Mapei Mapelastic A 24kg

• Product ID: 167124
• Suitable For: waterproofing and protecting concrete structures
• Area of use: INT & EXT
• Application Method: trowel
• Volume: 24KG
• Container Type: drum
• Type: mortar
• Colour: white
• Brand: Mapei
• Manufactuer: Mapei
• Box Size: 1

Waterproofing and protecting concrete structures, renders, and cementitious screeds is essential for enhancing their durability and functionality. Some applications include waterproofing concrete basins designed to hold water, as well as bathrooms, showers, balconies, terraces, and swimming pools prior to the installation of ceramic tiles. It is also used for waterproofing plasterboard, render or cementitious surfaces, lightweight cement blocks, and marine-grade plywood. Additionally, it serves as a flexible smoothing layer for lightweight concrete structures that may experience minor deformation under load, such as precast panels. The product protects renders or concrete with shrinkage cracks from water infiltration and aggressive environmental factors. Moreover, it safeguards concrete pillars, beams, road and railway viaducts repaired with Mapegrout products, as well as structures with insufficient concrete cover over reinforcement rods, from carbon dioxide penetration. Lastly, it is effective in protecting concrete surfaces that may encounter seawater, de-icing salts like sodium or calcium chloride, and sulphates.

Preparation of the Substrate

1. A) Mapelastic A+B is ideal for the protection and waterproofing of concrete structures and precast units, such as pillars and beams in road and railway viaducts, cooling towers, chimneys, underpasses, retaining walls, coastal applications, basins, canals, dam faces, and balcony fronts, the substrate must be sound and thoroughly clean. All cement laitance, flaky material, dust, grease, oil, and form-release agents should be removed by sandblasting or high-pressure washing. If the structure is in poor condition, damaged areas must be eliminated using manual or mechanical abrasion, hydro-demolition, or hydro-scarifying, which minimizes vibration and protects reinforcement rods. After rust removal, repair any damaged areas using a pre-blended mortar from the Mapegrout or Planitop range. Ensure absorbent surfaces are slightly damp before applying Mapelastic.

1. B) Mapelastic A+B for waterproofing terraces, balconies, and swimming pools:

Cementitious Screeds: Fill any cracks caused by plastic or hygrometric shrinkage with Eporip and level thicknesses of up to 30 mm using Planitop Fast 330 or Adesilex P4.

Existing Floors: Ensure existing floors and coverings made of ceramic, porcelain, clinker, or terracotta are well-bonded and free of contaminants like grease, oil, and paint. Clean the surface with a mixture of water and 30% caustic soda, followed by thorough rinsing with clean water.

Renders: Ensure cementitious renders are fully cured (7 days per mm of thickness in good weather), well-bonded to the substrate, and free of dust and paint. Dampening absorbent surfaces before treatment is essential.

Close-up of the Waterproofing Layer

Particular attention to detail is crucial in waterproofing applications. It’s vital to use products from the Mapeband and Drain lines in conjunction with Mapelastic. Use Mapeband TPE for sealing structural joints and joints experiencing high dynamic stress, and employ Mapeband, Mapeband Easy, and Mapeband SA for waterproofing check and fillet joints. Special kits from the Drain range are designed for sealing drain holes. It’s imperative to focus on these critical areas after levelling and cleaning the substrate, prior to the application of the cementitious waterproofing mortar.

Preparation of the Mortar

To prepare Mapelastic A+B, pour component B (liquid) into a clean container, then slowly add component A (powder) while mixing with a mechanical mixer. Mix thoroughly for a few minutes until the mixture is uniform, ensuring no powder remains stuck to the container. Use a low-speed mechanical mixer to minimize air inclusion and avoid manual mixing. Alternatively, a mortar mixer can be used but ensure a homogeneous mix without lumps before pouring into the pump hopper.

Manual Application of the Mortar

Apply Mapelastic A+B within 60 minutes of mixing. Use a smooth trowel to skim the prepared surface to a feather edge with a thin layer of Mapelastic, then apply a second coat while the first is still fresh to achieve a final thickness of at least 2 mm. When waterproofing terraces, balconies, basins, and swimming pools, it is recommended to embed Mapenet 150 alkali-resistant reinforcement mesh into the first coat of Mapelastic while it is still wet. After laying the mesh, smooth the surface with a flat trowel and apply a second layer of Mapelastic after the first coat has set (typically after 4-5 hours). Wait 5 days for curing before laying ceramic tiles; this period may be reduced to 24 hours in favourable conditions on dry substrates.

Laying Ceramic Tiles on Mapelastic

Balconies and Terraces: Use a C2 class cementitious adhesive (such as Keraflex or Keraflex Maxi S1) or a C2F class rapid adhesive (like Granirapid or Ultralite S1 Quick) for bonding ceramic tiles. Grout joints with a CG2 class cementitious product (Keracolor FF or Keracolor GG mixed with Fugolastic or Ultracolor Plus) and seal movement joints with a suitable MAPEI elastic sealant (such as Mapei PU 45 FT, Mapesil AC, or Mapesil LM).

Swimming Pools: Bond ceramic tiles using a C2 class adhesive (Keraflex or Keraflex Maxi S1) or a C2F class rapid adhesive (Granirapid or Ultralite S1 Quick). For mosaics, use Adesilex P10 + Isolastic mixed with 50% water (class C2E/S1). Grout joints with a CG2 class product (Keracolor FF/Keracolor GG mixed with Fugolastic or Ultracolor Plus) or an RG class epoxy product (from the Kerapoxy range) and seal joints with Mapesil AC silicone sealant.

Application of the Mortar by Spraying

After preparing the surface, apply Mapelastic A+B with a spray gun fitted for smoothing mortars at a minimum thickness of 2 mm per layer. For thicker applications, use multiple coats, allowing each to dry (after 4-5 hours) before applying the next. For areas with small cracks or high stress, insert Mapenet 150 into the first layer of fresh Mapelastic. After laying the mesh, smooth with a flat trowel, and apply an additional layer of Mapelastic as needed.

When Mapelastic is used for protecting beams and columns on bridges, railway underpasses, and building façades, it can be painted with products from the Elastocolor range, which are available in various colours through the ColorMap automatic colouring system. For horizontal surfaces not used for foot traffic, such as flat roofs, Mapelastic can be coated with Elastocolor Waterproof, which is a flexible acrylic resin-based paint available in multiple colours. This should be applied at least 20 days after Mapelastic.