Why use anhydrite screed?
So, let’s start with the benefits. Anhydrite screed possesses properties that make it an extremely attractive option in the trade. Whereas traditional sand and cement screeds can be slow and labour intensive to install, anhydrite screed is substantially quicker and easier. In addition, it is also cheaper, self-levelling, offers minimal shrinkage and is convenient for use with underfloor
heating. It is also fast setting, and can be ready to be worked upon four or five days later.

The overall effect is that anhydrite screed, at least in the laying phase of usage, is less reliant on the quality and experience of the installer. However, when it comes to tiling on top, the expertise and knowledge of the tradesman is paramount, which is where merchants can step in and share their inside knowledge to help tradesmen avoid potential pitfalls and ensure repeat custom.

The Dangers!
The reason for this screed’s perceived ‘ill-behaviour’ is that if it is not correctly prepared, the combination of moisture and a potentially weak surface can react negatively with the tile adhesive, terminally disrupting the bonding process. As with ceramic/porcelain tiles as well as with stone, there are a number of specific effects to be wary of.

The first involves the direct application of the cement-based adhesive. The adhesive can react with the gypsum in the screed resulting in a mineral called ettringite being formed at the interface. The subsequent chemical changes are sufficient enough to cause de-bonding of the adhesive away from the screed base. Secondly, the presence of a weak layer of laitance is created, slowing the drying time and making the screed weak to tile onto. As with traditional cement; sand screeds, it is always good practice and important to mechanically abrade and remove any laitance from the surface of the screed using suitable vacuum equipment as per the screed manufacturer’s recommendations.

Finally, and an issue that applies regardless of the tiling material, is the simple fact that whilst on site it is extremely difficult to tell an anhydrite screed apart from a traditional screed.

When any of the above issues are not fully considered, the effects can be disastrous for not only the tradesmen but the homeowner as well, with tiles failing to bond or becoming detached from the floor.

Solutions
To avoid the above problems, the key is in the preparation. Once the anhydrite screed has been laid, the problematic layer of laitance should be removed approximately 4-6 days after application (although the precise time depends on the brand of screed used), which will not only help the drying out process, but will also provide a stable surface on which to tile onto. If the finished floor may be exposed to moisture, a watertight primer should be used, to seal the anhydrite before the application of a cement-based tile adhesive. However, it is also extremely important to be aware of the residual moisture content of gypsum-based screeds. For priming and direct fixing to the screed with a cement based adhesive, the moisture content must be less than 0.5% water by weight .

The use of a primer is crucial in order to help to stabilise the screed surface further and to act as barrier/sealer between the Anhydrite screeds and the adhesive.* The tiles can then be installed onto the screed using a solid 3mm bed of cement-based adhesive, however tradesmen should also take into consideration the tile type they’re working with when selecting an adhesive. When the adhesive is set, tradesmen can then safely begin grouting, ensuring that the grout completely fills the joint.

And that’s it! The characteristics of anhydrite screed have been laid bare; the secrets of the substrate have been revealed. Go forth and floor.

The top tips, which are available on DVD and on the specialist manufacturer of adhesives, grouts, finishing and ancillary products’ website as well as on YouTube, cover subjects including ‘How to use your trowel correctly’, ‘What is tanking and how do I do it?’ and ‘How to use rapidsetting adhesive’.

Both merchants and tradesmen are having to change the ways in which they work to generate sales and maintain customer retention. The step-by-step guides allow merchants to view each tip at their leisure and use the content as part of an added value service to help tradesmen avoid potential pitfalls.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, commented:
“2011 has been yet another difficult year for merchants and tradesmen and our Top Ten Tiling Tips are just another way in which we can offer support to enable suppliers and end-users to keep on top of their game with industry knowledge and skills. The Top Tips DVD is also a great talking point for merchants to give tradesmen with their Dunlop purchases.”

The tiling tips cover ten different subject areas to make the tiling process, from start to finish, as simple and as easy to understand as possible. Merchants wishing to take advantage of the free DVDs should contact Dunlop directly to place an order. The tips are also available on Dunlop’s website, www.dunlop-adhesives.com/tradezone, and its YouTube channel, DunlopAdhesivesUK.

The Thick Bed Floor Leveller is used to level internal floors in dry areas prior to the application of decorative surface flooring. As this product can be applied to a depth of up to 50mm, it is particularly suitable for extremely uneven floors. The leveller can be used on common building substrates including concrete, sand:cement screeds, flooring grade asphalt and floors with underfloor heating.

Available in 20kg bags the leveller is protein free, suitable for internal floors and contains built-in polymers. Based on tried and tested technology this product is part of an innovative range of floor levelling compounds including Dunlop’s Premium Floor Leveller and the Fast Setting Floor Leveller.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager at Dunlop Adhesives, commented:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have our Thick Bed Floor Leveller named as one of the Top Products of 2011 by Professional Builder. All of our products go through rigorous testing and we’re always confident that the products that hit the shelves in merchants are of the highest quality – this just goes to show that tradesmen feel the same way too. And, to celebrate its success, we’re offering merchants a considerable saving on all pallet orders of the Thick Bed Floor Leveller.”

At just £300 for a full pallet, the promotion will be running throughout December 2011 and January 2012* on Dunlop’s Thick Bed Floor Leveller 20kgs bags. This is only applicable to pallet quantities** (1 pallet = 50 bags***); merchants simply need to quote TBFL42 when placing an order.

For further information on pricing and offers, please contact Customer Services direct on: 01782 591160 or email info@building-adhesives.com.

All of Dunlop Adhesives’ products are supported by a 10-year guarantee and a dedicated technical helpline is operational in case any questions arise whilst on the job. For more information please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives

T&C’s
*Offer begins 1st December an will run til 5pm on the 31st January 2012
**Product must be ordered as a full pallet to get the offer
***50 Bags per pallet

Mark Eslamlooy, CEO at the ARDEX Group, commented:
“In the current difficult economic climate we believe that it is important to have just one Managing Director running both companies, to work to achieve operational synergies to strengthen both businesses going forward and continue to offer our customers the best products and highest levels of service.”

He continued:
However, please note that nothing else changes and the two companies will still continue to operate as two completely separate entities, retaining their existing position within the market.”

Peter will be based at the Building Adhesives office in Stoke on Trent for the foreseeable future, while he takes on his new role.

For more information on Dunlop Adhesives, please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives.

Trade Zone, which is now live, includes a unique ‘Job Build’ tool, where tradesmen can enter job specification details and the tool will generate product recommendations, to support tradesmen from start to finish. Furthermore, the tool can produce a quote on how much product is required for the job in hand and where their local stockist is.

The new trade site also includes Dunlop’s series of ‘How to’ guides, Top Ten Tiling Tips and the infamous Professor Dunlop’s Brainbox, to encourage tradesmen to pass on their experiences and suggestions to help the specialist manufacturer develop new products and solutions for the general building trade. What’s more, registrants to the website will all be entered in a free prize draw to be in with a chance of winning an iPod Touch.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:
“We’re really excited to have launched this new initiative and hope that builders and tradesmen alike will find it a useful and invaluable tool. The Job Build tool is a great addition to the site to further aid and advise tradesmen on what products to use for each job in hand.”

She continued: “We’re planning on expanding the site even further over the coming months, to include a dedicated e-learning portal where tradesmen can undertake training by tiling locations, including kitchens and bathrooms, by tile types, and even by background surfaces. Tradesmen will be able to complete sections at their leisure, whilst receiving a certification of competence at the end.”

To support the launch of the new initiative, Dunlop has produced an on-pack promotion highlighting its iPod Touch giveaway, and is also running a series of advertisements and promoting the site through social media platforms and PR.

All of Dunlop Adhesives’ products are supported by a 10-year guarantee and a dedicated technical helpline is operational in case any questions arise whilst on the job. For more information please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com, call 01782 591160 to speak to a member of the Dunlop team. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives.

The charity match has been organised by Sibelco, one of Building Adhesives’ main raw material suppliers and it’s the second year this grudge match has taken place.  But it’s not all fouls and shirt pulling as it’s run in memory of Patrick Ramsammy, a long serving employee at Sibelco, who passed away to Motor Neurone Disease in 2010.

All players will be donating £5.00 and a collection will also take place at the game for any spectators wishing to donate. Building Adhesives will also be donating a further £250 with the total proceeds to be donated to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

David O’Neill Managing Director of Building Adhesives Ltd, said:
“We’re pleased to be involved in this great event organised by Sibelco, and we’d widely appreciate the support of any spectators wishing to come along to watch the teams.”

For more information please call 01782 591160 to speak to a member of the Dunlop team. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives.

Offering many of the same attributes including grouting natural stone, mosaics, glazed and fully vitrified tiles, with the added extra of being designed to grout large joints of up to 20mm, Dunlop’s Flexible Floor and Wall Grout has a hardwearing finish instead of the smooth one of the Flexible Wall Grout. This makes it particularly useful when grouting tiles fixed to timber floors or heated screeds.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:
“We’re committed to providing the best grouting options on the market, and both these products are great for those times when you need a specific product to do a specific job. These flexible grouts are both brilliant products, designed to function even in those tricky water-affected areas such as showers and swimming pools.”

The Flexible Wall Grout is available in White – 3.5kg, 10kg, and Ivory – 3.5kg, 10kg bags. Whilst the Flexible Floor and Wall Grout is available is White – 5kg, 10kg, Ivory – 5kg, 10kg, Grey – 5kg, 10kg, 20kg, Limestone – 5kg, 10kg, 20kg, Charcoal – 5kg, 10kg, Dark Brown – 10kg, Light Grey – 10kg, and Sandstone – 10kg bags. Neither product requires any additive, and both will set within 24 hours.

All of Dunlop Adhesives’ products are supported by a 10-year guarantee and a dedicated technical helpline is operational in case any questions arise whilst on the job. For more information please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com, call 01782 591160 to speak to a member of the Dunlop team. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives

Ideal as a flexible standard setting adhesive, Dunlop’s Standard Set Plus Floor and Wall Tile Adhesive is a water-resistant powder-based tile adhesive for interior and exterior areas including patios. Mixed with water, it is suitable for fixing floor and wall tiles including porcelain, fully vitrified, mosaics, quarry, brick slips and stone claddings.

Available in Grey 20KG and White 20KG bags, tiles can be grouted 24 hours after fixing. The set adhesive is frost and water-resistant and can be used in showers, or under continuous immersion such as swimming pools. However, being cement-based it is not waterproof, so to improve protection on water-sensitive backgrounds, a tanking membrane such as Dunlop’s Shower Waterproofing Kits, or an impermeable grout, should be used.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:
“Whilst the UK’s economic growth is predicted to remain slow yet steady, our range caters for a whole host of jobs and budgets, helping tradesmen and merchants weather the economic storm. This a great product, which is easy to use and versatile in nature meaning it can be used in a variety of environments whilst maintaining a professional finish.”

All of Dunlop Adhesives’ products are supported by a 10-year guarantee and a dedicated technical helpline is operational in case any questions arise whilst on the job. For more information please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com, call 01782 591160 to speak to a member of the Dunlop team. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives

Trekking to the top of the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in an amazing 24 hours, what started as a little friendly competition amongst 17 members of the Building Adhesives team, turned into a great team building challenge.

The group began with a drive in the early hours from Stoke-on-Trent to start the day with the ascent of Ben Nevis (1344m), before travelling to the Lake District and climbing Scafell Pike (978m) through the night – with only a head torch for light. They then had a midday trek up the final mountain, Snowdon (1085m), to complete the challenge in a phenomenal 24 hours with the final team member crossing the finishing line with a cool 30 seconds to spare.

David O’Neill Managing Director of Building Adhesives, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted with the work and commitment that these 17 members of staff have put in, as well as to everyone who has donated so generously to the Donna Louise Trust. It’s events like this that truly show what great community spirit people have and we hope that the money raised will go a long way in continuing the incredible support that the charity gives to the children and the families that need it in such tough times.”

The Donna Louise Trust is a children’s hospice service within Staffordshire and South Cheshire for the core purpose of providing respite and end of life care for children with life threatening conditions. The hospice currently has six beds and is open Monday to Saturday, 24 hours a day. Its ultimate aim is to secure sufficient funding to open eight beds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week costing on average £160,000 a month.

For more information please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com, call 01782 591160 to speak to a member of the Dunlop team. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives

Dunlop’s Anti-Mould Grout with Microban® antibacterial protection is a water and frost-resistant powder-based wall tile grout with increased flexibility. The Microban® antibacterial protection is built in to last the life of the product and protects by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mould and mildew making it ideal for tiling in showers, bathrooms, toilet areas and kitchens.

Suitable for grouting ceramic wall tiles and mosaics with joint widths up to 5mm as well as for grouting natural stone, glass and ceramic mosaics, glazed and fully vitrified tiles. It’s available in brilliant white 5kg tubs as well as ivory 5kg tubs and is suitable for interior and exterior use including power showers and swimming pools.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:
“Dunlop Adhesives has been working in partnership with Microban for the last 10 years to provide safe, durable and effective antibacterial solutions. This easy to use product not only looks good but is also designed to maximise the lifetime of tiled surfaces.”

Dunlop’s Anti-Mould Grout with Microban® is part of an innovative range of grouts, adhesives and finishing products containing Microban antibacterial and antifungal protection.

All of Dunlop Adhesives’ products are supported by a 10-year guarantee and a dedicated technical helpline is operational in case any questions arise whilst on the job. For more information please visit www.dunlop-adhesives.com, call 01782 591160 to speak to a member of the Dunlop team. Keep up-to-date with Dunlop’s latest news by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DunlopAdhesives