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Ready For a Rainy Day!
Nothing like a rainy day to see how one of our drainage projects is performing. The channel is not done. We still need some plants to finish the step pools to make the swale look even prettier.
Paving Fabric Woes
We have found paving fabrics to be very useful in pavement rehabilitation. However, it’s important to apply a proper thickness of asphalt over the fabric or premature failures can occur. The photograph illustrates what often happens when a thin layer (less than an inch and a half) is applied over paving fabric. Ron Brookman, our […]
Bridge Ices Before Road
Have you ever seen that yellow sign before driving over a bridge that says, “Bridge Ices Before Road” and wondered why? A major reason is that cold air surrounds the bridge from above and below, which means that heat within the bridge deck is lost from all sides. Roadways, however, are protected by the ground […]
Landscape Infiltration Devices
Landscape Infiltration devices have become a favored method of controlling and filtering sediment and pollution carried by rainwater runoff, replacing large sediment ponds previously used. Landscape infiltration devices utilize beds of sand, gravel and mulch, along with native plantings to filter the runoff before the water enters the stormwater system. When completed, the area appears […]
5 Signs Your AC Compressor Is Malfunctioning
Your AC unit has many parts functioning together to enable the generation and distribution of cooled air. The most essential part is the compressor, which is responsible for pumping and circulating liquid refrigerant through the AC system, generating cooled air. By paying attention to these 5 signs, you can diagnose if your compressor is malfunctioning. […]
Metal Railings and Window Coatings
Have you considered coating performance options? If you have decided to replace your deteriorated railings and/or windows with new, low-maintenance aluminum products, you may think selecting the coating color is the most difficult decision remaining. However, have you considered the coating performance of your new railings and windows? Typically, coatings for these items fall under […]
Getting To The Core Of The Problem
When evaluating asphalt pavement, including asphalt-paved parking decks, ETC recommends core sampling as part of our investigative service. Extracting a core sample of the pavement can be beneficial in telling the history of the pavement construction as well as the conditions of the sub-base profile beneath the asphalt. The cores can also tell the […]
How can I repair footprints in my concrete sidewalk?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix for addressing footprints in your sidewalk. Your best bet is to remove and repour the affected panel (section between control joints). There are other options out there including filling the footprint in with a repair material (e.g. sand filled epoxy), patching the area, or grinding down the area, but […]
Window Condensation
An all too common building problem involves the formation of condensation (water) on the interior surfaces of windows. This can be caused by a variety of factors including deficiencies with the windows, the use of heavy window treatments that prevent air circulation on window surfaces, and excess moisture in building interiors. Sometimes, when too much […]
No Need For Ice Melt?
Imagine a winter without the need for ice melt. Researchers at Drexel, Purdue and Oregon State University are working with concrete admixtures to hopefully make this a reality. Their research includes the addition of phase changing materials such as paraffin, coconut, or palm oils into the concrete mix and has proven to melt snow in […]
Attack of the Road Salts
Parking garages in this region are attacked by road salts and water throughout much of the year. The cost to repair deteriorated concrete can be quite high and the project can cause significant inconvenience to garage users. So, as part of a parking garage restoration project, we recommend and our clients tend to include, application […]
SAFETY ISSUE: Fireplace & Chimney Maintenance
Incomplete combustion of wood in fireplaces creates a buildup of flammable oils (creosote) in chimney flues, which can contribute to chimney or building fires. Only dry, seasoned wood (preferably hardwood) should be burned in fireplaces. Green and/or water saturated wood burns at a lower temperature and less completely than dry, seasoned wood and poses a […]