fully customized turnkey systems, Hydrona delivers comprehensive solutions for diverse water needs.
The Challenge: The Durability of Traditional Coatings in a Harsh Environment
Traditional tank coatings, including standard paints and aliphatic polyurethanes, struggled to withstand the abrasive conditions of the desert, often deteriorating and failing within months. This ongoing challenge called for a more robust solution to ensure long-lasting performance and lower maintenance costs. Polyurea coatings, renowned for their exceptional durability and abrasion resistance, provide the strength and flexibility necessary to endure such extreme environments.
The Solution: TecnoCoat P-2049AL
To battle the harsh desert environment, TecnoCoat P-2049AL, a state-of-the-art aliphatic polyurea coating developed by Polyglass USA, was selected as the ultimate solution. Designed for demanding applications, TecnoCoat P-2049AL delivers unmatched performance, providing a durable and seamless membrane to protect the Mojave water tanks from the desert’s severe conditions.
Technical Advantages of TecnoCoat P-2049AL
TecnoCoat P-2049AL is a two-component, fast-setting, spray-applied polyurea waterproofing membrane designed for permanently exposed applications. Key features include:
- Extreme Durability – Designed to withstand the toughest environments, resisting mechanical stress and the abrasive effects of wind-driven sand.
- Superior Chemical Resistance – Provides outstanding protection against environmental degradation and harsh chemical exposure.
- High Elasticity – Retains structural integrity even under extreme temperature fluctuations, preventing cracks and failures.
- Seamless, Rapid Application – Applied using a high-pressure, high-temperature spray process, forming a fully bonded, monolithic membrane with rapid curing. Advanced plural-component spray technology ensures precise mixing, fast installation, and optimal performance.
- UV Stability – Aliphatic properties make it resistant to UV radiation, maintaining color stability and performance over time.
Project Implementation
In 2024, 13 large, corrugated carbon steel tanks were coated with TecnoCoat P-2049AL using advanced high-pressure spray equipment. The coating’s rapid set time of 7 seconds enabled quick application, allowing the tanks to return to service almost immediately. Heated hoses were used for transferring the heated components to the spray gun, ensuring precise mixing and application. The success of this initial phase has paved the way for additional tanks to be coated in 2025.
A Sustainable, Cost-Effective Solution
This innovative approach has significantly reduced maintenance costs for Mojave’s water tanks. The seamless, durable coating ensures long-term protection, even under relentless sandblasting and temperature extremes.
“The folks at Mojave were impressed and relieved to find an exterior coating that would last for years and eliminate the ongoing maintenance cost they were experiencing before,” said Jacob Hannasch of Hydrona LLC. “The TecnoCoat P-2049AL is now singularly specified for these tanks.”
By the Numbers
Location
Mojave, California
Size
13 large, corrugated carbon steel tanks
Challenges
- Tank coating had to be durable enough to survive rugged desert conditions for the long haul.
- Tanks had to be able to return to service very quickly.
Product Spotlight
TecnoCoat P-2049 AL
Tecnocoat P-2049 AL is a high-performance polyurea waterproofing membrane that provides long-lasting protection in challenging environments. Its advanced formulation enables it to withstand mechanical stress, UV exposure, and harsh chemical conditions, making it the ideal choice for applications in areas with high wear and tear, such as water tanks, parking garages, balconies, and IRMA applications.
The seamless, spray-applied application of Tecnocoat P-2049 AL creates a uniform membrane that prevents water infiltration, extending the lifespan of structures and providing reliable protection from environmental elements. Its fast-setting nature allows for quick turnaround times, reducing downtime and ensuring that projects can progress without unnecessary delays. The polyurea formulation also allows for excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including concrete, steel, and other materials, ensuring strong, durable bonding with the surface.
In addition to its mechanical and chemical durability, Tecnocoat P-2049 AL also offers significant resistance to UV degradation, ensuring that it maintains its integrity and performance even after prolonged exposure to sunlight. This makes it particularly suitable for applications where the coating will be permanently exposed to outdoor elements, such as walkable roofs, pools, and water features. Its aliphatic properties enhance its color stability, preventing discoloration and ensuring the membrane remains aesthetically appealing over time.
For optimal performance, it is crucial to apply Tecnocoat P-2049 AL according to the recommended guidelines. Adequate preparation of the substrate, including proper priming and temperature control, is essential to achieving a durable, long-lasting finish. The spray application must be done using high-pressure plural component equipment to ensure the correct mixing ratio and the material should be applied in multiple layers to achieve the required thickness and coverage.
In areas where damage occurs, Tecnocoat P-2049 AL can be easily repaired by removing the damaged section, preparing the surrounding area, and applying the membrane to the specified thickness.