WHEN working over retrofit electrical wired or water-fed underfloor heating systems that are increasingly installed over subfloors as part of newbuild or refurbishment projects, it’s advisable to allow between 10-35mm of a specialist smoothing compound above the pipes (less for electrical wired systems), depending on the type of system being installed and the manufacturer’s instructions.

This has led F BALL and Co to launch Stopgap 1600, described by the company as a new fast-drying, fibre-reinforced smoothing compound that is formulated especially to encapsulate underfloor heating systems.

Says F Ball: ‘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.

‘It can be applied between 3-40mm thick installed over internal subfloors in domestic and commercial environments, and is walk-on hard from three hours after application and ready to receive floorcoverings in as little as 12 hours.’

Wide-ranging compatibility
The company continues: ‘F Ball smoothing compounds and adhesives are suitable for application over underfloor heating systems contained in a screeded subfloor. It’s just recommended that systems are turned off 48 hours before the installation of floorcoverings, during and 48 hours after.

For more advice on working over underfloor heating and what products to use in particular situations, F Ball’s technical service department are on hand during normal working hours to answer your questions.’
www.f-ball.co.uk