Mapei Idrosilex Liquido

Mapei Idrosilex Liquid is an admixture with a base of special waterproofing agents. Ideal for the waterproofing of concrete basements, cisterns, and canals, as well as concrete, brick, or stone walls exposed to atmospheric agents.

Best Uses

When mixed with cement, sand, and water, Idrosilex produces an extremely compact mortar that is easy to apply with a trowel or rendering machine even on vertical walls.

Mortar prepared with Idrosilex has less capillary porosity than conventional cement mortars or lime and cement mortars. The combination of the product’s waterproofing properties with an effective rendering system applied in several layers prevents continuity between pores and ensures thorough waterproofing even in the presence of counter-pressure.

Some application examples include the waterproofing of screeds and renders in basements, garages and underground areas in general, waterproofing of rendering for canals, swimming pools, etc. Also ideal for waterproof rendering on building façades and waterproofing of lift wells and underpasses.

Mortar prepared with Idrosilex forms a rigid waterproofing system and is therefore not recommended for:

• Replacing flexible waterproof membranes
• Waterproofing structures subject to severe deformation under stress that may cause cracks to form
• Waterproofing fresh concrete, or concrete still subject to plastic shrinkage.

Application

Preparing the substrate

The substrate should be prepared carefully to ensure thorough bonding of Idrosilex to the rendering or screed. The surface must be thoroughly clean and solid. Remove old render, degraded or loose material, encrusted salts, organic residues, oils and grease. Roughen concrete surfaces with a bush hammer. Wet the substrate thoroughly, then remove excess water with compressed air or a cloth so that the substrate is saturated but the surface is dry. 

Preparing mortar for renders

Scratch coat (first and third coat)
Blend the mix as follows: Idrosilex Liquid: from 1.5 to 2.5 kg (1.2 to 2 litres), the equivalent of a dosage of 3 to 5% by weight of cement. Coverage: approx. 16 m² in thicknesses of 4 to 5 mm. Pour Idrosilex Liquid into the mixer together with the other ingredients (cement, sand and water). The dosage varies from 3 to 5 kg every 100 kg of cement, depending on the grading of the sand. When using sand containing a large percentage of fine-graded aggregate, Idrosilex Liquid should be admixed in a dosage of 5%. For sand with less fine-graded aggregate, the ratio can be reduced to 3%. Mix the mortar for at least 5 minutes to obtain the best results. The mortar should have a fluid consistency so it can be applied in thin layers with a trowel or with a rendering machine.

Brown coat (second and fourth coat)
Prepare the mix as follows: Idrosilex Liquid: from 1.5 to 2.5 kg (1.2 to 2 litres), the equivalent of a dosage of 3 to 5% by weight of cement. Coverage: approx. 18 m² for thicknesses of 7 to 8 mm. The dosage every 100 kg of cement depends on the grading of the sand, as indicated in the instructions for the scratch coat. Mix the mortar in the mixer for at least 5 minutes. The mortar should have a plastic consistency so it can be applied vertically in thicknesses of 7 to 8 mm.

Preparing mortar for screeds

First coat (primer)
Prepare the mix as follows: Idrosilex Liquid: from 1.5 to 2.5 kg (1.2 to 2 litres), the equivalent of a dosage of 3 to 5% by weight of cement. Coverage: approx. 25 m² in thicknesses of 2 to 3 mm. Mix the mortar in a mixer for at least 5 minutes. The mortar should have a fluid consistency so it can be brushed on in thicknesses of 2 to 3 mm.

Second coat
Prepare the mix as follows: Idrosilex Liquid: from 1.5 to 2.5 kg (1.2 to 2 litres), the equivalent of a dosage of 3 to 5% by weight of cement. Coverage: approx. 10 m² in thicknesses of 7 to 8 mm. Mix the mortar in a mixer for at least 5 minutes. The mortar should have a plastic consistency.

Third coat
Idrosilex Liquid: from 1.5 to 2.5 kg (1.2 to 2 litres), the equivalent of a dosage of 3 to 5% by weight of cement. Coverage: approx. 5 m² in thicknesses of 30 mm. Mix the mortar in a mixer for 6 to 7 minutes, adding only enough water to obtain mortar with a no-slump consistency.

Applying the mortar

Renders
Using a trowel or rendering machine, apply the mortar in layers as follows:

1. Scratch coat, approx. 4 to 5 mm thick
2. Brown coat, approx. 7 to 8 mm thick
3. Scratch coat, approx. 4 to 5 mm thick
4. Brown coat, approx. 7 to 8 mm thick.

Total thickness: approx. 25 mm.

Each coat should be applied before the preceding one has finished setting. When there are prolonged interruptions between coats, freshen the surface by applying fresh mortar over the joint for 10 to 15 cm. To waterproof a room thoroughly, before applying the rendering, reinforce the joint between the wall and the floor (the weakest point in the structure) with a mortar composed of 1 part by volume of cement, 1 part by volume of sand graded from 0 to 2 mm mixed with a solution of 1 part Planicrete and 1 part water. The mortar must have a plastic consistency.

Screeds
Brush on the first coat of mortar with a fluid consistency in a thickness of 2 to 3 mm, then immediately apply the second coat of mortar with a plastic consistency in a thickness of 7 to 8 mm, giving it a rough float finish. Within approx. two hours, before the preceding coat has finished setting, apply the third (and final) coat of mortar with a no-slump consistency approx. 30 mm thick. Tamp the fresh mortar vigorously until bleeding occurs and finish with a float. Second pours are to be avoided. In case of prolonged interruptions, start up again by overlapping one coat over the other for 10 to 15 cm. Total screed thickness: approx. 40 mm.