Page 96 - CFJ_Feb26

SECTOR FOCUS SMOOTHING COMPOUNDS

F Ball products ‘perform in Tallaght sports complex’

ECHNICAL advice and products from F compound over the entire 600sq m area of 2-5mm, it’s walk-on hard from 60
TBALL AND CO have reportedly helped to create a smooth base for other subfloor minutes and dry enough to receive
overcome subfloor preparation challenges preparation products. floorcoverings in as little as four hours.
and provide a surface that will stand up As well as being suitable for application Once the smoothing compound had
to years of expected wear in a sports over old adhesive residues, the product is cured and to complete a full F Ball system
complex in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland. moisture tolerant, meaning it can be used installation, NT Flooring installed Gerflor
After removing old vinyl flooring along to smooth rough or uneven subfloors prior Taraflex sports flooring using F Ball’s
with adhesive residues, contractors from to the application of a waterproof surface Styccobond F58 PLUS vinyl adhesive.
NT Flooring found a rough and uneven membrane, says the company. Says F Ball: ‘Its fast-drying formulation
concrete screed. F Ball’s Stopgap F77 one-part waterproof enables floorcoverings to be secured
A subsequent moisture test indicated surface membrane was then used to from just five minutes after application.
that excess subfloor moisture risked floor prevent excess subfloor moisture attacking It transitions from a wet-lay to a fully
failure without a moisture management floorcoverings and adhesives, potentially pressure-sensitive adhesive and includes
solution in place, and expansion joints causing complete floor failure. ‘The product reinforcing fibres that provide resistance
were also present in the base. to lateral movement when working. With
A waterproof surface membrane applied dries in as little as three hours to create an extended open time of around three
to a particularly rough or uneven surface a barrier against moisture values of up to hours when used as a pressure-sensitive
can pool in undulations on the surface, 98% RH with a single coat application. adhesive, it allows large areas to be
necessitating a greater quantity of product ‘Once dry, the surface was primed using covered in a single application without
to achieve full coverage, as well as an F Ball’s Stopgap P141, which is designed risking late placement of floorcoverings.
extended curing period. especially to promote the adhesion of ‘All preparation products and
Based on this assessment, F Ball’s smoothing compounds to non-absorbent floorcoverings were terminated on either
Ireland technical representative surfaces, including waterproof surface side of expansion joints and preformed
and detailed specification by F Ball membranes.’ joint or expansion joint cover installed.’ 
recommended the subfloor was first Adds the company: ‘Another layer of www.f-ball.co.uk
primed with the company’s Stopgap Stopgap 1200 would create a perfectly
P131 general-purpose primer before smooth base for the receipt of new Visit the BRAND LEADERS section on our
applying Stopgap 1200 smoothing floorcoverings. Applied at a thickness website to read more from F Ball and Co

Sports complex in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland

96 CFJ February 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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