A comprehensive Mapei system of watertight concrete, render, waterproofing and tile installation products has been used to construct a swimming pool complex at Great Tew in Oxfordshire. The installation of the pool and internal waterproofing was carried out by Pikehaven, for main contractor Midland Building Services, with Mapei products supplied by Construction Site Supplies.

An archetypal English Country Estate, Great Tew is located near Chipping Norton, in the heart of the Cotswolds. A thriving village community, the estate includes residential properties, serviced offices, a hotel, vast farmland and parklands. The new pool is located within a new walled garden complex, created for enjoyment of the owners.

During construction of the pool channels and tanks, Mapei Idrocrete KR 1000 powdered admixture was added to the concrete to reduce permeability. To form the new pool shell, Idrocrete KR 1000 was added to concrete to reduce its permeability, and Idrostop waterproofing expanding rubber profiles were used to create watertight construction joints. Once formed, the drainage channels were waterproofed with Planiseal 88 osmotic cementitious mortar. Pipe joints were sealed with Mapeproof Swell - a moisture expanding, rubber-based hydrophilic sealant - and voids were repaired with Mapemortar HB R3 shrinkage compensated repair mortar.

To construct the pool, Pikehaven applied Mapei Planitop Fast 330 quick-setting, fibre-reinforced cementitious levelling mortar to the walls and waterproofed the surface with Mapelastic Smart – a highly flexible waterproofing cementitious mortar, incorporating Mapenet 150 alkali-resistant glass fibre mesh. Mapeband alkali-resistant rubber and felt tape was applied to all junctions. A proprietary screed containing Mapei Topcem - a special fast-drying hydraulic binder – was used for the pool tank base and the surface was then waterproofed with Mapelastic Smart incorporating Mapenet 150, and Mapeband tape.

Grey porcelain tiles were then installed with Mapei Keraflex Maxi S1 high-performance, deformable cementitious adhesive and Kerapoxy Easy Design – an epoxy grout with improved workability and very low emissions of VOC.

To find out more about the project and Mapei specification, please contact: info@mapei.co.uk or visit www.mapei.co.uk.