Waterproof Concrete Troughs

[RATTER15]

Im making some concrete planter trough and I was wondering the best way to make them waterproof and resistant to freezing winters and maybe also use them to hold water for water features. or would the concrete be naturally waterproof.

I could use PVA in the mix but I would need a lot of it and that would be too costly.

I do not want to paint anything onto them!!

I have seen very very old cattle drinking troughs made from concrete, would these have been treated in any way?

Im hoping to sell these troughs when made.

[Chipchopper]

I would definitely use a sealant in the concrete mix, perhaps the type used in garden pond construction, which is relatively cheap.

[Gordy_Agustsa]

Concrete troughs will hold water.
The newly formed troughs would need to be scrubbed clean to remove surface chemicals inherently found in fresh batched and set concrete, ie, chlorides, sulphates, salts etc that would be detrimental to any plant life or fish you might be considering adding to the finished product.
To minimise freeze thaw damage to the concrete troughs consider using polypropolene fibres and air entrainment admixture to your batching process, this will prevent the concrete cracking or flaking during the colder months.
I would recommend waiting until the concrete has fully cured (28 days) before adding any water, plants or fish.

[KARL]

If there is concern over the concrete becoming damaged through freezing then there is another thing to consider. If the contents freeze then the trough will very possibly break especially if the contents are water, never mind what is otherwise happening to the concrete forming the shell. I have a small flower bed trough that was at the house when we bought it which demonstrates this very well.

[The Builder]

I would agree with the others about using fibres and a waterproofing admimixture.

They could be added separately, or together with something like this..................

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Sika-No-Crack-Concrete-Admixture/p/154064?CAWELAID=120135120000012607&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=37524959812&CATCI=pla-253560858292&gclid=CJXFm4ayytQCFYgV0wodDoMHew&gclsrc=aw.ds

Freezing should not be a problem as long as the concrete does not soak up a great deal of water. As you know, Ratts, it's the water that freezes and blows the concrete. Concrete on its own can stand low temperature very well.

[RATTER15]

Thanks all, just what I needed to know.