TN 14.23 - BAL Flexbone 2 Easy

INTRODUCTION
BAL FLEXBONE 2EASY is a 3mm thick, loose-laid, 100% uncoupling mat which can be used for tiling over difficult substrates and for some ‘faster-track’ applications. It can also be used to tile over existing floor coverings that wish to be protected for future use.
PREPARATION
- For internal dry areas only.
- Substrates must be SR1 level or better (no deviation greater than 3mm under a 2m straight edge at any point).
- Substrates must be load-bearing, free from deflection and swept free of any debris.
- Ensure all required movement joints are present within the floor as recommended in BS 5385-3. BAL FLEXBONE 2EASY is not an alternative to movement joints and should not be used for bridging movement joints.
TYPICAL SUBSTRATES
- Existing cement:sand screeds and concrete.
- New cement:sand screeds when they are ready to be walked on.
- Calcium sulfate/Anhydrite screeds:
- no removal of laitance or priming required (must be swept free of debris)
- can be used at 1.5%CM residual moisture (instead of 0.5%)
- any underfloor heating must be fully commissioned initially following manufacturer’s recommendations prior to laying N.B. for further general information on anhydrite screeds, refer to BAL Technical Note TN 24.23
- Timber floors (must be suitably rigid and deflection-free)
- Contaminated/painted/stained/vinyl floors
- Even, level and sound layers of bitumen
- Suitably prepared heated floors
- Existing unglazed and glazed tiles
- Ideal for rental properties, temporary installations and heritage projects
- Not suitable for heavily trafficked areas
- Heated cement: sand screeds:
- Allow cement: sand screeds to dry for a minimum of 3 weeks (at 20°C) and heating conditioned/commissioned in accordance with BS requirements
- Please refer to the BAL QUICKSET CEMENT data sheet for typical drying times.
- Undertile floor heating:
- The background must be suitably load bearing and free from any deflection.
- Ensure the heating system is installed correctly in accordance with the heating manufacturer’s recommendations.
- All electrical undertile heating elements must be encapsulated within a BAL levelling compound i.e. BAL LEVEL MAX. Allow to dry before installing BAL FLEXBONE 2EASY.

APPLICATION
1. The substrate must be even, load bearing and swept free from debris.
If necessary, the floor can be levelled using a suitable BAL smoothing and levelling compound such as BAL LEVEL MAX after priming with BAL PRIME APD as required.
N.B. Any preparation of the floor substrate that is necessary prior to levelling must be followed.
2. Roll out the BAL FLEXBONE 2EASY with the mesh side up from the corner and cut them precisely to the required length and sizes as required for the floor. Trim off any excesses around up-stands using scissors or a utility knife. Note: leave a 6mm movement joint around the perimeter or use BAL AQUADRAIN EDGE foam strip or equivalent.
3. Where additional rolls are needed on the floor, ensure the separate membranes are butt jointed at the edges but not overlapped. The 50mm overlapping mesh covers the joint along the length of two butt-jointed rolls. BAL FLEXBONE 2Easy must still be laid with all required movement/expansion joints as recommended in BS 5385-3. Tape all movement joints using a proprietary self-adhesive tape to protect against the entry of the wet adhesive bedding material during the installation.
4. Apply the BAL WATEC ST seam reinforce mesh tape to all FLEXBONE 2EASY roll end joints.
5. To apply tiles, mix and apply the BAL flexible adhesive to the mat using a suitable sized notched trowel in order to achieve solid bed fixing.
6. Once the BAL Flexible tile adhesive is dry, grouting can be started (e.g. BAL MICROMAX3 ECO). BAL MICROMAX SEALANT may be used for all perimeter movement joints. (Please note, it is not recommended for ‘acid-sensitive’ surfaces e.g. limestone).
7. Ensure you follow all required fixing instructions for the adhesive used and all applicable industry standards.
TILES
- Ceramic tiles must be a minimum of 200mm x 200mm x 10mm
- Porcelain tiles must be a minimum of 200mm x 200mm x 8mm
- Natural Stone tiles must be a minimum of 200mm x 200mm x 15mm
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Colour: Grey
Pack Sizes: 20m x 1m roll (weight: approx. 18kg)
2m x 1m sheet (weight: approx. 1.8kg) – only available in packs of 5

TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE AND STORAGE
-30°C to +70°C (N.B. tiling should not be carried out below 5°C)
Can be stored up to 24 months in dry rooms away from direct sunlight.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please refer to the current Product Data Sheet for further guidance on uses and installation.
TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICE
For free expert guidance on the use of BAL products, or any aspect of ceramic tiling with BAL products, contact the BAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICE on 01782 591120.
THE BAL 25 YEAR GUARANTEE
BAL products are supplied with a 25 year product guarantee. For further details and/or copies please contact the Company’s Marketing department.
NOTE
The customer must verify the suitability of any information, opinion, recommendation or advice (“information”) provided by the Company for the particular application for which any goods are intended to be used and the Company accepts no liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) whatsoever for any loss, damage or expense arising from the misuse of any information it supplies, nor for the use of any information in or for applications which are unsuitable or inappropriate. Building Adhesives Ltd operates a continuous research and development programme and reserves the right to alter or to update information from time to time.

“Note: Any advice, opinion or information is given to assist the use of the Company’s products on the basis that the user will ensure its suitability for the application intended. In particular the Company cannot accept liability for loss or damage which may arise from incorrect use of its products or from poor workmanship. The Company operates a continuous research and development programme and reserves the right to update information without notice.”