DAMP-PROOF MEMBRANES TACKLING DAMP
The presence of excess subfloor moisture is one of the most common causes of floor failure within the professional flooring industry and, as such, responsible contractors should never leave the question of moisture to chance, says
F.Ball.
F. Ball recommends that contractors make time to conduct a thorough moisture measurement test, as well as an analysis of the requirements of the setting and subfloor, at the start of every new floor installation or refurbishment. Moisture that is left untreated can cause adhesives to debond, resilient floorcoverings to blister and other flooring failures that compromise the aesthetic appearance or pose trip hazards. The costs of moisture-related floor failure can be so high that professional flooring contractors must take the time to investigate subfloor moisture and manage it appropriately.
MOISTURE MEASUREMENT After assessing the composition of the subfloor and conducting any necessary preparation work, contractors must conduct a moisture measurement test, to determine the relative humidity (RH) levels. A visual inspection of the subfloor is not adequate to detect the presence of moisture. By using a digital hygrometer, contractors will obtain an accurate reading on subfloor moisture.
Where relative humidity (RH) levels are 75% or higher, a waterproof surface membrane should be installed. When working with wooden floorcoverings, F. Ball further recommends installing a waterproof surface membrane if RH levels are 65% or above, because wood is particularly sensitive to moisture and likely to warp if installed over a damp subfloor.
MAXIMUM PROTECTION In environments where damp is particularly likely to manifest, or areas where high levels of moisture are already present, such as bathrooms and kitchen areas, a specialist, maximum-protection waterproof surface membrane should be specified. One- coat, solvent-free epoxy resin moisture management systems, such as Stopgap F77, are now available to contractors and are effective up to relative humidity levels of 98%.
Stopgap F77 is F Ball's ultimate single- coat moisture protection system, and is suitable for any flooring installation, including application over underfloor heating systems. Pigmented metallic black to aid coverage uniformity, Stopgap F77 has a working time of 30 minutes and cures in approximately three hours, without the need for accelerants. The fast turnaround of products such as this allows flooring contractors to continue their work with minimal delay or disruption, saving both time and money.
THE SWIFTEST MOISTURE
MANAGEMENT When working on installations in new build
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projects, where the drying of a concrete subfloor can add significantly to the time taken to install a floorcovering, the use of a waterproof surface membrane can considerably speed up the process, allowing flooring products to be used without waiting for the base to dry out. For situations like these F. Ball recommends the use of new water-based moisture management systems that are effective up to RH levels of 95% and have super fast drying qualities.
Two-coat waterproof surface membranes offer a high performance, eco-conscious alternative to epoxy- resin systems and impede the passage of residual construction moisture, up to relative humidity levels of 95%, in almost any flooring installation. The quick drying properties of water-based moisture management systems are also ideal for fast-track flooring installations. The first coat takes between 15 and 20 minutes to cure and the second a further 30 minutes, meaning that a barrier against construction moisture can be achieved in less than two hours. Furthermore, contractors can apply smoothing underlayments directly onto its cured surface, without the need for priming.
INCREASED CONVENIENCE
AND EFFICIENCY To succeed in the modern flooring industry, flooring contractors must have the flexibility to work in wide variety of different environments and to carry out flooring installations of all different sizes. This is why leading manufacturers offer water-based moisture management systems that come bottled in a ready-mixed formula, which can be resealed and stored for future use between worksites, as well as epoxy moisture management systems.
www.f-ball.co.uk 43
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