Initial Situation
At a supermarket location in Regensburg, a leaking, drive-through grease trap underwent a comprehensive renovation in early August 2026. The renovation work was carried out by AbscheiderWerkstatt GmbH. As the system manufacturer, we at IPA Bauchemie supported the project with tailored renovation products as well as technical advice and guidance during the work.
The goal of the renovation project was to restore the grease trap’s watertightness and to create a durable, resistant surface protection. Due to the differing requirements for the drive-over manhole collar and the monolithic separator area, a specifically tailored system design was selected for each component area.
Renovation Process
- Proper Substrate Preparation
Substrate preparation was carried out the day before the actual renovation work began. First, the existing old coating was completely removed. This was followed by a thorough cleaning of the surfaces. The goal of the preparation was to create a stable, clean substrate suitable for the subsequent restoration system. Careful substrate preparation is an essential prerequisite for the secure adhesion and proper functioning of the subsequent mortar and coating systems.
- Renovation of the vehicle-accessible shaft head
Due to the mechanical stress caused by vehicle traffic, the manhole collar was rehabilitated using the IPA Elastikschlämme system. First, the existing manhole collar joints were chiseled out and prepared for further treatment. The exposed joint areas were then sealed and rebuilt using IPA IPANEX repair mortar. To create the remaining substrate layer, IPA Unimörtel Rapid was mixed to a slurry consistency and applied as an adhesive slurry to the prepared substrate. The bonding slurry was worked into the entire surface of the substrate. A layer of IPA Unimörtel Rapid mortar, approximately 5–6 mm thick, was then applied to the still-fresh bonding slurry and finished to the desired surface texture.
After the mortar layer had dried sufficiently and appeared dry to the eye, preparations were made for applying the waterproofing. To do this, the surface was pre-wetted to achieve capillary saturation over the entire area and prepared to be slightly damp. IPA Elastik slurry was then troweled over the entire surface. The waterproofing was applied with a minimum layer thickness of 1.5 mm. The combination of IPA IPANEX Filling Mortar, IPA Unimörtel Rapid, and IPA Elastik Slurry resulted in a coordinated, flexible waterproofing system for the traffic-bearing manhole collar area.
- Renovation of the monolithic separator area
A different system configuration was chosen for the monolithic section of the grease trap. Here, IPA Polyschicht® 2K was used as a chemically and mechanically resistant protective coating. In this area as well, IPA Unimörtel Rapid was first adjusted to a slurry consistency and applied over the entire surface of the prepared substrate as a bonding slurry, which was then worked into the surface. A mortar layer approximately 5–6 mm thick, consisting of IPA Unimörtel Rapid, was then applied to the still-fresh bonding slurry and properly worked in.
After preparing the substrate, IPA Polyschicht® 2K was applied in two coats. The first coat was rolled on evenly using a short-pile paint roller. As soon as the first coat was no longer tacky, the second coat was also applied evenly using a short-pile paint roller. Each coat was applied with a thickness of approximately 1 mm. This resulted in a total coating thickness of approximately 2 mm. The two-coat system with a total coating thickness of approximately 2 mm was implemented in accordance with the approved system configuration specified in the DIBt approval for IPA Polyschicht® 2K.
For the wall sections, IPA Polyschicht® thickener was added to the coating. This allowed the consistency required for application on vertical surfaces to be adjusted. As a result, the coating could be applied evenly at a thickness of approximately 1 mm per layer, preventing the material from running. The two-layer coating system created a continuous and durable protective layer that reliably shields the monolithic separator area from the chemical and mechanical stresses encountered there.
IPA System Products Used
- IPA IPANEX Grout
For sealing and repairing the prepared manhole neck joints. - IPA Rapid Unimortar
For preparing the substrate and as a bonding slurry and mortar layer beneath subsequent waterproofing systems. - IPA Elastic Slurry
For flexible waterproofing of the trafficable manhole collar area with a minimum layer thickness of 1.5 mm. - IPA Polyschicht® 2K
For the application of a chemically and mechanically resistant protective coating in the monolithic separator area in accordance with the approved system configuration. - IPA Polyschicht® Thinner
For adjusting the IPA Polyschicht® 2K to the required consistency for application on walls.
Result
Thanks to the professional execution of the renovation work by AbscheiderWerkstatt GmbH and the use of coordinated IPA system products, the leaking grease trap was successfully and sustainably renovated. The different requirements of the two component areas were specifically taken into account: While the drive-over manhole collar was treated with a flexible sealing system consisting of IPA IPANEX grout, IPA Unimörtel Rapid, and IPA Elastik slurry, the monolithic separator section received a two-layer protective coating with IPA Polyschicht® 2K.
We would like to thank AbscheiderWerkstatt GmbH for their trust and our successful collaboration.
