The use of concrete screed does not always justify itself in places where wear resistance and practicality of the floor base are at the forefront. Laying traditional coatings also does not always help, if in addition to the list of requirements include surface reliability. In such cases, a polymer-based rubber bulk floor may be the best solution. Such screeds are now widely used in sports fields, in shops, garages, on terraces.
What is a bulk floor
The basis of the coating is formed by the traditional polymer composition, from which industrial floors designed for high loads are arranged. Depending on the performance of a particular composition, additional protective properties are also provided, for example, resistance to chemical or thermal influences. If the usual base mixes are diluted with fillers in the form of quartz or river sand, then in this case we consider a bulk floor of rubber crumb (rubber), which provides a damping effect.
There are differences in the polymer base. Universal binders include epoxy and polyurethane compositions, but more and more technologically advanced two-component compositions are used. They allow you to modify the final solution with the expectation of the priming function, increase the increase in fixation to the rough surface or adhesive ability.
Advantages of a rubber bulk floor
The cushioning effect can be attributed to the advantages distinguishing rubber compositions even among the general range of bulk polymer mixtures. It is this quality that allows the use of such coatings on sites intended for transport. There are general positive properties of polymer screeds.
These include wear resistance and durability. They allow the use of a bulk rubber floor for a garage, counting on a long service life. According to experts, the safety factor of such a coating, even under intense loads, remains for 10 years or more. The practicality of rubber surfaces is also noted. The rubber material in combination with a polymer binder prevents the penetration of dirt, dust, germs and allergens into the structure. Unlike natural floor materials, in this case there is no favorable environment for the development of fungi and mold.
Preparing a rough surface for laying
Like all bulk coatings, this floor is characterized by the ability to self-level, filling small defects of the working base. Therefore, you do not have to achieve a perfectly flat surface for laying. However, the structural reliability of the substrate must be guaranteed. If it is planned to fill the concrete screed, then deep cracks should be sealed with a primer or cement mortar. With severe wear, manufacturers even recommend completely dismantling the problem floor. In addition, a clean surface and sufficient moisture balance should be ensured.
If, for example, it is planned to arrange a bulk rubber floor in the bathroom, then first you will need to achieve a moisture coefficient of not more than 4%. This is important for the installation period, and during operation, a moist air environment will not harm the coating. As for surface cleaning, small particles are harmful to the mortar. For this reason, it is recommended that you thoroughly clean the dust with an industrial vacuum cleaner.
What will be required for installation work
During installation, the following tools and accessories will be required:
- Capacity for the preparation of the mixture. You can use a regular plastic bucket of a sufficiently large volume.
- Drill for stirring the bulk solution. Any building model with low speeds and a power of about 1000 watts is suitable. The main thing is that it supports the structural possibility of installing a mixer nozzle. In particular, it is recommended to use screw mixing heads, which minimize the percentage of remaining lumps.
- Squeegee. A special kind of large format spatula, with which the mass of the rubber bulk floor will be distributed on the surface. Unlike the rule for plaster, this tool allows you to adjust the clearance of the working edge and allows the installation of gear nozzles.
- Special shoes. For convenience, it will not be superfluous to prepare and kraskostoy. These are shoes with needle soles, which you can walk on the laid bulk coating, distributing the mixture in the far corners.
Mixture preparation
The solution is prepared within a few minutes (the specific time is set by the manufacturer's instructions) by mixing with the mixer nozzle the components of the dry mix for the bulk floor. If a two-component composition is used, then the process is divided into two stages - first component A is mixed, after which additive B is added, then work resumes. Rubber crumb can be present in one of the fillers or added separately - it depends on the fraction. It is very important to correctly calculate the volume of the mixture for the bulk floor. Rubber coatings are laid according to this calculation of the mass of the mixture, depending on the thickness of the final layer:
- 1 mm - 0.75 kg.
- 1.5 mm - 1.12 kg.
- 2 mm - 1.5 kg.
After preparing the solution, it is necessary to immediately start pouring, since the polymerization process begins already when the active components of the composition are combined.
Coating
The solution is poured onto the working base in thin strips and immediately distributed over the area. The mixture will even out itself, diverging on the surface, but this is not enough. The presence of rubber makes the mixture less thick (compared to conventional polymer compositions). The main function of the contractor at this stage will be not so much the distribution of mass as the removal of air bubbles from the bulk rubber floor. With your own hands, this can be done with the same squeegee with a gear nozzle, but it is even better to use a special needle roller for this. With its help, the entire surface should be processed. The exclusion of air bubbles will add strength and rigidity to the structure of the future floor.
Also do not forget about the hardening process. As viscosity increases, smoothing the coating will become more difficult. On average, it takes 30-45 minutes to fill and optimize the bulk floor, after which the coating becomes unsuitable for structural changes. Full strength gain occurs within 3-7 days, which depends on the composition used.
Rules for caring for bulk coating
During operation, you should try to protect the coating from all sorts of abrasives. Small solid particles under high pressure can leave scratches and chips on the surface. Periodically, the coating should be washed, and the bulk rubber floor for the street should even be ground using special tools. For example, manufacturers of polymer floor mixtures themselves offer cleaners, polyurethane mastics and polishes for cleaning. Such tools can not only eliminate the smallest debris on the surface, but also give it an aesthetic appearance. It is not recommended to use detergent chemistry containing chlorine, soda and various acids.
Conclusion
Dry mixes for bulk floors for industrial use have long been included in the practice of application. With their help, they make out the surfaces of parking lots, shopping centers, hangars and storage rooms. Nowadays, rubber bulk floors for the home and surrounding area have begun to spread. They retain the basic set of operational qualities of standard mixtures, but additionally have several new positive properties for use in everyday life. This is a shock-absorbing effect that reduces the risk of injury, as well as environmental friendliness, thanks to which the coating can be laid even in the living room, kitchen and bathroom.