Products from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., including the company’s Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound and F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive, have been used to install floorcoverings at a new £18m entertainment complex at the White Horse leisure park, in Selsey, West Sussex.
As part of extensive work undertaken throughout the new development, a range of floorcoverings were installed in a new private members bar and restaurant, function room, adjoining kitchens and bathrooms, and showers and changing rooms. The work was carried out by contractors from Sovereign Flooring, which has locations in Bognor Regis and Hayling Island.
In all areas, contractors began by making sure that newly-installed concrete screeds were suitably sound and smooth, using hand tools to remove loose materials and debris.
A moisture test conducted by an F. Ball technical representative indicated that subfloor relative humidity (RH) levels were higher than the maximum 75% threshold for floorcoverings to be installed without a moisture management solution in place. If left untreated, the subfloor moisture would likely cause damage to floorcoverings and adhesives, which could result in complete floor failure.
F. Ball’s Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane was therefore applied where vinyl floorcoverings were to be installed. A solvent-free, two-part epoxy resin system, Stopgap F77 cures in as little as three hours to create a barrier against excess subfloor moisture where relative humidity levels are up to 98% with a single application.
In the upstairs private members bar, function room, changing rooms and shower rooms, F. Ball’s Stopgap 1200 Pro high-performance levelling compound was applied to create a perfectly smooth base for the receipt of vinyl floorcoverings. It was also used to patch-fill areas where carpet was to be fitted in the private members bar, function room and corridors.
Stopgap 1200 Pro is a low odour, fast-setting, fast-drying, two-component levelling compound that is suitable for preparing sound internal subfloors prior to the installation of new floorcoverings. It offers the benefit of being suitable for use over old adhesive residues (including bitumen and carpet tile tackifiers), in which case there is no need to prime beforehand.
In the wet rooms, F. Ball’s Stopgap 400 Repair was used to create an incline to ensure adequate drainage. A fast-setting, rapid-drying repair compound for filling cracks and holes internal subfloors prior to the application of Stopgap levelling compounds, the product is also suitable for repairing stairs and steps, as well as forming ramps and falls.
Contractors then used F. Ball’s Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive to install a combination of luxury vinyl tiles and safety flooring.
Polyflor Expona Endgrain vinyl planks, which create the appearance of wood blocks, were used in the area in front of the bars in both the private members bar and function room. Safety flooring was installed in the areas behind the bars, kitchens and bathrooms, shower rooms and changing rooms.
In the wet rooms, Polyflor flexible PVC sit-on skirting was installed using Styccobond F60 contact adhesive, seams between sheet floorcoverings were welded to prevent water ingress, and seals were formed where floorcoverings meet drains and skirting.
The pressure sensitive nature of Styccobond F46 makes it ideal for installing LVTs. It provides a high bond strength, which increases as it is trafficked, and a strong initial tack, meaning that tiles or planks will not move around once positioned by contractors. The adhesives dries to a permanently tacky film which eradicates the risk of late placement and makes it ideal for more complex designs or patterns.
