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OPEN ACCESS


F. Ball outlines the benefits that fast-track solutions provide to contractors working on social housing projects where time is of the essence.


When installing floorcoverings in social housing settings, flooring contractors face additional pressure to complete projects as quickly as possible to avoid disruption. If flooring is being installed along communal corridors in a block of apartments, for example, people may be required to remain inside, or outside, of their flats for prolonged periods of time. Refurbishments in other public areas, such as foyers or entrance halls, could also cause access to homes to be restricted, resulting in inconvenience for tenants. Added to this, contractors desire to avoid using adhesives and levelling compounds that create unpleasant odours or present health and safety concerns when used in enclosed areas.


Traditionally, installing new floorcoverings might have taken several days, leaving areas inaccessible in the meantime. Nowadays, a number of fast-track products, including waterproof surface membranes, levelling compounds and adhesives are available that, when used together and applied correctly, allow floorcoverings to be installed quickly, easily and safely. These can cut the time it takes to install floorcoverings down to less than a day.


MOISTURE MANAGEMENT Unmanaged moisture, whether residual construction moisture or rising damp, is one of the leading causes of floor failure. For this reason, F. Ball recommends undertaking a moisture test to determine subfloor moisture levels as part of any floorcovering installation. Where the relative humidity (RH) levels in the subfloor are above 75% (or 65% if wood floorcoverings are to be installed) some form of moisture management will be required to control the moisture in the subfloor and prevent it damaging the floorcoverings or even causing complete floor failure. Fortunately a number of timesaving options exist where a solution for damp is required.


Damp can be effectively controlled with the application of a waterproof surface membrane. Advanced products are now available 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.


Even quicker drying two-coat systems are also available. The first coat cures in 15-20 minutes, and a further 30 minutes curing time is required for the second coat, creating a barrier against residual construction moisture where the Relative Humidity value is up to 95%, in less than two hours.


CREATING A SMOOTH BASE Recent advances in cement technology have also enabled the development of levelling compounds with fast-track properties, without compromising on quality or finish.


Levelling compounds are now available that are walk-on hard from 30 minutes and allow textile and resilient floorcoverings to be installed from as little as 45 minutes after application. The same products are low-odour, easy to use, self-smoothing and can be applied at thicknesses of up to 10mm.


34 | SOCIAL HOUSING


Where old adhesive residues, such as bitumen and carpet tile tackifiers, are present after the removal of old floorcoverings, contractors can save time by using a levelling compound that has been specially formulated for use without the mechanical removal of old adhesive residues. One such product, Stopgap 1200 Pro from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., takes as little as 60 minutes to set and is ready to receive floorcoverings from as little as four hours. In most applications, including when it is applied over old adhesive residues, it is not essential to prime beforehand, saving further time.


LOW-HAZARD SOLUTIONS When it’s required to install flooring in social housing settings that remain open to tenants, contractors should be sure to select a low-odour adhesive to avoid any unpleasant smells that could cause irritation to residents.


Advances in adhesive technology mean that most adhesives are now formulated to be solvent-free and low odour. Contractors will find solvent-free, low odour adhesives, which are also fast-drying, for use with a wide variety of floorcoverings. These adhesives have been developed with a range of other specialist properties, including the ability to be applied over underfloor heating systems, on vertical surfaces and in areas subject to extreme temperature fluctuations.


www.f-ball.com


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