Soil Sealants

Since 1958, Environmental Soil Sealant, or ESS-13, has been used to seal lakes and ponds. It is a liquid polymer emulsion that is either poured into the water or mixed into the soil and compacted prior to filling with water. ESS-13 seals by reducing the hydraulic conductivity of soils beyond their natural capability by filling voids in the soil and by chemically and electrically modifying the alignment of the clay platelets in the soil.

When the soil is treated and compacted prior to filling, the various components in ESS-13 work together to improve mechanical compaction, which results in more than 12 inches of thickness to prevent leaks and seepage. In the waterborne treatment, ESS-13 stays in suspension, acting as a colloidal dispersion, and is drawn into the soil as the seepage occurs where it then envelops the soil and fills existing voids. Because it works within the soil rather than creating a membrane over the soil, it will not deteriorate with time.

By using one of the Environmental Soil Sealant systems, a situation is created that allows for continual seepage rate reduction. This is due to the stabilization of the soil and the reduction of voids. Microscopic fines that would ordinarily have passed through the larger voids in the native soil will build up on the ESS-13 liner surface. The treated soil is then a permanent system that will not break down. If a soil cover is desired for wetlands, or if fish habitat, rocks, aeration lines, etc. are desired, they can be placed over the ESS-13 seal with standard equipment and no damage will occur to the sealer.

All applications are customized to specific conditions so please contact US for more information.