ON THE BALL Top flooring tips from F. Ball and Co. Ltd.
When working on an installation, taking the time to carefully select the products you use can really make a difference to the quality and durability of the finish. Here, F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s Technical Service Manager, Stephen Boulton, discusses flexible smoothing underlayments.
In most instances, the general-purpose smoothing underlayments available on the market are a perfectly suitable choice for an installation job. However, if you are working with plywood or steel subfloors, a specialist underlayment is required.
This is because, when subjected to foot traffic, plywood and steel subfloors have a tendency to move. They also naturally expand and contract when exposed to fluctuations in temperature. Regular smoothing underlayments lack the flexibility required to deal with this movement, and so if they are used on these subfloors the underlayment will crack, which can eventually cause it to fail.
SO WHAT SHOULD
YOU USE? F. Ball and Co. Ltd., manufacturer of subfloor preparation products, developed a flexible smoothing underlayment, Stopgap 700 Superflex, in response to this problem. The underlayment is reinforced with tiny fibres that allow it to cope with the
18 | TIP OF THE MONTH
inherent movement in these types of subfloor, meaning that any movement caused by foot traffic or temperature fluctuations will not compromise the integrity of the underlayment.
WHAT ELSE IS
GOOD ABOUT IT? Designed specifically for use on plywood, sand/cement screeds and steel subfloors, as well as areas with raised access panels, the flexible smoothing underlayment has the added benefit of fast track features. Utilising the latest cement and polymer technology, the underlayment has a walk-on hardness time of just 60 minutes, and allows resilient floorcoverings to be installed in as little as three hours, while also maintaining a working time of 20–30 minutes.
These features mean that a flexible smoothing underlayment such as this is the ideal choice for installations where time is tight, as downtime of an area is minimised. The underlayment is also protein-free, meaning that it is suitable for use in biologically
sensitive areas, such as laboratories and hospitals, and is also approved for marine use.
APPLICATION TIPS F. Ball’s flexible smoothing underlayment is self-smoothing, so minimal work with a smoothing trowel is required. However, should any imperfections resulting from air trapped in the underlayment arise once applied, they can be eliminated by gently rolling over the area with a spiked roller, providing a smooth, even finish.
In many environments, heavy foot traffic and fluctuations in temperature, and the complications associated with them, are inevitable. This does not, however, mean that the life span of the floor need be compromised. You can avoid costly remedial work, and save valuable time and money, by simply making sure the floor is equipped to deal with its environment by using a flexible smoothing underlayment to achieve long-lasting, durable results.
www.f-ball.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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