Belzona Saves the Day on a Leaking Fiberglass Tank
Industry: Chemical & Petrochemical (PETR)
Application: TCC-Tanks and Chemical Containment Areas (TCC)
Substrate: GFRP
Customer Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Application Date: October 2026
Products: Belzona 1212
Problem: Late Friday evening, the customer contacted us regarding a leak in an elevated fiberglass tank. A hole had developed in the lower corner of the tank, allowing process water to leak into the unit below. The leak was pouring on top of electrical equipment, creating a safety concern and requiring immediate attention to prevent further damage to the tank and the equipment around it, and not to mention losing process water for the entire unit.
Active water leaking out of tank
Hole in the tank with some of the mechanical prep
Belzona 1212 with Belzona 9341 wetted in
Top coat of Belzona 1212 and smoothing out the application
Application Situation
Due to the urgency of the situation and the location of the leak near electrical equipment, the customer required a fast and effective repair solution. The Belzona repair option provided a cost-effective alternative to replacing the tank or performing extensive fiberglass repairs. By utilizing Belzona materials, the repair could be completed with minimal downtime, reducing labor costs and avoiding the expense and logistical challenges associated with tank replacement. The ability to respond quickly, even late on a Friday night, helped minimize further water leakage and potential damage to surrounding equipment while allowing the customer to return to normal operations as soon as possible.
Application Method
The damaged area was mechanically prepared by sanding the fiberglass surface using hand tools to remove loose material and create a suitable bonding surface. Due to the inability to obtain a hot work permit, all surface preparation was completed using manual tools. Belzona 1212 was first applied to the prepared area, followed by Belzona 9341 reinforcement cloth to provide additional strength and structural support. A final top layer of Belzona 1212 was then applied over the reinforcement cloth to complete the repair and seal the damaged area. This cold-applied repair method eliminated the need for hot work and allowed the repair to be performed safely and efficiently.
Belzona Facts
The Belzona repair provided a cost-effective alternative to tank replacement or a more extensive fiberglass repair. Replacing the elevated tank would have required significant labor, equipment, and downtime, resulting in increased costs for the customer. Traditional repair methods involving hot work were also not feasible due to the inability to obtain a hot work permit. Belzona 1212 and 9341 offered a reliable cold-applied solution that could be completed using hand tools with minimal equipment and preparation. The ability to respond immediately to the customer’s emergency, reduce downtime, and avoid costly replacement made Belzona the ideal solution. Additionally, the repair minimized the risk of further water leakage near electrical equipment, helping prevent potential secondary damage and additional expenses.
