Mapei Mapetex Anti Fracture Membrane

Description

Mapei Mapetex is an anti-fracture/de-coupling membrane for use beneath ceramic, porcelain and stone tiled floors. Supplied in a 50m x 1m roll or can be ordered per metre. Multiple metres will be supplied as one continuous roll.

Mapei Mapetex Anti Fracture Membrane is constructed from a special non-woven fabric designed to alleviate stresses within the substrate thus preserving the integrity of the tiled finish. Used correctly, this membrane can assist in dissipating the stresses created within certain types of floor substrates. Mapei Mapetex helps prevent cracks appearing in the tiled finish when used over less than perfect substrates. In many cases, this membrane eliminates the need to overboard with plywood or other suitable boards. It is ideal for restoration projects or new builds including use with underfloor / undertile heating systems.

Mapei Mapetex can also be used as a temporary substrate for the installation of floor tiles, where it may be necessary to remove the flooring at a later date. Suitable for use in display areas such as in tile showrooms.

Mapei Mapetex Anti Fracture Membrane can be used on problematic substrates, such as:

• Mixed substrates within the same area
• Floating chipboard floors
• Existing tiled floors
• Heated floors where natural stone finishes are to be installed
• Old and damaged substrates

Mapei Mapetex Anti Fracture Membrane is ideal for use e on timber substrates e.g. plywood, T&G floorboards. It bridges hairline cracks within the substrate and stress relieving joints in substrates, and allows floors areas in adjoining rooms to be interlinked without threshold movement joints. This membrane permits tiled floors to be installed diagonally over existing opposing movement joints and also permits the installation of tiles onto green concrete and green sand:cement screeds. It also bridges cracks caused by shrinkage stresses and protects natural stone from substrate generated stresses.

Mapei Mapetex is produced using a special technique. The particular fibres of the material ensure high mechanical strength of the non-woven fabric and a surface that ensures the best interaction with Mapei tile adhesives. The membrane copes with lateral movement within substrates.

Recommendations:

• Substrates must be flat with no height differentials between adjacent areas.
• There must be no vertical differential movement within the substrate including between those of different types e.g. where the membrane will overlap expansion joints / day joints.
• Where it is necessary to level the floor beforehand, use a suitable Mapei levelling compound. However, do not bridge cracks with the levelling compound, either chase out and repair with Eporip or create a movement joint.
• Suitable for use with electric cable undertile heating systems and natural stone conforming with the requirements of BS 5385, part 5, 2009.
• Suitable for use with hot water piped underfloor heating systems.
• Fix Mapei Mapetex to the substrate with Ultralite Rapid Flex S1 or Mapei Keraquick S1 mixed with Mapei Latex Plus Admixture, Elastorapid, Kerabond T mixed with Isolastic, Ultralite S2 or Ultralite S2 Quick.
• When bonding Mapei Mapetex to large floor areas, always ensure that perimeter movement joints are incorporated as well as joints around any interruptions in the floor such as pillars. Keep to a maximum bay size as outlined in BS 5385-3:2009.
• Not suitable for use in industrial areas or where heavy vehicular traffic such as forklift trucks are present.
• Do not install agglomerate tiles when using Mapei Mapetex over green concrete or green sand:cement screeds.
• Do not bridge cracks in the substrate greater than 2 mm.
• Cracks in the substrate must be passive and not active i.e. they must be stable.
• Do not bridge structural movement joints with Mapei Mapetex.

Preparing the substrate:

The substrate must be dry (except green concrete and sand:cement screeds), clean, flat, mechanically strong and solid. It must be free from adhesion inhibiting substances such as dust, laitance, grease, wax etc. Existing floor finishes must be firmly bonded otherwise they must be removed. Hairline cracks within concrete or screed are acceptable but penetrating or active cracks must be appropriately repaired. Cracks in sand:cement screed may be repaired with Mapei Eporip or Mapei Epojet. Ensure that cracks within the screed are restricted to the screed only are not continuous within the underlying concrete. Penetrating cracks in concrete should be assessed by a qualified Structural Engineer prior to undertaking further work.

Application as an anti-fracture membrane:
Pre-cut the Mapei Mapetex roll to size, using a utility knife or scissors, and loose lay in position. Bond the Mapei Mapetex directly to the substrate using one of the recommended adhesives listed. Use a suitable notched trowel such as a 4 mm mosaic trowel. Spread the adhesive ahead of the Mapei Mapetex to be laid. Ensure the Mapei Mapetex is firmly pressed into the wet adhesive preferably using a roller. Ensure the Mapei Mapetex is fully bedded and that the open time of the adhesive is not exceeded. When used as an anti-fracture membrane, Mapei Mapetex can be laid
either way up. For best results it is recommended that the Mapei Mapetex sheets are overlapped by 10 mm. Ensure that there is adhesive contact within the overlap. Note: Where mosaics are to be installed (small domestic / light duty areas only) adjacent runs of Mapei Mapetex should be butt jointed.
When the adhesive has hardened, after approximately 3 hours for rapid setting products or 24 hours for standard setting products, the tiled finish can be installed. The choice of adhesive will depend on the type and size of tile to be fixed as well as the substrate type directly beneath the Mapei Mapetex. Floors can be grouted with Mapei Ultracolor Plus Tile Grout, Keracolor FF or Keracolor GG. Adding Mapei Fugolastic to the Keracolor grouts improves their long term durability.

Application as a removable floor system:
Mapei Mapetex can also be used as a substrate for the installation of floor tiles, where it may be necessary to remove the flooring at a later date. Suitable for use in display areas such as in tile showrooms. Use Mapei Mapetex Strip, a self adhesive bonding strip that is designed to bond the Mapei Mapetex to the underlying substrate yet be easily pulled up if the tiling installation is to be removed at a later date. Mapetex Strip is supplied as a 50mm wide roll in lengths of 25 metres.
Prime absorbent substrates. Mapei Mapetex Strips should be at least 10 cm long. Bond these Mapei Mapetex Strips to the floor. With the 1 metre wide Mapei Mapetex Rolls, fix
a minimum of 3 strips per edge for each linear metre of fabric. Once the strips have been positioned on the floor and are bonded in place, apply the membrane (printed side down) and fix by
firmly pressing it onto the Mapei Mapetex Strips. Butt joint adjacent sections of the membrane ensuring that the self adhesive strips are in the centre of the two sections. To prevent adhesive penetrating through into the substrate beneath, cover the butt joints with tape. Use an adhesive appropriate to the tile type and size and also suitable for use with the underlying substrate. Flooring can be installed over intermediate movement joints or stress relieving joints but structural movement joints must be brought through to the surface of the tiled finish. Floors can be grouted with Mapei Ultracolor Plus Tile Grout, Keracolor FF or Keracolor GG. Adding Mapei Fugolastic to the Keracolor grouts improves their long term durability.

Removal of the flooring:
Using a suction cup, cold chisel or a trowel, carefully remove a tile (preferably in a corner) together with the adhesive and underlying Mapei Mapetex from the Mapetex Strip. It may be necessary to cut the membrane using a utility knife. Lift and remove the tiled floor.
If another floor finish is to replace that removed, the Mapetex Strips which remain bonded to the substrate can be left in position and used again. Avoid the build-up of dust, dirt or other substances which could affect the adhesion to the adhesive tape.

Mapei Mapetex Technical Data:
Material: synthetic non-woven fabric
Colour: white
Density (g/m²): 200
Width: 1 and 2 m
Storage: No expiry date

Mapetex Strip Technical Data:
Material: adhesive tape
Colour: white
Density (g/m²): 200
Width: 50 and 410 mm
Storage: No expiry date
Resistance to temperature: from -30°C to +75°C

Product Datasheet

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