F Ball & Co Ltd
Address: Churchnetside Business Park, Station Road, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 7RS
Tel: 01538 361633
Fax: 01538 361622
F.Ball and Co advise on damaged floor covering.

When Florstor of Cambridge were tasked with replacing an existing floor covering which had blown and lifted due to moisture in the concrete floor, immediate advice was sought from F.Ball and Co.
At the site, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club in Newmarket Racecourse, an F.Ball technical representative recommended applying Stopgap 900 DPM-Prep which is specifically designed to be laid directly onto damp and uneven concrete.
Enquiry number: 01250

Rapid flooring in half a day

F.Ball and Co was able to complete installation of floorcovering in a hospital x-ray department in near record time of just half a day.
The installation at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley was carried out by Base Flooring Solutions using F.Ball and Co's Stopgap 100 ultra rapid-drying floor smoothing underlayment.
Base Flooring said it chose both the Stopgap 300 heavy-duty underlayment and the Stopgap 100 Rapid to ensure speed of working. Base Flooring's John Gavin said: "The fact that the contract was finished on time is largely due to the use of F.Ball's quick drying screeds." The products are now being specified in the Hospital Departments specifications that it sends out.
Enquiry number: 12218

Stopgap 600 Base

Faced with some 3,000mē of rough concrete floor to prepare for floor laying, Sheldon Interiors Ltd opted for the speed and cost-effectiveness of Stopgap 600 Base, a deep section compound from F.Ball and Co.
The area concerned, which was over three floors in a research laboratory in West London, was prepared and primed before the application to an average depth of 10 -12 mm.
"Anything else would have to have been applied much thicker," says Sheldon's Len Webb. "We completed the area in a week, just what was required."
Stopgap 600 is a base compound designed for use where floor levels need to be raised quickly. It can then be capped with Stopgap smoothing underlayments.
Enquiry number: 11246

Subfloor heating gets easy

Measuring the percentage relative humidity of a subfloor has been made easier by a new digital hygrometer now available from F. Ball and Co.
Requiring no elaborate preparation and calibration, the new hygrometer is supplied pre-calibrated and ready for immediate use. It comprises a foam insulating box with a digital measuring device and is simply taped to the floor, left for the appropriate period to reach equilibrium and then switched on for an instant, accurate reading.
This clearly indicates the relative humidity of the floor and identifies the required remedial treatment - Stopgap F76 one-coat waterproof surface membrane for relative humidity up to 92% or Stopgap F75 two-coat waterproof surface membrane for relative humidity up to 98%.
Enquiry number: 11250

Subfllor moisture detected and measured

Concerned that the subfloor in an office refurbishment project in Nuneaton might contain excessive moisture, the moisture measurement specialist F Ball & Co was called in.
Using its new Protimeter Aquant, the Leek, Staffordshire-based company quickly established further examination was required. The hand-held meter was simply bought into contact with the floor and its dual displays indicated that a high level of potential moisture was present in the floor.
F Ball's latest digital hygrometer was then used to precisely measure the relatively humidity of the subfloor. Supplied pre-calibrated and ready for use, the hygrometer was simply taped to the floor, left to reach equilibrium, and then switched on to give an instant, accurate reading.
With a RH reading in excess of 92%, a two-coat remedial treatment was recommended and subsequently carried out.
Enquiry number: 10253

Subfllor moisture detected and measured

Concerned that the subfloor in an office refurbishment project in Nuneaton might contain excessive moisture, the moisture measurement specialist F Ball & Co was called in.
Using its new Protimeter Aquant, the Leek, Staffordshire-based company quickly established further examination was required. The hand-held meter was simply bought into contact with the floor and its dual displays indicated that a high level of potential moisture was present in the floor.
F Ball's latest digital hygrometer was then used to precisely measure the relatively humidity of the subfloor. Supplied pre-calibrated and ready for use, the hygrometer was simply taped to the floor, left to reach equilibrium, and then switched on to give an instant, accurate reading.
With a RH reading in excess of 92%, a two-coat remedial treatment was recommended and subsequently carried out.
Enquiry number: 10253

Special underlayment overcomes damp

Stopgap 900 DPM-Prep special purpose underlayment from F Ball has been used to help overcome the problem of damp floors at the Seafield Hospital in Buckie, Aberdeenshire. Carpet was replaced with a vinyl floor covering through out all main corridors and a large dining room.
However, the concrete sub-floors had high levels of residual moisture which required the application of Stopgap F75 waterproof surface membrane. Before its application, the subfloor had to be made level and this was achieved with the use of Stopgap 900 DPM-Prep. Walk-on hardness took just 90 minutes.
Enquiry number: 09347

Special underlayment overcomes damp

Stopgap 900 DPM-Prep special purpose underlayment from F Ball has been used to help overcome the problem of damp floors at the Seafield Hospital in Buckie, Aberdeenshire. Carpet was replaced with a vinyl floor covering through out all main corridors and a large dining room.
However, the concrete sub-floors had high levels of residual moisture which required the application of Stopgap F75 waterproof surface membrane. Before its application, the subfloor had to be made level and this was achieved with the use of Stopgap 900 DPM-Prep. Walk-on hardness took just 90 minutes.
Enquiry number: 09347

Stopgap 600 Base compound chosen for London hotel

For rapidly repairing a staircase in a London hotel, F. Ball deep section, fast drying Stopgap 600 Base compound was chosen. This product can be applied from 5mm to 50mm thick to restore floor levels, drying in as little as three hours. Dimensionally stable with high compressive strength, it is designed for use under Stopgap 100, 200 and 300 smoothing underlayments.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Quickly laid floor

In order to speed up installation by laying concrete subfloors which dry quickly, F.Ball's Stopgap Isolator system was installed at Carlisle College.
Some 1269m of floorcoverings were installed on the first phase of the rebuilding programme. The Stopgap Isolator membrane was loose laid directly onto the concrete subfloor with nodules on the underside enabling any water vapour to ventilate into dry walls. Stopgap Isolator jointing tape was used along the seams of the membrane to ensure stability to the installation.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Underlayment

Said to be a first for the UK concrete flooring market, F. Ball and Co have launched the Stopgap 1050 Lite. The product is a self-smoothing underlyament that is, the company says, significantly lighter than standard smoothing underlayments.
The product was developed to meet the need for 'bespoke products that make the job easier'.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Carpet centre floored

Following the discovery of sub floor moisture at a refurbishment project in Reading, Erith Carpet Centre. The company utilised F. Ball & Co's Stopgap F75 waterproof service membrane at the Co-op store.
The F75 was used in conjunction with Stopgap Accelerator to reduce curing time to just three hours. Armstrong's Imperial vinyl backed composite floor tiles were then secured with Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive acrylic. The work needed to be completed in just one night.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Flooring compound

A two component acrylic floor smoothing compound has been launched by F.Ball. The Stopgap 900 dpm-prep is designed for use under Stopgap F75 or F76 waterproof surface membranes. It can be laid from 3mm to 20mm thick and is low odour and protein-free, making it suitable for use in biologically sensitive areas.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Filling the gap

Underlayments and floor finishing compounds from F.Ball's Stopgap range have been extended with the addition of Stopgap 800 Wearcoat.
A self-levelling compound, it is designed for use where decorative floorings are not required. Grey in colour with a high compressive strength, it has abrasion and slip resistant properties.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Golfing adhesive

Installed of seagrass and sisal carpeting at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake was achieved with the use of Styccobond F3 flooring adhesive by F. Ball. Compatible with most floorcoverings, the adhesive provides good wet grab and is non-flammable, protected against biodegradation, and can be used over underfloor heating installations.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Instant installation

To facilitate a speedy installation, a Bournemouth Hospital has used fast track products from F Ball to quickly create a new floor.
After removal of the existing floorcovering, one coat Stopgap F76 waterproof surface membrane was applied to which Stopgap Accelerator was added to reduce curing time to three hours. Stopgap 100 Rapid ultra fast drying floor smoothing underlaymen was then applied to the membrane without the need for a primer. The vinyl floorcovering was applied using Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive for bond strength.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Lesson learnt in adhesives

Installation of a flooring system at Christ Church School in Frome has been achieved using products from F. Ball.
Subfloors were first prepared by applying Stopgap P131 neoprimer, followed by Stopgap Green Bag fast setting smoothing underlayment. Carpeting was installed in the entrance area using Styccobond F3, in the classrooms with Styccobond F44 Acrylic Flooring Adhesive, and wet rooms with Styccobond F74 which is resistant to water, grease and oil once cured.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Serving up stability

Securing a vinyl floorcovering in a restaurant, which was subject to high temperature gain from floor-to-ceiling glazing, has been successfully achieved using F.Ball's Styccobond F48 High Temperature Grade Vinyl Adhesive.
Subfloor preparation comprised the application of Stopgap Green Bag floor smoothing underlayment mixed with Stopgap 114 latex. Styccobond F48, developed to provide a high resistance to heat and pvc plasticisers, was used to secure the vinyl plank. Its dimensional stability reduces the potential for movement subject to temperature variations.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Helping prevent the flow

As a quick alternative to pinned down battens, the new Barrier Foam from F.Ball is designed to prevent the flow of smoothing underlayments into unwanted areas such as doorways. It can also be used to form day joints on larger scale installations where screeding is completed over a number of days.
The product comprises of strips of self-adhesive foam that are available in two sizes - 15mm by 15mm and 30mm by 30mm. Both of the different sizes are available in 1m lengths that can be trimmed accordingly to fit into a specifically sized area.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Filling the gap

Two additions have extended F.Ball's range of subfloor preparation products. Stopgap 600 is a base compound designed for use under smoothing underlayments, where thicker applications are required when upgrading and renovating new and existing internal floors. Stopgap 700 is a fibre-reinforced smoothing underlayment with self-levelling properties for use over plywood subfloors.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Taking charge of adhesion

As part of an extensive refurbishment scheme at Whiteley Electronics in Portsmouth, F Ball's Styccobond F57 was utilised.
When the old floorcovering was removed, a subfloor in poor condition was discovered. Mechanical scabbling was required with repair work before screeding. This involved the application of the company's Stopgap P131 neoprene primer followed by Stopgap 200 acrylic self-smoothing underlayment in thicknesses from 5 to10mm.
Polyflor 2000 SD heavy contract flexible vinyl sheet with static dissipative properties for the control of electrostatic discharge was then installed using Styccobond F57, a fibre-filled conductive acrylic adhesive. The product offers high bond strength and strong initial tack.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Historic cover

Utilised at the National History Museum, F. Ball's Stopgap Isolator Membrane ensures that solid oak flooring could be retained underneath a new vinyl floorcovering. A loose lay system, it acts as a barrier over existing floor surfaces which need to be protected. Isolator adhesive was applied onto pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive which still allows the covering to be lifted if required.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Levelling the building centre

Floor levelling in refurbishment at The Building Centre in London was achieved using F.Ball's Stopgap 600 deep section base compound and 700 flexible smoothing underlayment.Stopgap 600 is rapid drying and has high compressive strength for thicker 5mm to 50mm applications. Stopgap 700 was used as a skim coat, and is a rapid dry, fibre-reinforced smoothing underlayment with self-levelling properties.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
A medical solution

Some 700m? of F.Ball floor preparation products and adhesives have been used for the refurbishment of various areas at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Solvent-free and with a permanently tacky formulation, Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive secured vinyl floorcoverings. It also provides an increased pressure sensitive bond in heavy trafficked areas.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Smoothing out

Requiring damp proofing and levelling products for a scabbled slab, the contractors for a unit in Haringey used products from F.Ball. The floor was primed with Styccobond S931 sprayable primer and then Stopgap products were applied to level and waterproof the surface.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.

Styccobond adhesives from F. Ball have made an appearance in a 1930s art deco cinema in Berkhamsted as part of its refurbishment. In readiness for floorlaying, areas of the Rex Cinema were screeded with the company's Stopgap Green Bag which was mixed with Stopgap 128 latex liquid. Hessian-backed carpet was then secured with Styccobond F3.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.

Developed for fast track situations, F. Ball's new Stopgap 100 fast drying smoothing underlayment allows floors to be installed within as little as three hours, the company claims. It can be hand or pump applied, requiring no primer when used with Stopgap F75 or Stopgap F76 waterproof surface membranes. The water mixed underlayment is low odour and is suitable for biologically sensitive areas.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Time saving membrane

By using the Stopgap Isolator membrane from F Ball & Co., Wards Flooring Centre was able to complete a flooring installation in 1
1/
2 days instead of the 4-5 days required by traditional methods. Used in the redevelopment of St. Anselm?s church hall in Harrow, Middlesex, the work required a new sand/cement screed to replace the existing damp subfloor. However, the low winter temperatures meant an extended drying-out period. The solution to this problem was the loose lay, impervious Isolator membrane, which has nodules on the underside creating an airspace for the ventilation of water into a dry wall or ventilated skirting. This was used in conjunction with the new-introduced Isolator jointing tape - a thin metallised tape used to hold the membrane in place to provide extra stability to the installation as well as additional protection.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Roundabout method of flooring

With a damp subfloor to be treated and vinyl floor covering to be installed, Pickard Interiors specified F. Ball and Co?s fast track systems, incorporating the new fast drying Stopgap 100 smoothing underlayment. The company?s Stopgap Accelerator and Stopgap F75 waterproof membrane were applied to some 400m
2 of the Roundabout Centre in Oxfordshire.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.
Flooring performs in the wet

Designed for fast track flooring installations, the Stopgap Isolator Membrane from F. Ball has been used to reduce the floor covering installation time at a new outpatients department at Warwick Hospital. Faced with a damp subfloor following the laying of a new screed, and under pressure to keep the job running, flooring contractors Dunnes Carpets chose the loose-lay Isolator membrane as it facilitated immediate installation of sheet floor coverings. Some 500m² of linoleum was fitted during the project in time to meet the hospital?s tight deadline. The Isolator membrane can be laid on the damp sub-floor as it has nodules on the underside, creating space for air and moisture to circulate. With the damp safely isolated, the anti-bacterial linoleum could then be bonded to the membrane using Styccobond F84 epoxy flooring adhesive. Water resistant when cured, F84 was applied across the 2m wide drops of Isolator. The floating floor was successfully installed with no evidence of bubbling.

This product appeared in Building Products more than 12 months ago. Please contact F Ball & Co Ltd directly for further details.