Volclay Waterstop-Rx® FAQs
Can Waterstop-Rx® be used in potable water tanks and facilities?
Yes. Waterstop-Rx is certified by NSF International to conform with the requirements of NSF Standard 61 for use with potable water concrete tanks with a minimum capacity of 3,785 litres (1,000 gallons).
What adhesive should be used to install Waterstop-Rx® in cold weather?
Use Volclay SB-Primer to secure Waterstop-Rx in cold weather conditions. Volclay SB-Primer is specially formulated to work with Waterstop-Rx in freezing temperatures down to -7°C (20º F). Do not use other unapproved adhesives or nails to secure waterstop.
What is the minimum concrete coverage required?
For Waterstop-Rx 101 and 101T, a minimum 75 mm (3”) of concrete coverage must be maintained from the edge of the product to the exterior face of the concrete. Waterstop-Rx 102 requires a minimum concrete coverage of only 50 mm (2”). The minimum concrete coverage must be maintained over the entire product installation.
Is Waterstop-Rx® an expansion joint sealant?
No. Waterstop-Rx is designed for use in non-moving cast-in-place concrete joints. A properly engineered expansion joint product should be used to seal expansion joints.
Can Waterstop-Rx® be used around slab and wall penetrations?
Yes. Waterstop-Rx is a great solution for sealing around pipes and other penetrations, where conventional passive PVC dumbbell waterstops can not be installed. Simply secure Waterstop-Rx around the penetration with Volclay WB-Adhesive.
Does Waterstop-Rx® have to be replaced if it rains prior to the concrete placement?
Typically, Waterstop-Rx does not need to be replaced if the product is exposed to water for a short time period prior to concrete placement. If it rains, standing water should be removed as soon as possible and the product should not be left submerged in the water. As long as there is no notable expansion of the product, Waterstop-Rx would not need to be replaced.
Can Waterstop-Rx® be used with other waterproofing systems?
Yes. Waterstop-Rx has worked successfully to seal concrete joints on projects where another manufacturer’s waterproofing membrane is used.
Is it ok to install Waterstop-Rx® with nails?
No. Waterstop-Rx should be adhered in place with Volclay WB-Adhesive. The adhesive secures the entire length of the waterstop installation so that the product can not shift or float during the concrete placement. If desired, nails can be used in conjunction with the adhesive application.
Do you have to weld or glue the roll ends together?
Unlike PVC dumbbell waterstops, Waterstop-Rx roll ends do not need to be hot-air welded or glued. Simply abut the rolls ends tightly together to form a continuous waterstop.
Can Waterstop-Rx® be used to seal new-to-existing concrete placement?
Yes, save time and money. Waterstop-Rx is a great solution for sealing the joint at new-to-existing concrete placement. Unlike conventional PVC waterstops, you do not need to saw cut or chip out part of the existing concrete to embed half the dumbbell. With Waterstop-Rx you simply secure the waterstop to the surface of the existing concrete with Volclay WB-Adhesive and pour the new concrete.
Which Waterstop-Rx® can I use in contaminated applications such as sewerage treatment tanks, chemical tanks & sewerage tunnels?
Use Volclay Akwastop®. Akwastop is a hydrophilic waterstop that swells upon contact with water to prevent infiltration through cast-in-place concrete construction joints subjected to continuous or intermittent hydrostatic pressure to a maximum head of 50 metres.
Akwastop is ideal for industrial projects that may require an elevated level of chemical compatibility such as sewerage treatment plants, chemical tanks or sewerage tunnels.
PHOTO : Core sample of a construction joint. Notice the Waterstop-Rx® has expanded and filled an area of bony concrete around the joint. Also the Waterstop-Rx® has penetrated deeply into a crack that has formed and thus sealed it off (circled).
With three sizes and profiles of Waterstop-Rx® what are the differences?
Three different sizes and profiles are available to match to you specific project needs: RX-101, RX-101T, and RX-102.
Waterstop-RX 101 is the largest profile with a rectangular cross section of 25mm x 19 mm.
Waterstop-RX 101T is a 32mm x 13mm trapezoidal shape profile with a reinforcing poly scrim embedded in the surface. The patented trapezoidal shape of RX-101T distributes the expansion pressures over a greater area and the reinforcing scrim provides additional product stability when concrete is placed.
Waterstop-RX 102 is a half-round profile measuring 19mm x 10mm requiring only 50mm of concrete coverage, RX-102 is designed for concrete less than 200 mm thick.
