Instructions / Assembly

Application Guide
Blue Max Tile & Floor
Ames Research Laboratories, Inc.
1891 16
th
St SE | Salem, OR 97302
888-345-0809 | 503-588-3330 | [e-mail]
Rev. 11/19/2021
General Guidelines
• Blue Max Tile & Floor meets requirements of ANSI 118.10 and
Uniform Plumbing Code to waterproof shower enclosures. Since
Blue Max Tile & Floor is part of a series of components making up
a shower, ensure all current local plumbing codes and
regulations in your area are met.
• Perform a spot adhesion test after cleaning and surface
preparation is complete to verify dis-bonding issues do not exist
and conditions are correct to proceed with installation.
• Material performance can be determined by proper film
thickness, do not forget to check application rates with film
thickness gauge between each coat. If material is under applied,
the waterproofing system will have insufficient film build to
perform properly. If material is over applied, material will dry
more slowly and extend recoat times.
Application Temperatures
• Coordinate application prior to high heat of the day. Best
temperature range for application is 50º - 90ºF (10º - 32ºC).
• When working in cold temperatures, apply a test patch to
observe maximum millage that can be applied per coat without
sagging.
• Minimum temperature of 40 ºF (5 ºC) and rising before applying.
• Product should be dry after 24 hours. Low temperature and high
humidity can delay start times and increase drying times.
• Material is dry a
nd ready for subsequent coats when it turns dark
blue, is firm to the touch and is slightly tacky.
Step 1: Surface Preparation & Detail Work
Initial Cleaning
Remove dirt, contaminants, and other loose debris from surfaces
with a stiff bristle broom, vacuum, or other means unless the
build-up is severe.
Inspection of Substrates
Identify and communicate any substrate issues to the project
supervisor, architect, or customer, and to Ames Technical Service
Department for personalized recommendations.
Substrate conditions are specific to the type of surfaces. Incorrect
conditions can cause installation deficiencies that could affect the
performance of your waterproofing installation. Inspect for:
• Protruding or missing fasteners
• Loose or broken backer board
• Excessive gaps between backer board panels
• Excessive gaps at intersections of backer board to other
adjacent items
• Excessive gaps at cutouts for water pipes, shower heads
• Rough sharp ridges in mortar sloping material
• Dried crumbs of mortar slag on the surface of the shower base.
• Mortar blocking mounting holes between Drain Base and
Clamping Ring
• Presence of mold or mildew on walls or sheathing due to
extended exposure to the elements or other pre-existing
conditions.
• Wood Moisture content should be at or below 20% as tested at
core of substrate. This will typically be a consideration when the
floor sheathing has been properly pre-sloped and is the
intended substrate for the Blue Max Tile & Floor.
• For remodeling projects, aged materials must be inspected for
possible repairs or replacement before proceeding. Structural
and environmental integrity in the underlying material is
crucial since it is the base for the new Ames Waterproofing
System.
Application Detail Work
Alert project supervision and Ames Research Technical Service
Department to any physical conditions of the jobsite that are not
defined in architectural details, Ames Details, or details that create
uncertainty in proceeding.
Details Available
The following detail calls out typical code requirements for
shower base construction and testing.
Procedures For Completing Detail Work
Blue Max Tile & Floor, Blue Max Caulk, Blue Max Trowel Grade, and
Ames Poly-Bridge Reinforcing Fabric will be needed to complete
detail work. Additional reinforcing of the Blue Max Waterproofing
System is recommended at:
• Joints
• Penetrations through the walls
• Raised threshold openings or curbs
• Inside and outside corners
• Transitions to dissimilar materials
• Drain base flanges
• Any other similar conditions that may exist on your project
Wall Penetrations Detail
• Pre-fill gaps around items penetrating from the wall then
embed a piece of fabric into a wet layer of Blue Max.
• Around a round pipe, a slight curve can be cut into one side of
the fabric to allow contact between both the pipe and the wall
while being embedded.
• Overlay the fabric with additional pieces as needed for a full
seal. The intent is to create a tight seal between the wall and
the item penetrating the wall – such as a shower head pipe or
trim rings at rough-in plumbing flanges.
• If fabric does not lay flat, snip the fabric with scissors, pull out
the wrinkles from the outside edges of the fabric or pull off the
fabric completely and re-position while wet.
Backer Panel Joints Detail
• Prefill joints and voids over ⅛”, and minor overcuts around wall
penetrations with Blue Max Trowel Grade or Blue Max Caulk.
Inside & Outside Corner Joint Details
• For inside corners, changes in plane and over open gaps or
cracks require embedding 4”-6” polyester reinforcement fabric.
• Once a wet band of Blue Max material is rolled out on each wall
or side of a joint/gap, lay in the fabric into the wet material.
• When inside corners are reinforced, it is easiest to embed the
fabric on one side of the joint, then wrap the fabric around the
joint into the wet material on the second side using a 4” mini
roller or a large squeegee.