On many sites, after having completed floor renovations, but still need to work other areas. The common concern is how to keep the recently installed floor protected while other trades are still working the site.
That protection might be from spills, dirt or general stie activity. This becomes more complicated given you'll want your floor to continue to breathe and not trap any moisture underneath any protection.
How can you get floor protection while ensuring breathable coverage?
Can't I just cover the floor?
That is the most common instinct. And it is correct to ensure that no damage is done to the surface. But it doesn't consider what is happening under the protection.
Given the fact the some floors and sites need the moisture or vapour to escape, you'll want to find a protection that can do both. You'll want to understand what temporary floor protection creates the physical barrier between the finished surface and the work taking place (like decorators, electricians, joiners or other trades) while enabling the floor to continue drying and curing.
What does “breathable floor protection” mean?
Breathable floor protection means that they are designed to let moisture and vapour pass through the protective layer. If the protection is NOT breathable, it means that it completely seals the surface underneath.
In the UK, that means that certain breathable materials can allow air to reach newly laid floors while they cure. Read more about that in the UK Construction's guide to temporary floor protection.
Why happens if moisture is trapped (eg it is NOT breathable)?
It is important to check the flooring manufacturer's requirements to see if they require curing with breathable coverage. When they do, it is important to provide that, but continue the rest of the project. This is exactly the balance of providing protection and breathability.
A flooring manufacturer might be releasing moisture. And, by putting an impermeable covering over it can interfere with that moisture escaping. This means that depending on the flooring material, installation, adhesives, substrate and even manufacturer, your need for breathable coverage may change.
How can it protect against spills AND be breathable?
This is exactly the problem with base cardboard.
- It typically is breathable and permeable.
- It traps moisture from both the floor or the top spills.
This is the false trade-off that many trades people make. And, as a result they may either harm the floor's curation or be letting spills potentially risk their flooring.
This is where we have developed a floor protection system that can help trades keep the economics of simple cardboard, but provide the breathability and protection.
Trades International's team has created Spillux™.
How does Spillux™ technology help?
Spillux™ Technology has been designed to balance spill protection from above with vapour management from below.
The card provides the main protective layer, while correctly installed Zulu tape deals with the seams and edges that could otherwise provide a route underneath the protection.
Spillux™ Technology combines TI-Pro card floor protection board with Zulu seam and edging tape to create a protected surface when the system is correctly installed and remains undamaged.
To be clear, any paint, water or site spill from on top will be stopped by the Spillux spill barrier. And vapour from below can rise through the Spillux TI-Pro protective layer to properly cure.
The joins matter
A protective board can cover the main floor area, but every join and perimeter creates a potential route for liquid to find its way underneath. So, if that spill happens at the join, you want to have it sealed.
Using Zulu seam and edging tape you can ensure your work area is fully protected. Connecting TI-Pro card floor protection. This combination leaves your whole site protected for your work.
Which jobs need Spillux floor protection?
Typically times trades are using our Spillux floor protection are:
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Residential renovation
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Decorating
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Construction
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Fit-out
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Refurbishment
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Projects where finished flooring needs temporary protection while other work continues
Do I need Spill protection like Spillux?
If the job requires temporary floor protection but moisture and vapour also need to escape from underneath, you'll want a solution like Spillux. This lets you keep the floor protected from both atop and below. And on a budget.