Product focus: Stopgap 1600

We take a closer look at F. Ball’s recently launched smoothing compound for encapsulating underfloor heating.

What is it?

A fast-drying, fibre-reinforced smoothing compound that is formulated especially for use over underfloor heating systems prior to the installation of floorcoverings.

Where is it used?

Stopgap 1600 can be applied between 3 – 40mm thick to encapsulate electrical wired or water-fed underflooring heating and cooling systems installed over internal subfloors in both domestic and commercial environments.

The product is suitable for use over a wide range of absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including sand/cement screed, tile backer boards, concrete, plywood, granolithic, terrazzo, epoxy and polyurethane resins, ceramic and quarry tiles, as well as Stopgap waterproof surface membranes.

What’s different about it?

The cement content of the product is reduced to minimise the capacity for thermal expansion and contraction, which can cause cracks in standard smoothing compounds applied at too great a thickness. This means the water content of the mix can also be decreased, helping to limit the flow of the product and minimise the separation of components.

Stopgap 1600 is reinforced with tiny fibres that maintain the integrity of the smoothing compound and prevent cracks from forming as a result of subfloor movement.

Furthermore, the product cures to chemically bind all remaining water in the mixture, eliminating the need to wait for all of the water to evaporate naturally. This dramatically decreases the drying time. It is walk-on hard from three hours after application and ready to receive floorcoverings in as little as 12 hours. To save further time, it can be pump applied up to 900m² per day, dependent upon manpower, thickness applied and equipment used.

Something you might not know about the product:

Its low-odour, protein-free formulation allows it to be used in biologically sensitive areas whilst adjacent areas remain open.

 

Find out more about Stopgap 1600 here.