ON THE BALL
When beginning a job, it can be a nasty shock to a contractor to discover that the existing screed is in a terrible condition. Here,
F.Ball and Co. Ltd’s Technical Service Manager, Stephen Boulton, explains how weak screeds can be repaired.
Discovering a poorly-compacted or weak screed upon arriving on the site of an installation is an unwelcome sight. Continuing with an installation over a sand/cement or calcium sulphate screed may cause the floor installation to fail further down the line, leading to costly remedial work that could have been avoided.
Depending on the level of degradation, it may mean that the screed must be completely removed and replaced, adding substantial time and money onto what may have started as a straightforward job. There is, however, a quicker, more effective way of dealing with weakened screeds.
WHAT ARE THE
OPTIONS? In the past, the only solution would be the complete removal of the screed, which could mean an unexpected and potentially lengthy delay to a project. Having to install a new screed, particularly on a job with a tight deadline, could cause major problems, not to mention the additional cost it would add to the project.
Thanks to advances in flooring technology, however, contractors now have the option to quickly and easily repair and stabilise weak and friable screeds without the need for complete removal. High-performance surface reinforcement systems, such as Stopgap SRS from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., are now available. These reinforcement systems allow contractors to repair and reinstate a screed overnight and continue with the rest of the installation the following day. This solution, in comparison to removing a screed and starting from scratch, means that any necessary delay can be reduced to a matter of hours, rather than days or weeks.
HOW DO SURFACE REINFORCEMENT
SYSTEMS WORK? Surface reinforcement systems work by penetrating poorly compacted and weak
22 | TIP OF THE MONTH “Thanks to advances
in flooring technology, contractors now have
the option to quickly and easily repair and stabilise weak and friable screeds without the need for complete removal.”
screeds, filling any voids and cracks and binding them together to create a more stable, stronger surface. High performance surface reinforcement systems will also bind any loose particles that result from poor installation or the screed’s curing process, ensuring further stability and integrity.
The best products will be dry in as little as 2 - 12 hours, depending on the installation and the amount of product required. Once dry, the reinforcement system is ready to receive further subfloor preparation treatment.
WHAT’S GOOD
ABOUT THEM? Using a surface reinforcement system can completely eliminate the
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
need to remove a poorly compacted or weakened screed, which could save enormous amounts of time and money for contractors facing this dilemma. In a fast-paced, unforgiving climate, this is invaluable.
Surface reinforcement systems are suitable for use over sand/ cement and calcium sulphate screeds containing hot water heating pipes for underfloor heating systems. Removing and reinstalling a screed in this situation can be incredibly time- consuming and costly, so surface reinforcement systems are a hugely advantageous option.
These products may also be used over screeds containing high levels of construction moisture, or where there is not an effective damp proof membrane in place. This is particularly useful as waterproof membranes should not be installed over weak, damaged or poorly-compacted screeds, as their effectiveness will be greatly diminished. Installing a surface reinforcement system will both strengthen the screed and provide a suitable surface for the installation of a waterproof surface membrane.
At one time, a weakened or poorly- compacted screed would necessitate a potentially lengthy delay to a job, as well as an unwelcome increase in cost. With high-performance surface reinforcement systems, such as Stopgap SRS from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., now on the market, this is no longer the only option. These products provide a fast, cost-effective solution to contractors faced with damaged or weakened screeds which allow the screed to be strengthened and reinforced overnight, meaning the job can continue the following day without compromising the long- term performance or integrity of the installation.
www.f-ball.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76