RIGHT! Mapei UK looks at the reasons behind resin flooring failure.
Of course, I have seen examples of why using ‘skilled’ installers is so important, time-saving and economical. One example that I remember – for all the wrong reasons – happened some time ago, involving a polyurethane screed installed in a food environment.
During curing it had ‘curled’ from the floor at the edges of the room – a clear case of the installer not following the manufacturer’s instructions to induce a ‘toe-in’ around the perimeter of the room to prevent the screed from curling.
So, has my time spent with both resin manufacturers and resin floor layers given me a more ‘rounded’ education within the industry? I know so. Can I tell a good resin floor from a great resin floor? Oh yes. The specification is also of utmost importance to produce a good quality resin floor. When the floor preparation has been undertaken correctly, the resin flooring can then can perform as it was designed to do, with resin flooring layers applying their magic at that stage to ensure the finished floor not only looks good, but performs as it should. Time after time.
I’m often told the most important factor when specifying a new floor is that it has to be ‘fit for purpose’. Really? If that was the case, a specifier could stipulate a water-based resin coating for almost any environment. After all, water-based could be described as ‘a cost-effective, all-purpose coating’. But does this mean it is a one-size-fits-all solution? No. Each floor is unique, even in the same industry. The good news is that regardless of environment, the choice of resin flooring systems for specific situations is vast.
You name the industrial environment, I’ll name you the correct resin flooring system to suit. In my opinion, the most important factor when specifying a new floor is to… get it right! And with technological advancements in the resin flooring industry, the ability to ensure the right specification for the right floor has never been so important or straight-forward.
Like many others, I have winced when hearing horror stories about resin flooring that has gone wrong, not least because having to reinstall a floor is not only expensive, but the additional time taken to do the remedial action could cause untold havoc, especially in a production environment.
So, what needs to happen to avoid a resin flooring failure?
1. Understand the importance of what preparation the floor needs (not what you think it may need). Seek the advice of professional preparation companies and remember: the better the preparation, the better the finish.
2. Take up references of the resin flooring installer you are thinking about engaging, heeding the advice that it is rare for the words ‘cheap’ and ‘good’ to appear in the same sentence.
3. Use an industry-approved resin flooring installer and resin flooring manufacturer (see the list at
www.ferfa.com). You will then have the assurance of the UK Resin Trade Association.
Doing what you can to avoid a resin flooring failure is a task that should become second-nature to all involved in the resin industry - whether as a specifier, resin manufacturer, or flooring contractor. After all, as far as the resin flooring industry is concerned, people walk on our reputation each day.
www.mapei.co.uk twitter.com/TContractFloors SCREEDS, RESINS & COATINGS | 27
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
