Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are several types of cleaners that are used for a variety of different reasons. Alkaline cleaners (high pH), such as UltraCare Heavy-Duty Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner, are best used to “deep clean” the surface and remove organic soiling, such as ground in dirt, cooking oils, etc. These cleaners are safe for occasional use on all natural stone, tile & grout, but are not recommended for regular use.

MAPEI recommends using UltraCare Penetrating SB Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer on all cement-based grouts, porous natural stone, clay tile, cement-based tile, quarry tile, brick and polished porcelain tile. This sealer leaves the surface unchanged in appearance, is breathable, and doesn’t peel, flake or darken the tile or grout. Once fully cured, it helps protect against the absorption of both water and oil-based contaminants, making the surface easier to clean and maintain.

MAPEI’s landscape turf products were designed exclusively for the installer for easier, more budget-friendly applications. MAPEI’s sports turf products are designed to create the strongest and best-performing installations in the industry and are engineered to provide world-class performance.

Both are roller-applied waterproofing membranes that meet the same standards (ANSI 118.10). The difference is in application, drying and coverage. Consult the products’ Technical Data Sheets for more information on their specific attributes.

Ultratop [NA] is a self-curing topping that is specially formulated for fast-track resurfacing, allowing Ultratop [NA] to be polished 24 hours after being installed. 

For most trowels used for floor-covering installations, the correct angle to hold the trowel is 45 degrees to the floor. There is a reason for this angle. First, the angle creates a bit of a hydraulic pumping action by compressing the liquid adhesive and forcing it through the notches. If you were to hold the trowel at a 90-degree angle to the subfloor, you wouldn’t get the compressing action and would just cut through the adhesive on the floor. Without the compression from the 45-degree angle placement, the adhesive may actually skip through the trowel notches and leave you with an undesirable result.

Before applying adhesive with a roller, it is crucial to ensure that the substrate is extremely clean. When you are standing to apply the adhesive with a roller, you may not see grains of dirt or other debris that you might otherwise have noticed with a trowel application. It is always a good idea to vacuum the floor with a high-quality vacuum system before application. In addition, make sure that your floor is flat (as opposed to smooth). Roller-applied adhesives go down very thinly, so any substrate defect left on the floor is probably going to show through. We recommend using a MAPEI self-leveling compound before installing Ultrabond ECO 379 to ensure a flat, porous substrate on which to work. 

1/8" up to 5/8" (3 to 16 mm)

1/16" to 1/8" (1.5 to 3 mm)

1/16" to 3/4" (1.5 to 19 mm)

The size of the tile determines the choice of trowel. Large format tiles (where any side is larger than 15" [38.1 cm]) require a square-notch trowel with deeper notches like 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (12 x 12 x 12 mm). Smaller sizes can be installed with a 1/4" x 1/4" x 1/4" (6 x 6 x 6 mm), or 1/4" x 3/8" x 1/4" (6 x 10 x 6 mm), square-notch trowel.

Mapecoat™ TNS systems can be installed on new or existing asphalt or concrete slabs. On fresh concrete, a layer of Mapecoat TNS Primer EPW is applied first to provide excellent adhesion under the selected hard or cushioned system. For existing slabs with cracking, either the Mapecoat TNS Reinforced or Mapecoat TNS Comfort Elite system can be used to prevent non-structural cracks from coming through the new surface.