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Manhole construction and repair
SealGuard · Polyurethane sealant
X-Seal Joint Sealant
A single-component, hydrophobic polyurethane sealant for the joints you make when you build or raise a manhole: precast sections, adjusting rings and frames. Spread it on a wet surface, set the next piece, and it expands to fill the joint.
working time
15+ min
single component, ready to use
No mixing
tube, standard caulk gun
300 ml
A watertight joint from the start
Seal it as you set it. X-Seal reacts with water, so it goes on a wet surface. It bonds to concrete, brick, stone and wood, expands into gaps and rough surfaces, and cures without shrinking.
Wet surface
Water-activated
Wet both surfaces first. X-Seal reacts with the water and cures in place.
Expands
Fills the gaps
Foams into voids and uneven surfaces between sections, rings and frames.
X-Seal 300 ml tube · 12 pack
Flexible
Closed-cell foam
Cures to a flexible, closed-cell foam (about 40% elongation, free rise, SealGuard Inc. data).
Tack free
Then test
Once it’s dry and tack free, the assembly is ready for vacuum or other testing.
Pick by the job
All three are hydrophobic polyurethanes that cure without shrinking. The difference is speed and the job.
| SealGuard product | Use it for | Speed | Comes in |
|---|---|---|---|
| SealGuard II | Active leaks with fast-moving water, up to 50 gpm | 1 to 3 seconds | 600 ml dual cartridge, dual component gun |
| HyperFlex | Slow leaks and seeping cracks, joints and honeycombed concrete | About 30 to 60 seconds | 300 ml tube or 5 gallon pail, standard caulk gun |
| X-Seal This page | Sealing joints as you build or raise a manhole: sections, adjusting rings, frames | Cures in 15 minutes to 24 hours | 300 ml tube, standard caulk gun |
Filling voids behind a structure or an abandoned line? See Strong-Seal® Grout 250 and Grout 1,000.
Lining the structure after active leaks are stopped? See the Strong-Seal® cementitious products.
Six steps to set a frame
1
Clean
Remove loose debris. Surfaces should be clean and sound.
2
Wet
Wet both surfaces with fresh water. Wet, with no standing water.
3
Apply
Apply X-Seal generously to one surface.
4
Spread
Spread it evenly all the way around. A brush helps.
5
Mist
Lightly wet the X-Seal with water.
6
Set
Set the ring, section or frame. Its weight usually keeps the joint closed. Cure takes 15 minutes to 24 hours.
Metal joints still need fasteners. X-Seal seals metal-to-concrete and metal-to-metal joints, but doesn’t bond them, so use the usual mechanical fastening. It works best at 60°F to 80°F. In cold weather, keep the tubes warm.
Setting a frame with X-Seal
A crew resets a manhole frame on X-Seal.
Clean and wet the surface
Set the frame on the X-Seal
X-Seal cured around the joint
Cover back on
Sealing manhole adjusting rings, frames and precast joints
X-Seal goes in wherever two pieces of a structure meet, during new construction or when a manhole is raised or rebuilt.
Precast sections
Seal the joints between manhole sections, chambers and vaults as you assemble them.
Adjusting rings
Set concrete, rubber composite or metal grade rings when you raise a manhole to a new road grade.
Frames and castings
Seal the frame to the top ring or cone. Fasten it mechanically as usual.
Troy, Michigan: city crews switched from mortar to X-Seal for adjustment rings and castings, so they no longer had to wait for mortar to be mixed and set before moving on. Source: customer story
On the truck
What to bring, and what to do when the sealant doesn’t behave.
What to bring
- X-Seal tubes and a standard caulk gun
- A garden sprayer or spray bottle with fresh water
- A disposable paint brush to spread the bead
- Safety glasses and chemical-resistant gloves
- The usual fasteners for metal frames
- In cold weather, warm tubes; a torch can warm the concrete before you wet it
If it’s not working
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cures slowly | It’s cold. Keep the tubes warm and allow more time. Cure takes 15 minutes to 24 hours. |
| Won’t stick | The surface was dry or dusty. Clean it and wet it, with no standing water. |
| Joint won’t stay closed | Keep weight or pressure on the joint while it cures. Fasten metal frames mechanically. |
What to order
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| SG-X-SEAL-12 | X-Seal, 300 ml tubes, 12 pack |
Apply with a standard single-component caulk gun.
Watch an install
How X-Seal goes on when you set a manhole frame.
Technical data
Specifications
| Type | Single-component hydrophobic polyurethane sealant |
|---|---|
| Part number | SG-X-SEAL-12 |
| Packaging | 300 ml tube, 12 pack |
| Working time | At least 15 minutes |
| Cure | 15 minutes to 24 hours, depending on temperature and moisture. Test when dry and tack free. |
| Shrinkage (ASTM D2126) | 0% at −20°F, 1 day |
| Viscosity at 68°F | 375 cps |
| Specific gravity at 60°F | 1.18 |
| Solids | 100%, no solvents |
| Color | Amber |
|---|---|
| Bonds to | Concrete, brick, stone and wood. Seals metal joints, which still need mechanical fastening. |
| Application temperature | Works best at 60°F to 80°F |
| Equipment | Standard single-component caulk gun |
| Storage | Store under 80°F and keep sealed until use. The material reacts with moisture. |
| Shelf life | Two years minimum, unopened |
| Transport | U.S. D.O.T. unregulated, Class 55 |
| Typical uses | Joints between precast manhole sections, adjusting rings, frames and castings, chambers and vaults |
FAQ
Common questions
Where do I use X-Seal?
In the joints you make when you build or raise a manhole: between precast sections, under and between adjusting rings, and under the frame. It’s also used when assembling chambers and vaults.
Does the surface need to be wet?
Yes. X-Seal reacts with water. Wet both surfaces before you apply it, with no standing water, and mist the bead before you set the next piece.
When can I vacuum test?
Once X-Seal is dry and tack free. Cure takes 15 minutes to 24 hours, depending on temperature and moisture.
Does it hold the frame in place?
No. X-Seal seals metal-to-concrete and metal-to-metal joints but doesn’t bond them. Fasten frames mechanically as usual.
Can it fix a joint that’s already leaking?
X-Seal is for sealing joints as you set them. To stop an active leak in an existing structure, inject SealGuard II or HyperFlex.
X-Seal or mortar for adjusting rings?
Mortar has to be mixed and has to set before you move on. X-Seal goes on from a tube, and the next piece sets right on it. City crews in Troy, Michigan switched to X-Seal for rings and castings for that reason.
Is X-Seal a chimney seal?
No. X-Seal seals the joints as you set rings and frames. To stop a leak in an existing chimney, inject SealGuard II or HyperFlex, or use a chimney seal made for that job.
Can X-Seal replace butyl rope or gaskets?
We don’t have ASTM C990 or C443 test data for X-Seal. Where a spec calls for butyl or gaskets, check with the engineer before substituting.
Is X-Seal approved for drinking water?
X-Seal isn’t on the NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 listing. For drinking water structures, ask us first.
How do I clean up?
Snap the used mixer or nozzle off with a sharp downward motion and scrape off excess once it’s cured. Cured foam and empty cartridges or tubes can go with ordinary construction waste. For anything uncured, follow the safety data sheet. Wear old clothes: cured grout doesn’t wash out.
What safety gear do I need?
X-Seal is MDI based and can cause skin and breathing sensitization. Wear goggles, chemical-resistant gloves and coveralls, use respiratory protection where ventilation is poor, follow your confined-space procedures, and read the safety data sheet before you start. It lists other hazards too, and it’s in the documents below.
Documents
Sell sheets, installation instructions, safety data sheets and the chemical resistance chart, plus the Fernco Infrastructure catalog.
For distributors
Interested in carrying Fernco Infrastructure?
Fernco Infrastructure covers manhole, structure and pipe rehab with three product lines. Add them to your line card to serve municipal and contractor customers.
Got questions?
Building or raising manholes, or writing a spec? Our infrastructure team can help. Reach out, or find your Fernco rep.