Media Release

Penetron Provides Reliable Waterproofing for México City Apartments

Mexico

The December 2020 opening of the Desierto de los Leones project added 233 modern apartments to México City’s southern perimeter. PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was used to protect the project’s concrete water storage tanks from the area’s high water table.

The Desierto de los Leones 5547 apartment complex is adjacent to the Desierto de los Leones (Desert of the Lions) National Park in the Álvaro Obregón municipality of México City. The park, a 1,867 hectare forested area with many brooks, ravines and waterfalls, is the oldest protected biosphere in México.

Designed and built by Quiero Casa, the Desierto de los Leones 5547 project offers 233 modern apartments – with many “green” features – housed in three towers with views of the center of México City. The individual layouts are available as two- or three-bedroom apartments ranging from 71-110 m2 (780-1,210 square feet) in size, with one to two bathrooms, elevators, and underground parking. In addition to recycling rainwater, further highlights of the project’s sustainable design include orientation of the towers to maximize natural lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems.

“Quiero Casa is a well-known developer and general contractor, and frequent Penetron partner,” notes Alejandro Mucino, Managing Director of Penetron México. “The company has already completed over two dozen residential projects in and around México City.”
 

Specifying a Reliable Waterproofing Solution

The drinking water and rainwater storage tanks, or cisterns, installed below the underground parking garage, provide drinking water for residents and a reliable water supply for the apartment toilets and irrigation. Because of the subgrade placement of the tanks below the underground parking garages, a reliable and durable waterproofing solution was required and specified by the project engineers.

The concrete mix, supplied by CEMEX-Concretos (also a Penetron partner), was treated with PENETRON ADMIX to ensure a completely reliable waterproofing solution for the drinking water tanks (capacity of 733 m3/733,000 liters), as well as the rainwater storage tanks; specifically, the stormwater tank with a capacity of 506 m3 (506,000 liters) and the cistern for the residual water treatment plant with a capacity of 488 m3 (488,000 liters).

Added to the concrete during the batching stage, PENETRON ADMIX ensures the concrete will remain impervious to the hydrostatic pressure at that depth underground. Once added to the mix, PENETRON ADMIX generates an insoluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. These crystals permanently seal microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids and become an integral part of the concrete matrix for the life of the concrete. PENEBAR SW-45 rapid type B was also used in the construction joints of all the tanks.

“The concrete tanks had to resist high hydrostatic pressure as a result of the groundwater,” adds Alejandro Mucino. “Once again, the Penetron System, specified by Quiero Casa, provided the owner with a durable and permanent waterproofing and protection solution.”

The 233 apartment units in the Desierto de los Leones 5547 complex on México City’s southern edge rely on underground water storage tanks waterproofed with PENETRON ADMIX.

Staying hydrated in México: The 233 apartment units in the Desierto de los Leones 5547 complex on México City’s southern edge rely on underground water storage tanks waterproofed with PENETRON ADMIX.


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