COVER STORY
MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN
F. Ball and Co. Ltd. has drawn upon the latest cement formulation technology to create a ‘best-in-class’ high-flow smoothing compound: Stopgap 1400.
A fast-setting, two-component smoothing compound, with superior self-smoothing properties, Stopgap 1400 is walk-on hard from just 90 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from 12 hours.
Stopgap 1400 can be applied between 2 - 10mm thick to a wide range of absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including sand/cement and calcium sulphate (e.g. anhydrite) screeds, concrete, plywood, granolithic, sound asphalt, terrazzo, epoxy and polyurethane resins, ceramic and quarry tiles, as well as Stopgap waterproof surface membranes.
It is also suitable for use where normal underfloor heating systems are contained within a subfloor, as well as to encapsulate retrofitted electrical wired systems. Furthermore, its low-odour, protein-free formulation allows it to be used in biologically sensitive areas and where adjacent areas remain open.
Stopgap 1400 is supplied as a pre-blended dry powder and liquid. A 20kg bag of Stopgap 1400 powder mixed with 4.5 litres of Stopgap 1400 Liquid will cover an area of approximately 6m2 at a thickness of 2mm.
The high-flow smoothing compound took second place at the Tomorrow’s Contract Floors Awards 2025.
F. Ball Sales Director Karl Brannigan said: “We’re delighted by Stopgap 1400’s placing in the TCF Awards, especially since it is based on votes from readers who use our products. This product was designed to provide a superior smooth finish and ease-of-use to help flooring contractors work efficiently, including in multiple areas. Positive feedback since launch, including this recognition, confirms we’ve met this brief. Thank you to TCF readers for voting for us.”
CASE STUDY: SCHOOLBLAZER
F. Ball’s Stopgap 1400 has been used to prepare subfloors to optimise the installation of floorcoverings at the headquarters of the UK’s leading school uniform and sportswear supplier.
Ashdale Flooring were subcontracted by Proici Commercial Interiors to install floorcoverings in the new employee welfare areas at Schoolblazer, in Mansfield.
They began by mechanically abrading the new concrete subfloors to create a key for subfloor preparation products before priming with F. Ball’s P131 general-purpose primer. As the screeds were installed 18 months prior, tests indicated that subfloor moisture levels were low enough to proceed with the installation without the requirement of a moisture management solution.
Contractors then applied Stopgap 1400 in all areas (over 200m2 in total).
F. Ball’s Styccobond F48 PLUS was used to install LVTs in the canteen. The temperature tolerant adhesive has a high bond strength to hold floorcoverings in place when subject to high temperatures, which can otherwise cause tenting and gapping at the edges of vinyl floorcoverings as a result of repeated expansion and contraction over time. Fibres in the adhesive also provide high initial grab, a benefit when installing LVTs.
Contractors also used F. Ball’s Styccobond F44 vinyl adhesive to install Gerflor safety flooring in the WCs. Styccobond F44 is a solvent-free, acrylic emulsion adhesive, which provides high bond strength, strong initial tack and a long open time. It’s suitable for securing a wide-range of vinyl sheet and tile and rubber floorcoverings. Commenting on the work, Ashdale Flooring director Sam Dale said:
“ WE APPLIED THE SMOOTHING COMPOUND BY HAND, AND THE FORMULATION OF STOPGAP 1400 MADE LIGHT WORK OF THIS. THE FLOW RATE WAS AMAZING, AND IT DRIED REALLY QUICKLY. IT ALSO LOOKED PRISTINE WHEN DRY – IT SEEMED A SHAME TO COVER IT UP. WE’LL DEFINITELY BE USING IT A LOT FROM NOW ON.”
F-BALL.COM/1400
x.com/TContractFloors
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23/05/2025 09:46
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