Waterbar Application Manual

General description of Waterstops and their usage

Existing methods of sealing joints and problems associated with them
An explanation of Strip type waterbars
Advantage of Dr. Fixit Waterbars
Detailed instructions on how to lay Dr. Fixit Waterbars
from the makers of

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CC-DF-WF-WB-BK-07/13

Pidilite Industries Limited

Construction Chemicals Division
Ramakrishna Mandir Road, PO Box No. 17411, Andheri East, Mumbai 400 059 T 2835 7000 F 2835 7008
drfixit@pidilite.com, www.doctor-fixit.com

Frequently answered question (FAQ) on waterbars

Comparision table for different types of strip waterbars

Waterbar Application Manual

1] What are waterbars or waterstops and where are they
used in civil engineering?

Leakage occurs when there is a gap in the construction

joint. This gap occurs when it is not possible to vibrate
concrete properly and effectively within the construction
joint due to various difficulties under site conditions. Such a
gap can also occur due to shrinkage of concrete. Shrinkage
gaps may vary from 0.5 mm to 1mm. Gap due to
inadequate vibration may vary from 1-6mm.

All structures built of concrete have construction joints.

These may be horizontal joints, vertical joints, inclined joints
or curved joints. By themselves, they do not pose any
serious problems. However, if the structures are subject to
water pressure, improperly cast joints may cause problems
because of leakage. This may happen in water tanks,
basements, tunnels, swimming pools, water treatment
plants etc.

3] How do we solve this chronic problem?

Various attempts are made by engineers to solve this
problem.

Such structures include Water Tanks, Swimming Pools,

Basement Wall and Floor perimeter joint, Basement column
and floor slab joint, vertical joints in basement retaining
walls, Sewage Treatment Plants, Sump Tanks, Potable water
Reservoirs, Raft Slabs cast in more than one pour, final roof
slabs cast in more than one pour, pipe intrusions in
concrete walls, fish hatcheries, concrete lined storm water
and irrigation channels, precast structures such as box
culverts, septic tanks and utility vaults, pedestrian and
below grade tunnels, but joint between old roof and new
roof and other joints.
2] Why does leakage occur?

Some engineers suggest the use of PVC waterstops during

concreting. Some apply epoxy to the construction joint.
Some prefer to grout the joint with cement slurry or epoxy
injection. Let us evaluate all these systems one by one.

Nonswellable Waterbar
A noneswellable or compressible waterbar works on the
principle of compression and sealing the joint. When
concrete falls on the sealant, it gets compressed and by
virtue of this the gap or construction joint gets filled up.
For this, the essential properties are compressibility, i.e.
the waterbar should be slightly soft so that it gets
compressed. It should be able to change its shape and
squeeze itself to fill up the gap. It should be of fairly large
cross section so that there is enough material to get
squeezed. If for eg, the cross section is only 5 mm x 10
mm or 10 mmx 10 mm, there may not be enough material
to get compressed. Typically, compressible sealants
should be of 20 mm x 20 mm cross section minimum for
maximum effectiveness. If it is 25 mm x 25 mm, it is even
better.

Cement Grouting
Cement grouting into construction joints is one of the
methods which is used regularly by engineers in the
attempt to fill up construction joints. This works well if
there is a large amount of honeycombs in the concrete.
However, if there are no honeycombs and there is only
a thin gap in the joint, then it becomes very difficult
to grout since the slurry cannot find its way into the fine
gap. Moreover, drilling a number of holes directly into
a joint will actually make the joint weaker and not help
much in sealing the joint.

Compressible (Nonswellable Waterbars) require very less

cover in concrete. They can be used with cover as less as
25mm. The minimum strength of concrete can also be as
low as M15 since there is no danger of expansion of
sealant.

Epoxy, P. U, acrylic or other chemical

grouting

Existing Methods of Sealing Construction Joints and common problems

with such methods
PVC Waterstops
PVC waterstops are available in various sizes in width and
various thicknesses. One half of the waterstop is inserted
into fresh concrete during concreting.
The other half is normally concreted in the second phase
of concreting. It is believed that this waterstop helps in
increasing the flow path of water around it thus lowering
its pressure. Experience shows us that PVC waterstops do
not bond with the parent concrete due to
nonhomogenous nature of the PVC and the concrete.
It is very difficult to keep the PVC waterstop in position
while concreting is underway, especially if there is
obstructing reinforcement bars. When the second lift of
concrete is poured, the second half of the PVC waterstop
generally folds over and helps to form a passage through
which even more water may leak. It is difficult
to weld PVC waterstop on site if a welding machine is not
available.

TYPICAL

Epoxy Coatings in Construction Joints

WATER MAY LEAK ALONG

THE PATH SHOWN IN RED

the construction joint with a waterbar to prevent leakage,

your structural consultant may still recommend that you
apply epoxy coating above and below the waterbar so as
to ensure structural bonding.

Although some nonengineers have suggested epoxy

coating as a solution to the problem of sealing gaps in
construction joints, this system will not work since epoxy
forms only a thin coating and does not fill the gap. It is
useful only when structural bonding is required. Gaps in
construction joints may be quite large (upto 5-6 mm) and
cannot be filled up by epoxy coating. In addition to sealing

PVC WATERSTOP FOLDING

OVER WHEN CONCRETE
FALLS ON IT

PROBLEMS WITH PVC WATERSTOPS

Epoxy grouting also has the same problems as cement

grouting. If drilling and fixing a grout nipple can be
executed well, then this method has a higher degree of
success as compared with cement grouting. However,
epoxy or any other kind of chemical grouting is very
expensive and it is difficult to find experienced applicators
to carry out such jobs.

An important requirement of compressible waterbars is a

highly adhesive nature. This is required because freshly
poured concrete should adhere immediately with the
waterbar. When shrinkage of concrete occurs, the
waterbar is still stuck to the concrete and no gap occurs
because of the shrinkage.

The correct solution to sealing construction joints in

water contact structures is a STRIP WATERBAR OR STRIP
WATERSTOP.

Compressible waterstops are generally useful to stop

water leakage having a maximum head of about 15 to 20
mtrs.

Swellable Waterbars
A swellable waterbar works on the principle of swelling
upon coming into contact with water. If there is no water,
it does not swell at all. Typically, they are made of
hydrophilic rubber or are bentonite based materials.

Pure rubber Hydrophilic Waterbar

Let us look at such a waterbar which is commonly
available in the market today. Such a waterbar is of small
cross section say 5 mm x 10 mm or 10 mm x 10 mm and
expands to 200 percent of its volume on contact with
water. Such waterstops are fairly rigid before expansion
and also after expansion. They retain most of their cross
section even after expansion. If it is immersed in water
and then taken out after a few days, it is not possible to
squeeze it in your hand and change its shape. These
waterstops work well in straight joints and where there is
no irregularity in the gap.
High Expansion pressure: Because hydrophilic rubbers
expand so much (250-300 percent), they are generally
manufactured using small cross sections like 5 mm x 10
mm, 10 mm x 10 mm, or 5 mm x 20 mm. This ensures
that there is not too much expansion volume and

A strip waterstop looks like a rope. Strip Waterstops

typically have a square or rectangular cross section of
sizes like 5 mm x 20 mm, 10 mm x 10 mm, 10 mm x 20
mm, 19 mm x 25 mm, 20 mm x 20 mm, 25 mm x 25 mm
etc. They are made of different materials like
hydrocarbon based polymer , hydrophilic rubber,
bentonite base, butyl rubber and other materials.
Generally they are divided into two categories:
NonSwellable (Compressible) Waterstops and Swellable
Waterstops or Waterbars.

Waterbar Application Manual

LAYING DR. FIXIT WATERBAR-METHODOLOGY

consequently high pressures which may blow out

the joint.

freshly poured concrete. It is extremely difficult to

remove NSW2525 from set concrete. This property helps
when concrete shrinkage takes place. The waterstop is
pulled by the concrete and shapes itself into the new
space.

For the same reason, manufacturers advise that the

minimum cover required in concrete when you use such
materials is about 75 100 mm. Also the grade of
concrete should not be less than M20. Some
manufacturers even advise M25.

NSW 2525 is larger than most other waterstops in the

market. It his highly flexible and therefore can be
moulded into the construction joint when concrete falls
on it, thus filling up the construction joint completely and
making the joint waterproof.

Premature Expansion Problem: It is important to see that

expansion does not take place even before you place
concrete. To solve this problem, some manufacturers
coat their waterstop with a Delay Coating which slows
down the rate of swell of the waterstop. This means that
the waterstop expands slowly.

site conditions cause problems and the waterstop

expands even before you concrete it. In that case, the
SW2020 waterstop behaves like a flexible compressible
waterstop. Its large cross section again comes into play
and the material squeezes itself into the construction
joint and again makes the joint watertight. This is why it is
called a 2 in 1 Waterbar.

CLEAN THE JOINT

APPLY PRIMER 20mm WIDE

NSW 2525 is completely unaffected by water and hence

can be used in situations where there is a danger of
curing water or rain affecting the work. It can be used
even when the cold joint is wet or curing water has
stagnated. However, loose mortar and laitance should be
removed physically before using NSW 2525.

Bentonite based Swellable Waterstop: Such a waterstop

relies highly on its considerable bentonite content to
expand. This is uncontrolled expansion. If immersed in
water, it will expand to the point that it will change its
shape completely and may even fall apart. If water
pressure is high, sometimes there is a chance that it
might even get washed away.

NSW 2525 is recommended to be used where it is

necessary to resist water heads of upto 15 to mtrs.
UNCOIL DR. FIXIT WATERBAR

Dr. Fixit's Swellable Waterbar SW 2020

Swellable waterstops are designed for higher waterheads.

They are typically used when you want to resist water
heads of about 50 to 100 mtrs.

PLACE IN POSITION

SW 2020 is the hydrophilic swellable waterbar of Dr. Fixit.

It is also known as a 2 in 1 Waterbar
SW2020 first acts like a compressible waterstop because
of its large cross section and because of its flexible
nature. It immediately makes the joint water resistant to a
waterhead of about 20 mtrs. Next, it starts expanding
when it comes into contact with water and then increases
the resistance to water leakage upto a head of 60-80
mtrs. This is why it is called a 2 in 1 Waterbar.
SW 2020 is a Controlled Expansion waterstop. It does
not swell to the point of deterioration. It is designed to
swell upto a maximum of 150 percent over and above its
original volume. By this, it ensures that there is no
unnecessary pressure generated inside the joint due to
high expansion. Hence concrete cover can be as less as
50 mm when using SW2020. It also ensures that it does
not expand so much that it gets washed out from the
joint in case there is a large gap.
SW 2020 has a large cross section of 20 mm x 20 mm.
Thus, it has the great advantage that compressible
waterbars have. A large cross section which ensures that
there is enough volume to begin with which can get
compressed. SW 2020 is a flexible material unlike regular
hydrophilic rubber waterstops which are rigid. Note that
rigid waterstops cannot be compressed easily.

Badly compacted concrete above or below a construction

joint can still leak in spite of using the best quality
waterbar

Advantages of Dr. Fixit Waterbars

Unlike other hydrophilic Rubber waterbars which are

commonly available, SW 2020 is highly adhesive in
nature. This nature allows it to bond by adhesion to
freshly poured concrete. It is extremely difficult to
remove SW2020 from set concrete. This property helps
when concrete shrinkage takes place. The waterstop is
pulled by the concrete and shapes itself into the new
space.
SW 2020 is fault tolerant waterstop. Let us assume that

Dr. Fixit Nonswellable Waterbar NSW2525

Dr. Fixit Nonswellable Waterbar NSW 2525 is a
compressible waterbar with a large cross section.
Unlike other hydrophilic Rubber waterbars which are
commonly available, NSW 2525 is highly adhesive in
nature. This nature allows it to bond by adhesion to
4

POUR CONCRETE

Effect of SW 2020
placed in a pipe &
immersed in water
Before swelling

After swelling

Detailed laying instructions

(READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USING DR.FIXIT WATERBAR)

Positioning of waterstop in the joint is very important.

Please refer to the section on SKETCHES in the waterbar
application manual to see exactly how waterstop is to be
placed.
Cleaning of joint of loose concrete, debris, dust and loose
mortar is very important.
ALWAYS CHECK the carton to make sure which waterbar
you are using Swellable or Nonswellable. Please note that
instructions for laying Swellable and Nonswellable
waterbar are different. Please refer SPECIFICATION in the
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.
Do not stretch or pull the Dr. Fixit Waterbar and make it
longer than its existing length. If you do this, then the
effectiveness of the waterbar will reduce drastically and it
will not be able to seal the joint properly.

FINISHED WATERPROOF JOINT

Waterbar Application Manual

(Sketches)

SECOND
POUR

Cut away view showing Dr. Fixit Waterbar inside a typical

horizontal construction joint

SECOND
POUR

FIRST
POUR

Vertical Joints in raft slab

VERTICAL JOINT - HANGING WATERBAR

USING BINDING WIRE OR STRING
IF IT DOES NOT STICK TO PRIMER

TYPICAL PLACEMENT OF WATER BAR IN

CONSTRUCTION JOINTS OF BASEMENT OR CELLAR

Waterbar Application Manual

products
Question: In hot weather, will Dr. Fixit waterbar become
soft and melt?
Answer: No, the unique structure of Dr. Fixit Waterstop
ensures that it does not melt and flow in hot weather,
unlike other waterstops.

DR. Fixit Waterbar SW 2020 is the only hydrophilic

rubber swellable waterbar having such a large cross
section. Cross section of SW 2020 is 20mm x 20 mm =
400 sq mm. Other waterbars are of much smaller cross
section.
Dr. Fixit Waterbar NSW 2525 is made of superior
material made with the latest technology in the USA in
international standard extruding machines. The
manufacturing process complies fully with ISO 9001.

Comparision with other similar

process which exerts less pressure on the surrounding
concrete and is the preferred specification today.

Frequent questions

Question: Will the Waterbar become hard or deteriorate

with time?
Answer: Dr. Fixit Waterbar is designed to remain flexible
for the lifetime of the concrete. It will not deteriorate
with time. It will last the lifetime of the structure.

Question: You have two types of waterbars. One is

swellable and the other is nonswellable. Which should I
choose for my project?
Answer: The choice of waterbar depends on various
factors. The first and primary characteristic is the
waterhead that it has to resist in your structure. If you
have a high waterhead, you will choose the swellable
type. If you have a low waterhead, you will choose the
nonswellable type. If you are not sure how well you will be
able to vibrate in the construction joint area, you will
choose the swellable type. If you are fairly certain about
your concrete quality compaction just below and just
above the construction joint, you will choose the
nonswellable type. However, in view of the fact that the
price difference is very less between the swellable and
the nonswellable waterbar in Pidilite, it may be advisable
to choose the swellable type since it offers significantly
more benefits.

Question: Is it compulsory to make a keyway or groove

and then place the waterbar?
Answer: No, it is not. The waterstop will work effectively
even if there is no keyway as long as there is enough
head of concrete on top to press the waterbar. This is
especially important in the case of the nonswellable
waterbar. For best results, the recommended head of
concrete for nonswellable waterbar is 400 mm and for
swellable waterbar, the head can be as low as 150 mm.
Question: How do I know if the waterstop I have used
in my project is the original patented Dr. Fixit Waterbar
or not?
Answer: It is always advisable to buy from any of our
registered dealers. That way, you are assured of getting
the original waterbar. There are instances when fake
waterbars made of cheap black material will be shown as
Dr. Fixit waterbar or equivalent. Only when the waterbar
fails will you know that the product has caused you
enormous problems. But by then, it may be too late. It is
always advisable to buy the original product and be 100
percent sure.

Question: Some waterstop companies claim that their

waterstop is better because it resists a waterhead of 100
mtrs. Is that of better quality?
Answer: You need to buy a waterstop that fits your need
and your budget. If your structure has to resist only 15
mtrs waterhead throughout its entire life, there is no
need to pay a very high price and buy a waterstop which
can resist 100 mtrs waterhead. However, if you are able
to get a waterstop which will resist a very high pressure
and at the same time costs very less, then buy it.

Question: Is Dr. Fixit waterbar competitive in price

compared to other waterbars in India?
Answer: Compare our product with any other waterstop
available in the market. When others give smaller cross
sections of 10 mm x 10 mm or 5 mm x 20 mm, Pidilite is
offering a cross section of 20mm x 20 mm for the same
price as others. i.e. you are getting a waterstop which has
three times the volume which also means that the price
is nearly one third that of competitors for the same
category.

Question: Our consultant has specified that the waterstop

has to expand in volume by 300 percent so that it will
work well. Does your swellable waterstop swell by 300
percent?
Answer: Generally the gap in construction joints varies
from 0 mm to 4 mm. More the waterstop swells, more
the pressure that is exerted inside the concrete. For this
reason, uncontrolled expansion is generally not preferred
by knowledgable engineers. Dr. Fixit Waterbars are
designed to swell by 150 percent more than original
volume which is the specified standard in many advanced
countries. This Controlled
Swelling property of Dr. Fixit Waterbar is a patented

Question: How is it that Dr. Fixit waterbar is priced lesser

than other competitor's products?
Answer: Pidilite is able to give this technically advanced
Controlled Expansion Waterbar at such a low price by
manufacturing it in large quantities.
8

Comparision of Different types of Strip Waterbars (User Guide)

No. Property

Compressible
(Nonswellable Waterbar)

Other Regular
SwellableWaterbar

Pidilites special 2 in 1
Controlled Expansion
Waterbar
SW 2020

1.

Concrete Grade

Can be used in concrete grade

as low as M15 or M20

Preferable to use in concrete

grade M 25 and above only

Can be used in concrete grade

from M20 to M40

2.

Cover required

20 mm

75 mm

50 mm

3.

Size available
(Bigger the better)

Generally 20 mm x 25 mm
(500 sq. mm.)

Typically
5mmx10mm
10mmx10mm
5mmx20mm

Big size
20mmx20mm (400 sq. mm)
Value for money

4.

Expansion
(More need not
necessarily be
better, please read
detailed literature
on this)

None

250 to 300

150 over and above

original volume

5.

Technology

Proven technology. Has been

used for many years.

Swelling technology better

than compressible waterbars

Next higher level in

technology after swelling
technology

6.

Water Head which

it can resist

15-20 mtrs

50-100 mtrs

60-80 mtrs

7.

Flexibility and
compressbility

Very good

Fairly rigid

Very good

8.

Dual Role of
compressible and
swelling waterstop

No

No

Yes

9.

Availability

Available always

Not available always

Available always

10.

Technical Backup

Not available always

11.

Offering Full range

of waterstop

Always available from Pidilite.

Separate division formed to
service this market
Pidilite offers entire range

Always available from Pidilite.

Separate division formed to
service this market
Pidilite offers entire range

Competitors do not offer

entire range
9

Notes