TIP OF THE MONTH: FAST-TRACK FLOORING
Stephen Boulton, Technical Service Manager for F. Ball and Co. Ltd., shares his top tips on how to speed up the subfloor preparation process.
Installing a new floorcovering is often one of the final stages of a new build or
refurbishment project and, as such, is likely to encounter
tight deadlines. Flooring contractors can find themselves competing for space on site with other people, compounding the pressure to finish their work quickly.
Because a new floorcovering is designed to enhance the aesthetics of a finished project, it is imperative that contractors are able to deliver fast results without compromising on quality.
Ongoing product developments and advancements in subfloor preparation technology now mean there are fast-track solutions to speed up the management of subfloor moisture and the application of smoothing underlayments and adhesives. These allow contractors to deliver complete flooring installations in record time, particularly when installing vinyl flooring.
PROTECTING
AGAINST MOISTURE Regardless of time, it is essential that a subfloor is free from contamination and permanently dry and smooth before a new floorcovering is laid. Should a moisture measurement test find relative humidity (RH) levels of 75% or above, (65% or above when working with wood flooring), a waterproof surface membrane must be installed. Historically, epoxy-based waterproof surface membranes required a curing time of between 18 and 24 hours before a smoothing underlayment could be applied, but advancements in technology have significantly speeded up this process, with the latest products of this type curing in just four hours with an ambient temperature of 20°C.
Alternatively, water-based, rapid drying waterproof surface membranes impede the passage of residual
22 | TIP OF THE MONTH
“It is imperative that contractors are able to deliver fast results
without compromising on quality.”
construction moisture up to relative humidity levels of 95% in almost any flooring installation, and are ideal for use in new-build properties that contain an effective structural damp proof membrane. Applied in two coats, the first coat takes approximately 15-20 minutes to cure, and then a further 30 minutes for the second coat to cure, resulting in a barrier against residual construction moisture, achieved in less than two hours.
CREATING A
SMOOTH SUBFLOOR Having ensured that a subfloor is sound and dry, a suitable smoothing underlayment normally needs to be installed to create a uniform surface on which to apply the final floorcovering. For the tightest deadlines, rapid set and rapid drying smoothing underlayments incorporate the latest advancements in cement technology.
The fastest drying smoothing underlayments on the market achieve
walk-on hardness after just 30 minutes and make it possible for subfloors to receive new textile and resilient floorcoverings from only 45 minutes. This means that in some instances an entire floorcovering installation can be completed within one hour.
ADHERING A
FLOORCOVERING Modern fast-track vinyl adhesives have been specifically designed to allow for maximum flexibility when installing a wide range of sheet and tile vinyl floorcoverings in fast-track applications. The fibre-reinforced formulation of F. Ball's solvent free Styccobond F48 PLUS, for example, has excellent initial grab and fast drying properties that allow for early placement of floorcoverings.
The adhesive is fast drying, allowing floorcoverings to be installed as soon as five minutes after the adhesive has been applied. The High Temperature Grade vinyl adhesive has a high resistance to both heat and PVC plasticisers, enabling it to prevent any movement caused by temperature fluctuations that cause flooring to expand and contract, leading to tenting and gapping. Styccobond F48 PLUS is therefore suitable for use in conservatories and areas where floor to ceiling windows and normal under- floor heating systems are installed.
Regardless of the timescale available to complete a flooring installation, contractors must not take shortcuts that could compromise the longevity of the finished floor. Technological advancements and ongoing product developments mean complete fast-track systems are now available which, when combined, will allow flooring contractors to complete a vinyl floorcovering installation in as little as three hours, delivering a guaranteed, lasting finish.
www.f-ball.com
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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