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NAIL ALERT!!!
Written by Staff Writer
There is a potential issue with the nails commonly used to install roof shingles. The coil roofing nails currently being used by nearly all roofing contractors are Electro-Galvanized (EG). ETC specifies Hot Dipped Galvanized (HDG) or stainless nails. The manufacturers state that EG nails should not be used on treated lumber and Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) is one type of treated lumber. Multiple suppliers have stated that HDG coil nails are not a stock item and are not readily available for purchase. We are awaiting further information which we will post on our blog. This could be a significant problem, so please check your projects to see if the specified nails are being used, particularly if you have FRT. Please let us know if we can help!
Hello From The Expo
Written by Staff Writer
Sending out a big “thank you”to 
Steve Wolf from WP&M Real Estate Group and Allan McLeod / Sid Katz from Village of Mill Run for supporting your local business partners at the Chesapeake Chapter CAI Expo. It was nice getting a chance to connect with several of our clients and also meet many new professionals. We always look forward to answering questions and offering some guidance to those having building concerns. Let’s talk again soon!
Thumbs up for weeps!
Written by Staff Writer
We have recently found a few buildings with EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems) intended to be a moisture drainage design, which were missing weeps. The manufacturers of these systems require weep elements (drainage tracks, holes, slots, etc.) along the base of the walls and at transitions to allow water that infiltrates behind the EIFS to discharge. Without weeps the water remains trapped in the wall and can lead to leaks inside the building, mold, damage to structural elements, and even falling pieces of EIFS cladding.
ETC goes on Tour
Written by Staff Writer
ETC will be exhibiting in the Chesapeake Chapter CAI Symposium/Expo on September 23rd. This event will be held at Martin’s West in Baltimore, MD from 8:00am – 2:00pm. Please come out and say hello. For more information on this event, visit www.caimdches.org
ETC will be at the University of Maryland – College Park Civil Engineering Career Fair sponsored by Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honor Society) on November 4, 2010 to recruit new interns and full time staff for our structures department.
All 8 of the structural staff from ETC will be at the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute) dinner meeting on Thursday, September 16, 2010 . The topic of the presentation will be fire proofing requirements for carbon fiber. ETC is one of the few consultants in the area that design their own carbon fiber solutions for strengthening of existing structures.
Beach & Business…a fine combo
Written by Staff Writer
It’s no secret that Buck Mann and Igor Conev(www.ocmannproperties.com ) are big supporters of Ocean City, Maryland and through their encouragement, we too have found a love for this community.
At the end of each beach season, DCMA (Delmarva Condominium Management Association) has a celebration to unite its owners,
managers and business partners for the upcoming year. Whether it’s discussing local issues, planning for community projects or networking with fellow colleagues, this group provides its members with the latest information.
I encourage you (as Buck Mann did for me so many years ago) to get involved! This community is growing every year… don’t miss out on being a part of it. For more information visit www.dcmaoc.org . PS. How lucky am I to hang with such fine gentleman!
A Modern Touch
Written by Staff Writer
We have retrofitted the upper level of a concrete parking garage with post tension cable rails in lieu of masonry flower block walls. You can see that the parking level looks more clean and neat with the new rails. Also rain water drains off the parking deck much faster with the open 
cable design. The new rails are more safe as they are designed to resist vehicle impact per the Building Code, which was important to the Owner because on two separate occasions cars have crashed through the old block walls (when the gas was pressed and not the brake) and fell two stories to the ground below.
Not just another pretty face
Written by Staff Writer
During these challenging economic times, we understand how fortunate we are to say “our company is growing!” Thanks to the hard work of our employees and the unfailing support of our clients, we have added to our remarkable team.
Ryan Lauenroth is our very first intern to become a permanent part of ETC. He graduated from University of Maryland in civil engineering and will sit for his EIT exam next month . We are so glad Ryan enjoyed his internship and has decided to become part of the team. We just couldn’t let this one go!
There’s no stopping this lady! Alicia Walker recently graduated from 
University of Maryland, accepted a position with ETC, passed the EIT exam and is planning a wedding for next month. She is definitely proving herself as a multi-tasker and we’re glad to have her as part of our group!
What a find in Alex Goldberg! With over 10 year of construction experience, he has become a valuable part of our team…so much, that both offices are trying to keep him! If we could just find a way to have him in two places at one time! I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of Alex!
The energizer bunny’s got nothin’ on this guy! Lukas Salo graduated from Portland State University, got married, took a job with ETC, moved across country, bought a car, found a place to live and is relocating his wife (all within 3 months). I sure hope he negotiated some vacation time! He’s an engineer that just keeps going..and going…
Caulk? Maybe Not!
Written by Staff Writer
Applying caulk to stop leaks is not always a good thing. 
Sometimes it makes matters worse by trapping water in the building façade instead of letting it drain. Here are a few areas where NOT to caulk:
*Along window or door head lintels on brick facades – leads to advanced corrosion of the steel support and either rotated/deflected steel or cracked bricks.
*Soffit (ceiling) of elevated concrete slabs (i.e. balconies, parking garage slabs) – traps water in the concrete and accelerates corrosion of the embedded steel and deterioration of the concrete
*Over/covering window weep holes – prevents windows from draining properly
Shea What?
Written by Staff Writer
I’m not sure who is more fortunate, McShea Management or Mrs. Connie Patterson-Norris? I guess we’ll call it a tie and congratulate them both!
We were so pleased to hear Mrs. Patterson-Norris joined the team of McShea Management. We have had the pleasure of working with Connie from almost the inception of ETC. Our professional relationship has spanned companies such as Holladay Corporation, Pollinger Shannon and Luchs and now McShea Management. We wish her much success in her new position as Chief Operating Officer.
From what I can gather from this photo, maybe Connie has expanded her portfolio to Hawaii. If that’s the case, I sure hope there’s a building in need of our services. Aloha McShea Managment!
Screw It!
Written by Staff Writer
Parts of Alexandria, Virginia are known to have shrink/swell (marine) clay 
soils. Placing a building on these unstable soils can result in differential building settlement as the moisture content of the soils varies during seasons of drought and rain. Over time settlement conditions can result in unsafe conditions and impending structural failures. We just completed a large foundation underpinning project, which restored the structural stability of several buildings by using helical piers. Helical piers are large “screws” that are threaded into the ground, in our case up to 80-feet deep, to a layer of good soil and are used to support the building foundation. (The attached photo shows cracked foundation)
3-Day for a Cure
Written by Staff Writer
It is a pleasure working for so many of our clients and Steve Wright is no exception. Not only have we gotten to know Steve over the years, but also his lovely wife, Sandy. They are truly a couple that enjoy life!
Each year Sandy trains for and promotes the 3-day for a Cure, 60 mile walk. We, along with many others, offer our support with a donation. If you would 
like to join the cause, go to www.the3day.org, click on the donation box and enter the name: Lori Cole (Sandy’s teammate). Team “Moody Boobs” will be walking in DC on Oct 8-10. If you’re unable to show your support with a donation, then PLEASE come out and cheer on these courageous women. We can only hope this is the last walk for Sandy and her team. Maybe….just maybe… this will be the year for the CURE!! Until then, walk-on MOODY BOOBS!
