THE VIN Here, the experts at Tilemaster Adhesives talk us through how to achieve successful


It is difficult to overstate the importance of a well-prepared subfloor to a successful resilient flooring installation. If the substrate is not sound, dry, clean, and smooth the finished flooring will have problems – this could range from an aesthetic issue through to debonding and complete failure.


CEMENTITIOUS SCREEDS The first thing is to make sure that the moisture content of the sand/cement screed, or concrete is low enough for it to accept the floorcovering: for most types of resilient flooring 75% RH is acceptable. New screeds must be allowed to cure until they are sufficiently dry. Where moisture levels are high and cannot be brought down, or where a structural DPM is ineffective or not present, a surface damp proof membrane can be applied. Tilemaster FAST One Coat DPM is perfect for this. It is an epoxy membrane that cures in four to five hours and is suitable for use on cementitious screeds with a moisture content of up to 98% RH.


Where the screed is found not to be flat, or the surface finish is not of the required standard, a smoothing and levelling compound must be applied. The screed should be primed with Tilemaster PrimePlus or Prime + Grip before applying the smoothing compound as this controls the porosity of the screed and prevents pinholes from forming, as well as aiding adhesion. Both of these products are fast drying and can be used on most substrates including calcium sulphate screeds. Prime + Grip provides a textured “+ Grip” surface to aid adhesion onto non- porous substrates such as Tilemaster FAST One Coat DPM.


The choice of smoothing compound will be dictated by the irregularity of the screed and the time available for it to set. Tilemaster LevelFlex+ FINISH gives a superb surface finish which is ideal for LVT and vinyl flooring. It can be used from 2mm – 60mm in one application, and resilient flooring can be installed after four hours. Alternatively, Tilemaster Super Flow 30 is an ultra-rapid setting double component smoothing compound, receiving resilient floorcoverings in as little as 90 minutes. For a double component product with a greater working time, Tilemaster Pro Flow offers a walk on time of 90 minutes and an installation time of four hours for resilient flooring.


CALCIUM SULPHATE SCREEDS Calcium sulphate (also known as anhydrite) screeds have become very popular. They must be confirmed dry at 75% RH or less. Where there is not enough time to wait for the screed to fully dry, Tilemaster FAST One Coat DPM can be used when the correctly prepared and commissioned screed has a moisture reading of 95% RH or less (90% if the screed is heated).


Calcium sulphate screeds are designed to be self-levelling, but should be checked as this is not always the case. Where smoothing is necessary, the use of a primer such as Primeplus or Prime + Grip is essential when using cementitious smoothing compounds. Not using a primer to create a barrier between the compound and screed when using cementitious products can lead to the formation of


12 | TECHNICAL ADVICE


ettringite crystals which will break the bond between the smoothing compound and the substrate, which will in turn lead to system failure. Priming is not essential to create a barrier when using Tilemaster AnhyLevel, a calcium sulphate- based smoothing compound which is 100% compatible with the screed, but it is recommended as it controls the porosity of the screed and aids adhesion. AnhyLevel can be applied from depths of 2mm – 20mm in one application and will accept light foot traffic after two to three hours and floorcoverings after 24 hours.


TIMBER BASES Where timber bases need smoothing and levelling, they must be sound, rigid, and dry (conditioned to the environment in which they will be used). Boards should be securely screwed down and firmly fixed. Not all smoothing compounds are suitable for use over timber, however Tilemaster LevelFlex + FINISH can be used on appropriate tongue and grooved single-layer timber and plywood overlays. Existing flooring grade plywood will need to be primed before the smoothing compound is applied, but new, uncontaminated, flooring grade plywood does not.


Where there is a plywood overlay, minimum 6mm, and more speed is required, Tilemaster Super Flow 30 is ideal for use and does not need priming as long as the surface is not contaminated. It can be used from 2mm to 15mm and will accept impervious floor finishes after 90 minutes.


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