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TIP OF THE MONTH: ON THE BALL
Following his column on high-strength, permanent bond adhesives in January’s issue, Stephen Boulton, Technical Service Manager at F. Ball and Co. Ltd., provides information on the benefits of tackifiers and offers expert advice on the installation of carpet tiles.
and replaced. In these instances, a tackifier that provides a high shear, low peel release bond should be used. This allows individual damaged/worn tiles to be lifted and replaced as required instead of having to replace the entire floorcovering.
Before the application of flooring adhesive, it is essential that contractors investigate the condition of the base and carry out any necessary treatments to bring the subfloor up to the required standard. Subfloors must be structurally sound, smooth, dry and free from any contamination and laitance that may affect adhesion.
Choosing the right adhesive for a project is vital. It reduces the risk of repair work being required in the future, increases the longevity of the floorcovering and ensures the optimum aesthetic appearance of the floor. As such, leading flooring adhesive manufacturers, such as F. Ball, offer a comprehensive range of specialist adhesives.
The right choice for carpet tiles
In heavy-duty areas, such as offices and schools, carpet tiles are often specified to allow damaged areas of the floor to be easily removed
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Tackifiers are designed to reduce lateral movement of the floor tiles when they are walked on, while allowing individual carpet tiles to be removed without damage to the surrounding floorcovering or subfloor.
Tips on installation
Recommended by F. Ball, Styccobond F41 is a solvent free, acrylic, tackifier that contains a rust inhibitor which enables the adhesive to be used on raised access flooring. In these cases, contractors should be careful not to allow the tackifier to run down between the access panels. It is designed to provide a permanently tacky film which prevents ‘loose lay’ carpet tiles from moving under normal traffic but enables them to be lifted and replaced easily. Simple to apply directly onto the subfloor with a paint roller or brush, Styccobond F41 has a drying time of approximately 30 minutes on absorbent bases, allowing for a quick installation.
The adhesive should be left to dry to a clear, tacky film before placing the carpet tiles in position, pressing firmly from the centre outwards and paying particular attention to the carpet tile edges to assist the bond. It is important not to position the tiles before the adhesive has dried to a clear film, as this can result in a permanent bond being formed, preventing easy removal of the carpet tiles.
Quality performance, guaranteed
Contractors should always select adhesives from manufacturers who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to fully testing products to British and European Standards. This means contractors can be confident that the adhesive they choose is reliable, and will continue to provide the desired performance characteristics over the
floorcovering’s lifetime.
Comprehensive information on the compatibility of adhesives with specific floorcoverings can be found in recommended adhesive guides, such as F. Ball’s Recommended Adhesive Guide (RAG).
To further support effective use of its products within the flooring industry, F. Ball has made a significant investment in a purpose- built training centre at it’s headquarters in Cheddleton, Staffordshire. Courses are delivered by experts from within F. Ball’s technical team and cover subfloor preparation and adhesive selection, as well as installation advice on F. Ball’s extensive product range.
www.f-ball.co.uk
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
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