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GROUTING & REPAIR · APPLIED SYSTEM

Expansion
Joint SealingFLEXIBLE · MOVEMENT-RATED · WATERTIGHT

A flexible movement-joint system that seals the deliberate gaps a structure needs to expand and contract. The joint is cleaned and profiled, a backer rod sets the correct depth, and a high-movement sealant is applied — keeping the joint watertight and debris-free while it flexes through thermal and structural movement.

MOVEMENT JOINT CROSS-SECTION REFERENCE DIAGRAM — TAP STAGES BELOW
FlexibleHigh-Movement Sealant
WatertightSeals the Joint
Backer-Rod SetCorrect Bond Profile
DurableWeather & Traffic
01
OVERVIEW

What is Expansion Joint Sealing?

Expansion joint sealing is the treatment of the deliberate movement gaps built into a structure so it can expand, contract and shift safely. Unlike a crack, an expansion joint is meant to move — so it cannot be filled rigidly. The joint is cleaned and profiled, a backer rod is inserted to set the correct sealant depth, and a flexible, high-movement sealant is installed that stretches and compresses with the joint while staying watertight and debris-free. It is delivered as a POLYZEN Applied System, surveyed and installed by trained applicators.

Built for movement, not filling Backer rod sets bond profile Flexible high-movement sealant Watertight & debris-resistant
02
THE POLYZEN SYSTEM

How the Joint Is Sealed

A movement joint is sealed to flex, not to lock — cleaned, depth-controlled with a backer rod, then sealed with a flexible high-movement material. Tap any stage to see its role.

⟶ Tap a stage
05

Tooling & Cure

Finished Profile

The sealant is tooled to the correct concave profile for even stress distribution and full contact with the joint walls, then left to cure into a flexible, watertight seal. System values: Per TDS.

03
POLYZEN APPLIED SYSTEM

Delivered as a POLYZEN Applied System

This joint is sealed as a POLYZEN Applied System — surveyed, specified and installed turnkey by trained applicators using high-movement sealants, backer rods and primers. The sealant class, joint sizing and bond profile are selected per joint type, width and expected movement.

04
WHY IT WORKS

A Seal That Moves With the Structure

An expansion joint fails when it is filled with the wrong, rigid material — it cracks loose the first time the structure moves and lets water straight in. POLYZEN treats the joint as a moving component: the right movement-class sealant, the correct width-to-depth ratio set by a backer rod, and a two-sided bond that lets the seal stretch and recover. Sealant class and sizing are matched to each joint. Performance is confirmed on the product TDS.

Mechanism
Flexible sealant over backer rod
Movement
Stretches & compresses with the joint
Function
Watertight, debris-free, durable seal
POLYZEN Values
Per Product TDS

Sealant movement class, backer-rod size and bond profile are specified per joint type, width and expected movement. Heavy-traffic or trafficked deck joints may need a trafficable joint system. POLYZEN confirms finished values on the product TDS and does not publish fabricated figures.

05
FROM SURVEY TO SEALED JOINT

The Application Process

01

Inspect & Size

Assess joint type, width and movement range, then specify the sealant class, backer rod and profile.

02

Clean & Prime

Remove old sealant and debris, clean and profile the joint walls, then prime where required.

03

Rod & Seal

Set the backer rod to depth, then gun-apply and tool the flexible high-movement sealant.

04

Cure & Handover

Allow cure, final inspection of the bond profile and written warranty.

06
TECHNICAL SUMMARY

System Specifications

PropertyDetail
System TypeExpansion / Movement Joint Sealing
DeliveryPOLYZEN Applied System (turnkey)
MethodClean · backer rod · flexible sealant · tool
SealantHigh-movement PU / hybrid sealant
Joint PrepCleaned · profiled · primed walls
ApplicationFloors · decks · facades · podiums · tanks
FunctionWatertight movement-rated seal
Coverage / ValuesPer Product TDS
07
WHERE IT IS USED

Ideal Applications

Building Movement Joints
Bridge & Deck Joints
Facade & Cladding Joints
Podium & Car Park Decks
Floor & Slab Joints
Water Tanks & Channels
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09
ASSURANCE

Applied & Warranted

Every POLYZEN joint-sealing project is carried out by trained applicators and handed over after a final inspection and a written system warranty. Warranty terms are confirmed per joint type, width and expected movement.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is expansion joint sealing?
It is the sealing of the deliberate movement gaps in a structure with a flexible material that can stretch and compress as the structure expands and contracts. The joint is cleaned, a backer rod sets the correct depth, and a high-movement sealant is installed so the joint stays watertight and debris-free while it continues to move.
How is an expansion joint different from a crack?
A crack is an unintended break that you want to bond solid; an expansion joint is a designed gap that must keep moving. So a crack is repaired rigidly by injection, while a joint is sealed with a flexible sealant that flexes — filling a moving joint with a rigid material will simply crack apart. POLYZEN confirms which is which during survey.
Why is a backer rod used?
The backer rod sets the sealant to the correct depth and width-to-depth ratio and acts as a bond breaker, so the sealant grips only the two joint walls and not the base. This two-sided bond lets the sealant stretch and recover freely, which is what gives the seal its long movement life.
Will the seal stay watertight as the joint moves?
Yes — that is the purpose of the system. A correctly sized, movement-class sealant stays bonded to the joint walls through expansion and contraction, keeping the joint watertight. POLYZEN matches the sealant class to the joint's expected movement, with details confirmed on the product TDS.
Is expansion joint sealing a POLYZEN Applied System?
Yes. It is delivered as a POLYZEN Applied System — surveyed, specified and installed turnkey by trained applicators, with the sealant class, joint sizing and bond profile selected per joint type, width and expected movement.
Does POLYZEN provide a warranty?
Yes. Every project is handed over after a final inspection and a written system warranty, with terms confirmed per joint type, width and expected movement.
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Seal Every Moving Joint.

Get a site survey, joint assessment and quote for flexible expansion joint sealing.