Page 70 - CFJ_Apr26

ADVICE & INFORMATION

Jason Tatton

Heavy-duty solution

Using a real-life example on the best course of action for a particular flooring project,
Jason provides a heavy-duty solution for a heavy-duty environment

LOORS often have to contend with leaking from the freezers, or indeed if promote the application characteristics
Fhigh levels of foot traffic and heavy standing water was the cause of the high of levelling compounds when applied
loads while retaining their integrity and subfloor moisture reading. We therefore to non-absorbent surfaces, including
aesthetic appearance. In some areas, recommended a belt and braces waterproof surface membranes.
such as entranceways, a heavy-duty approach to ensuring the installation The remaining area of the floor could
installation may be required to withstand would be capable of withstanding be primed using F Ball’s Stopgap P131
other adverse conditions, including being expected conditions for many years to general-purpose primer.
subject to surface moisture. come. When the primers were dry,
This was the case where we were First, it would be necessary to remove contractors were advised to apply a
recently called to recommend steps for all existing floorcoverings, levelling minimum 3mm thickness of Stopgap
refurbishing floors at a cash and carry. compounds and adhesive residues from Green Bag levelling compound to
Assessment the subfloors, along with any other create a perfectly smooth base for
As the store was still in operation, only floorcoverings.
a limited inspection of the floor could Once cured, the fast-setting, low-
be carried out. However, the removal odour, protein-free levelling compound
of a few existing vinyl tiles revealed the has a high strength, making it suitable
subfloor was a concrete base with a
power float finish and had a total area of in areas subject to high foot traffic and
about 800sq m. The heavy-duty nature heavy, wheeled loads, such as the pallet
of the environment was evidenced by a trucks.
pallet truck in operation at the time of Adhesive recommendation
our visit. Given the possibility of the flooring being
In the right half of the store, there were affected by water from the freezers, we
signs of multiple floor failures that had advised installing new floorcoverings
been temporarily repaired. It looked like using F Ball’s Styccobond F73 PLUS
large freezers that were leaking could be heavy-duty adhesive, providing it’s
causing issues. Fixed stanchions were listed as compatible with the chosen
located at each corner of the freezers. floorcoverings in the Recommended
Moisture tests undertaken using Adhesives Guide (RAG).
a digital hygrometer indicated that surface contaminants/treatments that The solvent-free, moisture-curing
subfloor relative humidity levels were may impair adhesion. This could be adhesive delivers the high bond strength
92% in this area. In accordance with achieved by mechanical means, such
BS8203 Code of practice for installation as shot blasting, leaving a clean, static, required to hold in place a wide range
of resilient floor coverings, floorcoverings micro-textured finish. Any dust and of textile and resilient floorcoverings,
should not be installed where a moisture debris would also need to be vacuumed including rubber, vinyl, linoleum and
test gives a relative humidity reading away. synthetic grass, in areas that will be
of more than 75% without a moisture Application subject to heavy loads and high foot
management solution in place. A single coat of Stopgap F77 waterproof traffic, as well as surface water.
The left half of the store was created surface membrane could then be applied Once cured, it is resistant to water, oil
as an extension of the original building to the half of the floor where excess and grease. Where movement joints are
20 years ago. The floors were separated subfloor moisture was detected to located within the base, all preparation
by an expansion joint. A small section of create a barrier between the subfloor products and floorcoverings would
flooring was removed in this half of the and the flooring installation. The product need to be terminated either side of the
building to reveal that adhesives were should be applied using a 1.5mm x 5mm joint and a proprietary movement joint
unaffected by moisture. Again, large v-notched trowel, before rolling with a capping strip installed. If the stanchions
freezers were situated in the area, with pre-coated roller to achieve a continuous were to be re-installed then these would
fixed stanchions at the corners. pinhole-free finish. have to be sealed where fixed to the
First steps Once the waterproof surface floor to prevent an ingress of water. 
Based on the available information, membrane had cured, it was 01538 361633
it couldn’t be determined for certain recommended that the surface was www.f-ball.co.uk
whether floor failure was being caused primed using F Ball’s Stopgap P141 Jason Tatton is a technical service officer
by excess subfloor moisture or water primer, which is specially designed to at F Ball and Co

70 CFJ April 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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