SIKA GREENSTREAK PVC WATERSTOPS
As an industry pioneer and one of the first manufacturer’s of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waterstop Sika® Greenstreak® provides you with the highest quality and most specified waterstop brand on the market. Sika® Greenstreak®’s PVC waterstop has always been made from a proprietary formula that is self-compounded and only produced from prime virgin materials.
PVC is the industry standard for flexible waterstops, which are typically embedded across and along the joint. PVC is the most versatile waterstop material, offering the broadest design selection and is accepted under the ACI 350 "Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures". It has great inherent elasticity and is resistant to many waterborne chemicals. It will not discolor concrete or produce electrolytic action.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
All Sika® Greenstreak® PVC waterstops are specially formulated
and manufactured to meet or exceed industry standard product
specifications.
| Property | Test | Value |
| Water absorption | ASTM D570 | 0.15% max. |
| Tear resistance | ASTM D624 | 300 lb/in min |
| Ultimate elongation | ASTM D638 | 350% min. |
| Tensile strength | ASTM D638 | 2000 psi min. |
| Low temperature brittleness | ASTM D746 | Passes @ -35°F / -37°C |
| Stiffness in flexure | ASTM D747 | 700 psi min. |
| Specific gravity | ASTM D792 | 1.38 max. |
| Hardness Shore A15 | ASTM D2240 | 79±3 |
| Accelerated extraction - Tensile strength - Elongation - Effect of Alkali - Weight Change - Hardness Change | Corps of Engineers CRD- C 572 | 1600 psi min. 300% min. +0.25%-0.10% +/-5 point |
SIKA CONDUCTS REGULAR TESTING OF MATERIALS
Independent laboratory tests are available for the following applicable standards:
- Corps of Engineers CED-C 572-74
- Bureau of Reclamation
- CH2M HILL
- MWH
- Various State Highway and/or Public Works Department Standards
CHOOSING THE RIGHT WATERSTOP
WATERSTOP BASIC USE
Embedded in concrete, across and/or along the joint, waterstops for a watertight diaphragm that prevents the passage of liquid through the joint.
Offering a variety of solutions across all categories of waterstops, Sika has the knowledge and time tested products to meet the most demanding applications.
- Water/Waste Water Treatment Plant
- Lock and Dam Systems
- Reservoirs and Aqueducts
- Flood Walls
- Retaining Walls
- Foundations
- Tunnels and Culverts
- Bridge Abutments
- Containment Structures and Tanks
- Slabs-on-Ground
When you specify Sika® Greenstreak®, you are specifying THE first name in waterstops and the trusted source for superior technical and customer service.
Suggested Waterstop Design Checklist
- Verify chemical containment requirements, if any
- Verify hydrostatic head pressure requirements
- Determine joint type and joint movement requirements
- Specify material type for best water sealing performance
- Specify profile and size (by product number, if possible)
- Verify joinery details of dissimilar or asymmetric waterstop profiles, if any (consider using one profile throughout to simplify intersections)
- Specify factory fabrications and fittings for transitions and intersections
- Specify appropriate method for securing waterstop in position (see Sika® Greenstreak® CSI-formatted product specifications for additional guidance)
All Sika® PVC and TPER waterstop profiles are NSF-61 Certified
MOVING AND NON-MOVING JOINTS
SELECTING A WATERSTOP SHAPE
MOVEMENT JOINTS are typically designed to accommodate significant movement due to drying shrinkage, temperature changes, settlement, creep or live load deflections. The waterstop profile selected must have the ability to accommodate expected joint movement, typically achieved through the use of a centerbulb, tear web, or other suitable waterstop geometry designed to accommodate joint movement. Movement joints typically include contraction joints, expansion joints, and isolation joints. The following profiles are suitable for movement joints:
Ribbed with Centerbulb shapes are the most versatile and best sealing type of waterstops available. The centerbulb accommodates lateral, transverse, and shear movement. Larger centerbulbs will accommodate greater movement.
Dumbbell with Centerbulb shapes accommodate lateral, transverse, and shear movement. Larger centerbulbs will accommodate greater movement. Consider using Ribbed with Centerbulb for better sealing characteristics.
Tear Web shapes accommodate large movements. When joint
movement occurs, the tear web ruptures and allows the U-bulb to deform without placing the material in tension.
Base Seal with Tear Web shapes accommodate lateral, transverse, and shear movement. Larger tear web bulbs will accommodate greater movement. Base Seal waterstops have some limitations with transitions and intersections.
NON-MOVING JOINTS typically have 100% of the bonded steel reinforcement continuous through the joint and expose the waterstop to negligible or no movement. Flat waterstop profiles without a centerbulb or tear web are suitable for non-moving joints. Other waterstop materials may be considered for non-moving joints as well, such as strip-applied or injectable hose waterstops. Examples of waterstop profiles suitable for non-moving joints are as follows:
Flat Ribbed shapes are preferred for non-moving joints and provide the best sealing characteristics.
Base Seal is ideal for slab-on grade joints or backfilled walls and are easy to form. Base Seal waterstops have some limitations with transitions and intersections.
Dumbbell shapes are an alternate profile for nonmoving joints. Consider ribbed shapes for better sealing characteristics.
Labyrinth is primarily used in vertical joints. Labyrinth shapes create a keyed joint and do not require split bulkheads. Labyrinth can be difficult to use in horizontal joints and there are some limitations with transitions and intersections.
Split Flange shapes can simplify forming. The split flange is opened and attached to the bulkhead for placement of the first concrete element. After stripping the bulkhead, the flange is closed and anchored for placement of the adjoining element. Split waterstops are suitable for straight runs only. Transitions and intersections are not practical with these profiles.
Retrofit Waterstops seal joints where new construction meets an existing structure and can be suitable for moving joints. Systems include stainless steel batten bars and fasteners for anchoring to the existing structure with the aid of a structural epoxy gel.
INSTALLATION AIDS AND FABRICATIONS
PVC waterstops must be securely positioned in the forms to prevent deflection or misalignment during concrete placement. This is achieved by tying off the outer edge of the waterstop to adjacent reinforcing steel. Sika offers options to properly anchor PVC waterstop, including:
- PUNCHED FLANGES - most ribbed shapes can be provided with punched flanges
- GROMMETS - select shapes can be provided with brass grommets
- HOG RINGS AND PLIERS - available for field application and suitable for most shapes
Virtually every concrete structure requiring a PVC waterstop is going to encounter a joint that will change direction or intersect with another joint. One of the benefits PVC offers is the ability to heat weld the material to create a continuous sealing diaphragm within the joints of a concrete structure. Waterstop failures are often the result of improper field fabricated transitions and intersections. Sika strongly recommends factory-made fabrications to help reduce failure of your waterstop system. Heat welding is the only recognized installation method for PVC waterstop. Sika® Greenstreak® offers a full range of
Splicing Irons with replacement covers to fill this requirement. Please contact the Sika® Greenstreak® sales department for additional details.
PVC Waterstop FAQ
How does PVC waterstop work?
Embedded in concrete, PVC Waterstops span the joint to form a continuous, watertight diaphragm that prevents the passage of liquid through the joint. The waterstop must be properly selected and installed to accommodate joint expansion, contraction, and other longitudinal and transverse movements.
How do you install PVC waterstop?
PVC waterstops are installed prior to concrete placement to ensure proper positioning and concrete consolidation around the waterstop. Split formwork is generally required for slab-to-slab, slab-to-wall, and wall-to-wall joints where ribbed or dumbbell style waterstops are used. Base Seal (also known as “exterior” or “rear guard” waterstop), labyrinth, and split-flange waterstops are installed in a different manner and are addressed in a separate installation guide. Split forms allow half of the waterstop to be positioned within the first pour with the other half projecting into the second pour. The centerline of the waterstop should be aligned with the center of the joint. Size and style of the waterstop determine permissible variation from the centerline. See Application Guides guides below for complete installation instructions.
What is waterstop in concrete?
A waterstop is an element of a concrete structure, intended to prevent the passages of fluids (such as water) when embedded in and running continuously through concrete joints. There are two distinct categories for waterstops: Waterstops for Movement Joints and Waterstops for Non-Moving Joints.
How do you weld waterstop?
With tools and materials such as a welding iron, extension cord, carpenter's square, and gloves, you can properly weld waterstop. Click on the button below to be directed to the Welding Demo and become a certified waterstop installer. Sika's Waterstop Welding Certification Program is available to contractors and their employees to fulfill training and certification requirements for welding PVC or other thermoplastic waterstop materials.
DOWNLOADS SECTION
Virtually every concrete containment structure requiring a PVC waterstop is going to encounter a joint that will change direction or intersect with another joint. The lack of proper tools, equipment, and welding experience on a job site generally limits a contractor’s ability to perform these difficult waterstop fabrications in the field. When problems arise on job sites with waterstop installation, it is typically related to poor quality of waterstop directional changes (see pictures below). This is why Sika suggests, and most engineers choose to specify the use of factory-fabricated waterstop intersections produced by the waterstop manufacturer. Not only do factory-fabricated intersections promote high-quality waterstop installation procedures, but they are further provided at a cost that is undoubtedly lower than the cost to fabricate the intersection on the job site. To further encourage the use of factory-fabricated waterstop intersections, Sika has significantly increased the inventory of most popular Greenstreak PVC waterstop profiles, including all fabrication orientations (L’s, T’s, and Crosses, both Vertical and Flat orientation). These fabrications can generally be shipped the same day of order placement! To ensure that the profile you are specifying or installing is included in this list of “in-stock” fabrications, please contact Greenstreak. Now there is no excuse not to use Greenstreak factory-fabricated waterstop intersections on your next project.
PVC WATERSTOP COMPANION PRODUCTS
Sika® Greenstreak® also offers the below accessory items, which can be used in conjunction with our PVC Waterstops ensuring a fully watertight structure.