Joint tape

Waterstops are plastic sealing tapes and profiles for sealing joints. At the same time, the shapes and designs are versatile. Usually waterstops are used for sealing construction joints and movement / expansion joints. In addition to interior and exterior waterstops, there are also waterstops in many designs and shapes. The various forms of waterstops are regulated in the standards DIN 18541, DIN 7865 or via the building rules list. BT Innovation waterstops are sealing tapes tested in accordance with the German Building Regulations List. For construction joints and predetermined crack joints we recommend SynkoElast®. Component joints between precast elements can be easily sealed with RubberElast®. For large component joints and for movement joints, we recommend our impact profiles. These BT sealing systems seal against water under pressure. If a joint is only exposed to rain and non-pressing water, sealing can be done with solid and compressible or pre-compressed sealing tapes. BasicElast® from BT innovation can thus be used to seal low-stress component joints between prefabricated parts during assembly. If the sealing of these low-loaded joints is to be carried out subsequently, this can be done with compressor tapes or stop tapes made of foam, which are subsequently inserted into construction joints of the structures to be sealed and then expand.

Joint tapes also protect walls and building elements from air, heat, cold, moisture and penetrating noise (sealing concrete cracks). The areas of application for this technology are versatile.

Foam waterstops made of polyurethane are impregnated with a water-repellent synthetic resin polymer during production, pre-compressed, i.e. compressed, and then rolled up again. On this basis, joint tapes are available in different lengths, widths, diameters and colors. A suitable seal is available depending on the joint size and design.

For the sealing process, two systems are usually used. The most common method is to unroll and stick the joint tape on one component and put the next part against it. Alternatively, the tape can also be subsequently inserted into an existing joint, e.g. in the case of tiles, wall elements etc. placed on walls or foundations.

The great advantage of a joint tape is its flexibility. When applied to a joint or crevice of any kind in the concrete, it automatically attempts to reach its original and uncompressed extent. Thus, it expands as far as possible and perfectly closes any gap (sealing concrete).

Joint tapes are expandable, but should not be confused with swellable tapes, which only increase their volume by absorbing water. The joint tape, on the other hand, resets mechanically immediately after processing without causing any special chemical or physical reactions. It thus virtually takes over the final part of its work and function itself.

Joint tapes serve a number of functions in the wide field of sealing and are communicated in various standards. These include, for example, the so-called driving rain tightness in the Pascal standard (Pa), which indicates the dynamic pressure of the wind on a house facade. This dimension is very important for the processing of sealing materials in order to be able to determine the resistance of the joint tape to external influences such as wind, rain, snow, ice and solar radiation, especially on exterior structures.

This functionality of the sealing tape is divided into load groups, which are bindingly defined according to the industrial DIN – number 18542. Components of these regulations include resistance to weathering and temperature, air permeability (measured as a-value) and resistance to moisture, corrosion and light penetration.

Further factors of this design are the behavior in case of fires and vibrations, the compatibility with other building materials, the mentioned driving rain tightness in case of wide joints or joint crossings and the diffusion resistance in case of water vapor (e.g. in bathrooms, washrooms, kitchens etc.).

By the way, the serviceability of joint tapes with the highest load is not used on exterior facades or in the cellar, but on window seals. Here, sealing tapes of the highest load group BG1 are often used, which are extremely resistant and solid.

Joint tapes are an indispensable composite material in construction and trade not only because of their flexibility, but also because of many other advantages. Instead of reactive, i.e. through chemicals and adhesives, a joint tape adheres adhesively, i.e. through its own force. The construction joint tape is easy to shape and apply at any time due to the delayed recovery force of this “intelligent” sealant.

The temperature resistance of a joint tape is between -30 °C and +90 °C, depending on the version. This means it can withstand common temperature conditions in most parts of the world as well as rooms with exceptionally high and low temperatures such as kitchens or cold rooms.

Impregnation of sealing tapes is carried out on dispersion basis (distribution) and equips them with high durability and resistance to aging and weather conditions. Joint tapes are perfectly compatible with other materials, making them the perfect link between a wide variety of materials. In addition, they are relatively fire-safe and particularly environmentally friendly and free of harmful substances.

Joint tapes can be found everywhere on construction sites and during renovations/concrete repairs and renovations. They are used for sealing against noise, dust, water, drafts and weather conditions and are reliable sealants (seal windows), especially when installing windows and doors. Especially in the case of obsolete materials and retrofitting, the tapes serve to consistently connect the elements – and to seal them perfectly.

Joint tapes are also popular for glass construction, floor joints, movement joints on flat roofs, connection joints in timber construction and interior cladding. To this end, these seals are regularly used in building construction, container production, interior trim and in the automotive industry.

Joint tapes are available in various versions. Corner joint tapes are used especially for corners, edges and staggered construction methods. This variant is often used on walls and floors with height differences. Joint closure tapes, on the other hand, are used to visually close joints and gaps. These sealing materials primarily serve to protect against dirt and moisture.

Expansion joint tapes are used when there are not only gaps to be closed between concrete slabs, but there are movements and settlements. This joint tape thus assumes a corrective effect. The movements of the belt are carried out through a specially incorporated central tube. A distinction is made between internal and external expansion joint tapes.

Construction joint tapes, on the other hand, are laid out flat and have profiling. The purpose of this profile is the consistent reduction of water pressure by discharging the wetness via the profile guide. Here, too, a distinction is made between internal and external construction joint tapes.

ASI joint tapes are stabilized by round steel rods attached to the inside. This prevents the joint tape from buckling during work and concreting. AS joint tapes, on the other hand, are reinforced from the outside by steel clips and are used for joints of concrete bases or wall connections. For shrinkage joints, shrinkage pipes are most often used – round joint tapes made of thermoplastic PVC or a similar plastic.