Selection reference
What is waterstop, and how do the systems differ?
Waterstop is a joint-sealing material installed to resist water passing through concrete joints. Depending on the system, it forms a physical barrier, swells under confinement or bonds to concrete. Start with the joint detail, expected movement and service conditions.
| Waterstop system | How it works & what to confirm | Browse products |
|---|---|---|
| PVC waterstop | Flexible profiles create a physical barrier across the joint. Profile geometry determines which joint movements the waterstop can accommodate. Confirm: profile number, width, thickness, movement capacity and heat-welded splice details. | PVC profiles → |
| Hydrophilic strips | Preformed strips or cord expand on contact with water to create a compression seal within confined concrete. Rubber-based and bentonite-based products have different properties. Confirm: material, permitted movement, concrete cover, attachment and protection from premature swelling. | Hydrotite, Adeka & Swellstop → |
| Swellable sealants | Paste-applied materials swell after water exposure. Depending on the product, they serve as a primary waterstop or as an adhesive or companion seal. Confirm: approved use, substrate condition, bead dimensions, confinement and curing requirements. | Paste-applied products → |
| Bonded waterstop | Waterbar FB-125 uses a flexible polyolefin waterstop with a surface that bonds to concrete to resist water migration along the interface. Confirm: construction-joint detail, embedment, connections and installation sequence. | Waterbar FB-125 → |
| Non-swelling mastic | Lockstop forms a seal between concrete surfaces in non-moving joints without expanding on water exposure. Confirm: joint movement limits, surface preparation and the specified Lockstop Primer Adhesive. | Lockstop → |
| Retrofit waterstop | Retrofit profiles connect new concrete to an existing structure using a designed attachment and sealing detail. Confirm: profile, movement requirements, batten bars, fasteners, bedding and transition components required by the selected system. | Retrofit profiles → |
Construction joints vs. movement joints
A construction joint occurs between concrete placements. Expansion and other movement joints are designed to accommodate movement. Match the waterstop to the movement specified for each joint; a strip intended for limited movement is not an automatic substitute for a movement-rated profile.
New concrete to existing structures
Facility expansions and rehabilitation work require a defined connection to the existing concrete. Check the substrate, attachment method and continuity of the seal. Retrofit profiles and other systems have different installation details; follow the approved project drawings.
Waterstop for commercial and industrial projects
Wastewater treatment facilities, data centers and large building projects can include several joint conditions. Check water pressure, chemical exposure, concrete dimensions and required transitions. Potable-water approvals and chemical compatibility must be verified for the exact product and service conditions.
Include the specified primers, attachment components and intersections in the takeoff. Use the manufacturer documents below to confirm the complete joint detail before ordering.
Chemical-resistant waterstop: TPE-R
Secondary containment at refineries, fuel-storage facilities and chemical-processing plants can require more chemical resistance than standard PVC provides. TPE-R is a thermoplastic elastomeric rubber waterstop developed for chemically aggressive environments.
Match the material and profile to the specific chemicals, concentrations, service temperatures and joint movement. Review the manufacturer’s chemical-resistance data and specified splice details before ordering.
Technical reference
Documents for selection & submittals
Review the manufacturer’s product data, profile drawings, and installation instructions for the selected system.
Need a document for another product? Check the selected product page or contact Indcon Supply.
Project orders
Request project pricing
Send the specified product and the quantities your project requires. If the selection is still being reviewed, describe the joint condition and reference the project specification.
Include with your request
- Manufacturer and product or profile number
- Quantity or total linear footage
- Delivery ZIP and required-on-site date
- Required intersections, transitions and accessories
Waterstop questions
Can hydrophilic waterstop replace PVC waterstop?
Selection depends on the joint detail and the specified performance. Hydrophilic products seal through swelling under confinement; PVC profiles form an embedded barrier. Confirm that any proposed substitution meets the project’s movement, exposure, and installation requirements.
Is all hydrophilic waterstop made from bentonite?
No. Hydrophilic describes the material’s response to water, not a single composition. For example, Sika Hydrotite CJ uses modified chloroprene rubber without bentonite. Compare each product’s material, expansion behavior and installation requirements.
Does an expansion project require expansion-joint waterstop everywhere?
The project description does not determine the joint type. Identify which joints accommodate movement and which are construction joints or connections to existing concrete.
How do I determine the quantity to order?
Use the joint layout to establish total length, then account for intersections, transitions, splice requirements, and an appropriate allowance. Confirm whether each listed product is sold by the roll, piece, cartridge, or carton.
How are waterstop lengths joined at splices and intersections?
The method depends on the material and profile. PVC waterstop uses heat-welded joints; strip and paste-applied systems have their own manufacturer instructions. Identify corners, tees, crosses and transitions in the joint layout, and confirm whether factory-fabricated intersections are specified.
Is leak-stopping cement the same as joint waterstop?
Leak-stopping cement addresses suitable cracks, holes, and active leaks. Embedded, strip-applied, bonded, and retrofit waterstop systems serve different joint-sealing functions. Select the product for the actual repair or construction detail.
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