AGAINST THE CLOCK
F. Ball discusses how new types of levelling compounds are shortening the time required to install floorcoverings.
Flooring contractors face increasing pressures to complete flooring installations to ever-shorter timescales without compromising on the finished results. This is often because of the pace of modern construction. It may also be that they are working in areas that can only remain off limits for short periods, such as in retail, schools, hospitals or care homes.
Fortunately, contractors now have available to them a range of fast track levelling compounds with specialist properties that help reduce the time it takes to install new floorcoverings to a matter of hours, where it previously might have taken several days. This is thanks to much quicker drying times, as well as new innovations providing timesaving solutions to common problems, such as the need to remove old adhesive residues before proceeding with a refurbishment.
FIRST… TEST FOR MOISTURE Before applying a levelling compound, contractors should check that the subfloor is suitably sound, smooth and dry. It is always advisable that a moisture test is conducted to determine subfloor moisture levels. Where a moisture test indicates that the relative humidity (RH) level within the subfloor is above 75% (65% if wood floorcoverings are to be installed), a waterproof surface membrane should be installed to stop excess moisture attacking floorcoverings. This may be the greatest timesaving tip of all; unmanaged subfloor moisture is the leading cause of costly floor failure.
The fastest-drying liquid waterproof surface membranes on the market can create a barrier against residual construction moisture, where RH values are up to 95%, in as little as two hours.
FASTEST SOLUTIONS For when time is most critical, F. Ball’s Stopgap Fast-Track 30 will be walk-on hard from just 30 minutes and are ready to receive floorcoverings in as little as 45 minutes after application.
The secret behind fast-drying formulations such as this is that they enable water to be chemically ‘locked’ into the compound instead of requiring it to evaporate.
Stopgap Fast-Track 30 is suitable for use over a wide range of subfloor types, including sand/cement screed, concrete and waterproof surface membranes. It is also protein-free, making it suitable for use in biologically sensitive areas, and its self-levelling properties make it easy to apply, with minimal trowel work.
ADHESIVE RESIDUES Another development that has sped up subfloor preparation is the production of levelling compounds that can be used directly over minimal, well bonded adhesive residues, such as F. Ball’s Stopgap 1200 Pro. Apart from removing the need to spend valuable time mechanically removing old adhesive residues, when Stopgap 1200 Pro is used over old adhesive residues, there is no need to apply a primer beforehand,
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saving further time and expense. It also means contractors can use the same product in situations where newly installed subfloors and areas with old adhesive residues present are next to each other.
Stopgap 1200 Pro will be able to accept foot traffic about one hour after application and is ready to receive new floorcoverings from three hours later.
Because of its versatility, adaptability and fast setting characteristics, many contractors opt to use Stopgap 1200 Pro as their ‘go-to’ levelling compound for a wide range of projects.
RAISING FLOOR LEVELS Sometimes, flooring contractors will need to raise the level of a subfloor before new floorcoverings can be installed. However, most levelling compounds can only be applied in thicknesses up to 20mm without compromising the strength of the compound, necessitating multiple applications in order to raise a subfloor more than this.
Where subfloors need to be raised under time constraints, there are specially formulated products that can be used to raise and level these uneven floors quickly, easily and economically.
One such product, F. Ball’s Stopgap 600 Base, can be
applied in thicknesses between 5 – 50mm in one application and will typically set sufficiently in three hours to allow it to be capped with a suitable levelling compound. Like previously mentioned fast-curing levelling compounds, it cures to chemically bind all remaining water in the mixture, dramatically decreasing the drying time.
Finally, when working over larger areas, contractors should remember that many levelling compounds, including F. Ball’s Stopgap 600 Base, can be pump applied to save further time.
www.f-ball.com LEVELLING COMPOUNDS | 23
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