Mapelastic AquaDefense is a totally solvent-free, ready-to-use, ultra-quick drying, one-component light blue, synthetic resin based paste in water dispersion.

Mapelastic AquaDefense is easy to apply using a long-haired roller, brush or trowel on horizontal, sloping and vertical surfaces. Mapelastic AquaDefense dries very quickly to form a flexible membrane without a sticky surface. It is resistant to light pedestrian traffic after just 3 hours and forms an excellent grip with all types of adhesive for laying ceramic, stone material and mosaic of all kinds. The flexible nature of Mapelastic AquaDefense helps it withstand normal movements caused by expansion and shrinkage of the substrate due to temperature variations and vibration.

Tiles laid on floors waterproofed with Mapelastic AquaDefense by using C2F-class MAPEI adhesives (such as Granirapid, Elastorapid, etc.) and grouted with Ultracolor Plus may be opened to pedestrian traffic within 12 hours of starting the work. Mapelastic AquaDefense is resistant to water, lime-water (ph > 12), and detergents commonly used for cleaning residential environments.

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• Features & Benefits
• Preparation
• Application
• Limitations

Features & Benefits

• To form waterproofing layers before applying ceramic, stone and mosaic coatings in:
  • Balconies and terraces
  • Bathrooms and shower cubicles
  • Laundry rooms
  • Saunas and damp environments in general
• Mapelastic AquaDefense may be applied on:
  • Concrete
  • Cementitious screeds and screeds made using special binders (Topcem, Topcem Pronto, Mapecem or Mapecem Pronto)
  • Plasterboard (for internal applications only)
  • Existing coatings in ceramic, terrazzo and stone
  • Cementitious render
• Supplied ready to use
• Rapid product: – resists rainwater 1 hour after applying the first coat and 3 hours after applying the second coat. – ceramic may be bonded after 4 hours (at +23°C and 50% R.H. when applied on a dry screed with less than 3% residual moisture)
• Elastic: at +23°C it has 3.2 mm crack-bridging capacity without reinforcement
• CE marked

Preparation

• Substrates must be well-cured, sound, clean, dry and free of oil, grease, cement laitance, old paint and any other substance which could compromise the bond. Cementitious substrates must be stable and dry with no rising damp. Surface dust must be completely removed
• Smoothing and levelling layers may be applied using Planitop Fast 330 or Adesilex P4
• On old ceramic floors with hollowed or empty tile joints, or whenever slopes on surfaces need to be levelled out before spreading on Mapelastic AquaDefense, we recommend applying a smoothing and levelling layer using Adesilex P4. Substrates in this condition must be thoroughly checked and all coatings, such as wax, water-repellent treatments, etc. must be removed from the surface with a suitable cleaning product and/or by abrasion
• Before applying Mapelastic AquaDefense, pay particular attention to expansion joints and fillet joints between horizontal and vertical surfaces. In such cases, apply Mapeband or Mapeband PE 120 and suitable profiles bonded in place with Mapelastic AquaDefense
• To waterproof drains on terraces and balconies, use the special kits from the Drain range
• Structural joints must be waterproofed with Mapeband TPE bonded to the substrate with Adesilex PG4
• Before applying Mapelastic AquaDefense on old ceramic and natural stone floors, use Eco Prim Grip

Application

• Mapelastic AquaDefense must be applied in two even, coats (approx. 0.4 mm per coat) with a long-haired roller, brush or trowel. Wait until the first coat is dry, making sure the product becomes darker with a matt finish, before applying the second coat diagonally to the first (approximately 1 hour at +23°C and 50% relative humidity of the air and with substrates having residual humidity lower than 3%)
• The final thickness of the two coats of Mapelastic AquaDefense must be at least 0.8 mm in order to create a robust, flexible and continuous film. Make sure there are no interruptions in the film caused by imperfections in the substrate
• If Mapelastic AquaDefense is applied to form an anti-fracture membrane on cracked substrates, we recommend inserting Mapetex 50 reinforcement in to the first coat while it is still fresh. Mapetex 50 must be pressed down with a bubble-breaker roller on the first coat of Mapelastic AquaDefense while it is still fresh. Wait until the first coat is dry then apply the second coat in order to completely embed Mapetex 50. Drying times may increase as Mapetex 50 insertion increases the final thickness of the applied film
• In bathrooms, on balconies, in saunas and Turkish baths, a water-tightness test may be carried out 12 hours after applying the final coat of Mapelastic AquaDefense
• Ceramic, stone and mosaic tiles may be laid 4 hours after applying the second coat (at +23°C and 50% relative humidity of the air) using a C2-class MAPEI adhesive according to EN 12004 standards, to be selected according to the final use of the floor or coating. For example, on balconies use Keraflex Maxi S1 (class C2TE S1)
• For quickly laying tiles use Elastorapid (class C2FTE S2) and for laying all types of mosaic use Adesilex P10 + Isolastic mixed with 50% of water (class C2TE S1). Grout tile joints with a special cementitious grout (such as Ultracolor Plus - class CG2WA, Keracolor FF, Keracolor GG mixed with Fugolastic) or epoxy grout (for example Kerapoxy, Kerapoxy Design or Kerapoxy CQ - class RG)
• Seal expansion joints with a special MAPEI sealant (such as Mapesil AC, Mapesil LM or Mapeflex PU45 according to requirements).
• Mapelastic AquaDefense may be removed easily from tools and surfaces while still fresh with water
• Coverage rate: 1 kg/m² for two coats (1.3 kg/m² per mm of thickness)

Limitations

• Do not apply Mapelastic AquaDefense if the temperature is lower than +5°C
• Mapelastic AquaDefense must always be covered with ceramic, mosaic or stone
• Do not apply Mapelastic AquaDefense on cementitious substrates or on substrates with residual humidity higher than 3% and recurring rising damp
• Do not apply Mapelastic AquaDefense on crumbly cementitious substrates, old floors which are not well bonded to the substrate or surface treatments which impede a good bond
• Do not use Mapelastic AquaDefense to cover cracks
• Protect the surface from rain for at least 1 hour after applying the first coat and 3 hours after applying the second coat (times refer to +23°C and 50% relative humidity of the air when the product is applied on dried screeds with a residual moisture lower than 3%)