Installation Guide

• Steam rooms and steam showers (refer to TCNA
handbook’s sections SR613 and SR614 or TTMAC
319SR and 321SR).
• Meets ASTM E-96 Procedure E for a low perm waterproof
membrane
• In-plane crack isolation up to 1/8" (3 mm) over
nonstructural cracks
• MAPEI's Reinforcing Fabric is available but optional for
use on coves, corners and field application.
LIMITATIONS
• Mapelastic AquaDefense is not for use over structural
cracks, in-plane cracks beyond 1/8" (3 mm) or where
vertical out-of-plane movement occurs.
• Do not use over substrates containing asbestos,
dimensionally unstable substrates such as hardwood
flooring, particleboard, oriented strand board (OSB),
Masonite or metal. See "Suitable Substrates" section below.
• Do not use over: Plank flooring, treated plywood,
Lauan, gypsum-based floor-patching compounds,
vinyl, glazed tile, laminate, fiberglass or epoxy floors,
or storage tanks.
• Do not use where excessive substrate moisture and/or
where negative hydrostatic pressure exists. Maximum
allowable moisture is 8 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. (3,63 kg per
92,9 m
2
) per 24 hours per ASTM F1869 or up to 85%
relative humidity as measured with moisture probes.
• Do not use: As a single-application roof-deck membrane,
wear surface or primary waterproofing membrane on
balconies or decks directly over occupied space or in
storage tanks; or with premixed setting materials.
• Do not allow direct contact with solvent-based materials.
Consult MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for
installation recommendations regarding substrates and
conditions not listed.
SUITABLE SUBSTRATES
Interior and exterior
• Fully cured concrete at least 28 days old
(see “Limitations” section)
• Masonry walls of cement block or brick
• Cured cement mortar beds or leveling coats
• Cement backer units (CBUs)
Interior only
• Gypsum wallboard (walls only, in approved application
areas only)
• Properly prepared radiant-heated substrates
• Properly prepared unglazed ceramic tile and cement
terrazzo floors, and gypsum underlayments with a
minimum of 2,500 psi (17,2 MPa) in compressive strength
Note: Existing unglazed ceramic tile must be abraded,
and existing cement terrazzo must be mechanically
profiled. Both must be skimcoated with an appropriate
MAPEI latex- or polymer-modified mortar.
• Exterior-grade plywood (for interior residential floors
and countertops in dry areas only)
• PVC, copper, brass and stainless-steel pipe penetrations
(abraded)
Tile Council of North America (TCNA)
Statement on Deection Criteria
Floor systems, including the framing system and
subfloor panels, over which tile will be installed
should be in conformance with the IRC [International
Residential Code] for residential applications, the
IBC [International Building Code] for commercial
applications, or applicable building codes.
Note: The owner should communicate in writing
to the project design professional and general
contractor the “intended use” of the tile installation,
in order to enable the project design professional
and general contractor to make necessary
allowances for the expected live load, concentrated
loads, impact loads, and dead loads including the
weight of the tile and setting bed. The tile installer
shall not be responsible for any floor framing or
subfloor installation not compliant with applicable
building codes, unless the tile installer or tile
contractor designs and installs the floor framing or
subfloor.
SURFACE PREPARATION
• All recommended substrates must be structurally
sound, stable, clean and free of any substance
preventing adhesion.
• Do not use chemicals (acid etching or stripping)
to prepare approved substrates.
• Concrete substrates should have a concrete surface
profile of #2 per the International Concrete Repair
Institute (ICRI). Mechanically clean and profile by
diamond-cup grinding or other engineer-approved
method when necessary.
• Substrate and room temperatures must be 45°F to
95°F (7°C to 35°C) during and at least 24 hours after
application.
• See MAPEI's “Surface Preparation Requirements”
document in the Reference & Installation Guides
section of the Tile & Stone Installation Systems page
on MAPEI's Website.
MIXING
Choose all appropriate safety equipment before use. Refer
to the Safety Data Sheet for details.
1. Mix by hand before using.
2. Do not dilute with any other material.
3. Promptly wash tools with water after mixing.
Mapela
stic
®
AquaDefense
AquaDefense
Mapelastic
®