Mapei Granirapid A 20kg

• Product ID: 140120
• Suitable For: installing a diverse range of tile
• Area of use: INT & EXT
• Application Method: trowel
• Volume: 20KG
• Container Type: bag
• Type: adhesive
• Colour: grey
• Brand: Mapei
• Manufactuer: Mapei
• Box Size: 1

Granirapid is designed for installing a diverse range of tile and mosaic types, including ceramic, encaustic, porcelain, natural and agglomerate stone, terrazzo, and terracotta. It is suitable for both interior and exterior applications on walls and floors. Additionally, it effectively bonds heavy-duty rubber flooring that requires a cementitious adhesive, such as those with a profiled back (stalk back or dove-tailed back). Granirapid can be used on most conventional construction substrates, including concrete, cement-based anhydrite screeds, and plywood (minimum thickness of 15 mm), as well as cementitious render, plaster, and plasterboard. It is also compatible with MAPEI waterproof membranes, including Mapelastic and Mapelastic Smart.

Application Examples:

Natural Stone Installation: Ideal for rapid-setting applications involving natural stones like granite, basalt, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, and sandstone.

Agglomerate and Synthetic Stone: Its unique composition is perfect for agglomerate or synthetic stone installations, particularly where a fast-drying, low-water system is advantageous.

Heavy-Duty Areas: Granirapid’s high strength and durability make it suitable for high-traffic locations such as shopping centres, supermarkets, airports, railway stations, public buildings, car showrooms, workshops, commercial kitchens, factories, hospitals, schools, and universities.

Rapid Strength Development: It is ideal for projects requiring quick serviceability after tiling, as well as efficient repairs. Its excellent wetting properties allow for the installation of larger format tiles, such as 600 x 600 mm, and it can be applied to bonded, unbonded, floating, and heated screeds that have cured sufficiently.

Compatibility: It is effective over existing tiled floors (ceramic, natural stone, terrazzo, etc.) after proper cleaning and preparation, and on plywood overlaid floors, provided the plywood is WBP or marine-grade, at least 15 mm thick, and secured at a maximum of 300 mm centres. However, consult the tile manufacturer regarding the suitability of certain resin agglomerated stone tiles for use on heated floors due to potential thermal expansion issues.

Substrate Preparation

Before applying Granirapid, ensure that all substrates are level, mechanically strong, and free from any loose particles, grease, oil, paint, wax, or similar contaminants. Cementitious substrates should not continue to shrink post-tile installation. Allow new concrete bases to cure for a minimum of six weeks, while renders require at least two weeks and cementitious screeds at least three weeks of curing time. This timeline may be shorter for screeds made with special MAPEI binders like Mapecem or Topcem, or ready-mixed mortars such as Mapecem Pronto or Topcem Pronto. For heated screeds, follow recognized technical regulations and the guidelines outlined in BS 5385 parts 3, 4, and 5. If surfaces become excessively warm due to direct sunlight, dampen them with water to cool down. Ensure that existing tiled finishes are securely bonded and replace any loose or hollow-sounding tiles with an appropriate mortar like Nivorapid. Thoroughly degrease the surface to remove all waxes and polishes, possibly using mechanical abrasion, especially when tiling over natural stone and terrazzo flooring. Gypsum plaster must be completely dry and at least four weeks old before tiling begins. Prime the surface with Primer G. Anhydrite screeds should be dry (0.5% w/w), free from surface laitance, and mechanically abraded if needed (consult the manufacturer). For wet areas, apply a waterproof membrane such as Mapegum WPS, Mapelastic Smart, or Mapelastic AquaDefense. Ensure plywood overlays are securely screwed to a rigid base at a maximum of 300 mm centres, with a minimum thickness of 15 mm, made from marine or WBP grade plywood that has acclimatized to the ambient conditions before tiling.

Mixing

To prepare Granirapid, combine 20 kg of part A (grey cementitious powder) or 18 kg (white) with 4.4 kg of part B (synthetic rubber latex). For best results, use a mechanical mixer until a smooth consistency is achieved, adding the powder (part A) to the latex (part B). At +20°C, the pot life is about 45 minutes, but this duration may decrease at higher temperatures.

Application

For optimal adhesion, first apply a thin layer of Granirapid to the substrate using the straight edge of a trowel, followed immediately by the appropriate thickness with a notched trowel. Select a trowel that provides coverage of at least 65-70% of the back of tiles for internal walls in dry areas and 100% coverage for floors, wet areas, and external work. In demanding applications—such as exteriors prone to freezing, swimming pools, heavy load floors, and tiles with deep backs—apply Granirapid to the back of the tiles (back-buttering). For tiles over 900 cm² (30 x 30 cm), the maximum bed depth is 10 mm.

Tile Installation

The open time for the adhesive in normal temperature and humidity is approximately 20 minutes, though unfavourable conditions (strong sunlight, drying winds, high temperatures, etc.) or highly absorbent substrates may reduce this time significantly. It’s crucial to ensure that a skin does not form on the adhesive’s surface, which should remain “fresh.” Wetting or priming the substrate before applying the adhesive can extend the open time. If a skin does form, the adhesive must be removed and replaced with fresh material; do not wet the adhesive, as this can create a separating layer. After installation, tiles must not be washed or exposed to rain for at least 3-4 hours and should be protected from direct sunlight for at least 12 hours.

Installing Rubber Tiles

For the installation of rubber flooring with cementitious adhesive, back-butter the slabs using Granirapid. Apply Granirapid to the substrate with a No. 6 trowel and place the slab “wet” on “wet,” lightly twisting to ensure proper adhesion.