Mapei Construction Chemical Tiles & Waterproofing Leave a comment
Mapei Construction Chemical Dubai & Sharjah Tiles & Waterproofing
The best way to ensure long-lasting and quality results is to know the basic rules for this type of application. Ceramic tile installers are often afraid to work in areas like balconies and pools that are exposed to the elements. Having knowledge of the fundamentals can help ensure sound installation and help your business grow by allowing you to do a wider range of projects.
Ceramic Tile Installation in pools
Most ceramic tile installers aren’t comfortable working in pools, but if you know the basics and the key cornerstones, this is a good opportunity to expand your business. Take a look at the basic rules for pool installation, even for the smallest installations at home.
The right substrate
A major consideration is the area of the pool that can be utilized for the job, that is, the pool body itself. The only and only type of pool shell that is suitable for receiving tiles is a watertight reinforced concrete pool shell. Alternatively, a hollow formwork pool can, in most cases, be covered with a special waterproof membrane made of PVC. Prior to construction, the pool deck must be successfully tested for weathertightness. Moreover, installation works cannot begin until the structure has passed the weathertightness test as well as the substrate has shown sufficient solidity, compactness, crack-free surface and adequate concrete layer over the reinforcing rods. The weathertightness test and the pool test are specified in the requirements of several national and international standards, i.e. these requirements are not optional or a manufacturer’s recommendations only.
Correct flatness for the sides and bottom
Ceramic coatings cannot be applied to reinforced concrete pools due to their lack of flatness. With PLANITOP FAST 330, a quick-setting, fiber-reinforced leveling mortar, these surfaces can be leveled correctly on both internal and external substrates. As an alternative to PLANITOP FAST 330, TOPCEM PRONTO can be used to create quick-drying (4 days) screeds that may be bonded together using a slurry made from PLANICRETE latex and TOPCEM mortar.
Waterproofing solutions
The surfaces need to be waterproofed once they have been leveled. MAPELASTIC two-component, flexible cementitious membrane is a good choice for this purpose, as well as other solutions from the MAPELASTIC range (MAPELASTIC AQUADEFENSE, MAPELASTIC SMART and MAPELASTIC TURBO). Products from the MAPELASTIC line of membranes should be applied in two coats for a total thickness of at least 2 mm. If the pool is subjected to high loads or deformations, MAPENET 150 fiberglass mesh or MAPETEX SEL polypropylene fabric can be embedded between two coats of MAPELASTIC to reinforce the waterproofing layer. MAPELASTIC should be used in conjunction with MAPEBAND EASY elastic rubber tape in order to ensure soundproofing at the corners between walls, between the floor and walls, as well as around pipe penetration points.
Which adhesive to bond tiles?
When installing ceramic tiles in pools, the adhesive chosen is primarily determined by the type of tiles and the location of the pool. A suitable mix of white KERABOND T cementitious adhesive and ISOLASTIC latex additive can bond glass mosaics, for instance. For ceramic tile installation, KERAFLEX S1 may be a good choice, even outdoors. ADESILEX P9 may also be a suitable solution for an indoor pool with ceramic tiles under less stressful conditions.
Grouting joints
Swimming pool joints can be grouted with cementitious grouts, such as ULTRACOLOR PLUS, or epoxy grouts, such as KERAPOXY, for higher chemical resistance. When PRIMER FD is used as a bonding enhancer, expansion joints on walls and the bottom of a pool can be sealed using MAPESIL AC, a mould-resistant, acetic-crosslinking silicone sealant.