How to Install MAPELASTIC ZERO Flexible Waterproof Mortar

Two-component, flexible cementitious waterproofing (32kg Part A & B) — illustration only

1) What MAPELASTIC ZERO does

MAPELASTIC ZERO is a two-component, flexible cementitious coating that creates a continuous Type A waterproof barrier on concrete and masonry. Its flexibility helps bridge hairline cracks, making it suitable for retaining walls, basements, podiums/planters, balconies, and water-exposed structures (as specified).

2) Suitable substrates & areas

• Cast/precast concrete, blockwork/brickwork, sound renders/screeds.
• Internal (negative-side) and external (positive-side) applications when allowed by the design.
• Backfilled foundation walls (protect with drainage/protection board before backfilling).

3) Safety & preparation

• PPE: Gloves, eye protection and suitable respiratory protection during grinding/mixing.
• Defects first: Stop active leaks with a rapid-setting plug. Repair voids, blow-holes and honeycombing with compatible repair mortars.
• Surface: Mechanically prepare—remove laitance, paint, oils, salts and loose material to a clean, open-pore finish.
• Corners/junctions: Form cementitious fillets (typically 25–40 mm radius) at wall–floor and internal corners.
• Dampen: Pre-dampen absorbent substrates to SSD (saturated surface-dry). No standing water.

4) Tools & materials

• MAPELASTIC ZERO 32kg kit (Part A & Part B)
• Mixing bucket & slow-speed paddle mixer
• Brush/roller/trowel or spray equipment (per specification)
• Reinforcement mesh/band for changes of plane & local crack bridging (if specified)
• Cementitious repair/fillet mortars; rapid plug for leaks
• Protection/drainage board for external/backfilled works

5) Mixing (follow the data sheet)

• Use full kit proportions (Part A + Part B). Add powder to liquid while mixing to a smooth, lump-free consistency.
• Respect pot life; mix only quantities you can place within working time. Do not re-temper with water.
• Keep materials within the recommended temperature range.

6) First coat application

1. With the substrate at SSD, apply the first coat by brush/roller/trowel or spray, working firmly into pores and pinholes.
2. Achieve the specified wet-film thickness—avoid thin or translucent areas.
3. While fresh (or as directed), embed reinforcement band/mesh over internal corners, around penetrations, across hairline cracks and at substrate transitions.

7) Second coat application

1. Allow the first coat to reach initial set (finger-firm) according to site conditions.
2. Apply the second coat at 90° to the first (cross-hatch) for uniformity and continuity.
3. Terminate under skirtings or within chases where appropriate; extend onto sound, dry substrate beyond visibly damp zones.

8) Floors, podiums & wall–floor junctions

• On slabs, remove weak laitance; detail wall–floor fillets before coating both floor and wall to create a continuous tray.
• Protect coated floors from early traffic; respect cure times before screeds, insulation boards or finishes.

9) Curing, protection & finishing

• Protect fresh coats from rapid drying, frost, rain impact and early abrasion.
• Observe minimum cure times before applying renders, adhesive layers/boards, tiles or backfilling.
• For external/backfilled works, install protection/drainage boards; avoid sharp aggregates directly against the coating.

10) Integration with other systems

• Combined protection: In higher-risk basements, designers often pair MAPELASTIC ZERO (Type A) with a Type C drained cavity system (e.g., membranes, perimeter channel, sump & pump) for resilience and serviceability.
• Ensure clean transitions to adjacent membranes, terminations into chases and sealed laps at thresholds/columns/steps.

11) Quality checks & common pitfalls

• Pinhole/holiday risk: Caused by thin application or poor prep—re-coat locally to reinstate continuity.
• Poor adhesion: Occurs on dusty/contaminated surfaces—mechanical prep and SSD condition are essential.
• Junction failures: Omitting fillets or reinforcement at changes of plane—always detail critical junctions.

12) Product availability

MAPELASTIC ZERO 32kg (Part A & B), compatible repair/fillet mortars, reinforcement bands/mesh, protection/drainage boards, and complementary Type C membranes/channels/sump & pump kits are available directly from Clever Shield. Use the website search bar or browse categories to find the exact items and pack sizes for your project.