OUR SWIMMING POOL PROFILE
WATERPROOFING THE INSIDE OF BATHS AND SWIMMING POOLS
Once the screed and levelling layers on the vertical surfaces are fully cured, and after making sure all the substrates are clean and dry, the next step is to waterproof slopes, fillets and breaks in the surfaces according to the procedure in the box below
SLOPES, FILLETS AND BREAKS IN THE SURFACE:
During the construction phase of the structure, the critical points to seal and waterproof are breaks in the surfaces made by slopes, access ladders and fillets between adjacent surfaces (horizontal and vertical surfaces and between adjacent walls). MAPEI recommends MAPEBAND, alkali-resistant, felt-backed rubber tape for these operations, which is applied using MAPELASTIC or MAPELASTIC SMART (depending on which product is chosen to waterproof the pool). - apply an even layer of MAPELASTIC or MAPELASTIC SMART; - apply MAPEBAND TPE by pressing it lightly along the edges; - apply a second layer of the waterproofing product wet on wet to completely cover the sides of the tape (Fig. 3.8). We recommend using special shaped pieces of MAPEBAND for corners, edges and cross points: ANGLE 90° and ANGLE 270°, CROSS and “T”. Use ADESILEX LP for the joints between adjacent strips and between strips and shaped pieces of MAPEBAND. If mosaic is to be used to line the pool once work has been completed, we recommend forming 10 cm shells around the fillets as follows to make installation of the mosaic easier: - apply EPORIP along the edges and corners; - form shells applied wet on wet made from MAPEGROUT 430 or a similar product from the MAPEGROUT range.
The waterproofing product must only be applied once all the breaks in the surface have been waterproofed. MAPEI recommends two-component, elastic cementitious mortar for waterproofing hydraulic structures, such as: MAPELASTIC or MAPELASTIC SMART. The main characteristics of these two products are: • excellent adhesion; • high elasticity which is maintained over the years; • excellent crack-bridging capacity; • good workability; • easy to apply. The choice of whether to use MAPELASTIC rather than MAPELASTIC SMART depends on where the bath or pool is constructed. We recommend using MAPELASTIC for waterproofing pools with the structure below ground level. If the structure is built above ground, on the other hand (such as covered or indoor pools), in order to withstand any movements in the whole structure, we recommend using MAPELASTIC SMART. Substrates must be clean and dry before applying MAPELASTIC. Spread two layers of the product with a smooth or notched trowel to form a layer with a total thickness of at least 2 mm, with MAPENET 150 alkali-resistant glass fibre mesh embedded between the layers to increase its flexibility and guarantee its crack-bridging capacity for cracks up to 1.5 mm wide. If a more fluid product that is easier to apply with a roller or brush is preferred, we recommend using MAPELASTIC SMART. This must also be applied to form a layer at least 2 mm thick, but in this case place MAPETEX SEL perforated non-woven polypropylene fabric in the product and press it down with a flat trowel to make sure it is completely embedded. When MAPELASTIC SMART is used in combination with MAPETEX SEL, it follows the movements of structures and has a crack-bridging capacity of more than 3 mm. Apply the second coat of MAPELASTIC or MAPELASTIC SMART around