The answer to this question depends on what substrate you are working over. If you are installing adhesives over soft surfaces like plywood, then a trowel can last quite a while. If you are installing over a concrete or hard, abrasive surface, then a trowel may last about 2,000 square feet before the notches wear down. An installer may think that this is a good thing because his coverage will get better per gallon of adhesive, but in the end this is not a good situation as there may not be enough adhesive on the floor for proper bonding. Some trowels may last longer, but this is always something to check before getting started on any given flooring project: Make sure that your trowel is in good condition and will deliver the right amount of adhesive required for the project.

There are many causes for cracking in concrete. Concrete goes through many changes as it hydrates or hardens. Allowing the concrete to harden and achieve strength before these stresses arise will eliminate a large portion of these cracks. Proper curing, a good mix design, use of shrinkage-reducing admixtures and the addition of fibers are all good ways to help minimize some types of cracking.

When applying MAPEI's Mapelastic AquaDefense, it is important to allow it to dry in between coats. It is also important to avoid applying Mapelastic AquaDefense too thick. When applying Mapelastic AquaDefense over a mud bed, the mud bed must be dry before application. After using MAPEI's 4 to 1 Mud Bed Mix, the area should be allowed to cure for at least 24 hours per inch (centimeter) plus one day before application of Mapelastic AquaDefense. For example, if the mud bed is at 2" (5 cm) depth at its highest level, then you must wait three days before the application of Mapelastic AquaDefense. Curing time is based on 73°F (23°C). Cooler temperatures will require longer curing times. If your project is on a fast track, consider Planislope RS mortar, which can receive waterproofing in a matter of hours.

It is important for cement board (and fiber cement board) to be installed in strict accordance with the written instructions of the board manufacturer. This typically includes taping the corners and seams with mesh tape and covering the tape with a polymer-modified, cement-based tile mortar. MAPEI's Mapelastic AquaDefense should not be used to replace this critical step or bridge the gaps between cement board.

Open time, sometimes called flash time, describes the amount of time that we want the freshly troweled adhesive to remain open to the elements before you start installing floor covering. There is a good reason why open time needs to be followed: Many water-based adhesives need a little time to start evaporating and letting some of the water out before you start installing flooring. Moisture-curing adhesives need to be exposed to atmospheric humidity to get the reaction started. Again, if you start installing before allowing for the recommended open or flash time, you run the risk of a delayed curing time, which can lead to placement problems and long-term performance issues.

Concrete can be placed in a wide range of ambient conditions. ACI guidelines explain the range of these conditions. Avoid placing concrete below 40°F or above 120°F without proper protective measures. Also avoid windy conditions without a wind break as this will expose the fresh concrete to premature surface drying, which can lead to cracking or a weakened surface that is prone to “dusting” and discoloration.

MAPEI's Keracolor U grout is unsanded. So, it's a great choice for grouting most installations of glossy wall tile. Other good options are Ultracolor Plus FA grout and Ultracolor Plus Max grout. When grouting installations of antique or handmade wall tile, it is recommended to build a mockup (sample board) or, at the very least, test these products in an inconspicuous area before grouting.

After treating corners and seams of cement board with mesh tape and a polymer-modified, cement-based tile mortar, the area should be allowed to cure for at least 24 hours before the application of MAPEI’s Mapelastic AquaDefense. Note: If time is an issue, use a MAPEI rapid-set, polymer-modified mortar with the mesh tape and allow the area to dry for at least four hours before the application of Mapelastic AquaDefense.

This term refers to the amount of time, after the open time or flash time (if any), during which the adhesive you just applied will accept the flooring material and still provide an adequate bond. If you leave certain adhesives open to the atmosphere for too long, they will skin over or cure out and not be wet/sticky enough to accept the flooring material. In other words they will dry out. It is important to note that working time is often affected by the ambient temperature as well as the ambient humidity. For example, in arid parts of the country when the temperature is very high, working times will be much shorter for water-based materials but much longer for moisture-curing materials. Areas of high humidity and high temperature will have longer working times for water-based materials but potentially shorter working times for moisture-curing products. Cold temperatures are going to slow everything down whether the products be water-based or moisture-curing. For reactive adhesives like epoxies or epoxy-modified polyurethanes, temperatures will greatly affect the working time. Reactive adhesives are very sensitive to temperature, so cold conditions will extend the working time and hot conditions will speed things up.

MAPEI's Adesilex P10 Mosaic & Glass Tile mortar mixed with MAPEI's Keraply admixture can be used in submerged applications such as pools, with 21 days of curing time required before filling the pool. Ultraflex LFT Rapid mortar requires three days of curing time before filling the pool. Ultraflex LFT mortar requires 28 days of curing time before filling the pool. And, Kerapoxy CQ mortar requires 14 days of curing time before filling the pool.

Concrete is very good in compression but poor in tension. Reinforcement allows the concrete structure to maintain its compressive integrity while still providing good resistance to tensile or flexural stresses.

MAPEI's Kerapoxy CQ, Ultracolor Plus FA and Ultracolor Plus Max grouts are great choices for pool installations and other submerged applications.