A FLAWLESS FINISH


Neil Sanders, Technical Director at F. Ball and Co. Ltd. provides an expert guide to installing luxury vinyl tiles.


When installing vinyl tiles or planks, a long-lasting, visually attractive flooring finish involves following basic principles of subfloor preparation, as well as taking precautions to avoid common causes of floor failure.


The first step should be to check that the subfloor is suitably sound, smooth and dry. To avoid costly floor failure, any laitance and contaminants should be mechanically removed before proceeding with a flooring installation.


GUARDING AGAINST DAMP At this stage, a moisture test should always be conducted to determine if the subfloor is dry enough to receive floorcoverings. Excess subfloor moisture, whether residual construction moisture or rising damp, is still the leading cause of floor failure.


Where relative humidity (RH) levels are higher than 75% and resilient floorcoverings will be installed, a waterproof surface membrane will be required to prevent moisture attacking flooring adhesives, which can cause resilient floorcoverings to blister and lift, ruining the appearance of installations.


Liquid waterproof surface membranes are available, such as F. Ball’s Stopgap F77, that will isolate excess subfloor moisture where relative humidity values are up to 98%, with a single coat application, and will fully cure in as little as three hours.


PRIME IMPORTANCE With few exceptions, it is essential to prime a subfloor before the application of a levelling compound. When used over non- absorbent surfaces, such as waterproof surface membranes, priming promotes adhesion between the subfloor and the levelling compound applied over it. Applied over absorbent subfloors, such as concrete, sand/cement screeds or plywood, priming also prevents the unacceptably rapid drying of a subsequently applied levelling compound to maintain its working time.


Priming also prevents ‘pinholing’: small holes in the levelling compound that have the appearance of pinholes or blisters caused by the slow escape of air from absorbent surfaces as the levelling compound cures.


General-purpose primers are available that can be used over both absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces. Specialist primers have also been developed for certain applications. F. Ball’s Stopgap P141 is specially formulated for use over non-absorbent surfaces, and Stopgap P121 promotes the application characteristics of compatible levelling compounds when applied over calcium sulphate screeds.


CREATING A BASE Contractors can then proceed to create a perfectly smooth base ready for the receipt of vinyl floorcoverings by using an appropriate levelling compound.


To create the perfect base for the installation of LVT, F. Ball recommends the application of its Stopgap 300 HD heavy


06 | TECHNICAL ADVICE


duty levelling compound for its high compressive strength and excellent self-levelling properties.


When working over flexible subfloors, including plywood or steel, the application of a flexible levelling compound is advised to accommodate movements in the subfloor and prevent cracking in the levelling compound affecting the finished appearance of an installation.


Where adhesive residues are present, F. Ball’s Stopgap 1200 Pro, can be applied straight over them without the need to prime beforehand, removing the need for mechanical preparation.


ADHESIVE SELECTION Pressure sensitive adhesives are often the best choice for installing vinyl tiles or planks. They form an instant grab upon contact, so contractors don’t need to worry about tiles or planks moving about when they are working, making them ideal for where intricate designs or patterns are being created.


Styccobond F46 is a solvent-free pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive that dries to a permanent tack. It has an extended open time, reducing the risk of late placement and making it ideal for installing more complex designs and patterns. The adhesive is specially formulated to reduce the incidence of trowel serrations shadowing through thin vinyl flooring, commonly known as ‘grin-through’, which will compromise the finished appearance of the installation.


For areas exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations, F. Ball’s Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS can be used. This is a water- based adhesive that has the familiar characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive and develops the extremely high bond strength required to hold vinyl floorcoverings firmly in place in temperatures from -20°C to +60°C.


SYSTEM LVT To simplify product selection, F. Ball has developed its ‘System LVT’ range: subfloor preparation products and adhesives, including those mentioned here. F. Ball guarantees that these products, used correctly, will result in an aesthetically pleasing floor finish that lasts the lifetime of the installation.


www.f-ball.com


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