Mapei South Africa has supplied a turnkey solution for the Mapei authorised applicator in Botswana, RCL Holdings, who was sub-contracted by ICC Construction during the construction process of a new luxury hotel in Gaborone, Botswana
RCL Holdings utilised various Mapei products to waterproof and finish the large pool built on the third floor - with a glass front and waterfall overflow - and the surrounding deck area.
For the screed of the pool floor, Mapei’s Topcem was used. This special hydraulic binder offers controlled shrinkage, is suited to both indoor and outdoor use and offers rapid drying for short installation times.
The wall render that was applied was a mixture of Mapei Novoplan Easy, a high-strength, self-levelling, cement-based underlayment, and Planicrete, a synthetic-rubber latex for cement mixes that, when mixed with aggregates and cement, improves plasticity, water retention capacity and trowellability in general.
Installation details
The corners and joints were waterproofed with Mapei Mapeband, an elastic rubber tape made from alkali-resistant fabric that offers excellent resistance to adverse weather conditions. The entire installation was waterproofed with Mapelastic, Mapei’s two-component, flexible cementitious mortar that has excellent bonding properties, and offers first-rate resistance to UV rays.
Mapenet 150, an alkali-resistant fibreglass mesh, was applied after the Mapelastic to reinforce the waterproof protection layers, anti-fracture membranes and cementitious smoothing and levelling layers. For the tiling of the pool, Mapei’s Kerabond T adhesive was used. This easily trowellable mortar for ceramic tiles offers good bonding strength, low slump and high grab. After hardening, it has no noticeable shrinkage and no vertical slip.
Grouting and BioBlock
The grouting used was fast-setting and drying Ultracolor Plus. High-performing, polymer-modified and anti-efflorescent, this water-repellent grout guarantees perfect colour uniformity and features DropEffect and BioBlock technology, both Mapei innovations.
BioBlock technology consists of special organic molecules that are distributed evenly to stop the micro-organisms that cause mould from forming at the root. DropEffect® reduces surface water absorption. In the final stage, Mapesil AC, a solvent-free, acetic cross-linking, mildew-resistant, silicone sealant was applied.
Waterproofing and finishing
In addition, Mapei products were employed to waterproof the basement cinema room. This project is proof that Mapei offers customers a complete system to meet all their waterproofing, preparation and finishing requirements.
The cinema room, which is located below ground, is subject to water leaks and groundwater seepage. It posed a huge waterproofing challenge due to the continuing rains and rising damp from the water table.
Triblock P, a three-component, epoxy-cementitious primer, Lamposilex, an ultra-fast setting and curing hydraulic binder to stop water leaks and Mapelastic Foundation, were applied. Highly flexible and stable Mapelastic Foundation is a two-component elastic cementitious membrane that is ideal for use in underground areas as it can withstand both positive and negative water pressure.
According to Robert Lunda of RCL Holdings, they trust the brand and rely on Mapei South Africa’s technical expertise and support when specific challenges are experienced with a project. In this case, Mapei’s products fulfilled the requirements fully.
