Hydrotite is the brand name for a state of the art hydrophilic waterstop with
unmatched durability and water sealing capacity. Hydrotite expands as it
absorbs water and fills up concrete joint gaps conforming to the gap variation,
ensuring excellent sealing. Hydrotite is based on the technology of
hydrophilic, a material which expands in a controlled fashion by approximately
eight times by volume in the presence of moisture to create a pressure seal
within the joint, when properly installed. Hydrotite is capable of sealing
heads of water up to 60 metres and is used extensively throughout the
construction industry to seal horizontal and vertical construction joints for
poured in-situ concrete.
Hydrotite consists of a unique combination of expanding hydrophilic materials and non-expanding
chloroprene rubber, co-extruded together to form a single strip. The expanding section is blue with the
non-expanding section being black. The co-extruded design means that the expansion is directed across the
joint for maximum sealing performance. This expansion creates an effective compression seal within the joint,
preventing the egress of water through it. Upon expansion, Hydrotite turns from a dark blue colour to a light
blue colour, so that a visual inspection of the Hydrotite can be made and so the contractor can see if the
Hydrotite has pre-expanded.
Contractors require an economical waterstop that is easy to install and needs to perform over a long period of
time maintaining joint integrity. Recognised world-wide, Hydrotite has a proven track record as a high quality
and cost-effective solution as a waterstop for water retaining or water excluding needs.
Hydrotite is treated with a delay coating to prevent it from absorbing water from the wet concrete of the
second pour, and to also help stop any premature expansion should the joint become ponded with water, prior
to the second pour being placed, and to stop any premature expansion taking place before curing of the
concrete.
Hydrotite, as with any hydrophilic waterstop, will return to its original size if there is no more water or moisture
present. Hydrotite will then re-expand when water or moisture is reintroduced to the joint. Some initial
leakage may occur before Hydrotite re-expands fully. Repeated wet and dry cycling of this nature does not
affect the functioning of Hydrotite. lb