When mixed with water, Dunlop’s Rapidset Floor & Wall Tile Adhesive can be used for a wide range of different tiles, including ceramic floor and wall tiles, vitrified tiles and mosaics, quarry tiles, brick slips, and some natural stone. In addition, the adhesive can be used on surfaces that include concrete, cements (sand screeds and rendering), existing tiles, asphalt and plasterboard – making it an incredibly useful product for the modern working tradesmen.

Suitable for both interiors and exteriors, the adhesive is available in 5kg, 10kg and 20kg bags, offering a water resistant option that can be ready for grouting as little as three hours after fixing.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:“The Rapidset Floor & Wall Tile Adhesive is a great product for merchants to stock, especially over the coming months. It’s what a lot of tradesmen will choose to buy as, aside from the setting speed, it has incredible versatility in terms of both the substrate material and the tiles it bonds with. We pride ourselves on offering the best quality products on the market, and our Rapidset Floor & Wall Tile Adhesive certainly stands up to that billing.”

In addition to the overall sales increase in the merchant sector, Dunlop has also seen a significant increase in sales of the company’s levellers range, with figures revealing a 38% increase in comparison to the 2010 financial year. Further contributing to the 2011 figures is the continued strength of the brand’s top products, which include the set fast plus floor and wall adhesive, the waterproof wall tile adhesive and the large format and natural stone adhesive.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager at Dunlop Adhesives, commented: “We are thrilled with these figures. It’s certainly not an easy time for the industry as a whole, but we hope that these results show that there is still strong industry demand for well-crafted and well-delivered products. We’ve worked really hard to make the Dunlop brand synonymous with quality, and the strength of the brand has allowed the company to continue to grow, even when the economy as a whole has struggled.”

She continued:“We have been fortunate in the sense that, while the figures reveal our growth over the past year, the companies that we supply with our products have also seen their customer bases expand, which is very much a positive for us. Our relationships with builders’ merchants have gone from strength to strength, which is something we really want to build on throughout 2012.”

Providing water resistance, Dunlop’s ready-mixed Waterproof Wall Tile Adhesive is perfect for use in showers, as it’s specially formulated for fixing ceramic and mosaic wall tiles. Its non-slip characteristics mean that there’s a reduced need for battens, even when fixing heavier wall tiles.

The easy to use adhesive is ideal for fixing to flat internal wall surfaces such as plaster, plasterboard, cement:sand rendering and existing tiles. Available in off white 3.5kg, 7.5kg and 15kg tubs, it can also be used in bathrooms, toilet areas, kitchens and worktops and has a shelf life of 12 months.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:
“The Waterproof Wall Tile Adhesive is a great product for merchants to stock, especially over the coming months. It’s what a lot of tradesmen will choose to buy as it can be used in many areas of the house, making it not only affordable but practical too. To improve protection on water-sensitive backgrounds a waterproofing membrane such as Dunlop’s Shower Waterproofing Kit should be used too.”

As times are tough for the traditional tradesman and with the appetite for learning a new skill on the up, the specialist manufacturer of tile adhesives, grouts, finishing and ancillary products, is launching two new courses. Not only sharing its trade expertise with those in the trade who are looking to expand on their skill set, Dunlop will also be sharing some tricks of the trade with everyday DIYers who are looking to do more around the house.

The two new courses, one for DIY enthusiasts, and one for the trade, will be tailored to their individual audiences and will cover the following: knowing your tile type, knowing which adhesive to use for different tile types, how to use your trowel for optimum results, how to mix your adhesive, tanking, setting out, using rapid setting adhesive, using the correct tile cutter, laying tiles and using silicone to absorb movement.

Costing just £150, the two-day course is set to equip tiling enthusiasts for their first big job. What’s more, Dunlop has three places on its DIY course and three on its trade course to give away and is encouraging those interested to tweet @DunlopAdhesives, email Dunlop@manifestcomms.co.uk or write in and let the team know why they deserve to brush up on their tiling skills.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager for Dunlop Adhesives, comments: “As fewer people stick to their goals of shedding the pounds and hitting the gym each year, more and more people are opting to enhance their DIY skills. And this goes for tradesmen too – a skilled roofer might want to brush up on his tiling skills, and an experienced plumber might want to offer his customers an additional service. Whether adapting to the climate or becoming a bit handier around the house, learning a new skill is a great way to start the New Year.”

Dunlop conducted the survey as part of an investigation into how new developments in technology over the last few years have affected the building trade, and how smartphone capability can potentially help tradesmen in their everyday operations. Smartphone applications have obviously had a substantial impact in the normal lives of people the world over, but are they being regularly used within specific industries such as the building trade?
The survey suggests that tradesmen feel that there are not enough mobile sites on the market targeted towards the building trade. While 37% of tradesmen download apps, only 22% of those download work related apps currently available for their smartphones.
Debi Bailey, Brand Manager for Dunlop Adhesives, comments:“Technology has moved so fast in the last few years that it is increasingly important to be aware of the potential changes to methodologies of working, and the building trade is certainly no exception. We were really curious to find out how tradesmen are utilising the success of smartphone technology to help them within the trade; both as a picture of the present, and as a potential insight to the future of the industry.”
She continues:“I think that what this survey reveals is that times are changing; if a tradesmen needs advice or guidance when tackling a particular job they are as likely to look for advice on their smartphone as they are to dust off an old builder’s manual. At Dunlop we want to make sure that we maximise the potential of new technology, which is why we have invested in digital tools such as our new Job Build tool on our TradeZone.”
All respondents from the questionnaire were put into prize draw to win an iPod shuffle and Mr P Randall, a builder from Home Fix Services, who said he used his smartphone for “talking to customers, pricing and ordering”, was the lucky winner.

Intending to support the trade in every way possible, the Job Build tool will allow tradesmen to offer their customers the best and most accurate quote possible for the job in hand. Part one of the Job Build tool asks a series of questions to establish the criteria, including the surface, location, background and tile type, before recommending suitable materials for the job, Part two, due to launch next month, will add an extra dimension by also providing the quantity of product required and information on nearby stockists.

The tool is situated on Dunlop’s bespoke Trade Zone, which was specifically designed for tradesmen and invites users to engage with a range of online tools and facilities to help keep them on top of their game and in the know. In addition to the Job Build function, the Trade Zone also includes Dunlop’s series of ‘How to’ guides, Top Ten Tiling Tips and the infamous Professor Dunlop’s Brainbox, encouraging tradesmen to pass on their experiences and suggestions to help the specialist manufacturer develop new products and solutions for the general building trade.

Debi Bailey, Brand Manager of Dunlop Adhesives, said:

“We’re really excited to have launched this new function and hope that builders and tradesmen alike will find it a useful and invaluable tool. The Job Build is a great addition to the Trade Zone to further aid and advise tradesmen on what products and quantities to use for a range of jobs. We are really excited to see how the tool develops over the next few months – especially as part two is due to go live in the very near future. We’re always looking for the most innovative and useful ways to further support the trade, and we think that this unique tool further underlines this commitment.”

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.