Masonry Construction articles from November 2002

Masonry Construction archives from November 2002

Fuel the embers of backroom politics. (editor's note).(Editorial)
November 1, 2002... My son is experiencing his "midlife" crisis at 17. He discovered that earning power doesn't always follow personal interests. Thus, he drastically changed his television watching habits. While he still is an avid History Channel buff, he has...

PCA releases plaster repair info sheet. (brickbats).(Portland Cement Association)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The Portland Cement Association is offering a new 8-page information sheet dealing with the "Repair of Portland Cement Plaster (Stucco)." The data sheet discusses the causes of plaster deterioration, accepted methods for installing durable...

Tool kit makes case for safety equipment. (brickbats).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The International Safety Equipment Association's new tool kit is a resource of information and ideas to help construction safety officers make the business case for personal protective equipment (PPE) with their supervisors. It also includes...

New air barrier requirements are confusing, nonuniform, and troublesome. (question of the month).
November 1, 2002... Our November question of the month comes from the engineering staff at the National Concrete Masonry Association. The NCMA staff has noticed that code writers are promulgating air barrier system requirements for building envelopes at the...

Three styles: create a new classic. (showcase).(residence constructed by Spencer Brickwork Inc.)
November 1, 2002... This elegant 21st century St. Louis-area residence blends three architectural traditions using brick and stone that appear to have been in place for 100 years. The owners wanted a traditional American home that would also reflect English Gothic...

Carving a niche out of stone: Richard Rhodes searches the world and rescues ancient stonework to craft modern designs. (top of the bearing wall).(Rhodes Architectural Stone)
November 1, 2002... The Pacific Northwest was the ideal setting when Richard Rhodes formed Rhodes Masonry Inc. in 1984. "There really weren't any other companies specializing in stone," said Rhodes. "My company was able to quickly penetrate that market by having...

Masonry news contractor tip.
November 1, 2002... Provided by Damian Lang, President of Land Masonry Contractors, Inc, and EZ Grout Corp. Is everyone in the company pulling in the same direction? Years ago my father-in-law who was the president of the local Eagles club asked if I...

Masonry construction's top 50 contractors. (top 50).
November 1, 2002... The 50 companies represented in MASONRY CONSTRUCTION'S first-annual "Top Contractors" listing combined for slightly more than $1 billion in masonry revenue in 2001. A little over 70% of this work was done in the commercial/...

Where are the country's largest masonry contractors? (top 50).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Attendance information gathered during the 2001 World of Masonry/World of Concrete, combined with subscription information from MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine, listed nearly 750 general contractors and masonry contractors that do more than $10...

The Western Group, St. Louis #1 in masonry restoration: when the economy slows down in terms of new construction, restoration becomes an even more practical approach. (top 50).
November 1, 2002... The Western Group, St. Louis, is the country's largest masonry restoration/renovation/repair contractor. The specialty contractor, which ranks second on our list, does $48 million in this category, or about 36% of Western's 2001 volume of...

Masonry Construction presents the ultimate work zone: while the art of masonry is timeless, a contractor's profitability depends on being on the cutting edge of work zone innovations. (special advertising section).
November 1, 2002... To help contractors learn what the immediate future has in store for masonry construction, MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine is proud to unveil its 2003 version of "The Ultimate Work Zone." For the next 2 months, we will be presenting some of...

Mixing just right. (special advertising section: the ultimate work zone: product classification: mortar mixers, silo).
November 1, 2002... Masonry quality in the Ultimate Work Zone needs to complement rather than compete with pressure to get the job done. The SPEC MIX bulk bag delivery and dispensing system not only facilitates better quality and higher production but it also...

Challenging the world's best: Masonry Construction announces that the SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 competition becomes the first event of its Masons Challenge. (masons challenge).
November 1, 2002... When some masonry contractors pack their suitcases for the 2003 edition of the World of Masonry, scheduled to take place from February 3-7 in Las Vegas, they might be packing something new. Along with their lucky tokens, sturdy shoes, and...

The total package: World of Masonry combines the products featured in the ultimate work zone with training on how to perform the job correctly. (world of masonry).
November 1, 2002... Each year, thousands of masonry contractors go to the World of Masonry for many reasons. They get a firsthand opportunity to learn about the exhibitor's new products and services. And for many, another important aspect of the World of Masonry...

Joint questions. (troubleshooting).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Q Which is stronger: a wide joint or a narrow one? Is it better to have a 3/4-inch joint or a 14-inch joint if it varies from the specified 3/8-inch joint? I would like to design a wall with ?-inch-wide joints to achieve a different...

What's the right gauge? (troubleshooting).(steel studs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Q I have been told that a minimum of 18 gauge should be used for steel studs in a brick veneer system. In many cases, however, a 20-gauge or 22-gauge stud may work structurally. Is this 18-gauge figure the industry standard? If so, what is...

Flashing wing walls. (troubleshooting).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Q Our company is designing an office building. The exterior masonry wall extends beyond the intersecting wall to form wing walls and create an aesthetic feature in the building. A question came up regarding how these wing walls should be...

System protects masonry structures from blasts. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Blastec blast-protection system for existing masonry structures incorporates a complete diagnostic design and installation service along with sophisticated technology and drilling methods. After inspection by a qualified engineer, a 3-D model...

Tuckpointing blades available in three models. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Three dry-cut tuckpointing blades provide constant cutting depth, which results in fewer blade changes, less downtime, and more cost-effective use. Supreme blades feature 12-mm diamond segments, Premium blades use 10-mm segments, and Standard...

Product bonds tough-to-adhere surfaces. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... ENECLAD SuperBond helps bond hard-to-adhere surfaces together and offers extraordinary adhesion to concrete, block, brick, stone, terrazzo, marble, metal, wood, and glass. It also adheres to smooth un-blasted surfaces and improves the adhesion...

Screw has high pullout and shear values. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The Swancrete screw is strong enough to use wherever wood and composite materials need to be fastened to masonry--whether new construction, remodeling, or maintenance. This screw has a 0.234-inch diameter that provides the highest available...

System provides support grid for pavers. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The PAVE-EL Pedestal System is used under pavers placed on waterproofed areas such as podiums, plazas, arenas, terraces, and roof promenades. The pedestal is a grid-like structure of high-density polyethylene with integral spacer ribs...

Taper-threaded coupler connects two rebar. (Rebar Splicing).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Contractors are assured of a precise connection between two rebar (No. 4 to No. 18) by simply screwing them into each end of the Lenton coupler. This proprietary system requires the use of taper-threaded rebar bought from the company or made by...

Series of couplers features lock-shear bolts. (Rebar Splicing).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... MBT couplers (screw-lock type) easily and cost-effectively join together No. 3 to No. 18 rebar (plain or deformed) in both tension and compression. The standard coupler is a steel tube with a series of six lock-shear bolts on top, a center pin,...

System allows couplers with or without nuts. (Rebar Splicing).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The Threadbar Reinforcing System splices rebar quickly and economically using epoxy-coated rebar in standard or custom lengths and couplers with or without hex or lock nuts. The rebar have a continuous rolled-in pattern of threadlike...

Sevice screw-locks rebar together. (Rebar Splicing).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The ZAP Screwlok coupling device consists of a steel sleeve with two converging sides and a series of cone-pointed screws arranged along the top of the sleeve length. Rebar are inserted from each end to a center stop. As the screws are...

Edging installs quickly and easily. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The one-piece Snap Edge system is versatile and allows for straight, curved, or complete radius installation of concrete or clay pavers. It comes in 8-foot lengths and has a tongue-and-groove connection for quick and easy installation. The...

Repair mortar matches masonry. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... MIMIC-Matrix is a durable cement-based repair mortar formulated to match the appearance and physical characteristics of the masonry substrate. There are nine standard colors and five custom colors for onsite field mixing/ color matching....

Scalers and hammers prepare surface. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Floor/deck scalers and hand-held scaling hammers are used for surface preparation and assist in the efficient capture of hazardous materials and dust. With 12 scaling heads that operate at 2300 blows per minute, the floor/deck scaler is ideal...

Truck-mounted device lifts up to 800 pounds. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The Lift Pro is designed for use with vehicles having a class 3 or 4 hitch and lets contractors lift and haul all sorts of material weighing up to 400 or 800 pounds. The electric-powered lift works off of the vehicle's battery and is used with...

Two-way radio available in VHF and UHF. (new products).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Pro Talk two-way radio has a range up to 5 miles and a design durable enough to withstand the tough working environments of construction. The radio has 38 talk groups to minimize interference and features a low-battery warning and a time-out...

System tracks vehicles and workers 24/7. (new products).
November 1, 2002... FleetView wireless communications system allows contractors to track the location and status of their equipment and vehicles 24 hours a day. This monitoring approach reduces theft, increases productivity, and improves dispatching to better use...

Fall-protection lifeline system uses unique connector. (new products).
November 1, 2002... A uniquely designed connector allows the Xenon cable lifeline system to be installed in a variety of configurations (straight or curved; multiple bends; and floors, ridgelines, or frontal posts) while providing workers with continuous anchorage...

Survive, thrive, or take a dive? (lookout).(economic indicators and strategic planning)
November 1, 2002... Remember the great real estate depression of 1991? Commercial construction permits in California dropped to 25% of the previous year's level. In my area, there wasn't even one building permit issued in the type of work my company...