Completed March, 2018, the newly renovated Spiridonov Mansion in St. Petersburg, Russia, used PENETRON crystalline technology in an ambitious renovation project that created a top-floor swimming pool. Topical applications of PENETRON and PENECRETE MORTAR ensure the rest of the historic building will stay dry, even with the hydrostatic pressure of the new structure.
The Spiridonov Mansion is a historic St. Petersburg building built in 1905 in the neo-renaissance style. Named after an affluent merchant family, it has undergone numerous changes. A fire destroyed the central marble staircase, some statues and the façade, but the house, nonetheless, survived the 1917 Russian Revolution and the two-year siege (1941-1943) of the city by the Wehrmacht during WWII.
In the 1990s, the Spiridonov Mansion was transformed into an apartment-hotel. More recently, a comprehensive renovation was begun to restore and modernize the building.
Maximum Concrete Durability
PENETRON and PENECRETE MORTAR were topically applied to the new concrete pool structure on the 7th floor of the renovated historic building.
“The local Penetron team was asked to come up with a durable solution for the new swimming pool, which is now on the top floor of this historic mansion,” explains Yevgeniya Kuzminova, Director of Penetron St. Petersburg. “Our topically-applied crystalline products provide maximum concrete durability – and eliminate the need for traditional waterproofing systems, such as membranes. It’s an ideal solution for a swimming pool.”
Protecting Concrete from Deterioration
The active ingredients in PENETRON’s topically-applied products react in a catalytic reaction with moisture in concrete. This chemical reaction generates a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete to permanently seal micro-cracks, pores, and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids from any direction, even under the high hydrostatic pressure encountered in swimming pools. This crystalline technology protects concrete from deterioration – and substantially enhances durability – extending the life cycle of the structure.
“We used a full range of PENETRON topical and admixture products to protect the new and renovated concrete structures during the renovation of the mansion, including the swimming pool and the concrete basement,” adds Mrs. Kuzminova. “A further benefit is that future maintenance costs for the concrete structures will be significantly reduced.”
Stately (waterproof) home: The completely renovated Spiridonov Mansion in St. Petersburg uses PENETRON crystalline technology for the concrete basement and top-floor swimming pool.
Crystals at work: PENETRON permanently seals micro-cracks, pores, and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids, even under high hydrostatic pressure encountered in swimming pools.
Ideal swimming pool solution: PENETRON crystalline products provide maximum concrete durability – and eliminate the need for traditional waterproofing systems, such as membranes.
