The problem leaking in

Uncontrolled water ingress is a serious threat to commercial structures, leading to flooding, asset damage, and destabilised ground. We solve this by creating waterproof barriers within the soil itself, preventing water from reaching your foundations, basements, or retaining walls, without disruptive excavation.

The problem: Groundwater ingress in the UAE

In the UAE, high groundwater tables—often saline and aggressive—pose a constant threat to deep structures.

When the waterproofing of a basement, retaining wall, or tunnel fails, the result is not just a wet floor; it is a structural risk. Ingress leads to corrosion of steel reinforcement, damage to high-value assets (like parked cars or electrical rooms), and destabilization of the surrounding ground due to fines washout.

We solve this by creating waterproof barriers within the soil itself, cutting off the water path before it reaches your structure, all without disruptive excavation.

 

Technical causes of water ingress

Understanding why water is entering your structure is key to stopping it permanently.

High hydrostatic pressure

Many structures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are built deep below the water table. The immense pressure forces water through even microscopic cracks or failed joints in the concrete.

Permeable soil layers

The UAE's sandy soil profiles often contain highly permeable layers that act as a "superhighway" for groundwater, directing it straight to the weakest point of your basement wall or shoring pile.

Failed waterproofing membranes

External membranes can fail due to poor installation, ground movement, or chemical attack from saline groundwater. Once compromised, repair is difficult without massive excavation.

Construction joint failure

Water frequently exploits weak points like cold joints, kicker joints, and pipe penetrations (service entries), especially where waterstops have been displaced or damaged.

Water pooling on a concrete floor

What are the signs of water ingress and soil permeability?

Dampness, mould, or water leaks in basements, lift pits, or tunnels

Pooling water on floor slabs or against retaining walls

Visible soil erosion or "washout" near foundations or drains

Ground settlement or voids appearing after heavy rain or flooding

Water leaking through piling at construction sites

water leaking at the base of a cement block wall and cement floor

What are the technical causes?

High hydrostatic pressure

The weight of saturated ground pushes water through any crack, joint, or porous section of a concrete structure.

Permeable soil layers

Strata of sand, gravel, or poorly compacted fill act as a "superhighway" for groundwater, directing it straight to your structure.

Failed joints & penetrations

Water exploits weak points like construction joints, pipe penetrations, and minor cracks.

Erosion & washout

Flowing water carries away fine soil particles, creating voids (see our void filling page) and destabilising the ground, which makes the leak worse.

Our solution

The Geobear solution: in-situ geopolymer injection

Our treatment is not a temporary internal patch. We engineer a solution that addresses the problem from the outside, within the ground itself.

1. Injection
We drill small-diameter holes through the wall or floor slab. We inject our specialist hydro-insensitive geopolymer resin directly into the saturated soil or void behind the structure.

2. Expansion & displacement
The resin is designed to be injected into active water flows. It is hydrophobic and denser than water in its liquid phase, meaning it powerfully displaces the water rather than diluting. It expands rapidly to fill voids and fissures.

3. Barrier formation (cut-off wall)
The geopolymer permeates the local soil matrix and cures to form a solid, impermeable mass. This creates a permanent "curtain wall" or "grout block" behind your structure, relieving hydrostatic pressure and preventing water from ever reaching the concrete.

TO REPLACE

view of construction site excavation with water at the base and shoring around the site

Key applications in the UAE

Basement & car park leaks

Sealing leaking diaphragm walls (D-walls), secant pile walls, and floor slab joints in deep basements.

Lift pits & sump tanks

Sealing deep, water-logged pits that are prone to ingress.

Construction dewatering

Creating impermeable barriers to seal shoring walls, reducing the need for expensive and continuous dewatering pumping.

Coastal protection

Stabilizing and sealing sea walls or quay walls against tidal erosion.

Technical advantages of the Geobear solution 

 

Feature Geobear geopolymer Traditional cement grouting
Reaction time Fast. Cures in minutes, stopping live leaks instantly. Slow. Takes hours/days to set; can wash out.
Water resistance Hydro-insensitive. Does not absorb water or segregate. Vulnerable. Can dilute or wash away in flowing water.
Durability High. Resistant to saline/sulfate attack. Variable. Cement breaks down in aggressive saline soil.
Precision High. Controlled expansion fills micro-fissures. Low. Hard to control flow path.

Frequently asked questions about resin water sealing

Yes. In fact, it is often easier to identify the flow path when it is active. Our specialist resins are designed to react and expand immediately upon contact with water, stopping live leaks in seconds.

Absolutely. Our geopolymers are chemically inert and highly resistant to the aggressive chlorides and sulfates found in the region's saline groundwater, which often attack traditional concrete and cement grouts.

Crack injection only seals the concrete. Our solution injects through the concrete into the soil behind it. We create a waterproof barrier in the ground, preventing the water from even reaching the crack. This addresses the root cause (water pressure) rather than just the symptom.

Yes, this is a major benefit. By permeating and binding the loose sandy soil, our process not only blocks water but also densifies the ground, filling any washouts or voids that the leak may have caused.

No. We work entirely from the inside (negative side), drilling through the wall or floor. This saves you the massive cost and disruption of excavating down to the foundations of an existing building.

Stop water leaks at the source

Don't let saline groundwater damage your assets. Contact our engineering team for a site assessment to design a permanent, non-disruptive water sealing solution.

Request a site assessment
Bear pointing Bear pointing