Large commercial planter boxes hold soil that stays permanently damp, and without a sound membrane that moisture works its way through the concrete and into the structure below. On a commercial property in Southport, Queensland, Hydro Logic was engaged to spray-apply an industrial protective membrane to a long run of large planter boxes, sealing the concrete against water ingress and preventing leaks into the levels beneath.

Deteriorated commercial planter box before spray-applied protective membrane in Southport Before
Commercial planter box after industrial protective membrane applied in Southport After

Before and after: a deteriorated planter box base sealed with a seamless spray-applied protective membrane.

Why commercial planter boxes leak

A large planter box is, in effect, a concrete tank holding wet soil around the clock. That constant moisture sits against the concrete with nowhere to go, and over time it finds the path of least resistance through fine cracks, construction joints and porous concrete. The result is water ingress that migrates through the structure and into whatever sits below, often a car park, a podium level or occupied space.

Left unaddressed, the signs show up away from the planter itself: damp patches and staining on the ceiling below, efflorescence, ongoing concrete deterioration and, eventually, corrosion of the reinforcement. A spray-applied membrane lining solves the problem at its source by sealing the inside face of the planter so water can no longer pass through the concrete.

Why this property engaged a specialist

The organisation behind this project engaged Hydro Logic specifically for its specialist expertise in industrial protective coating, rather than a general trade. A durable planter box membrane is not a paint job. It depends on correct surface preparation, an engineering-led inspection of the concrete, the right primer and coating system, and specialist heated plural-component spray equipment to lay down a seamless membrane at the required thickness.

That combination of capability is exactly what separates a long-term result from a short-term fix, and it is the reason asset owners come to a specialist. You can see the full scope of this work on our industrial and protective coating capabilities page.

Specialist coatings, delivered across the East Coast

Southport and the Gold Coast skyline, Queensland, where Hydro Logic delivered the planter box project
Southport, on Queensland's Gold Coast. Hydro Logic delivers specialist coating work right along the East Coast of Australia.

Specialist coating work like this is delivered right across the East Coast of Australia, and this Gold Coast planter box project is a good example. Because the capability is self-contained, the crew, the heated plural-component spray equipment and the engineering-led system expertise all travel to the asset. The same specialist standard is delivered wherever the work is needed, across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and beyond, which means commercial clients with assets in more than one location can rely on a single specialist contractor for all of them.

How the planter boxes were coated

Hydro Logic delivered the work as a controlled, staged process:

  1. Site setup and safety. On-site induction, all necessary permits, SWMS and daily toolbox talks, with the work area established and exclusion zones set up where required. Hydro Logic is CM3 certified and maintains systems aligned with ISO 45001.
  2. Clear out. The planter boxes were cleared of soil and vegetation and the area cleared of loose equipment, ready for preparation. Soil removal and reinstatement were handled by others.
  3. Dry and inspect. Surfaces were allowed to dry fully, then the concrete floors and walls were inspected for cracks and surface defects.
  4. Repair. Minor crack repairs were carried out, and any major defects identified were documented and reported.
  5. Mask and prime. Coating zones were masked, and an epoxy primer was applied to all prepared surfaces in accordance with the manufacturer's specification.
  6. Spray-apply the membrane. The industrial protective coating was applied at 2 to 3mm using heated plural-component spray equipment, forming a seamless membrane across the floors and walls of every box.
  7. Cure and reinstate. The coating is tack-free within seconds and fully serviceable within 24 hours, so the planter boxes were quickly returned to operational condition.
Hydro Logic technician spray-applying a protective membrane inside a commercial planter box Heated plural-component spray equipment used to apply the planter box membrane

Left: spray-applying the protective membrane to the planter box floor and walls. Right: heated plural-component spray equipment set up alongside the masked planter boxes.

The heated plural-component spray equipment is central to the result. It allows the membrane to be applied at a consistent 2 to 3mm in a single, seamless pass and to cure almost immediately, which is what makes the system both hard-wearing and fast to return to service. It is also the kind of equipment and method that sits outside the scope of a general trade.

The result: a seamless membrane and lasting leak prevention

Completed planter box with seamless industrial protective coating applied at Southport Queensland
The finished membrane is seamless and monolithic, bonded directly to the concrete with no joints or laps to fail.

The finished membrane is seamless and monolithic, bonded directly to the concrete with no joints or laps to fail. The inside faces of the planter boxes are sealed against water ingress, which prevents leaks from passing through into the structure below. Because the coating cures so quickly, the works were completed with minimal disruption to the property.

As with all of Hydro Logic's coating systems, the membrane was selected for long-term durability in its operating environment, and systems of this type can be supported by warranties of up to ten years depending on the system and application.

Industrial protective coating spray-applied to the planter box floor and walls, Southport QLD.

Frequently asked questions

  • Why do planter boxes need a membrane?

    Planter boxes hold wet soil permanently, and that constant moisture works its way through the concrete over time. A membrane seals the inside of the box so water cannot pass through into the structure below.

  • Can a leaking planter box be fixed without rebuilding it?

    In most cases, yes. If the concrete is sound, the box can be cleaned, prepared and lined with a spray-applied protective membrane, avoiding demolition and reconstruction.

  • What coating is used on planter boxes?

    Hydro Logic uses an industrial protective coating spray-applied at 2 to 3mm over an epoxy primer, forming a seamless, hard-wearing membrane across the floors and walls.

  • How disruptive is the work?

    Minimal. The coating is tack-free within seconds and fully serviceable within 24 hours, so the area can be reinstated and returned to use quickly.

  • Does Hydro Logic work in Queensland?

    Yes. Hydro Logic delivers specialist coating and rehabilitation work across the East Coast of Australia, including the Gold Coast and wider Queensland.