Is Mapei Grout Waterproof? Understanding Its Water Resistance

Are you starting a new tiling project? The type of grout you choose will play a part in the finished surface, especially when exposed to water. 

If you’ve been wondering whether Mapei grout is waterproof, you’ll be happy to know it has many water-resistant properties, and this blog will be your best guide to learning more. 

Explore Mapei grout products, formulations, what affects water resistance, and best practices for maintenance. Your property will look amazing to guests all year round!

What is Mapei Grout? Understanding Mapei Grout Products

As a global leader in the building industry, Mapei meets a range of tiling requirements, from residential bathrooms to commercial floors. Their products feature:

1. Water-Repellent Properties: Many Mapei grouts are formulated with advanced technologies that prevent water absorption.
2. Mould Resistance: Certain products use BioBlock® technology, which actively stops mould growth. You can use Mapei grout in bathrooms and kitchens without worrying about water seeping through.
3. Ease of Application and Cleaning: If you’ve never applied grout before, Mapei is easy to apply and clean.
4. Durability: These long-lasting joints can handle daily wear and tear.
5. Here are just a few of the colour options:

Types of Tile Grout

What are the different types of tile grout? Grout is a thick paste with many applications, so you want one that works well with your paver! 

Epoxy Grout vs. Cement-Based Grout

1. Epoxy Grout: Comprising epoxy resins and a filler powder, epoxy grout is resistant to stains, chemicals, and moisture. Non-porous, it is great for grouting showers, swimming pools, and commercial kitchens.
2. Cement-Based Grout: Cements are made from a mixture of cement, water, and sand (for wider joints). While it is often cheaper, this type of grout is porous and absorbs water unless sealed professionally.

Ready-to-Use Grout Options

To help both professionals and DIY enthusiasts, Mapei offers ready-to-use grouts that come pre-mixed, eliminating the need for on-site preparation. 

These grouts provide consistent colour and are formulated to offer superior stain and water resistance compared to traditional cement-based options.

Grout with Sealants

Some Mapei grouts are infused with sealants during the manufacturing process, enhancing their resistance to water and stains. 

However, even with these additives, regular maintenance and periodic resealing are recommended to maintain optimal performance, especially in high-moisture environments.If you’re unsure, always ask a paving expert on what is best for your landscaping idea. Learn more about paving by reading: what are the different types of Travertine pavers and their uses?

From Ultracolor Plus to Keracolor SF, there are many options for grout colour. For the correct use of MapeGlitter, for example, always refer to relevant technical data sheets or ask Paver Shop for a recommendation.

Some colours and products are subject to a lead time once ordered; feel free to reach out to a Mapei sales representative or email [email protected] if you have a specific question. Colours can also be affected by the surface (where they are used) and the brightness of the environment.

Mapei Grout Formulation

What is Mapeo grout made from, how does it work, and how can you ensure it will work perfectly for your project? 

Mapei Ultracolor Plus

As grout with Co2, this is a fully offset in the entire lifecycle, withstanding time and colours that improve the look of your spaces. Ultracolor Plus is a high-performance, quick-setting and drying cementitious mortar for grouting joints up to 20mm wide. 

The range of colours of Ultracolour grouts brings out the beauty of any tiled surface and a touch of originality to any setting. Designed to last and keep surfaces hygienic and healthy, Ultracolour is easy to apply as well. What are some of the advantages?

1. Mould-resistant
2. Grouted areas are quickly ready for use
3. Water-repellent and easy to clean
4. Anti-efflorescence for uniform colour
5. Wide range of colours
6. Very low emission of VOC
7. Part of the Co2 Fully Offset in the Entire Life Cycle line of products, Co2 emissions measured throughout the life cycle of products from the Zero line in 2024 using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
8. Cementitious mortar for grouting improved with reduced water consumption, high resistance to abrasion, and fast setting in class CG2FWA.

Where can you use it? Internal and external grouting of floors and walls in all types of ceramic (double-fired, single-fired, clinker, porcelain, etc.), terracotta, stone material (natural stone, marble, granite, agglomerates, etc.), and glass and marble mosaic. 

Here are some application examples: 

1. Grouting floors and walls in areas subject to intense traffic, such as airports, shopping centres, restaurants, and bars.
2. Grouting floors and walls in residential areas such as hotels or private houses.
3. Grouting floors and walls on facades, balconies, terraces, and swimming pools. 

What are some of the technical characteristics of Mapei grout?

It is good for the environment! The Ultracolor Plus is a mortar made up of a blend of special hydraulic binders, graded aggregates, special polymers, water-repellent admixtures, organic molecules and pigments. 

The impact Ultracolor Plus has on the environment throughout its entire life cycle has been measured using the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method and reported in EPD n S-P-07051 and S-P-07044 (Environmental Product Declaration) in accordance with ISO 14025 standard, certified and published by The Interq EPD System. 

Hydration of Ultracolor Plus special cement-based binder.

With very low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC), this safeguards the health and safety of installers and final users.

It is a safe product for you to use. The formulation contains no Portland cement, so it is a safer product. Ultracolor technology is based on a special, self-hydrating hydraulic binder that guarantees colour uniformity with BioBlock and DropEffect technologies. 

BioBlock has special organic molecules that distribute themselves evenly in the micro-structure of the joints, blocking the formation of micro-organisms that cause mould damage. The DropEffect technology, on the other hand, has a synergic effect, reducing the absorption of surface water. 

When mixed with water in the proportions recommended and applied correctly, Ultracolor Plus forms a grouting mortar with the following characteristics:

1. Water repellent and droplet effect
2. Uniform colour and free of staining
3. Colours are resistant to ultra-violet rays and atmospheric agents
4. Short waiting time before cleaning and easy finishing
5. Ready for light foot traffic and for use after a short period of time
6. Smooth, compact finished surface with low water absorbency for easy cleaning
7. Shrinkage compensated, so it is free from cracks
8. Resistant to abrasion compression and flexural strength even after freeze-thaw cycles
9. Resistant to acids with pH > 3.

Mapei Professional Recommendations

Here are some things to keep in mind when using Mapei!

1. Ultracolor Plus doesn’t contain Portland cement and must not be mixed with gypsum or other hydraulic binders. Never add water to the mix once it has started to set!
2. Never mix Ultracolor Plus with dirty or salty water.
3. Use the product at temperatures between +5 °C  and +35 °C.
4. Carry out grouting only on substrates that are very dry or have been waterproofed. This avoids a white film forming on the surface.
5. Do not sprinkle Ultracolor Plus powder onto the filled-out grout joints.
6. Movement and expansion joints on floors and walls must never be filled with Ultracolor Plus. Use a suitable, flexible sealant from Mapei. 
7. Test the surfaces of certain tiles or stone materials that might have micro-porosity or a rough surface. 
8. When resistant to acids, high hygienic requirements, or sterile conditioning is needed (or swimming pools and spas with pool water treatment chemicals harmful to cementitious products), use epoxy grout from the Kerapoxy range. 

Planning to rework your pool? Take a look through our blog on paving solutions for pool decks!

DIY’ing? Mapei Application Procedure

Prepare the joints. Before grouting joints, wait until the adhesive or the mortar has completely hardened. Joints must be clean, dust-free, and empty down to at least ⅔ of the thickness of the tiles. 

Any adhesive or mortar that has seeped into the joints while laying the tiles needs to be removed while fresh. For absorbent tiles (or high temperature or windy conditions), dampen the joints with clean water. 

Prepare the mixture. When stirring, pour the Ultracolor Plus into a clean, rust-free container with 20-26% by weight of clean water. Mix the grout with a low-speed mixer to void air entrainment until a smooth paste is obtained. Let the mix stand for 3 minutes, then mix briefly before use. Make sure to use it within 30 minutes of preparation.

Applying it. Fill joints with the Ultracolor Plus mix using a Mapei trowel or rubber spreader without leaving any gaps. Remove any access from the surface of the tiles by passing the trowel or spreader diagonally to the joints while the grout is still damp. 

Finishing. When the grout loses its elasticity and turns opaque (after 15-30 minutes), wash off any excess of Ultracolor Plus with a damp, hard cellulose sponge. Work diagonally to the joints and rinse the sponge, often in two different containers of water. One container removes the grout from the sponge, while the other uses clean water to rinse the sponge. 

So, is Mapei grout waterproof? Yes! You just need to install it correctly. 

Whether you’re revamping your pavers for your Greenvale, Thomastown, Taylors Hill, Taylors Lakes, Pascoe Vale, Thornbury, Brunswick, Bundoora, or Mill Park home, Paver Shop is your one-stop-shop for paver supplies, including Mapei grout.

Need Mapei Grouts in Melbourne? Get a Quote at Paver Shop! 

Do you want to learn more about Mapei grouts for your Melbourne property? 100% fully insured and with over 20 years of experience, Paver Shop can help if you have areas exposed to constant moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces.

Whether you're a homeowner tackling a DIY project or a professional builder looking for reliable materials, Mapei grouts offer excellent performance when used correctly. 

By understanding their composition, application methods, and maintenance requirements, your tiled surfaces will be strong, beautiful, and resistant to water damage for years to come.

Contact (03) 9462 4325, email [email protected] or request a quote online! We support you in transforming your space with beautiful pavers such as Bluestone, Granite, Limestone, Cobblestones, Porcelain, Sandstone, and more.