Sponsored by the Tile Association

Mapei has provided a repair and installation solution for a swimming pool in the heart of Norfolk. The Mapei system was used to completely renovate the 15m outdoor swimming pool from the base up, and install Cupira Marengo porcelain tiles from Ceramica Mayor. All Mapei products were supplied by Construction Site Supplies and the project was completed by DC Building Services.  

Originally constructed of concrete during the Pandemic, the three-year old outdoor pool showed extensive signs of failure; the breeze block shell was misshapen, there was substantial gapping around pipe outlets and the base was severely cracked across its entire length. The comprehensive Mapei specification was used to repair, waterproof and seal the concrete base and install porcelain tiles within the pool and across the surrounding patio. 

In the first phase of works, the pool base was repaired with Mapei Planitop Fast 330 quick-setting, fibre-reinforced cementitious levelling mortar and then waterproofed with Mapelastic Foundation flexible cementitious mortar, incorporating Mapenet 150 alkali-resistant glass fibre mesh and Mapeband 120mm alkali-resistant rubber and felt tape for dealing with movement.  

DC Building Services then repaired the concrete around the inlet/outlet pipes with a single layer of rapid-set Mapei Planitop Smooth and Repair R4 – a shrinkage compensated, thixotropic, fibre-reinforced cementitious mortar.  The whole of the drainage channel was then waterproofed using Mapei Planiseal 88 osmotic cementitious mortar and Mapeproof Swell applied – a moisture expanding, rubber-based hydrophilic sealant – to make joints around pipework and lights waterproof. 

During the final phase of works, tiles were installed with Keraquick S1 – a very low VOC quick-setting, deformable cementitious adhesive, mixed with elasticising latex, Mapei Latex Plus.  

The porcelain tile specification included 37.5 x 75cm tiles for the pool, 60 x 120cm tiles for the pool surround and matching trim pieces for corners and to create the step. The installation spanned approximately 150m² (inside pool), 205m² (pool surround) and 65m² (plant room building).

The installation was completed with carbon neutral Ultracolor Plus – an anti-efflorescence, quick-setting and drying polymer-modified grout, featuring water-repellent DropEffect® and mould-resistant BioBlock®; ultra-fast setting and drying hydraulic binder, Lamposilex; and mould resistant silicone sealant, Mapesil AC.

For further information, contact info@mapei.co.uk or visit www.mapei.co.uk.