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No Stacking The Deck
Synthetic wood manufacturers have requirements on the size of the gaps required between their decking boards. We have seen some decks where the synthetic lumber was spaced so tightly that water ponded and ice was formed on the deck surface. Manufacturers offer very long warranties (up to 25-year) but they will not honor the warranty […]
Adding Parking Spaces
Expanding a parking lot by converting a landscaped area into parking space sounds easy, but in actuality the process can be quite complicated. As coveted as parking places can be, green space is not something you can necessarily sacrifice without a care. In many cases landscaped, wooded areas are protected by government ordinance or regulation. […]
Hammering Out Concrete Problems
If you have a concern about the integrity of cracked or spalled concrete, consider using a simple but reliable test. Tap the concrete with a hammer. A sharp, ringing sound tends to indicate that the concrete is sound. A dull hollow sound means that the concrete may be unsound, unbonded, delaminated or deteriorated. It sounds simple […]
Just Breathe
Installing linoleum or similar covering directly on concrete floors can be problematic if there is moisture in the slab. This is especially a concern with on grade slabs where there may be moisture under the slab that can permeate upward. Linoleum and similar floor coverings act as a barrier that can cause moisture to be trapped […]
Using Sacrificial Zinc Anodes to Inhibit Corrosion
When repairing concrete damage caused by embedded steel corrosion, it may not be enough to simply remove and replace. In applications where the existing steel, after being cleaned and coated, will come into contact with both old concrete and new patch material, accelerated corrosion is possible due to the differences in electrical potential between the old […]
Extreme Makeover!
Parking garage rehabilitation projects can take a while to complete, but the payoff can be huge especially when the aesthetics are improved as shown. This recently completed garage is a prime example of a dark, unsafe looking, cavern-like parking area that was transformed into a bright space. New lighting, painted columns and ceilings, and a […]
Where The Sidewalk Ends
Now that the snow is starting to melt away, we have started to find heaved (raised) sections of concrete sidewalk due to the cold weather which present a potential trip hazard. As a general rule, a ½”or more difference in the level of the walking surface can be a potential trip hazard. We have also seen damaged […]
What A Load of…Information!
If redesigning a space in your building, it is important to consider the new occupant load and how it can affect other items in the building. The use (or function) and the size of the space will determine the occupant load allowed by code. Different functions require different numbers of square feet per occupant. For […]
Stay Grounded
A common cause of corrosion in plumbing pipes is galvanic reaction between dissimilar metals. If copper fittings are connected directly to galvanized steel, as an example, both metals are likely to corrode. The usual remedy is to remove the affected items and replace the fitting with a dielectric device. Dielectric fittings generally employ an electrical […]
Condensation…Not So Pretty
During the winter season, condensation occurs when warm moist indoor air is cooled down below the dew point temperature as it comes in contact with a cold surface such as the exterior walls or windows. Cold surfaces usually are the result of air leakage, inadequate insulation of walls and windows, or in rooms where less […]
A Slick Idea
It’s deicing time again and there are a few things to consider apart from the obvious. The most commonly used deicers (sodium chloride and calcium chloride) are not considered particularly hazardous, but improper storage, use, and disposal of these materials can have negative environmental consequences. Sodium chloride will, in relatively low concentrations, kill vegetation and […]
Preventing Damage!
Broken sprinkler pipes can be a very serious problem. On a most recent project, cold weather caused over $1 million in damages from a single 6 inch pipe in the attic of a 4 story building. It caused major floor and ceiling damage to 3 residences and caused the ceiling in the lobby to collapse. […]