Tech Talk

Questions and answers with Andrea Invernizzi of Mapei Spa's Resin Floorings Division. Resin flooring systems only became an established solution in the building industry over the last few decades, but they represented a turning point regarding the…

Questions and answers with Andrea Invernizzi of Mapei Spa's Resin Floorings Division. Resin flooring systems only became an established solution in the building industry over the last few decades,…

Now you can reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance. That is the idea behind the products from the ZERO Line by Mapei . The CO 2 emissions of products from the ZERO Line are quantified using standardized LCA (Life Cycle…

Now you can reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance. That is the idea behind the products from the ZERO Line by Mapei . The CO 2 emissions of products from the ZERO Line are…

Swimming pool constructions: common practices & problems In swimming pool constructions, it has been common practice to install waterproofing membranes first, followed by the wall-levelling render, and then the tiling finish. The reasons given for this…

Swimming pool constructions: common practices & problems In swimming pool constructions, it has been common practice to install waterproofing membranes first, followed by the wall-levelling render, and…

Forms of waterproofing Waterproofing membranes are in one of two physical forms when they are prepared for installation: (i) preformed sheets e.g. synthetic membranes such as TPO and PVC, bituminous torch-on and selfadhesive membranes, etc. (ii)…

Forms of waterproofing Waterproofing membranes are in one of two physical forms when they are prepared for installation: (i) preformed sheets e.g. synthetic membranes such as TPO and PVC, bituminous…

THE SUCCESS OF CONCRETE Thirteen billion cubic metres of concrete are produced every year all around the world, the equivalent of around thirty billion tonnes or almost four tonnes per year for each inhabitant of the planet. This material owes…

THE SUCCESS OF CONCRETE Thirteen billion cubic metres of concrete are produced every year all around the world, the equivalent of around thirty billion tonnes or almost four tonnes per year for each…

Why should you use an elastic sealant? Elastic sealants are products that help safeguard the integrity of structures which contain breaks and gaps .  These gaps may be there by design, e.g. structural and non-structural joints, or they may be…

Why should you use an elastic sealant? Elastic sealants are products that help safeguard the integrity of structures which contain breaks and gaps .  These gaps may be there by design, e.g.…

Tennis is a sport with multiple types of acceptable playing surfaces. Even at the highest level of international competition, professional tournaments are held on a variety of different surface types. What Surfaces is Tennis Played On? The U.S. and…

Tennis is a sport with multiple types of acceptable playing surfaces. Even at the highest level of international competition, professional tournaments are held on a variety of different surface…

1. WHAT IS SPALLING CONCRETE? WHAT CAUSES IT? “Spalling concrete” refers to the phenomenon of surface patches of concrete breaking up and delaminating in the absence of immediate external influences such as accidental impact loads or fires. …

1. WHAT IS SPALLING CONCRETE? WHAT CAUSES IT? “Spalling concrete” refers to the phenomenon of surface patches of concrete breaking up and delaminating in the absence of immediate external influences…

Over the years, cities used to devote their attention and resources to growing their status as the business capitals and financial centres of their respective countries. Their commercial attractions drew ever larger migrations of people from the…

Over the years, cities used to devote their attention and resources to growing their status as the business capitals and financial centres of their respective countries. Their commercial attractions…

The term “resilient coverings” generally refers to floor and wall coverings made from carpet , rubber or PVC . One of the characteristics they have in common is resilience , a mechanical property that allows these types of material to deform so they…

The term “resilient coverings” generally refers to floor and wall coverings made from carpet , rubber or PVC . One of the characteristics they have in common is resilience , a mechanical property…

What is Efflorescence? Have you ever noticed white deposits on the wall and floor surfaces of your tile or stone installations?  This white residue is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is a natural occurrence in Portland cement applications.  All…

What is Efflorescence? Have you ever noticed white deposits on the wall and floor surfaces of your tile or stone installations?  This white residue is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is a…

The greening of rooftops is increasingly common; gardens provide perfect insulation for roof surfaces which, typically, are exposed to the highest solar radiation relative to other parts of the building. And with the rising density of urban…

The greening of rooftops is increasingly common; gardens provide perfect insulation for roof surfaces which, typically, are exposed to the highest solar radiation relative to other parts of the…

When choosing the most appropriate installation system, a good knowledge of the materials to be installed is essential.  Installing tiles with adhesives by the thin-bed method shall meet specific requirements defined by European Standards EN 12004…

When choosing the most appropriate installation system, a good knowledge of the materials to be installed is essential.  Installing tiles with adhesives by the thin-bed method shall meet specific…

Substrate preparation The presence of dirt and contamination on the substrate due to improper cleaning before tile installation can compromise good adhesion.  Likewise, for the back of tiles.  Other factors such as cracks in substrates or premature…

Substrate preparation The presence of dirt and contamination on the substrate due to improper cleaning before tile installation can compromise good adhesion.  Likewise, for the back of tiles.  Other…

What layers do you normally find underneath ceramic tiling on a terrace? We generally find various types of materials underneath ceramic tiles on a terrace or balcony: adhesive, a waterproofing layer, the screed, a slope and concrete, for example.…

What layers do you normally find underneath ceramic tiling on a terrace? We generally find various types of materials underneath ceramic tiles on a terrace or balcony: adhesive, a waterproofing…

In general Epoxy floor coating are tougher. They have higher durability and higher compressive strength as compared to polyurethane flooring. Polyurethane floor coatings, on the other hand, are typically “softer”. They are more flexible and…

In general Epoxy floor coating are tougher. They have higher durability and higher compressive strength as compared to polyurethane flooring. Polyurethane floor coatings, on the other hand, are…

Slim tiles and large format tiles, as defined by UNI 11493-1, are as follows: • Slim tiles: up to 5mm thick • Large format tiles: having one side more than 60cm long The particularly large format and extremely low absorption rate, typical…

Slim tiles and large format tiles, as defined by UNI 11493-1, are as follows: • Slim tiles: up to 5mm thick • Large format tiles: having one side more than 60cm long The particularly large format…

The phenomenon behind buckled tiles So what happens before tiles buckle?  The tiles are compressed one against the other which, in turn, creates tension at the interface between the tile and the tile bed.  The separation of the tile from the tile…

The phenomenon behind buckled tiles So what happens before tiles buckle?  The tiles are compressed one against the other which, in turn, creates tension at the interface between the tile and the…

The need to seal cracks in concrete structures to maintain water-tightness seems obvious. However, if a waterproofing membrane is installed, how important is it to keep the structure crack-free? Isn’t it the waterproofing membrane’s function to…

The need to seal cracks in concrete structures to maintain water-tightness seems obvious. However, if a waterproofing membrane is installed, how important is it to keep the structure crack-free?…

Manufacturers recommend pre-wetting of cementitious substrates (concrete, screeds, plasters) before applying cementitious mortar over-lays eg grouts, waterproofing slurries, etc. There is a good reason for this and it is explained here. …

Manufacturers recommend pre-wetting of cementitious substrates (concrete, screeds, plasters) before applying cementitious mortar over-lays eg grouts, waterproofing slurries, etc. There is a good…

Tile grout used in most construction is typically cement-based.  Proprietary Cementitious grout are made from a blend of cement, polymer, additive, pigment, fine-graded aggregates and mixed with water or fortified with a liquid latex additive (in…

Tile grout used in most construction is typically cement-based.  Proprietary Cementitious grout are made from a blend of cement, polymer, additive, pigment, fine-graded aggregates and mixed with…

Have you ever tried patching a hole in the wall and, no matter what you or your hired tradesman did, you could never get the repair mortar to finish flush with the surface? Or to dry without unsightly crack lines? If you have, you can probably blame…

Have you ever tried patching a hole in the wall and, no matter what you or your hired tradesman did, you could never get the repair mortar to finish flush with the surface? Or to dry without…

Most concrete structures have joints as part of their design. Joints are necessary to accommodate movements in the concrete units caused by thermal contractions and expansions as well as exposure to loading conditions. Purpose and Properties of…

Most concrete structures have joints as part of their design. Joints are necessary to accommodate movements in the concrete units caused by thermal contractions and expansions as well as exposure to…

For waterproofing applications… why are angle fillets necessary for internal corners? why must external corners be rounded? Stresses arising from movements in the supporting substrate are evenly distributed over a waterproofing membrane which…

For waterproofing applications… why are angle fillets necessary for internal corners? why must external corners be rounded? Stresses arising from movements in the supporting substrate are evenly…

Injection can be defined as the introduction of a material with pressure into the ground or a structure for waterproofing and for consolidating voids, cracks and porosity. Generally, the injection can be categorised as Pre Injection and Post…

Injection can be defined as the introduction of a material with pressure into the ground or a structure for waterproofing and for consolidating voids, cracks and porosity. Generally, the injection…

Concrete toppings are formulated to function as abrasion-resistant wearing surfaces with high-compressive strengths to handle residential to commercial applications e.g. mall stores, restaurants, hotels, residential units...including industrial…

Concrete toppings are formulated to function as abrasion-resistant wearing surfaces with high-compressive strengths to handle residential to commercial applications e.g. mall stores, restaurants,…

1. General Coatings typically contain four main components: the binder or resin (examples are epoxies, acrylics and urethanes) additives which impart certain performance properties pigments for colouring. a liquid medium for dissolving or…

1. General Coatings typically contain four main components: the binder or resin (examples are epoxies, acrylics and urethanes) additives which impart certain performance properties pigments for…