Saturday, April 22, 2017

Utilizing Two Waterstops in Concrete Joints

With waterstop, two is often better than one. If your concrete joint has the appropriate clearance, why not use one waterstop as your primary barrier and another as a secondary barrier as a kind of insurance policy? If the first system fails in any way due to manufacture or installation, the second system is there to ensure fluid-tight integrity at the concrete joint.

Because waterstop systems are relatively low cost, having a secondary product installed can be a wise and inexpensive investment.

Let me be clear, if a hydrophobic waterstop is properly installed, there really is no need for a secondary waterstop system. Regardless of polymer or manufacturer, these waterstop products really only leak from poor installation procedures and a lack of quality assurance. In my over 20 years in this industry, I am yet to see a waterstop burst or fail due to high hydrostatic water pressure. However, I often see improperly installed product that will result in failure and leakage.

A typical “belt and suspenders” approach would be to have an embedded hydrophobic on the high-pressure side of the joint and a hydrophilic or mastic strip-applied waterstop several inches away from it on the low pressure side. An alternative secondary waterstop would be an injection tube system placed on the low pressure side.

Another great option would be to utilize JPEB375 Integrated Capseal as the “belt” and JP211 Base Seal as the suspenders.

The benefits of redundancy in installed waterstop systems is great and the cost is low, especially when amortized over the extended life of the concrete structure they are installed in.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Join New Concrete to Existing Concrete With Earth Shield Retrofit Waterstop

Earth Shield Part No. JP325T installed in an expansion joint.
Retrofit waterstop is designed to provide a fluid-tight seal between existing and new concrete construction, without resorting to the labor-intensive and structurally destructive saw-cut-and-grout method. It is ideal for constructing a new containment curb or wall to an existing slab, or joining a new slab to an existing wall. Special profile fabrications are available for columns and pipe penetrations.

All of our retrofit waterstops are sold as a system, and include all the necessary stainless steel bars and bolts. We also offer a high-quality chemical resistant novolac epoxy — VEN 1000. Earth Shield® retrofit waterstops are manufactured with our proprietary thermoplastic vulcanizate compound, which provides for unsurpassed chemical resistance.

Like all our thermoplastic vulcanizate waterstops, Earth Shield® retrofit can be heat-welded using a standard waterstop splicing iron. This allows for easy field fabrications, and allows the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm. Waterstop change of directions can be purchased along with straight roll stock, and custom, fit-to-print waterstop modules are produced to order. Prefabricated ells, tees, tank pads, column fittings, and many others are in stock and ready to ship.

Tuesday, April 04, 2017

The Importance of NSF 61 Certification for Waterstop

NSF/ANSI Standard 61 was developed to establish minimum requirements for the chemical contaminants and impurities that are indirectly imparted to drinking water from products, components, and materials used in drinking water systems. Standard 61 is intended to cover specific materials or products that come into contact with drinking water, drinking water treatment chemicals, or both. The focus of Standard 61 is evaluation of contaminants or impurities imparted indirectly to drinking water. In the U.S., 47 of 50 states have legislation that requires compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 61. Products that are NSF Certified against NSF/ANSI Standard 61 demonstrate compliance with both Canadian and U.S. Plumbing Codes. NSF Certification and Testing is widely accepted. NSF data is recognized by ASSE, BOCA, IAPMO, ICBO-ES, SBCCI, City of Los Angeles and many others. Earth Shield® Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop by J P Specialties, Inc. was the first commercial waterstop to achieve NSF 61 certification, and maintains this certification annually. Therefore, for your drinking water applications there is no more suitable product than Earth Shield® TPV Waterstop. Most commercially available waterstops do not have NSF 61 certification, so the designer should be wary in specifying these non-certified products.

Monday, November 28, 2016

What are Mastic Waterstops?


Commercially available mastic waterstops are sold in rolls or strips. The profile is usually a small rectangle or trapezoidal shape, with 3/4”  x 1” being somewhat of a standard. These strips are adhered to existing concrete using an adhesive or primer, or alternately concrete nails at 12” on-center spacing. This adhesion is important, as only three sides of the waterstop will then be exposed to fresh concrete. If the waterstop is displaced during the concrete pour it can easily lose most if not all of its effectiveness. Also, like their similar hydrophilic cousin, mastic waterstops are designed for non-moving construction joints only. No expansion, isolation, or contraction joints.
Unlike the hydrophilic waterstops, mastic waterstops are simply a strip of tacky, rubbery compound (usually based on bitumen and butyl rubber) that is designed to “stick” to a primed surface of a cured concrete cold joint on one side, and have fresh concrete cast against the remaining three sides, with the heat from the hydrating concrete causing the product to become even tackier, and therefore sealing the joint by acting as an internal, adhered sealant.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Introducing JP206 Base Seal for Concrete Construction and Contraction Joints

JP206 base seal waterstop is ideal for flat pavement jobs such as runways, large containment slabs, etc. JP206 base seal waterstop is by far the easiest waterstop to install... Simply lay the waterstop directly on the compacted subgrade, place and finish concrete, and create control joint using saw cut or other method. The base seal provides a permanent, life-of-structure seal at the bottom of the joint. Base seal is suitable for construction and contraction (control) joints. Base seal should not be used on jobs that make interior wall transitions as the part is non-symmetrical and therefore cannot function correctly. For large hydrostatic head pressures (>50 foot) ribbed centerbulb should be used instead. Like all our thermoplastic vulcanizate waterstops, Earth Shield baseseal waterstop can be heat-welded using a standard waterstop splicing iron. This allows for easy field fabrications, and allows the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm. Waterstop change of directions can be purchased along with straight roll stock, and custom, fit-to-print waterstop modules are produced to order. Prefabricated ells, tees, tank pads, column fittings, and many others are in stock and ready to ship.


JP206X1 Flat Cross


Friday, November 11, 2016

Earth Shield High Density Polyethylene Waterstop

From the leading producer of waterstop products used in the concrete construction industry, J P Specialties, Inc. now add to their range of high-caliber Earth Shield products with the introduction of a material specifically designed to contain oils, fuel and other hydrocarbon products.

The Earth Shield HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) waterstop will create an impenetrable seal for aggressive non polar fluids without suffering any physical decay or distortion to the integrity of its structure over long periods of time, making it the ideal choice for storing hot petroleum oils, industrial solvents and aromatic compounds such as benzene or gasoline products.



This premium thermoplastic copolymer also has the added advantage of being a deliberately engineered, non-toxic plastic which is free of Bisphenol-A and its much publicized detrimental health effects.  This also means that it will not bleed potentially hazardous chemicals such as plasticizers, fillers and stabilizers into the surrounding environment when put into contact with petrochemicals.

Earth Shield HDPE waterstop is ideal for creating an effective chemical barrier in large tanks and holding areas of industrial scale facilities and with its inert behavior and unrivaled qualities in storing hydrocarbon products safely, securely and effectively.


As an established pioneer in the waterstop industry, J P Specialties, Inc. can not only provide high-tech, modern solutions for industrial needs with their range of waterstop products, but they also supply expert technical assistance for both the planning and the design stages of a project, complete with 2D and 3D modeling and both product and project certifications to guarantee the suitability of the product within the overall design.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Adeka P-201 — A Real Waterstop Problem Solver


  • Urethane rubber – hydrophilic agent urethane polymer
  • Good chemical resistance and durability  pH range 3~11
  • Easy to use ONE part hydrophilic urethane (cartridge or pail)
  • Easy to apply
  • Temperature / humidity cure
  • Excellent adhesive strength
  • Excellent Durability
  • Expansion approximately 2Xs by volume
Adeka P-201 is a single component, hydrophilic, modified urethane waterstop that comes in a 10.8 ounce cartridge. P-201 is used as a waterstop in new construction and in repair applications. It can be placed on damp or uneven surfaces and functions in a wide range of temperatures and ground water conditions.

P-201 will expand up to 2 times (100%) by volume in the presence of water. It will expand in the direction of least resistance. When expansion is inhibited, the product will produce expansion pressure against the resisting substance. This expansion pressure will effectively seal off water penetration. The amount of concrete coverage required depends on bead size. The coverage may range from 2” (1⁄4” bead) to 4” inside a double mat of rebar (1⁄2” bead). Bead size also determines hydrostatic head resistance.

Adeka P-201 cartridge
J P Specialties, Inc. is proud to stock and sell P-201 waterstop sealant.

Sunday, October 02, 2016

Mastic Waterstops

Most commercially available mastic waterstops are sold in rolls or strips. The profile is usually a small rectangle or trapezoidal shape, with 3/4” x 1” being somewhat of a standard. These strips are adhered to existing concrete using an adhesive or primer, or alternately concrete nails at 12” on-center spacing. This adhesion is important, as only three sides of the waterstop will then be exposed to fresh concrete. If the waterstop is displaced during the concrete pour it can easily lose most if not all of its effectiveness. Also, like their similar hydrophilic cousin, mastic waterstops are designed for non-moving construction joints only. No expansion, isolation, or contraction joints.
Unlike hydrophilic waterstops, mastic waterstops are simply a strip of tacky, rubbery compound (usually based on bitumen and butyl rubber) that is designed to “stick” to a primed surface of a cured concrete cold joint on one side, and have fresh concrete cast against the remaining three sides, with the heat from the hydrating concrete causing the product to become even tackier, and therefore sealing the joint by acting as an internal, adhered sealant.



Obviously, this waterstop function is very limited as the only barrier to migrating fluids is the adhesion to the concrete and compression of the mastic waterstop product within the joint. For this reason, mastic waterstops tend to be more effective in construction situations where large concrete loads are applied on top of the waterstop such as wall on footing or burial vault lid, and far less effective when installed in vertical applications such as a wall joint.

Mastic waterstops are the lowest performing of any commercially available waterstop and are price accordingly, being the lowest cost waterstop as well. Because of the low cost and ease of installation, mastic waterstops are the favored products of commercial constructors and home builders.


Excerpt From: David Poole. “The Little Book of Waterstop.” Waterstop King, 2013. iBooks. https://itun.es/us/Ngg6J.l