Mapei Mapelastic AquaDefense

• Suitable For: floors, walls, and ceilings
• Area of use: INT & EXT
• Application Method: roller
• Volume: 7.5KG 15KG
• Container Type: tub
• Type: waterproofer
• Colour: white
• Brand: Mapei
• Manufactuer: Mapei
• Box Size: 1

AquaDefense is suitable for residential and commercial interiors and exteriors, including floors, walls, and ceilings. as well as:

• Ideal for industrial interior floors and walls, as well as tub and shower surrounds in bathrooms, kitchens, food preparation areas, dishwashing stations, cafeterias, countertops, and laundry rooms.
• Applicable for submerged residential and commercial environments such as freshwater pools, fountains, and water features (when completely covered by ceramic tile), as well as cantilevered balconies and decks over unoccupied spaces (see the “Limitations” section).
• Designed for balconies and decks over occupied spaces when used alongside a primary waterproofing membrane, and suitable for steam rooms and steam showers (refer to TCNA Handbook sections SR613 and SR614, or TTMAC 319SR and 321SR). Meets ASTM E96 Procedure E for a low-perm waterproof membrane and provides in-plane crack isolation for nonstructural cracks up to 1/8″ (3 mm). MAPEI’s optional Reinforcing Fabric can be used for added support in corners, coves, and field applications

Suitable Substrates

Interior and Exterior:

• Concrete that has cured for a minimum of 28 days (refer to the “Limitations” section).
• Masonry walls made of cement block or brick.
• Cured cement mortar beds or leveling coats.
• Cement backer units (CBUs) following the manufacturer’s installation guidelines.

Interior Only:

• Gypsum wallboard (walls only, in approved application areas).
• Radiant-heated substrates.
• Unglazed ceramic tile and cement terrazzo floors, as well as gypsum underlayments with a minimum compressive strength of 2,500 psi (17.2 MPa).
  • Note: Existing unglazed ceramic tile must be abraded, and existing cement terrazzo must be mechanically profiled. Both should be skim-coated with an appropriate MAPEI latex- or polymer-modified mortar.
• Plywood underlayments must be Group 1 exterior-grade plywood (CC-plugged or better), conforming to APA classification and U.S. Product Standard PS 1-95, or a “SELECT” or (SEL-TF) CANPLY classified exterior-grade plywood meeting CSA-0121 standards for Douglas fir, intended for direct-bond applications (interior, residential, and light commercial floors and countertops in dry conditions only).
• Pipe penetrations made from PVC, copper, brass, and stainless steel should be abraded using sandpaper.

Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Statement on Maximum Allowable Deflection:

• Floor systems, whether wood-framed or concrete, must comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) for residential applications, the International Building Code (IBC) for commercial applications, or other relevant building codes. It is essential for the owner to inform the project design professional and general contractor in writing about the intended use of the tile installation, including any in-service loads or other pertinent information. The project design professional and general contractor must account for expected live loads, concentrated loads, impact loads, and dead loads, as well as the maximum allowable loads during construction and maintenance. The tile contractor is not liable for issues arising from structural subfloor installations that do not adhere to applicable building codes, unless the structural subfloor was designed and installed by the tile contractor.

Surface Preparation

• All substrates must be structurally sound, stable, dry, clean, and free of any materials or conditions that could hinder proper adhesion.
• Avoid using chemicals (such as acid etching or stripping) to prepare approved substrates.
• Concrete substrates should meet an International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) concrete surface profile of #2. Mechanically clean and profile as necessary using diamond-cup grinding or another engineer-approved method.
• Ensure that substrate and room temperatures are maintained between 45°F and 95°F (7°C and 35°C) during application and for at least 24 hours afterward. For further guidance, consult the “Surface Preparation Requirements” reference guide available on MAPEI’s website.

Mixing

• Always follow appropriate safety precautions before use and refer to the Safety Data Sheet for detailed information.
• Mix the product by hand prior to use and do not dilute with any other materials.
• Clean tools promptly with water after mixing.

Product Application

• Carefully read all installation instructions before beginning.
• Fill any cracks, control joints, and gaps greater than 1/32″ (1 mm) with suitable filler material, ensuring a smooth finish with a trowel and allowing it to dry.
• MAPEI’s optional Reinforcing Fabric and Mapeband accessories (cove roll and drain flashing) can be utilized with Mapelastic AquaDefense in designated areas.
• For crack isolation, pre-treat individual cracks before installing tile, and apply Mapelastic AquaDefense directly over substrate areas with existing in-plane cracks (up to 1/8″ [3 mm] wide).
• Apply the liquid at least 6″ (15 cm) on both sides of the cracks, as well as three times the width of the largest tile, using a paintbrush or roller. Allow it to dry to a light-green color before applying a second coat.

Pre-Treatment of Specific Areas

• Drains: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for waterproof membrane installation. Fill gaps between the drain pipe and substrate with suitable expansion joint materials, and prepare the drain flange by abrading it and applying Mapelastic AquaDefense liberally around it.
• Pipe Penetrations: Fill gaps around pipes with appropriate expansion joint materials and apply Mapelastic AquaDefense around the penetrations. Let it dry to a light-green color before applying a second coat.
• Main Area Application: Coat the entire waterproofing area with Mapelastic AquaDefense using a 3/8″ (10 mm) nap roller, ensuring to cover previously treated areas. Allow the first coat to dry to a light-green color, then apply a second coat, ensuring a final dry thickness of about 20 mils (similar to the thickness of a credit card). Inspect for pinholes or uncovered areas, recoat as necessary, and seal joints around the drain and penetrations with silicone or urethane sealant.