Whenever a pipe passes through a concrete wall, slab, or barrier, it creates annular space—the gap between the pipe and concrete. That gap has the potential to become a pathway for water, gas, or contaminants, and could compromise both structural integrity and system performance. LINK-SEAL® was designed to seal those penetrations and is the trusted, time-tested solution for permanent sealing.
What is LINK-SEAL®?
LINK-SEAL® is a flexible belt of interconnected rubber links used to create a permanent, hydrostatic seal around pipes passing through concrete-poured walls, floors, and ceilings. Installation is straightforward: the belt wraps around the pipe and is secured by tightening bolt heads around the seal. As the bolts are tightened, pressure plates compress the rubber links, expanding them into the annular space to form a hydrostatic seal capable of holding more than 20 PSIg.
In addition to sealing, LINK-SEAL® dampens vibration, reduces fatigue on flanges and pipe connections, and isolates stray electrical currents—enhancing overall system protection. Trusted for over 50 years, LINK-SEAL® is the original of its kind and offers maintenance-free performance for up to 40 years.
Another advantage of LINK-SEAL® is its ease of removal. While not reusable, the seal can be easily removed and replaced whenever piping changes are needed—making it a practical choice for systems that may require future retrofits or repairs.
At Cimco, we carry LINK-SEAL® Sizes: LS-200 up to LS-650 in stainless or coated (all EPDM standard rubber).
Sizing and Material Selection:
Designing with LINK-SEAL® in mind sets projects up for long-term success. Proper sizing and material selection are essential to achieving a watertight seal that protects infrastructure and ensures system integrity. Here’s what to pay attention to:
Sizing
Accurate Measurements: Because sizing standards vary by pipe material—whether copper, ductile iron, or PVC—"6-inch pipe" doesn’t always mean a 6" outside diameter (O.D.). For a proper seal, measurements should be based on the actual O.D. of the carrier pipe and the actual inside diameter (I.D.) of the wall sleeve or core-drilled hole.
Large Annular Spaces: LINK-SEAL® can accommodate a range of annular space sizes, but sometimes the gap between a large wall opening and a small pipe is too wide for a single configuration. In these cases, options like double LINK-SEAL® assemblies or fillers (e.g., carrier pipes) can close the gap effectively while maintaining seal integrity. (Note: When using a carrier pipe, be sure to have accurate O.D. and I.D. dimensions for both pipes.)
Material Selection
Color-Coded: LINK-SEAL® offers color-coded elastomers tailored to different applications—Black for water, Green for fuel/oil/solvents, and Grey for temperature extremes.
Match to Pipe Material: Always align the seal material with the pipe type, especially for chemical or specialty piping. For example, CPVC requires the “C-PVC” model, which uses a silicone-based elastomer free of plasticizers to prevent pipe degradation.
Corrosion Considerations: Stainless steel hardware is essential for below-grade or direct-burial installs. While carbon steel with corrosion-resistant coating works above ground, it should never be used underground—an easy spec mistake with costly consequences.
Check out the Engineering Manual >
CENTURYLINE® Sleeves:
CENTURYLINE® sleeves provide a reliable way to create wall openings that align precisely with the carrier pipe. Made of non-conductive, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), they’re engineered to match LINK-SEAL® sizing and deliver a clean, dimensionally accurate opening.
Their lightweight design makes them easy to install during the concrete pour, helping ensure proper alignment and reducing the chance of costly rework. Standard sleeves are 16" long and can be trimmed onsite to match wall thickness. For unique applications, custom lengths are also available. Standard sleeve diameters are 3” to 25” (custom sizes available for order).
We stock CENTURYLINE® Sleeves: 16” length (standard) and 3”-25” diameter
Conclusion
LINK-SEAL® makes sealing pipes through walls and slabs simple, effective, and long-lasting. With proper sizing, thoughtful material selection, and attention to installation context, engineers can ensure watertight, maintenance-free performance for decades.
Lean on Our Team
Our team is here to help with sizing, spacing, and product selection—or to assist in improving your specifications. We’ll make sure you get the right LINK-SEAL® for your application, and help you design with confidence.