Recorded live at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate, Tom is joined by Simon Jenkins and Steve Lane from F. Ball to discuss getting subfloor preparation right and avoiding costly problems on site. From unexpected moisture to using the wrong primer, Simon and Steve explain why a successful installation starts with understanding what’s underneath the floor. They discuss the risks of mixing manufacturers’ systems, the value of written specifications and why picking up the phone for technical advice should be part of the job. Simon also shares a site visit where a missed adhesive residue led to a failure, how F. Ball put it right and why the experience stayed with him. With questions from the Flooring Forum audience, the conversation covers moisture control, packaging and recycling, lignite in screeds and explaining preparation costs to customers. Throughout the session, the message is clear: doing the job properly starts with asking the right questions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why sticking to a complete manufacturer’s system matters. How technical representatives can help with unexpected site conditions. The value of site visits, moisture testing and written specifications. Why you can’t judge whether a subfloor is dry just by looking at it. How product testing moves from the laboratory to real working environments. Planning moisture control and smoothing work around a fitting schedule. Explaining the cost of proper preparation to customers. Why turning down a shortcut can protect your reputation. How fitter feedback influences packaging and product development. F. Ball’s approach to questions about lignite in screeds. Memorable Quote: “Doing it properly is going to be significantly cheaper than doing it twice.” Tom Cockerill Speaker Information: Simon Jenkins National Sales Manager, F. Ball and Co. Ltd. Simon joined F. Ball as a technical representative in 2008. He now manages the team supporting flooring contractors, retailers and wholesalers, drawing on extensive experience of site inspections, specifications and installation challenges. Steve Lane Technical Representative, East Midlands, F. Ball and Co. Ltd. Steve spent 30 years as a floor layer before working in F. Ball’s training school and moving into technical support on the road. He brings practical fitting experience to helping contractors assess subfloors and choose suitable preparation systems. Where to Find F. Ball: Website: https://f-ball.com/en/ Technical Support: https://f-ball.com/en/technical-help/ Where to Find The UK Flooring Podcast: Website: https://theukflooringpodcast.co.uk/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cockerillco6141 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59DLhGPVKNtVoS656EYtxq Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uk-flooring-podcast/id1606720642 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theukflooringpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theukflooringpodcast/ Produced by Cockerill & Co. Subscribe for more conversations, practical advice and business lessons from across the flooring industry.
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