Case study: Tallaght Sports Complex
Technical advice and products from F. Ball have helped to overcome subfloor preparation challenges and provide a surface that will stand up to years of expected wear in a sports complex in Tallaght, Dublin.
After removing old vinyl flooring along with adhesive residues, contractors from MT Flooring found a rough and uneven concrete screed. A subsequent moisture test indicated that excess subfloor moisture risked floor failure without a moisture management solution in place, and expansion joints were also present in the base.
A waterproof surface membrane applied to a particularly rough or uneven surface can pool in undulations on the surface, necessitating a greater quantity of product to achieve full coverage, as well as an extended curing period.
Based on this assessment, F. Ball’s regional technical representative recommended that the subfloor was first primed with the company’s Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer before applying Stopgap 1200 smoothing compound over the entire 600m2 area to create a smooth base for other subfloor preparation products.
As well as being suitable for application over old adhesive residues, the product is moisture tolerant, meaning that it can be used to smooth rough or uneven subfloors prior to the application of a waterproof surface membrane.
F. Ball’s Stopgap F77 one-part waterproof surface membrane was then used to prevent excess subfloor moisture attacking floorcoverings and adhesives, potentially causing complete floor failure. The product dries in as little as three hours to create a barrier against moisture values of up to 98% RH with a single coat application.
Once dry, the surface was primed using F. Ball’s Stopgap P141, which is designed especially to promote the adhesion of smoothing compounds to non-absorbent surfaces, including waterproof surface membranes. Another layer of Stopgap 1200 would create a perfectly smooth base for the receipt of new floorcoverings. Applied at a thickness of 2-5mm, it is walk-on hard from 60 minutes and dry enough to receive floorcoverings in as little as four hours.
Once the smoothing compound had cured, contractors installed Gerflor Taraflex sports flooring using F. Ball’s Styccobond F58 PLUS vinyl adhesive.
Its fast-drying formulation enables floorcoverings to be secured from just five minutes after application. It transitions from a wet-lay to a fully pressure-sensitive adhesive and includes reinforcing fibres that provide resistance to lateral movement when working. With an extended open time of around three hours when used as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, it allows large areas to be covered in a single application without risking late placement of floorcoverings.
All preparation products and floorcoverings were terminated on either side of expansion joints and preformed joint or expansion joint cover installed.