Products / 2/28/2024

From foundations to roofs… all Mapei waterproofing solutions

Not only polyurea. A line with a 43-year history: from the first water repellent products to those with fully offset CO₂ emissions.

Author

Chiara Galimberti

Corporate Product Line and Technical Service Specialist, Waterproofing line, Mapei Group

The Mapei waterproofing line has evolved over 43 years with innovations like MAPELASTIC and MAPETHENE. Acquisitions in 2006 and 2008 broadened the portfolio, while recent developments include MAPELASTIC TURBO and synthetic membranes to address Radon gas concerns. Sustainability is emphasized with products like MAPELASTIC ZERO and MONOLASTIC ZERO.

IDROSILEX and MAPELASTIC: Pioneering Waterproofing Solutions

The Mapei waterproofing line has a 43 year history. It was in 1980 when IDROSILEX was introduced as an admixture to create waterproof mortars to protect and waterproof underground areas.

During the 80’s and 90’s, important studies and research work then led to the development of a two-component, flexible cementitious mortar for protecting and waterproofing concrete structures: the introduction in 1992 of MAPELASTIC, a product renowned on all markets for its excellent protection and waterproofing qualities which soon became the reference product for treating balconies and terraces.

Expanding Horizons: Mapei's Waterproofing Revolution (2006-2008)

2006 to 2008 proved to be a decisive turning point for the waterproofing sector in Mapei, thanks to the acquisition of Rasco Bitumentechnik GmbH in 2006 and Polyglass in 2008, and the definition and creation of the waterproofing products line, opening the solutions portfolio to numerous technologies for both underground structures and roofs.

Introduced soon after were MAPETHENE self-adhesive bitumen membranes and the PLASTIMUL range of water-based bitumen emulsions for treating underground structures and, in addition, MAPEPROOF bentonite sheets and their accessory items (hydro-swelling joints and PVC waterstops) to complete the portfolio of waterproofing systems for foundation structures. The portfolio of solutions for structures below ground level grew even further with the introduction of a new, flexible cementitious membrane. In fact, it is in these years that the formulation for MAPELASTIC FOUNDATION was developed, a product appreciated for its many pluses and its capacity to resist negative pressure of 1.5 atm, thereby making this product particularly interesting for restoring waterproofing in underground areas from the inside.

Several Mapei waterproofing solutions can be used to safely waterproof substrates in swimming pools and water basins.

MONOLASTIC, MAPELASTIC AQUADEFENSE and PURTOP

Apart from MAPELASTIC FOUNDATION, in the same arc of time a one-component, flexible cementitious version was created called MONOLASTIC which, alongside MAPELASTIC, represent the most widely sold waterproofing solutions for balconies and terraces in combination with the accessory items including MAPEBAND tapes, and MAPENET 150/MAPETEX SEL N meshes and fabrics and the DRAIN line of drainage outlets.

In 2010 attention on the waterproofing line turned to liquid membranes, particularly with the development of MAPELASTIC AQUADEFENSE, the first ready to use product for waterproofing underneath ceramic coverings. This was followed in 2011 by the addition of the AQUAFLEX ROOF range of acrylic roofing membranes aimed primarily at the renovation and waterproofing restoration sectors. To complete the portfolio of waterproofing products, in 2009-2011 the PURTOP range was developed and a dedicated selection of Realtà Mapei International articles highlight its exceptional characteristics and possible applications. After laying the foundations for a complete product line that would enable us to supply waterproofing solutions from foundations right up to roofs, in 2014 the company and its waterproofing products line focused their attention on extending and completing the portfolio of products with specific characteristics.

MAPELASTIC TURBO: Redefining Waterproofing Standards for Challenging Substrates

Going into detail, September 2014 saw the introduction of MAPELASTIC TURBO, the revolutionary two-component, elastic cementitious product for waterproofing balconies and terraces with not completely dry but cured substrates.

This innovative formulation became particularly appreciated by users because it met specific market requirements: the need for a product that remains fluid at any temperature, a product that cures without forming residues and, above all, one that could be used on substrates which are not completely dry but sufficiently cured.

Advancing Technological Frontiers

Also, from 2017 until now, there was the start of an important period of in-depth technical analysis for the waterproofing line and the development of synthetic membranes for underground structures. In fact, the work carried out to introduce MAPEPROOF FBT, MAPEPROOF AL AP and MAPEPROOF FBH fully-bonded membranes put us in a position to approach the market which, until then, had been the exclusive domain of our competitors but, thanks to our experience and knowledge of waterproofing methods for underground structures, we were able to gain a foothold. Going into detail, thanks to these synthetic membranes, along with our capillary network of training activities, we managed to capture the attention of designers in an increasingly important topic: awareness of Radon gas in new buildings and buildings under restoration. A fundamental characteristic of these synthetic membranes, in fact, is that they form an effective barrier against the penetration of Radon gas in underground structures, an area of application for which standards are under review and for which it is expected the minimum level of Radon for indoors in homes and in new buildings open to the public will be lowered in 2024-2025 to 200 Bq/m³.

Mapei waterproofing solutions also includes numerous technologies for underground structures.

Enhancing the Portfolio: Mapei's Expansion with Profilpas Acquisition

In 2018–2019 the waterproofing line was extended even further with the addition of polyurethane liquid membranes, a particular request of a market focused on research into manually-applied liquid products with excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates and excellent mechanical properties, not to mention the possibility of creating diversified stratigraphic layouts. Following the acquisition of Tecnopol and the introduction of PURTOP EASY membranes, Mapei was able to meet these application requirements for roofs, terraces and balconies, and also for waterproofing work in storage tanks and basins for drinking water with the PURTOP EASY DW membrane. And that’s not all; this type of membranes can be left with an exposed finish or covered with ceramic tiles.

In 2022-2023, a new, ready to use, non-toxic membrane was developed for roofs, balconies and terraces. AQUAFLEX S1K replaced silane technology for the sector of building specialised in liquid waterproofing membranes. Besides, thanks to the acquisition of Profilpas, a company specialised in producing and distributing profiles for floor and wall coverings, shower channels and installation accessories, the portfolio of Mapei waterproofing solutions was enhanced with a range of accessories for balconies and terraces, such as profiles for the front edge of tiled balconies and special adjustable supports to create raised floors.

PURTOP EASY, one-component, flexible membrane is especially suitable for waterptoofing roofs, terraces and balconies.

Reflecting on 43 Years of Innovation and Growth in Waterproofing Solutions

With the sector trade fairs in 2023 (Cersaie, Saie and Made Expo) the first waterproofing products with fully offset CO₂ emissions were presented to the Italian market: MAPELASTIC ZERO and MONOLASTIC ZERO, the first two products from the waterproofing line which, together with adhesives, restoration and repair mortars, wall coatings and products for cleaning, maintaining and protecting ceramic and stone surfaces make up the Zero Line, the range of Mapei products whose CO₂ emissions are measured throughout their life cycle in 2023 using LCA methods, verified and certified with EPDs, and then fully offset through the acquisition of certified carbon credits in support of renewable energy and forestry protection projects.

Over the course of these first 43 years of the waterproofing line, many markets have been explored, numerous sites have been successfully completed and a host of challenges have been overcome. All this has led to us acquiring even more knowledge and a deeper understanding of issues pertaining to this sector, generating the development and introduction of new waterproofing technologies and solutions. All this has enabled the line itself and the company to grow in this specific sector, leading Mapei to becoming a trusted partner for waterproofing solutions. And all this would not have been possible, and will not be possible in the future, if it wasn’t for a constant commitment to research and innovation, but also to the constant dedication running through every member of our product line specialists out in the field who, day by day, propose and promote waterproofing solutions to our clients, contractors and design studios. So, borrowing the words from Mapei's former CEO, Giorgio Squinzi, I urge you to “Never stop pedalling”!