A method of joining two polyolefin tubular members end-to-end containing placing respective ends of the tubular members together, welding the respective ends of the two tubular members together using butt fusion thereby defining a circumferential joint, wrapping the respective ends of the tubular members and the circumferential joint with a transitional film having a first surface adapted to bond to the tubular members, bonding the transitional film to the respective ends of the tubular members, and applying a reinforcement system over the transitional film. The bonding of the transitional film to the respective ends of the tubular members contains applying heat to the transitional film and the bonding of the transitional film to the respective ends of the tubular members contains wrapping the pipe with heat-activated shrink tape and heating the damaged area to activate a bonding process of the transitional film to the respective ends of the tubular members.