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Waterstop Systems for Concrete Joints

PVC, TPV, Stainless Steel, and Hydrophilic Waterstops Used in Water, Wastewater, Containment, and Infrastructure Projects

Waterstop plays a critical role in the integrity of concrete structures, providing a fluid-tight diaphragm when embedded in, running through, and along concrete joints. Waterstops are mandatory components used in concrete construction to prevent water or fluid infiltration through concrete control, construction, and expansion joints. At J P Specialties, we manufacture high-performance waterstop systems that deliver long-term durability, chemical resistance, and watertight integrity in demanding environments. Earth Shield® waterstops are used worldwide by major engineering firms and project owners for chemical containment, water and wastewater treatment, fuel resistance, and ozone contactor structures. J P Specialties also manufactures a complete line of high-quality waterstop installation tools and accessories. We invented the tools and technology to thermo-weld plastic (PVC, TPV, HDPE) waterstops (U.S. Patent Number 4,867,835).

Since 1954, J P Specialties has been the global leader in manufacturing the Earth Shield® line of PVC and TPV waterstops, renowned for their superior quality and performance. We provide a wide array of waterstop systems and related waterstop accessories for concrete joints, all supported by exceptional technical expertise and customer service. Our key markets include: water and wastewater treatment plants, containment systems, tunnels, and infrastructure.

TPV WATERSTOP

Earth Shield® Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop (TPV [aka TPE-R]) dramatically expands the scope of conventional waterstop by offering unmatched chemical resistance to a broad spectrum of aggressive chemicals, solvents, and hot petroleum oils. Manufactured NSF 61-certified, EPA-compliant waterstop profiles are available for new construction and retrofit.

PVC WATERSTOP

Earth Shield® Polyvinyl Chloride Waterstop (PVC) is the perfect solution for most water and wastewater applications. Earth Shield® PVC Waterstop is manufactured from prime virgin resin and is the trusted choice for environmentally engineered concrete structures. CRD C572-74 compliant and NSF 61 certified waterstop profiles for new construction and retrofit applications.

SS WATERSTOP

Earth Shield® Stainless Steel Waterstop can stop even the most corrosive fluids in their tracks, even at severely elevated temperatures. A variety of metals, grades, and gauges are available. Earth Shield® utilizes 20 gauge 316 low carbon as our standard alloy, which offers broad-spectrum corrosion resistance to most aggressive media, and is virtually untouched by the deleterious effects of ozone, making it an ideal choice for ozone contactor structures used in modern water treatment plants.

MCR WATERSTOP

Earth Shield® Type NB190® is a modern, hydrophilic chloroprene rubber waterstop with unmatched durability and water sealing capabilities. Manufactured NON-BENTONITE, modified chloroprene rubber, Type NB190® more than doubles its original size (400% in 36 days) when exposed to water. Type NB190® can expand and re-expand unlimited times with virtually no loss of physical properties. Additionally, Type NB190® has excellent resistance to many chemicals, is heat-resistant, and is NSF 61-certified safe for drinking water.

Featured Tech Tip: Flexible PVC Waterstop Specifier Guide | Waterproof Magazine: Embedded Waterstop Installation Best Practices

Earth Shield® PVC waterstops are manufactured from high-quality virgin polyvinyl chloride and are engineered to provide long-term durability, flexibility, and resistance to water and wastewater treatment chemicals. These systems are ideal for applications such as wastewater treatment plants, reservoirs, tunnels, and below-grade structures where reliable joint sealing is critical.

The Waterstop Authority Since 1954

70+ years of experience in waterstops
Thousands of engineers trained
AIA-approved CEU provider
Author of The Little Book of Waterstop
First waterstop manufacturer with NSF 61 certification
Officers on ACI committees
Patent holder for waterstop welding and forming technology
Winner of the 2024 World of Concrete Most Innovative Product Award

Engineered Waterstop Solutions for Water, Wastewater Treatment, Containment Systems, Tunnels, and Infrastructure Projects

J P Specialties, Inc. is a trusted leader in manufacturing high-quality thermoplastic (PVC, TPV), rubber (MCR), and metallic (stainless steel) waterstops for fluid proofing concrete joints. With decades of experience, we are committed to innovation, excellence, and strict industry standards. Our dedication to research, quality, and customer-focused service ensures reliable and durable products for critical projects. We are known for integrity and technical expertise. We prioritize transparency, long-term relationships, and environmental compliance. Whether for infrastructure, environmental protection, or commercial or industrial construction, J P Specialties delivers dependable solutions that you can trust.

Choosing the Right Waterstop System for Your Project

Selecting the correct waterstop system is critical to ensuring long-term watertight performance in concrete structures. Different project conditions—including joint type, water exposure, and chemical environment—require specific materials and designs to prevent leakage and structural damage.

For standard construction and expansion joints, PVC waterstops provide a reliable and cost-effective solution with excellent flexibility and durability. In environments exposed to aggressive chemicals or hydrocarbons, TPV waterstops offer enhanced resistance and long-term performance. For applications where active sealing is required, such as cold joints, hydrophilic waterstops expand upon contact with water to create a tight, self-sealing barrier.

Engineers and contractors must also consider factors such as joint movement, hydrostatic pressure, and installation conditions when selecting a waterstop. Proper product selection, combined with correct installation, ensures optimal performance in demanding applications such as wastewater treatment plants, secondary containment systems, tunnels, and below-grade structures.

At J P Specialties, we provide not only a full range of waterstop products, but also expert technical support to help you determine the best solution for your specific project requirements.

Waterstop Systems — General Use and Price Comparison

Waterstop Type

Best For

Joint Type

Chemical Resistance

Movement

Price

PVC

General Water and Wastewater

Control, Construction, and Expansion

Good

Excellent

TPV

Acids, Fuels, and Aggressive Chemicals

Control, Construction, and Expansion

Outstanding

Excellent

Stainless Steel

Extreme Chemicals and Temperatures

Control, Construction, and Expansion

Outstanding

Limited

$$$

Hydrophilic MCR

Construction Joints

Moderate

None

"We don't just sell a product, we provide solutions."
Faith Moreno

Earth Shield® NSF 61-certified waterstops are designed to meet strict performance requirements and regulations, which helps ensure critical structures remain safe, fluid-tight, and stable throughout their lifespan. By choosing the appropriate waterstop design and installation methods, engineers can effectively handle the challenges related to concrete joint sealing and contribute to the long-term success of their projects. Contact our technical engineering team for help with specifications and detailing.

J P Specialties, Inc.
Free Services Include:

Complete plan takeoff and waterstop map.
3D isometric waterstop details (for every fitting in the print).
Fast jobsite delivery.
Preconstruction meeting for the contractor.
Exclusive waterstop site pickup and recycling services.
Waterstop welding certification course for the contractor installing the Earth Shield® waterstop.
Accredited online and in-office continuing education webinars and seminars for engineers and architects.

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Company president, David R. Poole, demonstrates proper waterstop welding at a jobsite.

About J P Specialties, Inc. (Manufacturer of Earth Shield® Waterstop)

Since 1954, J P Specialties has been at the forefront of manufacturing the Earth Shield® line of waterstops, known for their exceptional quality and performance. We offer a comprehensive range of waterstops and accessories, backed by unparalleled technical support and service.

Industry Leadership
Our technical team includes leaders who serve as officers on multiple ACI committees, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in engineering. We are proud to be the first waterstop manufacturer to achieve NSF 61 certification, setting the standard for quality and safety in the industry. Additionally, our owner, David Poole, authored The Little Book of Waterstop, the definitive guide widely used by professionals in the construction sector.

Professional Development
J P Specialties is dedicated to advancing industry knowledge through our popular AIA-accredited seminar. This seminar, available nationally, internationally, and online, provides one-hour CEU credits and has been attended by thousands of architects, engineers, contractors, and owners.

Contractor Support
We are committed to supporting contractors with competitive pricing, extensive inventories, and customized factory fabrications for both standard and custom waterstop fittings. Our comprehensive training programs include on-site and online waterstop welding schools, where attendees are certified in proper waterstop welding techniques.

"Water is our most valuable commodity. It is important to protect it, either from loss or pollution. Properly installed waterstop achieves both goals."
David R. Poole

Ribbed Centerbulb Waterstop — The ribbed centerbulb waterstop is a highly versatile type of waterstop capable of accommodating lateral, transverse, and shear movement. It is used in expansion, construction, and control joints and offers excellent anchoring abilities and a long fluid-flow path due to the multiple ribs on the exterior flanges. Under stress, the numerous ribs on the waterstop will distort less than a dumbbell-type waterstop because the pressure is first applied to the inward-most anchoring rib and decreases to the subsequent ribs. This design allows joint movement beyond the material's ultimate elongation without distorting the anchoring ribs. Our ribbed centerbulb waterstops feature a large outer-diameter centerbulb. Combined with our elastomers' exceptional mechanical properties, they provide unsurpassed joint movement and sealing abilities.

Retrofit Waterstop — The retrofit waterstop creates a fluid-tight seal between existing and new concrete construction without labor-intensive and structurally destructive saw-cutting and grouting. It is perfect for constructing a new containment curb or wall next to or on an existing slab. We also offer unique profile fabrications for columns and pipe penetrations. Our retrofit waterstops are sold as complete systems and include all the necessary stainless steel bars and bolts. Additionally, we provide high-quality chemical-resistant novolac epoxy — VEN 250, VEN 500, or VEN 1000. Similar to all our thermoplastic waterstops, the Earth Shield® retrofit waterstop can be heat-welded using a standard waterstop splicing iron, allowing easy field fabrication and enabling the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm.

Flat Strip Waterstop — A flat strip waterstop is ideal for limited movement construction and contraction (control) joints. Similar to all our thermoplastic waterstops, Earth Shield® flat strip waterstop can be heat-welded with a standard waterstop splicing iron, allowing easy field fabrication and enabling the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm.

EB Cap Waterstop — Integrated expansion board cap waterstop systems replace post-applied joint sealant and provide a fluid-tight internal seal like a traditional waterstop with a one-step, integrated unit. Install Earth Shield® expansion board cap waterstop on top of conventional expansion board filler or Earth Shield’s chemical-resistant, plastic expansion board. The expansion board acts as the form; therefore, no form splitting is necessary, significantly accelerating the project schedule and providing a long-lasting, attractive finished concrete joint. Like all our thermoplastic vulcanizate waterstops, the Earth Shield® integrated cap system waterstop can be heat-welded with a standard waterstop splicing iron, allowing easy field fabrication. Our EB Cap waterstop functions as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm.

Tear Web Waterstop — Earth Shield® tear web waterstops are for large joint movements such as tank foundations. For construction and contraction (control) joints, install a ribbed centerbulb instead. Earth Shield® tear web waterstop can be heat-welded with a standard waterstop splicing iron, allowing easy field fabrication and enabling the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm.

Base Seal Waterstop — The Base Seal Waterstop is ideal for flat pavement applications such as runways and large containment slabs. It is the easiest waterstop to install. You lay the waterstop directly on the compacted subgrade, place and finish the concrete, and create control joints using a saw cut or another method. The base seal provides a permanent, life-of-structure seal at the bottom of the joint. It is suitable for construction, contraction (control), and expansion joints. For significant hydrostatic head pressures (>50 feet), a ribbed centerbulb should be used instead. Like all our thermoplastic waterstops, the Earth Shield® base seal waterstop can be heat-welded with a standard waterstop splicing iron, allowing easy field fabrication and enabling the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm.

Dumbbell Waterstop — Dumbbell waterstops are most commonly installed in below-grade applications with limited movement. Dumbbell waterstops work well in construction and contraction (control) joints, while dumbbell centerbulbs can accommodate construction, control, and expansion joints. The large centerbulb on the JP949 and JP1149 waterstop profiles, along with the excellent mechanical properties of our thermoplastic elastomers and large endbulb anchors, enable the product to withstand significant joint movements such as seismic activity or settlement. Most of our dumbbell waterstops are 3/8” thick, making them the largest and thickest profiles available in the industry. Like all our thermoplastic waterstops, Earth Shield® dumbbell waterstops can be heat-welded using a standard waterstop splicing iron for easy field fabrications, enabling the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm.

Column and Pipe Fitting Waterstop — Earth Shield® Column & Pipe Fitting (part no. JP320LC1.XX* [*XX is the diameter in inches]) is made with a flexible, chemical-resistant polymer and stainless steel anchoring hardware. It can be quickly installed by a single laborer on the job site. To install, apply an epoxy gel bed to the existing surface, place the polymer ring into the epoxy gel bed, heat-weld the single opening on the polymer ring using a waterstop splicing iron, and finally, complete the system with the stainless steel closure ring. The Earth Shield® system acts as an internal dam within the cast concrete, stopping aggressive chemicals, solvents, and hot petroleum oils from penetrating the joint.