How To Achieve The Best Results During Installation Of Your Altro Resin Flooring
Notes for the assistance of customers and main-contractor site agents
The finished quality of resin flooring may be adversely affected by site conditions or certain actions before, during or after installation; however, the following guidance notes may help to avoid the most common errors, which in turn should help toward a successful hand-over.
Site conditions
Resin surfaces may suffer detrimental effects from air-born dust, premature contact with moisture (or moisture vapour), insufficient ventilation or incorrect temperatures.
It is essential that the site is fully enclosed and weather-tight to prevent ingress of wind-blown dust or moisture; this may include the closure of temporary gaps during construction. You should also be aware that other trades working near or above the designated area may create dust/debris which come into contact with the uncured surface of the resin.
Footprints in wet resin are a frequent but avoidable problem. Ensure that areas in which resins are to be installed are clearly marked and if necessary, suitable barricades should be erected to prevent unauthorised entry.
Good lighting on site is essential to ensure a satisfactory end result. Adequate ventilation is also important to assist with the cure of resin products and fumes from some heavily-solvented products may reach and affect people working in adjacent areas. A particular benefit of Altro resins is that there are very few solvented products within the Altro range
Temperature is extremely important. The application characteristics of Epoxy and Polyurethane resins and the rate at which they cure, will be determined by the temperature of the sub-floor, the temperature at which the resins have been stored prior to application and that at which the site is maintained post-application. Portable gas-heaters are not suitable for areas where resin is being installed, as they produce additional moisture vapour. However, fixed oil-fired convecting heaters or radiant electric heaters are generally suitable. Under-floor heating must be cycled to full temperature before installation of the resin and then temporarily switched off, see reference to BS8204 below.
Despite initial cure to walk-on conditions, some epoxy and polyurethane resins may take up to seven days to reach full chemical-cure, based on a constant site temperature of 20˚C. This period may be reduced by elevated temperatures but can be greatly extended by low temperatures. It is important to note that the acquisition of full chemical-cure may be inhibited or arrested by temperatures below 10˚C and condensation at this temperature may cause a whitening of the surface later, when it is first washed.
Localised areas may be affected by a decrease in the insulative properties of the building’s outer skin, such as cold doorways, windows, temporary shuttering or perhaps by a change in the depth or design of the subfloor.
Substrates
Concrete and other cementitious subfloors form a significant thermal mass and can require several days for their temperature to adjust to a rise or fall in air temperature.
It is advisable to warm a concrete substrate for several days or weeks prior to application of a resin surface. The installing contractor will advise if heating is beneficial during the installation, but maintenance of good site temperature for 7 days (or more) after installation will help to ensure that the resin reaches full chemical cure.
BS8204 requires that underfloor heating has been operational and then switched-off before the installation of a floor finish. This is important to identify any resultant stress fractures in the screed and also to ensure that the screed or concrete above the heating has dried. Surface-applied damp-proof treatments should not be necessary and should only be used with guidance and caution over UFH.
Preparation of the substrate and correct selection of the resin finish are both critical for long-term durability. There are many facets to such guidance, so please contact Altro Resin Technical Services for further information on your particular situation.
Calcium Sulphate, Anhydrite or Hemi-hydrite screeds are not considered by Altro or FeRFA as suitable to receive a resin topping.
For further guidance on the procedures for underfloor heating, or the construction of timber subfloors, please request written details from Altro.
Protection of the finish
Altro offer guidance on the choice of protection, as the use of inappropriate protective materials may cause discolouration of the resin floor finish whilst it undergoes the later stages of cure. As a quick guide, Altro suggest the use of Correx by Cordek Ltd, tel 01403 799601. This must be laid with printed sides uppermost and joints taped.
Adhesive film carpet protection, polyethylene or similar plastic film/sheeting should not be used as this may cause a surface bloom on the resin finish. Hardboard often contains linseed oil, which can leech into the surface of the resin whilst it is undergoing its final cure. Coloured cardboard or printed surfaces may also allow transfer of colour into the surface of the resin.
Protection should not be placed onto the resin surface any earlier than 48 hours after installation (longer if installed in temperatures below 20˚C).
In the event of a spillage while the resin is curing, remove any protective covering, remove the liquid quickly and call your installing contractor and/or Altro for further advice. As mentioned, premature contact with liquids (even water) may affect the appearance or inhibit the normal full cure of a resin finish, even if this does present immediate symptoms. Under some circumstances the effect - known as surface bloom or blush - can be rectified or improved. Moisture or spillages trapped between the protection and the resin surface may cause cosmetic imperfections.
Thank you for choosing Altro resin products, we hope that these notes help, please do not hesitate to contact us if we can offer any further guidance. Tel 01300 320620.
This article was written by Kevin Cook.