Waterstops are small components in a waterproofing system. Their singular purpose is to prevent the transmission of water through concrete construction joints.
These unremarkable fillers play a big role in ensuring the integrity of the building envelope since even a slight defect can result in catastrophic leaks. For hundreds of years, they have proven to be the best defense against water intrusion in construction joints.
The first waterstops were made from strips of lead or copper. Waterstops made from vulcanized rubbers like neoprene or styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) can be traced to the early 1900s. The use of PVC to manufacture waterstops began in the 1950s.
Many modern waterstops are pre-manufactured, but most are variations on older technology. Design professionals can choose from among four waterstop types: PVC, bentonite, metallic and urethane.
Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing recently expanded its line of waterstop solutions. The legacy CCW MiraSTOP product has been renamed MiraSTOP BW, to reflect its use as a bentonite waterstop. In addition, four new products have been added to provide full line of waterstop solutions for cold joints, construction joints, penetrations, wet cracks, and water cut-off applications.
Go here to see the product line up.