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Cement Technology Advances Boost Speed
Stuart Whiteley on deep base levelling compounds I discussed fast-track subfloor preparation solutions in the January issue of CFJ. This month I will explain the importance and significant advantages in the development and specification of deep base levelling compounds. There are various environments and settings in which a new or existing floor may need to be raised before it is ready to receive a new floorcovering. This can often be the case in conservatory or extension projects where a new floor has to be at the same level as the...
read moreHave I Got Noise For You
Sid Bourne solves the mystery of a squeaking floor A MAJOR building company called me in to investigate following a complaint that popping and crackling sounds were coming from a new solid wood floor in a large penthouse suite. The solid oak was installed unfinished with the finish to be stained after the consumer had made a choice. The contractor in question had already replaced part of the floor after the sand & finish guys had gone in and decided not to proceed after the floor began grumbling. The noise started immediately...
read moreNo Quick Fixes
Danielle Ashton of Altro explains how refurbishment projects can be a great time to learn from past mistakes: THERE are many reasons for refurbishment, but sometimes it happens only because someone didn’t get it right previously. With flooring, this can happen if you choose the wrong product for your needs, or get drawn into a quick fix but turns out to be anything but. Here are some key aspects to consider in your safety flooring choices to avoid mistakes. I Performance: With ever-more stringent health and safety regulations,...
read moreChoosing A Trim
Lynette Bowden, marketing product manager for Gradus Accessories, examines the issues contractors face when selecting floor trims and gives guidance on creating attractive, safe and accessible environments and reduce costly call-backs: THE decline in new build, particularly in healthcare and education, means that refurbishment is increasing, and on many smaller scale contracts the flooring specification, including the floor trims, is increasingly being handed to the contractors. This burdens the contractor with the risks of...
read moreChange For The Better
A variety of flooring materials can be specified for refurbishment: Ardex hasforover40years produced the Arditex range of latex levelling and smoothing compounds, reportedly offering flooring contractors application and performance benefits to help minimise installation risks. By reducing the need for intensive preparation, and priming, Arditex NA is designed to save contractors both time and money. Its established versatility and advanced site tolerance are said to mean a reduction in preparation machinery hire, lost time and...
read moreLeading Edges
Profiles and trims can be a vital part of any flooring project: Atkinson & Kirby manufactures quality floor profiles, trims and accessories at its Lancashire factory. The company produces a range of profiles and trims designed to create a seamless finish enhancing the inherent beauty of wooden floors with products suitable for doorways, fire places or radiator pipes. Available in various lengths and species, the profiles can be unfinished, pre-finished in UV Lacquer using state of the art finishing machinery, or finished by hand to match...
read moreWinning Floors
Sports flooring faces additional demands: Flowcrete UK saysits FlowSport flooring system delivers a flexible composite surface, geared up to the needs of sporting environments. Designed for areas including gymnasiums and indoor sports venues, 60% of FlowSport’s composition is based on recycled vehicle tyres. When applied over a suitable base, FlowSport is said to provide a resilient, uniform, seamless and durable finish, which is hard- wearing, and both abrasion and impact resistant. The product is also claimed to...
read moreDry Certificates Can Be Almost Worthless
John Roberts on floorlaying in previously flooded premises IN RECENT months we have had severe flooding across the UK that has caused a considerable amount of stress for home and commercial owners and their properties. No doubt the insurance companies have been inundated with claims. Normally insurance companies send an assessor followed by a company to dry out the property, eventually issuing a Dry certificate. My experience of dry certificates is that they are almost worthless to the floorcovering installer as somewhere in...
read moreRough & Smooth Of Wood Sanding
Terry Guilford on providing wood sanding as a business IN the current economic climate every savvy person is considering how best to grow their business and most cleaning professionals understand the need to identify the clients who can afford their services and maximise the return from those clients. The ‘complete floor care company’ is not a new concept, but one that is difficult for customers to understand and therefore not easy to market successfully. But with database marketing that is now more achievable. For those of...
read moreHygrometer Refutes Installer’s Guesses
John Alcock on monitoring moisure and surface laitance A RECENT support job dealt with by my Bostik colleague James Rosher highlighted the importance of carefully monitoring moisture during flooring work. This might seem like second nature to many CFJ readers, but you may well be surprised at the number of calls we receive over this kind of mistake. James was called to a site to inspect the bubbling of some vinyl floorcoverings in a bathroom area. The subfloor was a standard anhydrite screed laid about three months...
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