Application of Aquastrip bitumen joint sealant
Aquastrip is an easy to apply bitumen joint sealant, suitable for many different types of precast concrete unit
Primer - Koster KBE Liquid Film
For priming the joints of precast concrete manholes, inspection chambers, box culverts and pipes prior to the application of AQUASTRIP bitumen joint sealant.
Koster KBE Liquid Film is a solvent free,
bitumen rubber concentrate.
- For priming of pre-cast concrete elements dilute 1 : 2 with clean water.
- Before Use, stir, dilute, then re-stir thoroughly.
- Before application ensure that joint surfaces are clean and dry.
- Application by brush.
- After use close container firmly.
- Clean non-disposable brushes in water.
Aquastrip – Bitumen joint sealant
After the primer has dried apply AQUASTRIP within 8 hours, ensuring that all joint faces are clean and dry.
Apply AQUASTRIP of the correct size (see size guide) to the joint as shown in the cross-sectional diagrams.
The stretch wrap packaging is removed as the roll is applied. Use a sharp knife to split the wrap at the start of the roll, then simply pull away from the roll as it is unwound. Take care to dispose of the stretch wrap responsibly.
Best Practices for AQUASTRIP in Culverts and Pipes
- On box culverts and ogee pipes, it may be necessary to heat the surface of the AQUASTRIP with the flame of a gas torch to obtain initial adhesion, particularly during the winter months.
- On box culverts, position the AQUASTRIP in the middle of the sloping face of the socket.
- On ogee pipes, position the AQUASTRIP bitumen joint sealant on the sloping face of the spigot.
- On manholes, box culverts, and ogee pipes, join the ends of the strip in a scarf joint by overlapping the ends, then cutting through at a 45° angle with a hot knife, applying a flame to the cut faces, and smoothing over.
- On box culverts, cut the strip into the corners with a mitre joint.
- On all manholes and inspection chambers, trim off any excess compound that extrudes internally.
- On manholes, the imposed loading from the upper units should be sufficient to compress the AQUASTRIP. Ensure that the AQUASTRIP is compressed by at least half its thickness before any water test.
- On box culverts and ogee pipes, close the joint to an internal gap of 10 mm using a mechanical cable puller. Any squeeze-out should be cut off and smoothed flush to the wall or to the back of the caulking groove if there is a secondary sealant.
- If a joint leaks, check for the absence of primer, gaps between the ends of the strip, or poor fit between the concrete units.
- The document “Best Practice for Jointing Box Culverts” published by The Box Culverts Association is very useful and contains important guidance on best practices.