Interiors; Groundworks
significant reductions in drying times, the result of advancements in cement technology. Nowadays, the fastest setting levelling compound on the market is walk-on hard from 30 minutes and allows textile and resilient floor coverings to be installed from as little as 45 minutes aſter application. Self-levelling properties also make them easy to apply, with minimal trowel work. Where flooring installations are part of a refurbishment and old adhesive
residues, such as bitumen and carpet tile tackifiers, are present aſter the removal of old floorcoverings, contractors can save time by using a levelling compound that has been specially formulated for use over old adhesive residues. Tis eliminates the need for mechanical preparation. When used in these situations, it is not essential to prime the subfloor before the application of this levelling compound, saving further time. It also means contractors can use the same product in situations where newly installed subfloors and areas with old adhesive residues present are next to each other.
ADHESIVE SELECTION Once the levelling compound has cured, the contractor can then select a suitably fast-working adhesive to install appropriate floorcoverings. Te choice of adhesive will oſten be determined foremost by what type of floor coverings are to be installed and where, but there are options for when timesaving is a priority. Innovations in adhesive technology have also enabled the development of
hybrid temperature tolerant pressure sensitive vinyl floorcoverings, which can be used to install vertical flooring accessories, such as skirting, capping and coving, providing an alternative to contact adhesives. Tis will save contractors time where vinyl floor coverings are taken up the wall, such as in wetrooms.
LOW-HAZARD SOLUTIONS When it is required to install flooring in social housing settings that remain open to tenants, contractors should be sure to select a low odour product 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 that are also fast-drying, for use with a wide variety of floorcoverings. Tese adhesives have been developed with a range of other specialist properties, including the ability to be applied over under floor heating systems, on vertical surfaces and in areas subject to extreme temperature fluctuations.
CHECKING COMPATIBILITY To prevent a substandard finish or even complete floor failure, contractors should always ensure that adhesives are compatible with the chosen floorcoverings. To do this, they can consult the floorcovering manufacturer’s instructions. F. Ball offers a Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG®) which lists adhesives
recommended for use with over 6,000 floorcoverings, produced by over 200 manufacturers. A continually updated version of which is available on the website and as a free app.
Neil Sanders is technical director at F. Ball and Co. Ltd
Floors & Floor Coverings Feature
42 | HMMJune/July 2022 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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
