Mapei Mapelastic Foundation is a professional, two-component elastic cementitious membrane engineered to waterproof concrete and masonry structures exposed to both positive and negative hydraulic pressure. Its standout strength is that it protects surfaces even when water pushes against the back of the wall — making it the ideal solution for below-ground and underground structures where water cannot be stopped from the outside.

It is supplied as a complete kit: Component A — a 22 kg grey powder of cement, selected aggregates and special additives — and Component B — a 10 kg liquid synthetic polymer. The two parts are mixed on site to form a smooth, highly flexible, crack-bridging coating. Once cured, it forms a continuous, seamless waterproof skin that flexes with the structure, resists water pressure and stays durable for the life of the building.

Full Technical Specification

Ideal Applications

• Foundation walls & footings
• Basements & lift pits
• Retaining walls
• Underground car parks
• Water tanks & reservoirs
• Swimming pools
• Sewage & treatment works
• Balconies & terraces
• Wet areas before tiling

How to Use — Step-by-Step Application Guide
Follow these six steps for a strong, long-lasting waterproof seal.

Step 1: Prepare the Substrate — Surface must be sound and perfectly clean. Remove dust, laitance, loose particles, oil, grease and old paint by high-pressure washing or sandblasting. Repair cracks and honeycombing with a Mapei repair mortar first.

Step 2: Saturate the Surface — Dampen the concrete with clean water to a "saturated surface-dry" condition — damp but with no standing puddles. This stops the substrate from drawing water out of the mix.

Step 3: Mix the Two Components — Pour Component B (liquid) into a clean bucket first, then gradually add Component A (powder) while stirring with a low-speed drill and paddle. Mix 2–3 minutes to a smooth, lump-free paste. Keep the 2.2 : 1 ratio — use whole units, never split by eye. Use within the 60-minute pot life.

Step 4: Apply the First Coat — Apply evenly by brush, roller or spray at about 1 mm thickness, working it firmly into the surface. While still fresh, embed Mapenet 150 alkali-resistant mesh into corners, wall-to-floor junctions, joints and over cracks for reinforcement.

Step 5: Apply the Second Coat — Once the first coat is dry to the touch (approx. 6 hours), apply the second coat perpendicular to the first to reach a total dry thickness of at least 2 mm. Ensure full, pinhole-free coverage.

Step 6: Cure & Protect — Protect from rain, direct sun, frost and traffic for the first 24 hours. Allow full cure before tiling, filling tanks/pools, immersing in water, or backfilling foundation walls (typically several days; longer in cold weather).

Pro Tips for a Lasting Job

• Do not apply below +5 °C, in direct hot sun, or if rain is expected within 24 hours.
• Never add extra water to "loosen" the mix — it weakens the membrane.
• Reinforce all corners and movement joints with mesh; these are where leaks start.
• For potable-water tanks, allow full cure and rinse thoroughly before filling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Everything Kenyan builders ask before waterproofing a foundation, basement or tank.

Why is Mapelastic Foundation better than ordinary waterproofing paints?
Ordinary waterproofing paint simply sits on top of the wall as a thin skin — over time it blisters, peels and lets water back in. Mapelastic Foundation is a two-component flexible cementitious membrane that chemically bonds into the concrete and stays elastic. It resists water pushing from both the outside and the inside face of a wall, bridges hairline cracks up to 2 mm, and won't flake off. That durability is exactly what basements, tanks and foundations need to survive Kenya's long wet seasons.

How many square metres will one 32 kg kit give me?
Mapelastic Foundation is applied at a minimum of 2 mm in two coats, using about 1.65 kg/m² per millimetre (roller/brush). At that recommended 2 mm build, a single 32 kg kit covers roughly 10 m². If you only need a light 1 mm single coat, the same kit stretches to around 19 m² — but for foundations and tanks, always aim for the full 2 mm.

My wall is already leaking from the inside — can this still work?
Yes. Mapelastic Foundation is specifically formulated to handle negative-side water pressure — water seeping through the substrate from behind, which is the classic leaking-basement problem. Chase out and plug any active leaks with a rapid-set hydraulic plug first, prepare the surface properly, then apply the membrane. It will hold back the water pushing through from the other side.

Is it safe to use inside a drinking-water tank?
Mapelastic Foundation is engineered for foundations and below-grade structures exposed to aggressive ground water — it is not the product certified for contact with drinking water. For a potable-water tank or reservoir, choose Mapei Planiseal 88, which carries potable-water approval. Not sure which fits your job? Our team at Shabbiri Hardware will point you to the right one.

How do I mix the two parts correctly?
Pour the liquid Part B into a clean bucket first, then slowly add the powder Part A (mixing ratio roughly 2.2 parts powder to 1 part liquid — the full kit is pre-batched, so just combine the whole bag with the whole can). Blend with a low-speed drill and paddle for 2–3 minutes until smooth, creamy and lump-free. Use the mix within about 60 minutes (pot life) — don't add extra water to loosen it once it stiffens.

How long before I can tile over it or backfill the wall?
Apply the second coat about 6 hours after the first. After that, let the membrane cure — generally allow around 5 days before tiling and about 7 days (fully cured) before backfilling against the wall, protecting it from rain and mechanical damage in the meantime. Warm, dry weather speeds curing; cool or damp conditions slow it. Always confirm timings against the current Mapei data sheet for your site conditions.

Where can I buy genuine Mapei Mapelastic Foundation in Kenya?
Get genuine Mapei Mapelastic Foundation at Shabbiri Hardware: Magadi Road, Ongata Rongai and Tuala (past Nazarene University). Call 0741 042484 or 0745 554008, email info@shabbirihardware.co.ke, or shop online at www.shabbirihardware.co.ke.

Buy Mapei Mapelastic Foundation at Shabbiri Hardware
Get genuine Mapei waterproofing products and expert advice. Your trusted hardware & construction chemicals supplier in Rongai, Nairobi and Kajiado County.

• Branch 1: Magadi Road, Ongata Rongai
• Branch 2: Tuala, Past Nazarene University
• Call / WhatsApp: 0741 042484 / 0745 554008
• Email: info@shabbirihardware.co.ke
• Website: www.shabbirihardware.co.ke