TEC® Moisture Resistant Setting Products Deliver Winning Results in the ISU Natatorium Restoration
In 2020, Indiana State University (ISU) received the largest ever $64M funding from the state to renovate and expand its College of Health and Human Services (CSSH) facility in Terre Haute, IN.
TEC® is proud to be a part of ISU’s expansion and renovation of the CSSH building. This state-of-the-art facility now houses all health education programs together under one roof, including nursing, applied health sciences, recreation and sport, social work, applied medicine and kinesiology.
The award-winning Ratio Architects were hired to head the design and construction of the new addition. As a part of its academic programs, the CHHS building historically had a natatorium to accommodate the student’s recreation and athletics needs. The pool met neither today’s athletic standards nor the current building codes, therefore a complete pool renovation was included in the overall CHHS facility update.
Ratio’s updated pool design incorporated modern tile work. The tile contractor, Blakley Corporation from Indianapolis, was hired to install tile in the natatorium. Blakley’s expert tile installers insisted on using TEC products for all the tile installations due to the brand’s proven quality, technology and performance.
The project began with a vertical installation of the porcelain panels onto the natatorium’s walls, which totaled 11,000 sq. ft. of space. First, TEC Multipurpose Primer was used prior to the mortar to prepare Ultimate 6 Plus to bond to the difficult substrate, as the panels were applied over the existing glazed block. TEC Ultimate 6 Plus High Performance Polymer Modified Mortar was the chosen for its creamy consistency and exceptional open time.
The tile panels were then grouted with TEC Power Grout® Ultimate Performance Grout. Well-known for its stain and water resistance, Power Grout was selected to handle the challenges it would certainly face in the natatorium. Additionally, TEC Fast Set Deep Patch and TEC AccuColor 100® 100% Silicone Sealant were used throughout the project for filling the voids and joints and at transitions between the materials.
For the pool tank and gutter, the installation team opted for the following products: TEC Fast Set Deep Patch and TEC Xtra Flex™ Acrylic Latex Additive for prepping the tank. For waterproofing, the team used TEC HydraFlex™ Waterproofing Crack Isolation Membrane.
Next, the mosaics needed to be installed to the pool substrate. The crew used TEC Super Flex™ Ultra-Premium Thin Set Mortar known for its superior bonding properties. The grout chosen for the mosaics, was TEC AccuColor EFX® Epoxy Grout and Mortar for its stain resistance and durability.
After the renovations were complete, the pool was certified by USA Swimming. The natatorium has become a popular campus destination for the students and faculty. For more information about this project, read the November 2020 issue of the Tile Letter magazine.
