A Swellable Water Baralso called a hydrophilic waterstopis a flexible sealing material used in concrete construction joints to prevent water ingress. It's especially useful in underground structures, tunnels, basements, retaining walls, and water tanks.
A swellable water bar is typically made from sodium bentonite or hydrophilic polymers that expand when in contact with water. When placed in a joint or around penetrations in concrete, the bar swells to fill the gap, creating a watertight seal.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Sodium Bentonite Clay, Hydrophilic Rubber (e.g. polyurethane, EPDM-based) |
| Swelling Ratio | Can swell up to 300500% of original volume |
| Dimensions | Common sizes: 20x25 mm, 25x25 mm, 10x20 mm, etc. |
| Installation | Glued or nailed into place before second concrete pour |
| Water Pressure Resistance | Up to 510 bar (varies by product) |
Cold joints between concrete pours
Pipe penetrations
Precast segments
Box culverts
Basement slabs and walls
Tunnels and water retaining structures
Self-sealing upon water contact
Conforms to irregular surfaces
Easy to install (can be glued or nailed)
Provides active sealing (expands to fill gaps)
Works in both horizontal and vertical joints
Apply on dry concrete only premature contact with water may cause it to swell too early.
Protect during concrete pour to prevent displacement.
For high water pressures, use with PVC or metal waterstops as a secondary barrier.
Some products come with a delayed swell time to avoid early expansion.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Bentonite-Based | Swells naturally with water exposure; cost-effective |
| Polymeric (Hydrophilic Rubber) | More controlled and repeatable swelling; suitable for higher-performance applications |
| Combination Types | Blend of bentonite and rubber for balanced performance |
SikaSwell (Sika)
Hydrotite (Adeka)
GCP Swellseal
Fosroc Supercast SW
Would you like help picking a brand, getting datasheets, or installation guides? I can also help you compare types based on your project (e.g., tunnel, tank, basement).

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