The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
Step-by-step solution
Fountains, water features & ornamental ponds
Decorative fountains, water walls and ornamental ponds lose water through cracks, joints and pipe entries, and stone cladding stains. Seal the basin with a cementitious waterproof coating, then fix tiles or stone with water-resistant products.
- 6 steps
- 2 products
- 4 answers
You need this when…
- Basin needs topping up every day
- White salt deposits or dark stains on marble or granite cladding
- Leaks around nozzles, lights and pump pipes
- Loose tiles or mosaic in the basin
- Damp ground or paving around the feature
The work, step by step
General guidance based on the manufacturer data sheets. Site conditions differ: confirm the system with MCT before you start. Where we do not name a product, ask us and we will confirm the right one.
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Step 1: Drain, clean and inspect
Switch off the pump and drain the basin. Remove algae, sludge, loose render and old paint. Mark cracks, open joints and pipe entries. The basin must be able to dry: SikaTop-107 Seal PK will not cure on a substrate that cannot dry (p.2).
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Step 2: New basins: waterproof concrete and pipe entries
Add Sika-1 PK (p.1) or SikaControl-760 (swimming pools and water parks, p.1) to the basin concrete. Fit SikaSwell S-2 around cast-in pipes and nozzle sleeves (penetrations, p.1), with at least 8 cm cover (p.2).
Product for this stepAsk us -
Step 3: Seal cracks and level the surface
Fill non-structural cracks up to 10 mm with Sikadur-20 Crack Seal, on concrete at least 28 days old (p.2). Re-render or level with SikaTop-121, which lists rendering for reservoirs and ponds (p.1), or close pores with SikaRep Fine PK (p.1).
SikaTop-121 Sika Request a quotation Thin layer render Levelling of surfaces Protective coating for bridges parapets, retaining walls, etc. (TDS p.1)
Other options for this stepAsk us The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
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Step 4: Waterproof the basin
Apply SikaTop-107 Seal PK in at least 2 coats on a damp surface (p.3), or SikaSeal-105 PK on a pre-dampened surface (p.2). Do not leave either exposed as the finish: SikaTop-107 under UV should be covered by 2–3 cm of screed (p.2), and SikaSeal-105 PK is not an aesthetic coating (p.2). Cover with tiles, stone or screed.
Product for this stepAsk us The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
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Step 5: Back-coat stone cladding
Back-coat marble and granite with SikaTop-550 Seal, which is listed as a backing to marble and granite to prevent water ingress and staining (p.1).
SikaTop-550 Seal Sika As a waterproof lining for water retaining structures. (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +5°C min. / 40°C max (TDS p.2)
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Step 6: Fix and grout tiles
SikaCeram-205 PK lists outdoor floors and indoor walls (p.1); for outdoor vertical faces, ask us. SikaCeram RSG 705 can fix and grout tiles on floors and walls, indoor and outdoor (p.1). Sikadur-54 Ceramic grout is listed for aggressive water and is for experienced professionals (p.1). SikaCeram-850 Design is for interiors only (p.1).
Product for this stepAsk us The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
Proposal brief
Fountains, water features & ornamental ponds: scope and system
A starting point for a site proposal. Quantities, prices and the final specification follow a site visit or photos.
Scope of work
- Draining, cleaning and inspection of the basin (m²)
- Crack sealing, re-rendering and pore filling
- 2-coat cementitious waterproofing
- Back-coating of stone cladding
- Tile or stone fixing and grouting
System build-up
| Step | Product | Pack | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. Seal cracks and level the surface | SikaTop-121 | — | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
| 5. Back-coat stone cladding | SikaTop-550 Seal | — | TDS p.1 · March 2024, Version 01.01 |
What we need from you
- Basin size and depth, indoor or outdoor
- Photos of the basin, cladding and pipe entries
- Finish wanted: tiles, mosaic, stone or plain render
- Are there fish or plants in the pond?
Site conditions
- Basin drained and allowed to dry before coating (SikaTop-107 Seal PK p.2)
- Application between +5 °C and +35 °C (SikaTop-107 Seal PK p.2)
Not included
- Pumps, nozzles, lighting and electrical work
- Supply of stone or tiles
- Structural repairs to the basin
Questions customers ask
Is it safe for fish?
None of the data sheets on file make a claim about fish or aquatic plants. Ask us: it depends on site conditions.
Why does the marble around our fountain stain?
Water soaks into the stone from behind. SikaTop-550 Seal is listed as a backing to marble and granite to prevent water ingress and staining (p.1).
Can the grey waterproof coating be left as the finish?
Not in the sun. SikaTop-107 Seal PK exposed to UV should be protected by 2–3 cm of cement screed (p.2), and SikaSeal-105 PK is not designed as an aesthetic coating (p.2).
Can it be done without draining?
No. SikaTop-107 Seal PK will not cure to a waterproof render if the substrate cannot dry (p.2), and Sikadur-20 Crack Seal needs cracks free of water (p.2).
Steps and product facts are taken from the manufacturer data sheets (page cited). Products are named only where the data sheet confirms the use; quantities follow a site visit or photos. General guidance: check the data sheet or ask us before you start.