Hilton Garden Inn Jeddah uses Penetron for rooftop pool waterproofing

Hilton Garden Inn in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has used Penetron's concrete waterproofing products for its rooftop swimming pool and below-ground structures, according to the construction materials supplier. Penetron said testing after commissioning found no water leakage beneath the pool slab, with the concrete treatment functioning without a separate waterproofing membrane.

The supplier's release, dated 14 October 2026, describes the hotel as officially unveiled in late 2026. It focuses on the waterproofing specification and testing rather than the property's ownership, operating arrangements or development investment.

Protecting guest rooms beneath the pool

Sam Annous, director and partner of Penetron Middle East, said the rooftop location presented structural and leakage risks because the pool places hydrostatic loads on an elevated slab above guest accommodation. Water escaping from the pool could affect ceilings, walls and rooms below.

According to Annous, the project brief called for protection of the hotel's below-ground concrete structures and a pool designed to remain watertight throughout the building's life without depending on a surface membrane. Penetron acknowledged that conventional membranes can be installed quickly, but said breaches during their service life can expose the accommodation beneath them to damage.

Concrete treatment combined with joint protection

Penetron Middle East specified a combination of concrete admixture, joint-sealing materials and localised repair products. PENETRON ADMIX was added at the batching plant, while PENEBAR SW45 swellable waterstop strips and PENEBAR PRIMER were specified for construction joints and penetrations.

PENETRON slurry and PENECRETE MORTAR were used to treat localised cracks and tie holes and finish visible defects. The supplier identified joints and penetrations as particularly vulnerable areas in water-retaining and below-ground structures.

Penetron says its admixture reacts with calcium hydroxide and water when exposed to moisture, creating insoluble crystalline structures inside the concrete. These seal capillaries and static cracks up to 0.5 mm, with the reaction reactivating when new moisture enters.

The company also claims the treatment helps concrete resist chloride ingress, carbonation and chemical attack. Its proposed advantage is that waterproofing becomes part of the concrete itself rather than a surface layer vulnerable to puncturing, peeling or ageing.

Supplier reports results after pool testing

Following commissioning, the pool was filled and held for testing. Penetron said the walls on the floor below were almost entirely dry and that no leakage was detected beneath the slab; it did not provide a test duration.

For hotel operators, the issue highlighted by the project is the protection of guest accommodation beneath rooftop leisure facilities. Annous described the Jeddah property as the latest Hilton hotel to specify Penetron's system, although the release did not identify other properties or set out further installations.