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Use Mapeband Easy for: Waterproof detailing of corners, movement joints, and pipe penetrations within Mapei liquid waterproofing systems (e.g., Mapelastic, Mapegum WPS).
Mapeband Easy is a high-performance, elastic waterproofing tape designed as an essential component for reliable detailing within Mapei liquid waterproofing systems. Constructed with a central core of vapour-proof elastic rubber sandwiched between alkali-resistant non-woven polypropylene fabric, Mapeband Easy provides a robust yet highly flexible solution for critical junctions. It boasts impressive elasticity with over 300% elongation at failure, enabling it to safely accommodate movement at wall/floor corners and control joints on balconies and terraces. Application is simplified thanks to perforations along the edges which improve embedment into the liquid membrane, and the non-woven fabric facing allows overlaps to be seamlessly bonded using the waterproofing product itself. Mapeband Easy is compatible with Mapei's renowned waterproofing ranges like Mapelastic, Monolastic, Mapegum WPS, and Aquaflex Roof. With a Very Low VOC emission rating (EMICODE EC1 Plus), it contributes to healthier indoor environments, making it ideal for wet area waterproofing in Australian homes and commercial buildings.
System Component Information: Mapeband Easy is not a standalone sealant. It must be fully embedded into a wet layer of a compatible Mapei liquid waterproofing membrane. Correct application as part of a complete Mapei system is crucial for performance and compliance with standards like AS 3740 and AS 4654.
Cure Time: Performance and cure time are governed by the specific Mapei liquid waterproofing product used to embed the Mapeband Easy tape.
Coverage: Mapeband Easy is applied linearly along joints and corners. It is available in 10m and 30m rolls (130mm wide).
Temperature Ranges: Application and service temperature limits are determined by the Mapei waterproofing system being used.
Chemical Properties: Features a waterproof elastic rubber core and alkali-resistant non-woven polypropylene fabric facings, ensuring compatibility with cement-based adhesives and waterproofing products.
Key Features of Mapei Mapeband Easy
- Highly Elastic (>300% Elongation): Safely accommodates significant movement at joints and corners without tearing or compromising the waterproof seal.
- Easy Application Features: Perforations along the edges enhance embedment, while the non-woven fabric allows seamless bonding of overlaps using the waterproofing product.
- Waterproof & Vapour-Proof Core: Provides a reliable barrier against water and water vapour penetration at critical detailing points.
- System Compatibility: Designed and tested for optimal performance when used with Mapei liquid waterproofing systems (Mapelastic, Mapegum WPS, etc.).
- Pre-formed Pieces Available: Speeds up application and ensures perfect detailing with ready-made 90°/270° corners and pipe collar templates.
- Very Low VOC Emissions (EMICODE EC1 Plus): Contributes to improved indoor air quality, ideal for internal wet areas and green building projects.
- Alkali-Resistant Fabric: Ensures durability and compatibility within cementitious systems (waterproofing, tile adhesives).
Why Choose Mapei Mapeband Easy:
- Reliable Waterproof Detailing: Provides a robust, flexible, and secure seal at vulnerable corners, joints, and penetrations, crucial for long-term waterproofing integrity.
- Simplified Application: Easier and often more reliable than relying solely on sealant bond breakers, especially with the use of pre-formed corners and templates.
- Ensures System Performance: Using Mapeband Easy as part of a specified Mapei system provides compatibility assurance and contributes to meeting Australian Standards (AS 3740 / AS 4654).
- Durable Solution: High elasticity and durable materials resist degradation and accommodate building movement over time.
- Environmentally Conscious Choice: Very low VOC emissions support healthier indoor environments.
When to Choose Mapei Mapeband Easy versus Alternatives:
- Choose Mapeband Easy over Sealant-Only Bond Breakers when: A more robust, physically reinforced, and highly elastic detail is required, particularly at dynamic joints, wall/floor junctions, or where guaranteed separation is needed under waterproofing.
- Choose Mapeband Easy over Other Fabric/Butyl Tapes when: You are using a Mapei liquid waterproofing system and require guaranteed compatibility, easy embedment (edge holes), and the convenience of system-matched pre-formed pieces. Provides high, certified elasticity (>300%).
- Choose Mapeband Easy in conjunction with Reinforcing Mesh when: Detailing specific joints/corners requires high elasticity (Mapeband Easy) while broader areas require general reinforcement (mesh). Mapeband Easy addresses movement; mesh adds tensile strength.
- Consider other options when: Not using a compatible Mapei liquid waterproofing system, or when specific chemical resistance beyond typical waterproofing environments is required.
Trade-Specific Applications for Mapei Mapeband Easy:
For Waterproofing Contractors:
- Compliant Detailing: Essential component for detailing corners, joints, and penetrations to meet AS 3740 (Internal) and AS 4654 (External) requirements when used within a specified Mapei system.
- Technique: Correctly embed tape into the first wet coat of liquid membrane, ensuring no voids or creases. Overlap joins by min 5cm. Apply second coat over the tape.
- Efficiency: Utilize pre-formed corners and pipe templates to save time and ensure neat, effective detailing.
- Performance Benefits: Ensures waterproof integrity at high-stress points; provides system reliability.
For Tilers:
- Wet Area Preparation: Crucial component for ensuring reliable waterproofing in bathrooms, laundries, and showers before tiling, when used with Mapegum WPS or Mapelastic systems.
- Balcony & Terrace Detailing: Provides flexible detailing over control joints in screeds beneath tiled finishes (ensure joint carries through tile layer).
- Substrate Assurance: Contributes to a fully waterproofed substrate, reducing risks of tile failure due to substrate moisture issues.
- Performance Benefits: Creates a reliable base for tiling in critical wet areas and external applications.
For Builders & Renovators:
- Ensuring Quality Waterproofing: Specify or use Mapeband Easy as part of a Mapei system for critical waterproofing details in new builds or renovations (bathrooms, balconies).
- System Approach: Understand that Mapeband Easy is part of a system and must be used with compatible Mapei liquid membranes for intended performance.
- Long-Term Asset Protection: Correct detailing with Mapeband Easy helps prevent costly water damage repairs in the future.
- Performance Benefits: Contributes to compliant, durable, and effective waterproofing installations.
Application Information
- Required Tools: Scissors or utility knife (for cutting tape), application tools for the chosen Mapei waterproofing membrane (e.g., smooth trowel, brush, roller), gloves, safety glasses.
- Application Technique: Apply a layer of the chosen Mapei liquid membrane to the corner/joint. Immediately embed Mapeband Easy into the wet membrane, pressing firmly (e.g., with trowel edge) to remove air bubbles and ensure the membrane wets through the edge holes. Overlap ends of tape by at least 5cm, bonding the overlap with the membrane. Apply the subsequent coat(s) of the waterproofing membrane over the tape according to the membrane's TDS.
- Joint Treatment: When used over control joints, ensure the central part of the tape is not fully bonded down by the membrane (or subsequent tile adhesive) to allow movement, unless specifically required otherwise by the system specification.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Storage Requirements: Store rolls and pieces in a cool, dry place, protected from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Shelf Life Information: As an article, Mapeband Easy does not have a chemical shelf life when stored correctly. Ensure it remains clean and undamaged before use.
Certifications and Compliance
- EMICODE EC1 Plus: Certified as having very low emissions of volatile organic compounds.
- System Compliance: An integral component used in Mapei waterproofing systems that meet the requirements of Australian Standards AS 3740 (Internal Wet Areas) and AS 4654 (External Above Ground Membranes), when installed correctly according to Mapei specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mapei Mapeband Easy
Q: Can I use Mapeband Easy tape by itself for waterproofing?
A: No, Mapeband Easy is not a standalone waterproofing product. It is a detailing accessory that MUST be fully embedded within a compatible Mapei liquid waterproofing membrane (like Mapelastic, Mapegum WPS, etc.) to function correctly as part of a complete waterproofing system.
Q: Is Mapeband Easy UV resistant? Can I leave it exposed?
A: No, Mapeband Easy is not designed for direct exposure to sunlight or weather. It must be completely covered by the waterproofing membrane system and any subsequent finishes (tiles, screeds, soil etc.). Leaving it exposed will lead to degradation.
Q: Can I use Mapeband Easy with a waterproofing membrane from a different brand?
A: It is strongly recommended to use Mapeband Easy only with compatible Mapei liquid waterproofing products as specified in the Technical Data Sheets. It is designed and tested as part of a Mapei system, and compatibility or adhesion with other brands cannot be guaranteed by Mapei.
Q: How much should I overlap pieces of Mapeband Easy tape?
A: Joints between different pieces of Mapeband Easy must be overlapped by at least 5 cm (50 mm). This overlap should be fully bonded using the Mapei waterproofing product you are embedding the tape into.
Q: What are the holes along the edges of Mapeband Easy for?
A: The perforations along the edges are designed to improve the application process. They allow the liquid waterproofing membrane to squeeze through when the tape is embedded, ensuring better wetting, mechanical keying, and overall bond strength of the tape within the system.
Q: Can I apply tile adhesive directly over Mapeband Easy?
A: You apply tile adhesive over the fully cured Mapei waterproofing system which encapsulates the Mapeband Easy tape. You don't apply adhesive directly to the tape itself. Follow the waterproofing membrane's TDS regarding readiness for tiling and recommended adhesives.
Use Mapei Mapeband Easy for:
- Internal Wall/Floor Corners: Providing elastic, waterproof reinforcement at junctions in bathrooms, showers, laundries (AS 3740 detailing).
- Adjacent Wall Corners: Sealing vertical internal corners within the waterproofing system.
- Control / Movement Joints: Bridging construction or control joints in screeds on balconies, terraces, and podiums under the membrane (AS 4654 detailing).
- Pipe Penetrations: Creating flexible, waterproof seals around pipes passing through floors or walls using Mapeband Easy templates (collars).
- Junctions & Transitions: Detailing around drainage outlets and other changes in plane within the waterproofing system.
- Crack Treatment: Can be used over prepared, non-structural cracks as part of the membrane system for added flexibility (consult Mapei technical).
Why Use Mapei Mapeband Easy for:
- Ensuring Waterproof Integrity: Provides critical reinforcement and flexibility at corners and joints, which are common points of failure in waterproofing systems.
- Accommodating Movement: High elasticity (>300%) allows the detailing to move with the structure without cracking or tearing the membrane system.
- Simplifying Detailing: Offers a straightforward method for detailing complex areas, especially with pre-formed corners and templates.
- System Compatibility & Compliance: Designed to work seamlessly with Mapei membranes, helping achieve compliant waterproofing installations according to Australian Standards.
- Long-Term Performance: Durable rubber core and alkali-resistant fabric contribute to the longevity of the overall waterproofing system.
- Very Low VOC Environment: Using EC1 Plus certified components contributes to healthier buildings.
How to apply Mapei Mapeband Easy:
- Prepare Substrate & Apply Membrane Coat: Ensure the substrate is prepared according to the waterproofing membrane's TDS. Apply a generous first coat of the chosen Mapei liquid waterproofing membrane to the corner, joint, or around the penetration being detailed.
- Cut Tape/Select Piece: Cut the Mapeband Easy tape to the required length, or select the appropriate pre-formed corner or pipe collar piece.
- Embed Tape/Piece: While the membrane coat is still wet, place the Mapeband Easy tape or piece into position. Press it down firmly using a smooth trowel or roller, working from the centre outwards. Ensure the tape is fully embedded, with no trapped air bubbles or creases, and that the membrane wets through the perforations along the edges.
- Overlap Joins: If joining lengths of tape, ensure a minimum overlap of 5cm and fully embed the overlap using the waterproofing membrane.
- Apply Subsequent Membrane Coat(s): Once the first coat embedding the tape is suitably cured (refer to membrane TDS), apply the subsequent coat(s) of the waterproofing membrane over the Mapeband Easy detailing, ensuring it is completely covered and integrated into the overall membrane system at the required thickness.
- Control Joint Treatment: When applying over a screed control joint intended to remain active, ensure the central section of the Mapeband Easy is not fully bonded down by the top coat of membrane or subsequent tile adhesive (unless project specification directs otherwise) to allow movement.
Mapei Mapeband Easy limitations:
- System Component Only: Must be used as part of a complete, compatible Mapei liquid waterproofing system; not a standalone product.
- Requires Full Embedment: Must be fully encased within the waterproofing membrane layers for proper function and protection.
- Not UV Stable: Must be protected from sunlight and weather exposure by the waterproofing system and subsequent coverings.
- Compatibility: Performance relies on use with specified Mapei liquid waterproofing products.
- Not for Negative Pressure: Performance against negative hydrostatic pressure depends on the waterproofing membrane used, not the tape itself.
- Installation Technique: Requires careful application to avoid wrinkles, air bubbles, and ensure proper embedment and overlaps.
Safety precautions when using Mapei Mapeband Easy:
- Handling Product: Mapeband Easy itself is an article and generally low risk. Wearing gloves and safety glasses is recommended during handling and cutting as good practice.
- Associated Products: The primary safety considerations relate to the liquid waterproofing membrane being used. Always follow the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) recommendations for the specific Mapei membrane product regarding PPE (gloves, glasses, respiratory protection if needed), ventilation, and first aid.
- General Site Safety: Follow standard safety guidelines for the work area.
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