A method for installing a sealing element for a concrete joint, wherein the sealing element comprises a body having a center portion and first and second side portions on opposite sides of the center portion, and wherein the method comprising steps of: i) Positioning the sealing element such that the center portion is located between upper and lower parts of a split expansion board , ii) Deflecting the sealing element to an angle such that the first side portion extends in a direction that is approximately parallel to the surface of the split expansion board, iii) Positioning a continuous formwork along the surface of the split expansion board such that the first side portion is clamped between the continuous formwork and the split expansion board, iv) Casting a first section of concrete such that the second side portion becomes embedded in concrete, v) Removing the continuous formwork, and vi) Casting a second section of concrete such that the first side portion becomes embedded in concrete, wherein the first and second side portions of the body have top and bottom major surfaces and characterized in that the sealing element further comprises a functional coating at least partially covering the top and bottom major surfaces of the first and second side portion, wherein the functional coating is operative to bond with a fresh cementitious composition casted against it and allowed to harden. wherein the sealing element comprises a body having a center portion and first and second side portions on opposite sides of the center portion, and wherein the method comprising steps of: i) Positioning the sealing element such that the center portion is located between upper and lower parts of a split expansion board , ii) Deflecting the sealing element to an angle such that the first side portion extends in a direction that is approximately parallel to the surface of the split expansion board, iii) Positioning a continuous formwork along the surface of the split expansion board such that the first side portion is clamped between the continuous formwork and the split expansion board, iv) Casting a first section of concrete such that the second side portion becomes embedded in concrete, v) Removing the continuous formwork, and vi) Casting a second section of concrete such that the first side portion becomes embedded in concrete, i) Positioning the sealing element such that the center portion is located between upper and lower parts of a split expansion board , ii) Deflecting the sealing element to an angle such that the first side portion extends in a direction that is approximately parallel to the surface of the split expansion board, iii) Positioning a continuous formwork along the surface of the split expansion board such that the first side portion is clamped between the continuous formwork and the split expansion board, iv) Casting a first section of concrete such that the second side portion becomes embedded in concrete, v) Removing the continuous formwork, and vi) Casting a second section of concrete such that the first side portion becomes embedded in concrete, wherein the first and second side portions of the body have top and bottom major surfaces and characterized in that the sealing element further comprises a functional coating at least partially covering the top and bottom major surfaces of the first and second side portion, wherein the functional coating is operative to bond with a fresh cementitious composition casted against it and allowed to harden. <EOS>