PVC Water stopper seals for construction Joints

Waterstops (also known as water-bars) are extruded plastic or metal strips meant to provide a physical barrier to Water in concrete joints, mostly in basements, structural foundations & other below ground constructions.

Ribbed Design with Central Bulb

Ceasing Water access is essential at concrete joints for the safety of structure. Otherwise it can damage building foundation. Water stoppers act as concrete joint sealants & protect it from any seepage of water across surroundings. For construction joints there are arguments both in favor & against of using water stops, issues are associated with movements & construction joints itself, let us consider both of them.

Advantages of using water-stops :

1. Act as a physical barrier to water, thus keep the joints watertight.
2. Eradicate the complete dependency on integrity of concrete at joints.

 

Disadvantages (or claimed to be)-

1. They are vulnerable to get damaged during construction.
2. Can dislocate while pouring concrete.
3. Compaction of concrete is more difficult around them, leading to a risk of honeycomb formation which may lead to leakage through concrete itself rather then through joint.
4. Can not be replaced after it completes its lifespan.
   

Consequently, key issues which favors not to use water-stops are associated with lack of good workmanship or proper technical assistance. These can be overcome or minimized with proper guidance & knowledge. Advice of a certified professional like a civil engineer, Architect is always recommended. Major important points to be remembered are indicated below-

Installation PVC Water Stop Seals

• Clarity in structure design with sound detailing.
• Installation of water-stoppers should be done by experienced workers, technicians under proper supervision.
• Ensuring that concrete is thoroughly compacted & Water sealants are secured in place.
• Selecting good quality material is very important, moc should be 100% viring grade, no recycled material should be used. "Metroflex"  , fosroc are some approved & high quality makes for water stoppers.
  

 

Compounding -

There are generally three kind of material is used in manufacturing of Waterstops, these are Rubber, PVC, Metal. As per various National & International standards available for them, PVC(Poly vinyl chloride) is most preferable material. Galvanized Steel & Copper is also used but on rare occasions.

Types of Waterstops-

1. Passive: There are two varieties of passive waterstops depending on whether they are applied internally i.e. within the concrete slab or externally (on outer surface of basement structure, also known as Kicker type). A typical PVC water-stop have two similar half’s on both site with a central bulb. These additional extensions are provided with the aim of increasing path length for water entering behind the edge of water stop. The central bulb are intended for free movement joints, expansion & contraction at joints take place due to change in temperature & other climatic changes. Joints expand during winters & contract during summers. Waterstops without central bulb are appropriate, where there is no significant expansion or contraction may occur. Water stops basically have three type of designs which may or may not have a central bulb, these are Ribbed, Kicker & dumbbell type.

2. Expanding sealants : are strips of synthetic rubber (chloroprene or neoprene) incorporating  a hydrophilic or “water loving”  material that are places against the face of a construction joints before adjacent concrete is poured any contact with water causes a swelling in the material which is supposed to provide a compressive seal & prevents any further leakage of water. Expansion sealants have major limitations like they are not instantaneous & can cause certain amount of leakage before they are fully functional. It is also not suitable for use in movement joints. A subsequent Amount of water is also essential otherwise the sealant likely to contract causing leakage though the joint. such type of water stopper is recommend on permanently wet situations such as water tanks, swimming pools.  Special care should also be taken  to avoid water contact with the expanding type of waterstop to avoid premature expansion, rendering it useless.

 

Jointing PVC WATERSTOP With Electric Heater Blade.

Metroflex PVC Waterstop can be joint very easy & effectively on site with a simple electrical heater blade.

• Water-stops of same width & design should be sharply at edges using a knife.
• Turn On the Electric Heater Blade and wait will it become hot.
• Place the waterstops on both side of heater blade & press it until it melt but without burning.
• Remove the heater blade upward.
• Joint the molten end quickly & hold them together firmly for approximately 20-30 seconds.

 For details & commercial purposes, kindly visit:  www.pvcwaterstop.in