Why Construction Joints Leak
Many serious leaks in reinforced concrete structures occur at joints rather than through the main body of the concrete.
Whenever one concrete pour stops and another begins, a construction joint is created.
Typical locations include:
- basement walls;
- wall-to-slab junctions;
- water tanks;
- reservoirs;
- retaining walls;
- tunnels;
- culverts; and
- treatment plants.
Without suitable waterproofing, these interfaces can provide paths for water penetration.
How PVC Waterstops Work
PVC waterstops are embedded within concrete and positioned across a joint.
They create a physical barrier that increases the distance and difficulty for water attempting to travel through the joint.
Different waterstop profiles may be used depending on whether the joint is a construction joint or movement joint.
Installation Quality Is Crucial
Waterstop performance depends greatly on installation.
Common problems include:
- displacement during casting;
- folded waterstops;
- poor jointing or welding;
- damage during reinforcement works;
- inadequate concrete compaction;
- honeycombing around the waterstop; and
- incorrect positioning.
These defects are difficult to correct once the concrete has been cast.
Waterstop inspection should therefore be incorporated into quality-control procedures before concrete placement.
Tetrabuild Joint Waterproofing
Depending on the project, Tetrabuild's intervention may combine PVC waterstops with suitable sealants, crystalline treatment, membrane waterproofing or other approved joint-protection systems.
This creates a more comprehensive barrier against water ingress.
