Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are expansion joints needed on Mortex surfaces?

Mortex does not require any expansion joints except if there are some on the support. If they were not provided in the support in places where they are needed, then you will have to consider making them in the Mortex coating.

2. Is Mortex slippery?

Everything depends on how the applicator tightened the grain. A well tightened and very smooth Mortex, if it is wet, will be more slippery than a “rough” Mortex (you can use a sponge float to bring out the grain).

3. MX12 – Is a private customer able to apply his own MORTEX® coating?

In terms of application, a private customer could apply his own MORTEX® product for small surfaces.
In practice, for larger surfaces, this is not always feasible.
Some private individuals can obtain better results than some professionals. This is also valid in other area.
The MORTEX® product indeed requires a certain dexterity in the use of tools for the installation, depending on the desired finish.

“INITIATION” trainings are planned to get to know the product, please consult our agenda on www.bealtraining.com

Key words: Mortex, applicator, professional, training

4. How to clean limescale on my Mortex?

To remove lime stains from your Mortex, you can use white alcohol vinegar diluted with lukewarm water that you spray on the surface and leave on for a few minutes before scrubbing with a soft sponge. Consult our complete maintenance sheet on www.mortex.be.

5. I have some Mortex and Bealcryl over, can I keep them for another project?

If products are kept in good storage conditions, you can reuse them for another project. This is why Beal sells neutral, untinted products.

6. MX13 – How can we try to reduce the appearance of cracks due to movement in the MORTEX® coating?

Always work on a stable, clean and dust-free surface.

When in doubt, use the BEALTEX reinforcing fabric to be laid in a sandwich (between two layers).

Fibreglass or our BEALTEX reinforcing fabric does not offer a full guarantee of results, as it will only be able to withstand very slight movements.

It is the reinforcement mesh (reinforcing net textile braid) that will stretch, taking up the effort of the movement of the support.   The MORTEX® product will then experience tensions that may cause several micro cracks instead of one large on the location of the initial crack of the support. The MORTEX® coating is flexible but not elastic.

It is always difficult to treat live cracks without going through the step “substrate modification” . That is why the expansion seals in the MORTEX® coating must always be respected by an expansion seal in the substrate.

Key words: Mortex, cracks, support, reinforcement mesh

7. How much does Mortex cost?

Usually, from 6 m², a professional asks between €110 and €145 per m² including VAT (i.e. €90 to €120 per m² excluding VAT) (application and products). It depends on the surface area to cover, the support type, the final destination of the application (pool, floor, shower, furniture,…) and the desired finished look. For products only, count between €30 and €50 per m² including VAT (i.e. €25 to €42 per m² excluding VAT). For surface areas smaller than 6 m², consult an applicator.

8. What type of seal should I use between Mortex and other materials?

A MS Polymer flexible seal because it leaves no grease marks on Mortex, unlike silicone.

9. MX14 – Appearance of halos and persistent stains on the MORTEX® product ?

When the MORTEX® product is applied in a very structured manner with the formation of micro cavities of varying sizes, penetrations of fatty liquids or other liquids are possible at these openings.

These places are indeed weak points for the coating and its protection. It is essential to treat these cavities well to avoid possible penetrations. If the protective products (varnishes, oils, etc…) are applied by means of a normal treatment (roller or brush…), they will not penetrate these cavities, as these products are too thick. It is imperative to push them by tapping with the brush/paintbrush to treat the edges of these cavities as well as the bottom.

We therefore experience a lateral capillarity phenomenon at these places, from underneath the protection, causing a stained support. The latter can only dry through the small openings formed by the micro-cavities in question. Grease never escapes.

For “technical” layers (floors, showers, etc…), the fact of having an open-pored support (cavities) is already a deficiency in the application. This weakness impeeds the tightness of the system and will tend to clog up in these areas.

We therefore always recommend that a sample be taken and validated to determine the finish (structured, smooth, etc.) according to the purpose of the work.

E.g.: for a shower and/or worktop, we always recommend a smooth finish to avoid clogging and facilitate maintenance.

It should be taken into account that these cavities are sometimes difficult to protect because at the bottom of some cavities with other cavities communicate. It is in these cavities that dirt (dirt, soaps, cleaning residues, oily products, hair dyes, flour, butter, etc.) will settle. The microcavities create a possible passage for water.

The presence of stains in some places and not in others proves that the protection (varnish or other) is effeicient where it is well applied.

Stains are present in areas that have not received protection, or where the protection is no longer present. It is therefore imperative to dab the varnish or other protection in these small untreated cavities. These untreated cavities should of course always be avoided.

Smooth substrates can present the same situation if the protection is incorrectly applied.

It is therefore imperative to close the surfaces well, avoiding the presence of large micro-cavities and to apply the protection according to the rules of the trade.

Key words: Mortex, cracks, support, reinforcement mesh, halos