"cracks"

An old block of apartments in Gt. Yarmouth getting a low carbon Retrofit for a higher, cleaner living standard and reduced energy bills. Passive Purple has been used externally on this huge scale block of apartments. with no margin for error and tricky details throughout, a liquid applied airtight membrane was the only way going forward. The building was being insulated externally and getting a whole new façade from render to aluminium panels. With the residents still inhabiting the building this had to be done quickly and easily with maximum results. Being a liquid applied airtight membrane, any cracks, gaps, and service penetration leaks in the existing building fabric quickly became thing of the past. That and the hundreds of Panel brackets being installed to support the new façade going on, this Retrofit had multiple penetrations and tricky details. Making good of the building fabric and awkward brackets with a near on impenetrable adhesion, Passive Purple made fast work of this great conversion, impossible for any other method. Being in liquid state on application, Passive Purple can be applied onto most/any surface (See data sheets for more information) and will find its way into all the unseeable tiny gaps and cracks all buildings will undoubtably have. Like this old pebble dashed façade, any rough, uneven and awkward areas are no longer an issue, our products simply flow into these areas. We also have the fibre reinforced Passive Purple brush, used on this job to prepare the brackets by filling the larger gaps between that of the bracket and the existing wall and also the large penetrating bolts. A huge win and demonstration of the power of liquid products by Intelligent Membranes.

OverviewCryfield Village, Warwick University, is a state-of-the-art student accommodation development, replacing outdated residences. Built as a series of townhouse-style apartments and studios, the village will eventually house around 830 residents. The new residences are fitted with photovoltaic panels that convert the sun's energy to electricity, supporting the University's aim to reach net zero carbon by 2030. The designers were keen to make a statement with the village properties and to impart a warm and welcoming feeling for the first year students.The SolutionWithin our “Collections” we have a number of terracotta-coloured finishes. The client particularly liked the tones and texture of ‘Cracked Clay’ from our Evolution range, and the 25 year guarantee for gloss, colour and adhesion was an important consideration. As do all our powders, Cracked Clay meets the Reaction to Fire Standards for fire classification A2-s1,d0, suitable for use on multi-storey residential buildings.We coated 900 m2 of aluminium cassette panels for the façade and roof of the phase 1 property which will house around 383 first year students. .The appealing, warm and eye-catching finish is (we think) a marked improvement on the existing building as one of these images shows.Benefits of Using PowdertechPowdertech has over 30 years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatingColour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.The Evolution range has a 25 year guarantee for gloss, colour and adhesion.Powdertech's rigorous pre-treatment system will help to keep the panelling free from corrosion for up to 40-years.Powdertech’s flexible plant can coat a wide variety of shapes and sizes of architectural metal work and fabrications.

Leicester, nestled in the heart of England, has long been celebrated for its historical significance, being the final resting place of King Richard III and boasting a cultural heritage that spans centuries. While its historical charm and cultural heritage continue to draw tourists from around the globe, the city is also a bustling business centre. Beyond the medieval landmarks and archaeological treasures, Leicester also attracts thousands of commuters daily and relies heavily on a well-maintained and efficient transportation network.Recognising the crucial role that roads play in connecting the city’s historical landmarks, thriving businesses, and residential neighbourhoods, Leicester City Council has undertaken a comprehensive initiative of essential road repairs.The council partnered with HMS, a well-known surfacing contractor with over 30 years of expertise in repairing road surfaces all over the country. This collaboration signified a crucial step in the city’s journey to improve its roads and ensure a safe and successful commute to and from the city. PROJECT SCOPEPermanent joint or crack and pothole repairsHAPAS/BBA-approved specialist materialVarious roads in and around the city centre:Catherine Steet with the junction of Ulverscroft Road, including the roundaboutWatermead WayRedhill Way flyover and roundaboutPalmerston WayGlenfrith WayGroby Road, A50Traffic management OBJECTIVESExtend the road surface life in and around Leicester city centre with permanent road repairs that will last for a minimum of 10 years.Reduce the disruption to residents, commuters, and businesses with no costly road resurfacing works.Improving road safety and minimise vehicle wear and tear for all road users.RESULTS16,000 linear metres of joint and crack repairs.Circa 50 pothole repairs with 5 tonnes of HAPAS/BBA-approved specialist material.Completed in just 11 nights. Minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and commuters.Permanent road repairs increase the longevity of the road surface by 10 years or more, reducing the need for resurfacing work.HMS’s In-house traffic management to minimise disruption, reduce project costs, and ensure on-the-job flexibility – which is how we completed it in record time.These accomplishments stand as a testament to the strategic planning and seamless execution of Leicester City’s road repairs. IMPLEMENTATION#1. Traffic Management for Seamless RepairsHMS not only worked nights to ensure minimal disruption to drivers, but also our in-house traffic management ensured a flexible, but well-thought-out plan to minimise disruptions during surface repairs. This flexibility reduced costs for Leicester City Council and ensured the project was finished ahead of schedule. #2. Overbanding to Address Road Joint and CracksOverbanding is used as a targeted solution to address joints and cracks that may have started to appear on road surfaces. The technique involves applying a durable material over the damaged areas creating a seamless and protective layer that enhances the structural integrity of the road.By HMS addressing joints and cracks using this technique, Leicester City Council is proactively preventing further road surface deterioration, reducing the likelihood of more extensive and costly repairs in the future. #3. Pothole Repairs with HAPAS/BBA-Approved MaterialsHMS filled potholes that had appeared on the road surface with materials approved by the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA). This ensures that the repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability, and safety. 4.      Hot-applied Sealing for LongevityHot-applied material was laid by HMS to create a weather-resistant barrier on the repaired surfaces. It protects against water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and other environmental factors that can compromise the integrity of the road. The application extends the lifespan of the repairs and road surface, contributing to the overall resilience of Leicester’s road infrastructure and reducing road resurfacing costs. 5.      Quality Assurance“Leicester City Council regularly inspects the quality and effectiveness of the road surface repairs and we are very pleased with the quality of workmanship from HMS. The team have worked efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to road users and has completed all road repairs in a timely manner.” Jamie Long, Senior Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City CouncilThe collaboration between Leicester City Council and HMS has resulted in safer roads for residents, commuters, business owners, and tourists who travel in and out of the City Centre. By employing HMS, the project was completed in just 11 nights, meaning minimal disruption to road users. In total, 16,000 linear metres and circa 50 potholes (5 tonne) were repaired, using HAPAS/BBA-approved materials. “The work that HMS has completed not only ensured the safety of our roads but also the longevity of our roads. These road repairs have a lifespan in excess of 10 years, reducing the costly exercise of undergoing road resurfacing works, not to mention the heavy disruptions to road users.”Jamie Long, Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City Council

Whiskey connoisseurs can now enjoy a favourite tipple at the new Ad Gefrin whisky distillery and visitor centre in Wooler, which has been completed externally with a Sto render system. Ad Gefrin opened its doors to visitors in March 2023 to showcase the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland and re-awaken the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years. The StoRend Flex Cote render system was specified for use on the facades of the new buildings by Elphick Associates, to provide maximum crack resistance, weatherproofing and fade resistance. Using the highest quality materials, StoArmat Classic Plus is a cement-free, acrylic resin-based reinforcing coat, and up to 15 times more flexible than traditional cement-based reinforcing coats, providing exceptional levels of crack resistance with the embedded Sto Glass Fibre strengthening mesh. The system, installed by Edendene Construction Services Ltd, was finished with an attractive, low-maintenance, white StoSilco render, which will keep its good looks for years to come.  StoDécor Flex, a mesh-reinforced system comprising of StoDecosit interior plaster onto StoVentec carrier board was also applied to some internal areas of the building to match the smooth, white exterior of the buildings. StoDecosit combines the best properties ofemulsion-based plasters and silicate plasters in a single product and is suitable for decorating walls to protect against mould and mildew, and for walls in heavy-use areas.Ad Gefrin is a family run business and this outstanding visitor experience includes a distillery, museum, bistro, and shop, and is also helping to deliver economic growth to the local and wider communities of Glendale. Client: Ad GefrinDesign: Elphick AssociatesSto Applicator: Edendene Construction Services LtdContractor: Brims Construction Ltd Sto Expertise: StoRend Flex Cote Render system (externally), StoDécor Flex (internally)Photography: Sally Ann Norman Photography

Arable farmer Ivan Banister talked to various agricultural building companies for advice before using local contractors to construct both parts of the new grain store. The first part of the new building was constructed with the secondary expansion undertaken and completed in time for the harvest. Eternit Profile 6 roofing sheets were selected for the project and installed by MJ Barrett.The roof was the most important consideration for Ivan and it was vital that the roofing material used on the store would resist the pressure from temperature and weather without cracking. Any problems in the roof and subsequent leakage would cause serious damage to harvested crops.Condensation had also proved a problem in older, steel roofed storage facilities at Warden Farms and the vapour permeable nature of Eternit fibre cement roofing sheets helps to minimise moisture levels within the new storage building.

Here at Helmsman, our team manufactured and installed 25 three-compartment Laminate Lockers, in our wet spec which helps the material not to rust, peel, or crack under humidity. The specifications of the laminate lockers were 1800mm high, 278mm wide, and 450mm deep. The body of the lockers was powder coated in the shade of ice’ whereas the laminate doors and end panels were in the beautiful ‘English Oak’ by BioCarbon Laminates. BioCarbon is a company that provides laminates that focus on reducing carbon. Laminate lockers are an excellent choice when it comes to commercial office lockers as they allow employees to store personal belongings in a secure area.The Solid-grade Laminate lockers were completed with vinyl numbers above the locks which were the Diamond Hasp locks, for users to use their own padlocks. It is a great choice as the users will be assured that their personal belongings are safe within the locker.

Renovation stripping out the building completely and rebuilding the walls, Passive Purple® was applied in between the connections of the internal side of the external walls which were a combination of masonry, timber, and steel frame. The ground floor ceiling was removed exposing the warped old timber joists with cracks in the surrounding brickwork and mortar. This was given attention to detail using Passive Purple® Brush to seal above an airtight foam to guarantee the airtightness of this major air leak zone before the final spray coat of Passive Purple® airtight membrane was applied. Passive Purple® was also used to seal window and door linings, ready for the new triple glazed windows to go in. Passive Purple® was sprayed on all the walls and ceiling. This is an ongoing project that still is awaiting an air test, the client is looking to hit 2.5 ach and installing MVHR.

The Santo António Villas, Golf & Spa Resort (previously known as Parque da Floresta) is situated on the far West of the Algarve amongst hilly landscapes. The resort located near the historic town of Lagos, Portugal opened in 1987. It was designed by Pepe Gancedo who was one of Spain’s most famous Architects and has no two holes the same which attracts golfers to return again and again.This project included many different techniques which can be achieved using SureSet resin bound paving. The whole surface was first covered in primer and CRM (crack reduction membrane) to provide additional support to the tiled base below. The surround of the pool was laid in 3mm Popcorn along with a frame created with aluminium edging and 3mm Bronze Medal, a flower design was also installed using the flexible aluminium edging and colours from the Spectrum Range.

Challenge: Concourse Village Plaza houses apartment blocks, retail shops, a multiplex cinema and underground parking. Chloride ingress and weathering has taken its toll on the structure with cracking and spalling of the concrete cover from reinforcement corrosion.Strategy: Significant concrete repair in conjunction with an ICCP system was needed for the structure. LoCem® +chase®, will be used specifically for reinforced concrete structures, where the ICCP anode mortar operates within slots cut and holes drilled strategically into the reinforced concrete structural elements. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative that can also act as a cathodic protection anode.Outcome: With the design of the ICCP for the Central podium completed, construction will begin in 2023 before moving to the West and East podiums. The project and is expected to go on for the next 2.5 years. The result of the project will be an ESG compliant strategy that will create a more resilient structure, utilising low carbon build materials that can control the impact of corrosion.

Owned by Shaanxi Tianhong Silicon Materials Co. Ltd., the Shaanxi Yousr Polysilicon Plant in China will produce polycrystalline silicon material for the solar photovoltaic and electronics industries. When engineering company Fluor was asked to design the plant, it was faced with a specific challenge.Much of the plant’s pipework and equipment is exposed to high temperatures, making it prone to corrosion under insulation. Fluor knew that conventional anti-corrosive solutions are often not able to protect equipment in these conditions, and the company was looking for an alternative but reliable and proven coating solution.Fluor chose our Versiline CUI 56990 coating to provide long-term protection for pipework, equipment and other hot surfaces. Versiline CUI 56990 can resist temperatures up to 650°C/1202°F and thermal shock and cycling in dry or wet service conditions. Versiline CUI 56990 is extremely resistant to micro-cracking and corrosion, even in tough operating conditions.

application area: domestic heatinguse type: gas fireplace project scope: restore fireplaces, rebuild chimney, line chimney ductadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, quick and clean install, non-destructiveBackgroundThe camera survey revealed cracks in the chimney flue of a large victorian house in Muswell Hill. To protect against carbon monoxide leaks, the chimneys had to be lined before the gas fireplaces could be fitted. A flexible and uninflated FuranFlex tube was placed inside the chimney duct. Each FuranFlex liner is produced to fit the dimensions of the duct. Hot steam is used to inflate and harden the liner, fixing it in position.Statement of workThe installation took one day per chimney. The jointless and air-tight liner provides good draught and a clean and safe operation for the fireplaces. When FuranFlex liners are inflated they take up the shape of the chimney, providing maximum lined diameter and natural draught.

Premier Inn located on Custom House Street in Cardiff is a Grade II listed building built in the mid 1800s. It has recently been transformed into a 248-bedroom hotel and associated bar and block restaurant.Custom House has been carefully renovated in accordance with the architectural plans, preserving its listed facades and historical elements. The scheme's concept was based on the goal of creating a superior tower that will blend in with Cardiff's ring of towering structures, serve as a backdrop for the historic Custom House building, and revitalise it from street level.KEIM Soldalit Fixativ was applied onto the newly lime rendered surfaces to equalise surface porosity. A coat of KEIM Soldalit Grob was used to act as a bridging coat on the painted render and to fill hairline cracks to create an even texture throughout. The technical representative, Bryan Roe, of KEIM Mineral Paints recommended the KEIM Soldalit-ME paint system by reason of withstanding the pollution with the added benefit of a long-expected lifespan.

A decorating contractor has praised Dulux Trade SmartShield+ after they were able to transform the exterior of a block of flats with the new product. The residential building in Loughton, Essex, had been suffering with the effects of water ingress and pollution over the years which has damaged both the exterior of the building as well as leaking inside. Cracks had appeared to the render of the building causing the water to leak into the fabric of the building. Contractor Armour Hart Group Ltd were tasked by The Square’s management firm Moat Homes with maintaining the cyclical decorations and associated repairs to the building and on identification of the issues consulted with partners Dulux Trade. Following an inspection from Dulux Trade the contractors agreed to use a specification containing Dulux Trade Plus SmartShield+ Exterior Clearcoat on the stonework to deliver the job. The first task was the cleaning and repair of the render and decorative edging after they had become infested with moss and lichen and this was adding to water ingress throughout the building. Both areas were cleaned and repaired before the waterproofing coating of SmartShield+ was applied to the decorative stone work throughout the property. Due to the specially formulated Dulux Trade Plus SmartShield+ the substrate was able to breathe and dry out after the repairs and coating had been completed. The pediment detail to the front of the building had also picked up grime over the years - and had been saturated during bad-weather and so repairs and cleaning of this area was also performed. Dulux Trade carried out inspections throughout the process and all of the cracks were repaired, sealed, coated and then painted to bring the whole building back to life. Armour Hart Group Ltd made the final checks to make sure the coating was waterproof - and were happy to report Dulux Trade Plus SmartShield+ passed the test. Phil Long at Armour Hart Group said; “Dulux Trade has supported us throughout this project so we were able to provide the best maintenance job possible to our clients. “Years of water damage was really starting to affect the building both aesthetically and physically - so it was important we targeted it properly. Cleaning the areas first really revealed the extent of the damage. It was so valuable to us to be able to use SmartShield+ as a coating - and then carry on working on other areas while it dried and sealed the exterior of the building.” Steve Plowman, Technical Support Manager at Dulux Trade said: “We’re glad we have been able to see this project through with Armour Hart and had such great feedback from them on how the product is working. SmartShield+ is a great product that really stands the test of time.” For more information, visit: www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/content/dulux-trade-plus-smartshield

Challenge: Many elements of the iconic skyscraper were facing embedded steel corrosion, including the structural steel lattice columns within the colossal terracotta enclosures. The expansion of the steel caused by the corrosion was severely damaging the masonry cladding and cracking the six-foot-tall terracotta bison heads.Strategy: Installation of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system at the steel sections with the colonnades on 29th to 32nd floors. The system consisted of LoCem® +point® anode mortar was applied within the bed joints and drilled in to provide 360° protection of the steel surfaces. The bison heads were deconstructed, steel cleaned-up and masonry reconstructed. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative (AACM), which can also act as a cathodic protection anode for controlling steel frame corrosion.Outcome: The ICCP system resulted in long-term performance and control for the whole life preservation of our clients’ assets. Using AchillesICP for control over corrosion rate, and AiMS to collect the data, the client had full transparency over structural health and the power to make predictive maintenance decisions.

The Old Grammar School House in Shrewsbury is a Grade II listed historic building, which was formerly part of the school and has been converted to an office space.KEIM were approached by Randle Building Solutions, who had used KEIM Mineral Paints on a previous project in Edgmond, Shropshire. The conventional painted stonework was flaking and blistering due to excess moisture trapped within the substrate. The painted brickwork on the front of the building was in good condition.Bryan Roe of KEIM Mineral Paints recommended stripping the paint off the stonework and the brickwork at the back of the building, using KEIM STS 7M, that was holding damp and flaking. The gloss paint on the stone windows surrounds were to be stripped as much as possible and sanded down to create a key for the mineral paint to bond to.KEIM Contact-Plus was diluted with KEM Soldalit Fixativ to equalise surface textures and fill hairline cracks. KEIM Soldalit, in a bespoke grey colour (KS01 0312) that was matched back to the original paint colour, was applied to create a breathable, long-lasting finish.KEIM Soldalit is fire resistant and A2-s1, d0 classified. The sol-silicate properties mean that it can be applied over unpainted and previously painted surfaces without the need of a primer.

Hush Acoustics was tasked with providing an acoustic separating floor solution in an extensive material change of use project in Southall. Phoenix House was being converted by Vascroft Construction from an office building to residential flats, in a project which involved building into the basement, adding two floors and expanding at the rear.The development of 149 flats, each of which comprises 2 bedrooms, 1 ensuite, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen/living area, required an effective design for the separating floors to ensure they would be effectively soundproofed throughout across multiple different floor finishes.After assessing a number of floor construction materials, Hush Panel 28 floating floor panels were selected to meet the acoustic performance targets. Using this panel meant that throughout the bedrooms and living areas a simple underlay could be laid before the finished carpets or engineered timber floor were installed. Hush Panel 28 was also suitable for the floors in the wet rooms and entrance hallways by applying Detromat on top of the panel to form an anti cracking surface.A team of more than 100 operatives worked on site, with every 1000 sq. m of floor completed per week, which Hush Acoustics supported to ensure Vascroft could meet the project’s strict delivery schedule.

Slip-resistant steps for Villa ParkDegafloor were thrilled to be involved in the redevelopment of Aston Villa’s famous Villa Park football stadium. Slip-resistant steps were required for the Holte End of the stadium in addition to new facilities, including a new bar and suite complex.As part of the project, slip-resistant steps were required. The entire 600m² staircases were treated with Degafloor concrete crack seal, followed by a flexible waterproof membrane to deliver a impervious solution to protect the new bar and suite complex. The staircases were then finished with a bespoke Degafloor Quartz Trowelled with Aggregate System, finished in a unique Terracotta Quartz.To comply with current DDA legislation (Disability Discrimination Act) the stairs were finished with a separately formed nosing in White.Due to the tight project timescale and to overcome traditional British weather constraints, Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd recommended a range of fast curing Degafloor resin systems. As well as being fast curing, all Degafloor systems exhibit excellent UV resistance – essential for external environments – whilst the QTA system applied to the treads offers unrivalled slip resistance to ensure spectator safety, whatever the weather conditions.Speaking on behalf of Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd, Sales Director Dave Cope said, “This was a very complex and demanding project. The colours had to match perfectly and the hand formed nosings required a high level of skill and attention to detail”.

Melbourne Science Park is part of Bruntwood SciTech which covers 17 acres with nine buildings. Their aim is to contribute yearly towards the economy. Also, to help the regional science and tech sector to succeed in the future.Our team at Helmsman has manufactured and installed 57 three-compartment and 8 two-compartment laminate lockers. The laminate lockers were requested by the clients to be Wet Spec, which helps the material not to rust, peel, or crack under humidity. The measurements of the lockers were 1775mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep. The bottom locker doors were wished to be dropped.The lockers' body was powder coated Jet Black, with the laminate door coated Neutral Medium Gray, provided by Fundermax. Our laminate lockers provide a modern, heavy-duty finish and are great to be used on a regular basis. The lockers were finished with oval laminate number plates above the nimbus digital combination in black made by Lowe & Fletcher. This can keep the employees and residents assured that their personal belongings are secure and untouched.As always, our installation team worked hard to provide the best finish to the project. It was great to work with SDC Builders Ltd and we would like to wish Melbourne Science Park great success in the future.If you have a similar project or want to know more about laminate lockers, give us a call a 01284 530 427.

Loxford Lodge, Homeleigh and Borough Farm are residential properties within the National Trust estate of Arlington Court, Devon. The grounds cover over 20 miles of footpaths, offering walks such as the Lake walk and Deer Park walk.The National Trust contacted KEIM as they needed a reliable vapour permeable paint, which is more resilient than limewash, to decorate the previously limewashed substrates. The National Trust have previously worked with KEIM on many projects, so they were aware of the benefits that KEIM Paints has to offer.During the site inspection carried out by Julian Cullum of KEIM Mineral Paints, there was evidence of green mould and algae growth on the render.It was recommended to wash down the surfaces by pressure washing and using a stiff brush to remove all mould and fungal growth. KEIM Algicid-Plus was applied and allowed to dry for 24 hours before the decoration could commence.KEIM Fixativ was specified to consolidate the limewash render, followed by a coat of KEIM Soldalit Grob to give an even finish and fill hairline cracks within the render. KEIM Soldalit-ME, in colour 9037, was applied as it has a high resistance against mould and algae, which may build up from the tree canopies surrounding the properties.Following the completion of this project, The National Trust have several more projects they would like us to get involved in.

Woolton House stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the past. Constructed during the 18th century and remodelled in the 1930s, this magnificent estate exudes an air of elegance and grandeur. Reading-based Herridge Decorators undertook removal and reinstatement of areas of deterioration, replacing failed cement render with lime render. One of the key advantages of lime render is its breathability, allowing moisture to evaporate from the building's walls and preventing the accumulation of dampness and subsequent damage. The use of lime render in conjunction with the vapour permeability of KEIM Mineral Paints ensures restored areas remain structurally sound and free from the detrimental effects of trapped moisture. The application of impermeable acrylic-bound coatings over historic limewash had contributed to delamination and required removal back to a sound edge prior to redecoration. Surface breathability cannot be restored unless impermeable coatings are removed, however if sound and well adhered to the underlying substrate, redecoration using KEIM Mineral Paints remains possible. KEIM Mineral Paints chemically bond to bare mineral substrates and chemically bond to sound existing paints, providing surface protection and UV stable pigment. Following recent wet weather, organic growth has become more apparent on surfaces retaining moisture which are unable to dry out. Green algae can cultivate on any exterior surface retaining moisture, including elevations of a property and particularly at lower levels. Fortunately, removal is straightforward using a mild detergent and reoccurrence can be prevented by treating surfaces with fungicidal primer, KEIM Algicid, 24 hours prior to paint application.  Polymer and acrylic-based repair materials are unsuitable for use with mineral paints, therefore minor cracking and repair work was completed using KEIM Spachtel, a ready-mixed and easy-to-use paste filler with mineral fibres. Patch repairs were blended with the surrounding substrate using KEIM Contact Plus, a lightly aggregated paint also suitable for disguising surface imperfections and filling hairline cracks. Application of KEIM Contact Plus is suitable onto isolated areas up to a natural breakline or over entire elevations. The high porosity of lime render needs to be equalised without compromising breathability before painting. Also suitable for consolidating previously limewashed substrates, KEIM Soldalit Fixativ, a potassium silicate primer, was applied to prepare surfaces where required. Redecoration was completed in bespoke colours to match the historic scheme using two coats of KEIM Soldalit-ME, with added protection against airborne contaminants typical of rural locations, in addition to the reduction of toxic gasses and A2-s1, d0 fire certification. David Herridge of Herridge Decorators commented; “We've been using KEIM products for many years and knew how suitable they would be for a project of this nature and scale. The products were easy to apply and the colour consistency over large areas is very impressive. The client was really happy with the colour choices and finishes.” Preserving our heritage buildings is a responsibility we should all embrace. By entrusting the restoration work to professionals like Herridge Decorators, we can ensure that these architectural treasures continue to stand tall for generations to come.

One of Cardiff city centre’s recent regeneration schemes, Capitol Quarter, required a multi storey car park to provide parking for the new office buildings within the development. To ensure the car park was protected and finished with the highest quality materials, the main contractor sought advice from Degafloor Ltd to ensure a suitable cost effective, high performance waterproofing system for the top deck, ramp and an inter deck area over occupied premises was specified. Following a full site visit and having assessed the client’s requirements in full, Degafloor specified the CP TD system with fleeced banding to substrate cracks and all upstands for the top deck, the CP HD system for the ramp and a fully fleeced CP TD for the area over occupied premises. Capital Quarter Multi-Storey Car Park Cardiff Why Degafloor Degafloor car park decking systems use highly advanced fast curing MMA chemistry to create flexible and incredibly durable systems that cure fully within just 1 hour of installation, even at temperatures as low as -10°C. They are completely waterproof, so guard against water ingress that could result in the decline of structures or damage to property (premises or vehicles). This combination of superior performance, skid resistance, rapid cure times and design flexibility, have contributed to the Degafloor range of car park decking systems becoming a popular choice for new build and refurbishment projects where speed and ease of installation, longevity and visual aesthetics are paramount.

Delta’s Structural Waterproofing Consultant, Paul Green, CSSW alongside Delta’s MD, Kevin Dodds, were appointed to the design team to collaborate with the Architects, Engineers, Main and Sub-Contractors to fulfil the role of Waterproofing Design Specialists in providing a reliable, watertight solution for this substantial project.The large-scale basement project consists of a 4-storey deepbasement located close to the River Thames in Central London.The proposed subterranean space would offer multiple usage. This complex project required a waterproofing design which is, able to cope with intermittent/regular hydrostatic pressures created not just by groundwater, but also geographical tidal impacts from the river Thames and potential stress challenges caused by the surrounding infrastructure such as heavily trafficked railway lines in the development’s vicinity.Structures that experience a high level of vibration fromsurrounding infrastructure can, over time, have a high propensity to suffer cracks, which could lead to failure of some waterproofing solutions, so therefore careful considerations should be incorporated into the overall waterproofing design from those aspects and, the impacts these factors can have on an elected waterproofing system.Delta’s design philosophy rotated around creating a robust and suitable waterproofing design, the structure design, a continuous system, sequencing and installation, future maintenance, and serviceability, whilst able to fulfil requirements set out in BS 8102:2022 Protection of below ground structures against water ingress. Code of practice. The British Standard which governs waterproofing of substructures.

The Centre Parcs model for all UK locations focuses around a central area housing a subtropical swimming paradise and restaurant facilities. Keeping the central area open without impacting guests was key to this project. A tall order, achieved through meticulous and effective planning. Originally completed in 1994, the existing membrane and glazed rainscreen systems were in need of refurbishment. The brief was to remove the existing glazing and coverings, deck support frame re-modelling and install new insulated deck with simple large expanse blown ETFE roof-lights whilst maintaining unrestricted, safe guest access.Center Parcs and the consultant team were rigorous in their specification of fasteners and method of containing the chlorinated environment of the pool areas. SFS provided all fasteners for deck attachment. Specifically for the pool area this included the TDA-S, TDB-S and TDB, R5 (1.4547) grade stainless steel fasteners for the attachment of the deck and also RV6604-6-4W aluminium rivets for the deck stitching requirements.SFS helped to come up with suitable fastening systems that included R5 grade stainless (EN 1.4547) self tappers to fix the aluminium deck. These were manufactured by SFS, and supplied with certificates of conformity at the request of the client. Super austenitic R5 grade stainless steel fasteners were especially developed for chlorine rich swimming pool environments and are now specified by pool specialists. This is to offset the risk of chlorine induced stress corrosion cracking, a particular type of corrosion that can occur in such environments.

This major redevelopment of Charlton Park Academy school involved replacing temporary mobile classrooms and a single storey building with a two-storey steel framed brick building to better meet the needs of students, teachers and carers. A structural flooring solution was required for use over precast planks, covering 800m2 on the ground and upper floor at a depth of 75mm to 120mm. Space and access would be challenging, due to the small footprint of the site, proximity to the existing school building and access from a busy main road. Given the large floor area, a traditional sand cement screed would have been very time consuming to place. Tarmac’s TOPFLOW SF a self compacting steel fibre reinforced concrete was chosen as the solution. Its flowing nature would allow it to be quickly pumped into place and adapt to the variable thickness criteria. TOPFLOW SF is designed to act as a structural topping with both, steel mesh & fibre reinforcement. The steel fibres added to the TOPFLOW SF gave its robustness and flexural strength as it was being placed over a precast plank system that could flex with loadings. They also reduced the risk of cracking. By replacing steel mesh reinforcement, it helped avoid problems with access, storage and handling and kept the site open for parallel trades. Using TOPFLOW SF rather than a sand cement screed or reinforced concrete, improved productivity and saved time. This saved 13 days or just over 2.5 weeks on the programme. 

An award-winning restaurant serving sustainable and ethical Japanese cuisine, has added a large outdoor terrace for diners to enjoy using a WoodBlocX seating and planter combination.The owners of MOSHIMO Brighton added the sun terrace to the already architecturally pleasing, modernist building, to provide an indoor/outdoor dining experience, with functional sliding screens that separate the two spaces depending on the weather and decorative evergreen planting around the edge of the dining area.We created a bespoke design which fitted perfectly into the deck space available. With bespoke seating featuring a planter border wrapping around the main seating area and one additional U-shaped planter disconnected from the main structure to provide two access points to the deck.The completed design was then painted in the restaurant’s deep charcoal brand colour to match the interior and exterior design. This dark shade is balanced perfectly with the bright red dining tables and chairs. We provide a Free Design Service to all clients to ensure they get exactly what they need for each project and make any necessary adjustments.The modular design of WoodBlocX means that we can create structures that fit into specific spaces perfectly. Not only can our unique timber system provide a great fit, it is also long-lasting and durable thanks to the way it is built. The combination of treated wooden blocks, dowels and internal buttresses ensures that our structures will not crack or warp. With a design life of 20 years, WoodBlocX is the perfect product to specify in your next landscaping project.

Our client, the world’s second largest producer of bottled water, was looking for industrial floor paints to renovate and maintain indoor walkways and create seamless traffic flows in its factories. And that’s no mean feat as the area to paint was over 2500 m2!"The objective of the refurbishment was to improve the visibility of the walkways in the production area to enhance employees’ safety."As the factory hadn’t been renovated for some years, floor markings were no longer visible and cracks were appearing throughout thus increasing the risk of trips and falls.In a food processing plant, there are strict environmental and safety regulations to comply with. It was therefore important that the paints and coatings used in the refurbishment conform to those regulations, but also have a rapid curing times to minimise downtime.Our client’s organisation relies heavily upon the dynamism of its teams. It was therefore only natural that employees themselves – from the accounting department to the technical teams - rolled up their sleeves and got on with the refurbishment project. The idea was to raise awareness of safety issues in the factory. For us, it meant we needed to supply user-friendly paints and coatings that could be applied easily by staff. Our solutionOur client researched various solutions and suppliers for their refurbishment project. Watco products, which are long lasting and user-friendly, stood out from the competition. Three products were applied: Safety Grip: A heavy duty anti slip, two pack epoxy resin coating designed for dangerous areas. Epoxyline: A heavy duty, fast drying, line marking paint. Epoxy Gloss Coat: An extremely tough floor coating that is virtually solvent free, and therefore ideal for a food processing plant.

Severn Trent Water’s new £60m operations centre in Coventry, which aims to set new industry standards with one of the lowest carbon footprints for any UK office building, incorporates equally eco-friendly Armourcoat polished plaster.Designed by Birmingham-based Webb Gray Architects, and built by BAM Construction, this highly-sophisticated energy efficient building featuring the latest eco-technology. Designed for low-energy and low-carbon consumption, the offices include thermal adaptive cooling, biomass boilers, photovoltaic panels, solar panels and rainwater harvesting; justifiably achieving a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.Armourcoat was used within the reception and main atrium space, to create a stunning and original design statement. Totaling nearly four hundred square metres of hand-applied decorative plaster, Webb Gray specified colourfade artwork for feature panels and curved walls using Armourcoat Spatulata. For the 30-metre high atrium panels, artisan plasterers blended over seventy colours of paste to achieve the seamless finish. Known as ‘stucco lustro veneziano’, Spatulata is a superfine stucco paste that is trowel applied in a series of fine layers to create a highly polished decorative surface. In keeping with the eco specification, the product contains 40% pre-consumer recycled marble.The project also included the use of ‘Anti-Crack’ - an innovative substrate preparation system from Armourcoat which ensures fast-track construction and a tough, unrivalled backing for Armourcoat polished plaster wall finishes. This cost effective, skim-coat plaster is designed for application in 3-4mm layers over plasterboard surfaces. Its use eliminates the need for taping, jointing and sealing the plasterboard surface and provides a first class substrate for Armourcoat finishes.

High performance resin for mortuary flooring areasAs with many high-care environments, mortuaries and post-mortem rooms require high performance flooring to cope with extremely demanding conditions. Any floor finish must be slip-resistant, hygienic, totally impermeable and incredibly durable.Traditional mortuary flooring specificationTraditionally, mortuaries and post-mortems rooms have utilised vinyl sheet or terrazzo floor tiles. However, both have inherent problems such as failed joints, cracks and poor slip resistance making them less than ideal. The failure of these traditional finishes can allow water and other contaminants to penetrate into the substrate below, which creates significant hygiene challenges.In addition to hygiene challenges, failed floors can create health and safety issues such as trip hazards and any repairs will be time consuming and disruptive.High performance mortuary specificationDegafloor have developed an alternative, high performance flooring specification, ideal for post-mortem and mortuary flooring. The Full Broadcast and QTA systems are ultra durable, seamless and highly slip-resistant finishes that can be easily cleaned.Both offer a profiled surface finish that provides outstanding slip-resistance and durability. Despite the surface texture, Degafloor flooring systems are easy to clean and and the seamless nature of these floors results in outstanding durability, avoiding contamination issues.Degafloor high performance flooring systems can bond to a variety of substrates, and cure both chemically and physically within 2 hours of installation. This ensures that every solution we deliver can be installed extremely quickly and cost effectively, resulting in minimal disruption.Our mortuary flooring projects include; Peterborough City Hospital, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barnsley General Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Basingstoke & North Hampshire hospital.

BackgroundLocated on a hill overlooking the union of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the Citadelle of Namur has witnessed ‘millions of years of geological history and two thousand years of human history’.In 2021, cable cars were added to the extensive list of attractions at the Citadelle, giving visitors beautiful panoramic views of Namur.The ChallengeThe Citadelle is an extremely popular tourist attraction and therefore an extensive downtime was not possible. To coincide with their exciting new addition, paving was installed at the entrance to the cable cars and surrounding the exhibition centre. It was critical that the paving was installed with durable materials that would withstand heavy foot traffic, and would also provide a stunning finish suitable for the historic environment.The SolutionWith over 25 years’ experience providing the world with BS 7533 compliant paving installation materials, UltraScape was an obvious choice to use at this exciting location.Supplied by Instarmac International’s Belgian partner, Nijst Natuursteen, UltraScape flowpoint rapid set flowable grout was used to joint 800sqm of paving at the Citadelle.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain – even in the hottest and coldest of temperatures.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsThe work was completed in 2021 and visitors to the stunning and historic Citadelle are now enjoying a beautifully paved area whilst in line for the cable cars.

CHALLENGE The first of its kind for Quebec, the “living street” required a paving grid that would provide multi-purpose access along the street whilst also allowing for the aesthetically pleasing natural look to be maintained. A woonerf is a living street that is traditionally implemented as a traffic calming aid and to enforce low speed limit areas. They are often shared space streets where equal priority is given to all modes of transportation including automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians; usually with separate rights of way. The province of Quebec was looking to do a “pilot project” in the city of Montreal to create a woonerf that would not only provide the required access, including disabled access but that would also have a long-lasting beneficial impact on the environment. They were looking for an environmentally friendly ground reinforcement product which would provide the strength and durability required for a heavily used area. As a “living street”, the product needed to allow the growth of natural vegetation and contain no harmful preservatives which could affect the environment in which it is placed. The harsh weather conditions in Quebec also needed to be considered. With such extreme conditions in both winter and summer, the material needed to withstand the temperature fluctuations. Ground reinforcement products traditionally used such as concrete are susceptible to cold crack in winter as it is a porous material. As a requirement, the desired product was to absorb only limited heat in order to promote growing vegetation. The only suitable material for a project with such challenging conditions was hanit®’s recycled plastic heavy duty ground girds, with their durability and environmental credentials meeting the requirements.SOLUTIONhanit®’s Heavy Duty Ground Grids are manufactured from a blend of high-quality recycled plastic polyolefins extracted from post-industrial and post-consumer mixed waste plastics. Heavy Duty Ground Grids have a high impact resistance which makes them suitable for all vehicle access. They have an interlocking system which improves stability and also allows for quick and simple installation. As the woonerf needed to provide numerous different access levels it was important that the Heavy Duty Ground Grids were versatile. They can be filled with either grass, seed/topsoil or gravel. For this project, wheelchair access was provided through a gravel filled pathway.The rest of the “living street” was mostly completed with grass filled areas. As hanit® products transfer limited amounts of heat, they dry out the soil less than concrete. This works as a benefit to the vegetation growing through the grids. Recycled plastic material is not porous and therefore does not absorb any moisture. This gives added benefits in the winter as when absorbed moisture freezes in concrete it causes cold crack. Their open structure also allows for quick infiltration of any rainwater into the ground allowing for sustainable urban drainage requirements to be met.hanit® Heavy Duty Ground Grids are strong and durable and require no maintenance. They are not affected by weathering and decay; therefore once in place, they have a much longer lifespan than any other competing products. Made from 100% recycled material, the woonerf has been an extremely sustainable project. Providing Montreal with a living street has not only added more vegetation to the area but also allows the city to contribute to an environmentally responsible sustainable urban drainage solution. As the products are chemically inert they do not affect the environment and are harmless to all flora and fauna. In total the project has used 8,500 units of Heavy Duty Ground Grids. This equates to almost 77 tonnes of recycled plastic waste which has been saved from going to landfill. The woonerf has been an extremely well celebrated project that has won prizes for its conception and green initiatives. “I recommend Les Dalles Vertes (Heavy Duty Ground Grids) to all my clients. We laid out nearly 30,000 square feet of these pavers for the Woonerf project and it took us half the time and resources that were required to install the old concrete grass pavers." - Tony Scirocco, Ventec

The JACKOBOARD range from BEWI is “ideal” for use as a tile backerboard on projects where increasingly popular underfloor heating systems are being installed, the company says.Made from extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), the construction boards are said to be inherently waterproof because the structure of the board does not allow water to penetrate. They are designed to be easy to work with and cut, as well as truly lightweight.They are finished on both sides with a special coating and reinforced fibreglass mesh, ready to be tiled, rendered or plastered. The boards are said to possess excellent thermal insulation properties, which give them enormous advantages over plasterboard or cement board. They are especially suitable for interior construction, the company says, especially in rooms subject to high moisture levels.According to BEWI, JACKOBOARD goes “beyond bathrooms” and can be used in any room of the house and as a backerboard for virtually any tiling project.The boards are suitable for quickly and effectively levelling uneven walls and floors, for partition walls, compensating for cracks in substrates and for creating substrates for laying tiles on non-adhesive surfaces.JACKOBOARD is also said to provide the best waterproof, insulated, tiling substrate for underfloor heating projects. Whether electric mats or hot water systems are being installed, BEWI says, JACKOBOARD – laid underneath the heating elements or pipework – will help to decrease warm-up times of the system by pushing the heat directly up to the tile layer. In this way, the heat generated by the system is used in the most efficient way, not just during the initial heat-up stage, but in general usage with the continued thermostat-controlled use of the heating system.As builders are forced to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects, the materials they choose to build with can provide a key to unlocking the thermal performance of a building. The XPS foam used on JACKOBOARD products reportedly achieves excellent insulation properties. It’s designed to help maximise the energy efficiency of walls and floors, improving the overall thermal performance of any property.www.bewi.com

Wondertex prem fill & finish has been used to create 540 exceptional apartments at the iconic Tobacco Warehouse in Liverpool.BackgroundThe grade two-listed, 14 storey building was built in 1901 and was thought to be the largest warehouse the world had ever seen – a huge achievement for a thriving city at the heart of global trade.After falling into disrepair, the Tobacco Warehouse has been given a new lease of life and is now home to 540 exceptional waterfront apartments.The ChallengeThe team working at this exciting location includes main contractor Abercorn Construction and architect Darmody Architecture. The team at Abercorn Construction were responsible for installing and finishing the walls and ceilings across a 150,000sqm area. With time of the essence and a durable and smooth finish essential in preparation for decorating, Abercorn Construction chose to use Wondertex prem fill & finish.The SolutionWith over 50 years experience in supplying dryliners and decorators with expert solutions, Wondertex prem fill & finish was the perfect product to ready the walls and ceilings for decorating these beautiful and luxurious apartments.Wondertex prem fill & finish is a filler and smoother, designed for filling and finishing plasterboard joints, smoothing unwanted textured surfaces as well as repairing any accidental damage, snagging or channelling work.Available in two handy sizes, prem fill & finish boasts an extremely smooth texture which allows the product to glide easily into joints – making light work of even the largest of projects, such as this one.What’s more, prem fill & finish has a 60 minute working time, is effortless to sand – there’s no elbow grease required here – and has minimal shrinkage so you can be assured that once applied, prem fill & finish will stay put and will not crack and come out of the joints.Once applied and fully dried, the walls and ceilings were painted with Dulux paint.ResultsThe project was completed on time and residents are now able to move in and enjoy Titanic-sized warehouse homes at the heart of Merseyside’s historic docks.

Instarmac International’s Swedish partner, Pekuma, have supplied world renowned UltraScape flowpoint to joint 300sqm of paving at Växjö’s newly refurbished bus station and city hall.BackgroundIn the station area, along Norra Järnvägsgatan, is Växjö’s brand new station and municipal building. The old town hall now boasts a better working environment for its 600 employees and a 1,850sqm station which includes waiting area, shops and restaurants.Växjö’s beautiful new town hall has been designed to the highest environmental standards and is fondly known as the ‘greenest city in Europe’.The ChallengeAs part of this exciting project, 300sqm of cobblestones and concrete slabs were installed directly outside the entrance to City Hall to create walkways for pedestrians and stop/start sections for buses.It was imperative that the jointing material used to grout the 100 x 100mm cobblestones and 210 x 210mm concrete slabs would not only fit in with the aesthetic of the newly refurbished building, but would also provide a durable finish that could withstand the constant trafficking from pedestrians and vehicles.The SolutionInstarmac International’s Swedish partner Pekuma, supplied UltraScape flowpoint to Skanska, the contractors working on this project.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsThe project was completed on time with residents, visitors and employees of City Hall now enjoying the beautiful new station and town hall.

Langton Homes is a well-established family-owned company specialising in developing properties throughout the Midlands for more than thirty years.One of their recent projects was four high-end luxury detached six-bedroom houses featuring extensive outbuildings, each set within large private grounds. The main property on the development – Langton House, was being specifically built for the owner of Langton Homes.Having used Mustang® Seamless gutters on projects in the past, they had no issues specifying it again for this development. Existing garages on the development, which had previously been fitted with uPVC as a cheaper option, were now failing and leaking, so they were replaced at the same time as the rest of the development was installed with Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Gutters.Mustang® was ideal for this build due to the sleek, clean lines of the gutter, with no external brackets on view. Mustang seamless gutters are strong and durable but lightweight and easy to install, with most of the preparation work being done at ground level before the gutter is raised to height for the final fixing into place, meaning that it is often safer and quicker than fitting traditional guttering.As the aluminium is roll-formed on-site to the exact dimensions of the building in continuous lengths of up to 30 metres, there is no waste.Once installed Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Guttering requires minimal maintenance. It is the only quality-assured seamless gutter system certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to last over 30 years. A certification ARP has held for over 25 years.Colonnade aluminium downpipes completed the installation and were polyester powder coated (PPC) in Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) to match the colour of the gutter in our in-house purpose-built PPC facility.Aluminium is a natural, non-corrosive material and needs little maintenance, but it is also fully recyclable. Aluminium will not crack, creek or fade, resulting in a truly ‘fit and forget’ system.Andy Craven, Site Manager of Langton Homes, said:“We have continuously used Mustang® Seamless Guttering as a superior alternative to PVC, we have absolute confidence in the installation and the low maintenance of the product.”

THE PROJECTThe One City Park development, designed by architect Sheppard Robson, is being built on a former police HQ site, is the first Grade A office scheme delivered in Bradford city centre for 20 years to address the need for high-quality offices. As a five-storey high rise building, the basement required an effective below-ground waterproofing solution to the main building core that would be fully compliant with the client's requirements and the relevant codes of practice and stand the test of time. The main contractor for the project, Caddick Construction engaged specialist concrete contractor Howard Civil Engineering for the basement build who then contacted Fosroc for assistance in producing a tailored waterproofing specification solution that would address the requirements of the project. As a trusted supplier of building materials and technical specification advice, Howard Civil Engineering has utilised Fosroc’s products for many other projects previously.THE SOLUTIONFosroc specified a full product solution for installation in accordance with BS8102 supported by a fully detailed waterproofing design provided by Waterproofing Design Services Limited. This included one of Fosroc’s innovative self-healing Supercast CWA product – crystalline waterproofing additive for concrete, Supercast SW20 and Supercast SWX waterstops in conjunction with Proofex Engage waterproofing and Proofex Total damp proof membranes. Materials were available to order ready to commence installation when required.THE BENEFITSThe main core works and basement project element is now complete, allowing the next construction phase to continue. Fosroc’s Supercast CWA will allow any small cracks to ‘heal’ with free lime crystal before they create damp problems, and the tough damp and water proof membranes will protect against ground gas, chemicals and corrosion. As the Fosroc products are designed to work together, a truly reliable and robust solution is delivered that keeps long-term costs of repair and maintenance to a minimum. Additionally, the contractor was able to access high quality technical advice from specification through to application, allowing them to mitigate potential problems and delays before they happened.

UltraFloor’s expert subfloor preparation materials have been used to install LVT flooring at one of Bellway Homes new property developments in Hurworth-on-Tees.BackgroundBellway Homes, experts in creating dream homes, have built a prestigious development of new houses in Hurworth-on-Tees. Surrounded by beautiful open countryside, the new housing development is made up of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes, one of which required LVT to be installed throughout the property.The ChallengeWith homeowners ready to move in to their new home, time was of the essence for this project. The installation took place on a very cold day and therefore it was essential that the performance of the chosen subfloor preparation materials would be unaffected by the drop in temperature.The SolutionFlooring Development, a business with over 25 years experience in the flooring trade used UltraFloor Prime IT Multi-surface Primer and Level IT Renovate to install LVT across one of the 5 bedroom properties.Formulated to promote adhesion to all UltraFloor smoothing underlayments, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer reduces pinholing, minimising the risk of costly failures. With a coverage rate of 200m² at 3:1 dilution, Prime IT multi-surface Primer is a must-have product for all flooring installation projects.Once Prime IT Multi-surface Primer had fully dried, Level IT Renovate was applied to a 5mm depth.Developed for the renovation of existing floors, Level IT Renovate is fibre reinforced for added strength and to minimise the risk of hairline cracks – reducing a common cause of failure.Suitable for deep applications from 3-40mm, Level IT Renovate is multi-purpose for extensive use and boasts excellent flow properties, making this flexible and versatile floor leveller ideal for a wide range of flooring substrates.What’s more, Level IT Renovate has a working time of 20-30 minutes, can be walked on in as little as 2-2.5 hours and can receive floor coverings in just 4 hours.ResultsThe project took just three days to complete and was finished on time much to the homeowners delight. “The customer was very happy”, Lee Bates, Director at Flooring Development.