South Africa is only the third country in the world to introduce Mapei’s innovative bitumen instant waterproofing emulsion, Plastimul 2K Reactive. The product is another technology innovation from the international Mapei group, world leader in the production of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for building.
“The remarkable new product offers completely seamless, fast track application with rapid drying,” says Mapei South Africa’s product manager, Paul Nieuwoudt.
“It can be over-coated with conventional roof coatings and can be applied over existing torch-on membranes without any special primer. Such is the confidence in the product that guarantees up to ten years can be given.”
Plastimul 2K Reactive is a two-component emulsion that is applied by airless spray to give immediate waterproofing of structures below ground such as the outside of foundations and retaining walls, as well as virtually any horizontal and vertical surfaces that are not exposed to UV.
The blended components immediately begin setting to form a partially-hardened membrane which is highly flexible, waterproof and resistant to leaching. The tough fully-cured membrane has a high elasticity and crack-bridging capacity.
The product is suitable for all types of concrete and cellular concrete surface, limestone, pumice, lightweight brick and breeze-block masonry, render and screeds.
At a recent product training seminar, held at the Mapei South Africa headquarters in Bartlett, Johannesburg, waterproofing applicators were extremely impressed with Plastimul 2K Reactive.
The two-day seminar included theoretical and practical product training sessions, as well as participative demonstrations of the Spanish Gama spray equipment.
A call for help was received during the seminar to solve a longstanding problem with a concrete roof at a secondary school in Danville Park, Durban.
Continual leakage was being experienced through the existing torch-on membrane, which was not coping on a roof cluttered with pipes, vents and skylights.
The client wanted a fast-track solution with minimal interference to scholars. Plastimul 2K Reactive was the ideal solution and Mapei South Africa approved applicator, Stonehaven Projects, was appointed as the application contractor.
They completed the school’s roof refurbishment in a day, applying the product at 3 kg/m² to 480 m² of roof and finishing with two coats of Mapei Aquaflex Roof HR reflective paint to protect the Plastimul 2K Reactive membrane from UV sunlight.
During the seminar, Mapei South Africa also took the opportunity to conduct a refresher course on Purtop 400M, the company’s hybrid polyurethane waterproofing membrane, as
well as have presentations on the Mapelastic range of sealing products.
Stonehaven Projects had been awarded a contract to apply Purtop 400M in all anti-root applications on a landscaping project. Purtop 400M is a two-component solvent-free product that is applied by spraying with a high-pressure, bi-mixer-type pump to form a hybrid polyurethane membrane.
The membrane is suitable for applications such as the immediate on-site waterproofing of decks on bridges and viaducts. It has extremely good resistance to alkalis, dilute acids and detergents, combined with an excellent tensile and tear strength, while its rapid set allows light foot traffic within 20 minutes.
“Our product training seminar was highly successful,” says Nieuwoudt. “In particular, the unique Plastimul 2K Reactive, which has no equivalent in the local market, attracted strong interest.”
