Masonry Construction articles from November 2003

Masonry Construction archives from November 2003

Changing our perspectives on involvement.(editor's note)(Editorial)
November 1, 2003... There is an aspect to the challenges presented in the graying of the masonry industry that many people may not notice. Everyone seems to know that the average age of the journeyman mason is hovering around the half-century mark. But what is the...

Safety, health, and environmental award announced.(brickbats)(National Safety Council )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The National Safety Council (NSC) is establishing a global leadership award that will be presented annually to companies that demonstrate commendable leadership and excellence in safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) performance. The new...

Question of the month.(brickbats)(fiber siding a masonry product?)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... This month's question concerns a potentially important challenge to the masonry industry reported about in the July newsletter of the Southern Brick Institute (SBI). It seems that a salesperson for a nationally known fiber manufacturer has been...

Three construction scholarships available.(brickbats)(www.ConstructMyFuture.com )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The annual scholarship program from www.ConstructMyFuture.com for post-secondary vocational education with a construction focus now includes three levels: $1500, $1000, and $500. Individuals already employed in the construction field are also...

Revised RRR listing.(brickbats)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2003... Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Fort Scott, Kan., should have been ranked #2 in the listing of the Top Five Repair/Renovation/Restoration (RRR) Contractors in the October issue (page30) with a volume of $23.4 million. MASONRY CONSTRUCTION...

AGC offers marketing training CD.(brickbats)(Associated General Contractors Association of America)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Associated General Contractors Association of America's program on "Marketing Your Firm: A Proven Process for Contractors" offers specific advice on how to position a company to get the business it wants and how to stay ahead of the...

Web page explains how to "Build Green".(brickbats)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The new "Sustainability--Green Building" Web page on the World of Concrete online bookstore site includes a new section developed in response to the growing interest in environmentally-friendly construction. Produced in association with The...

New twist in chimneys.(showcase)(CSIA Technology Center)
November 1, 2003... As a dedicated member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), Plainfield, Ind., Kevin DeLucenay was chagrined to see a simple metal tube rising from the roof of the CSIA Technology Center, the Guild's training facility. "This building...

Tradition, technology, and integrity: these three hallmarks are the foundation for Masonry Preservation Services.(top of the bearing wall)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2003... Jeff Erdly's masonry restoration business was five-years old when its turning point occurred in 1990 while he was attending an industry symposium on water in exterior building walls, which was sponsored by the American Society for Testing and...

Looking for new customers in all the wrong places?(Masonry News Contractor Tip)
November 1, 2003... Are you looking for new customers? We sure are at Lang Masonry Contractors. How do we find them? By taking care of the customers we already have. Whether current or past consumers, we need to stay in contact with customers to see if they are...

What will be the economic sailing conditions in 2004? After surviving a difficult 2003 season, masonry contractors may need to look at the skies to chart their course for smooth sailing next year.(economy)(Industry Overview)
November 1, 2003... The past 12 months have been difficult to understand for practically all segments of construction. It's almost as if the country's contractors have been sailing in an uncharted sea full of perils and constantly changing winds. Trying to...

Making a difference: Kimberly M. Kahl's passion for making contractors better in her home state of Arizona and across the nation is the driving force behind her selection as the 2003 MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine "Industry Leader of the Year.".(management)
November 1, 2003... Leaders come in many forms and employ many styles. And when you really analyze the common qualities of leadership, one of the many shared attributes for success is passion. It was this element of Kimberly M. Kahl's involvement in the...

Best of the mason wannabes: the 39th SkillsUSA-VICA masonry competition demonstrated to our industry pessimists that relying on quality workers may still have a chance to succeed.(skillsusa)
November 1, 2003... Mike Pickels had an important project to build that day in late June. He had carefully checked, cleaned, and packed everything he thought he needed to do the job right. Now approaching the jobsite, he was lugging a worn canvas bag jammed with...

Educational opportunities at the World of Masonry: nine informative, profit-enhancing programs specially directed to mason contractors will be presented.(world of masonry)(2004 World of Masonry/World of Concrete)(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... Orlando will offer much more than sunshine and tourist attractions for those contractors from around the world heading to the 2004 World of Masonry/World of Concrete, which is the country's most exciting, informative, and largest annual...

Masonry Constructions's project of the year contest.(top projects)
November 1, 2003... Outstanding examples of masonry construction deserve to be honored and publicized. Performing this task recognizes top-quality design and craftsmanship and inspires excellence among others in the profession. MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's 5th...

Masonry products facing stiff competition.(masonry markets)(Industry Overview)
November 1, 2003... While showing reasonable growth rates over the last 5 years, a recent study of exterior building materials detailed the competitive forces that masonry construction products are facing. The study conducted by Ducker Worldwide examined...

Lifter.(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Caldwell is pleased to introduce a unique, patented lifter designed specifically to handle masonry scaffolding. It safely, quickly, and efficiently moves mast sections, assembled bridge sections, or a combo of the two. Our lifter does exactly...

Quattro system.(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... ChemGrout introduces the Quattro System--ideal for EIFS, fireproofing, stucco and sprayable mortars. The Quattro system is self-contained with a built-in air compressor and built-in water pump. The precision water control system delivers...

Masonry connectors & ties.(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... FERO's engineered masonry connectors and ties set the industry standard for reliability and quality. They allow you to improve the thermal performance and strength of your wall system while lowering your costs! In fact, fewer FERO connectors...

Air powered grout pump.(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... This is Kenrich Products newest "air-powered" grout pump. Requiring only 3-CFM of air, this pump can place up to 5 gallons per minute of pre-mixed grout. Makes an ideal tool for grouting metal door frames and placing grout anywhere that high...

BlockNet[TM].(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... BlockNet[TM] is comprised of a specially shaped 3 3/8" deep stainless steel flashing with an integrated drip edge and a horizontal mesh material adhered to the top of the stainless steel plus a separate 7"x 7" vertical mesh element. When water...

Fiberglass folding ruler.(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... "The Original" Waterproof Fiberglass Folding Ruler for Masons. Full line of Professional Stone Working Tools. See our website for more information www.rhinotools.com 1-866-700-7235 Rael Inc/Rhino Tools circle 29 on reader service card...

New mortar for the masons.(Products for the Pros: showcase)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... SPEC MIX[R] Integral Water Repellent (IWR) Masonry Mortar is a dry, preblended mortar mix containing a proven powder admixture. It is formulated and tested for water repellency, superior bond, water retention and board life and meets...

Shelf angle problems.(troubleshooting)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Q How do you prevent thermal shorts in shelf angles? Can anything be done to eliminate the heat loss at these angles? A I am not aware of any way to completely avoid a thermal short at shelf angles. However, it is possible to reduce the...

Water leakage at flashings.(troubleshooting)
November 1, 2003... Q There is a water leakage problem between the gym and the remainder of a recently completed school building. The flashings were installed improperly in this area with the front edge held back from the face of the wall and the unsealed splice...

Mortar mixers.(the mason's toolbag)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Mortar mixers are one of the most used--and abused--pieces of equipment at the jobsite, consequently great care should be taken in their selection and maintenance. Selection considerations include type, capacity, power, blades, drums, seals,...

Extension cords available in several glossy colors.(mc's new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Cool Colors 12-gauge vinyl extension cords are offered in several glossy colors that promote safety and prevent jobsite loss. The cords are available in six colors--pink, blue, silver, purple, green, and red--and three standard lengths--25, 50,...

Brochure describes coatings and elastomers.(mc's new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Polyurethane and polyurea coatings, elastomers, and castable products are detailed in a four-page color brochure. The literature includes applications, features, and benefits, and illustrations of truck bed linings, parking garages, storage...

Tuckpointing grinder includes dust extraction system.(mc's new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The 1775E 5-inch grinder combines a multi-positioning head and dust extraction system. The newly designed guard and enlarged window provide greater accuracy and control in viewing the work area. Quick access to the wheel permits fast changing...

Aerial work platform turns tightly.(mc's new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The T40 telescopic straight boom aerial work platform extends to a 40-foot platform height or a 46-foot working height. The horizontal reach is 34 feet, providing 766 square feet of unrestricted working range. The 36--x 94-inch platform has a...

Vapor barrier protects floor finishes.(mc'a new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Florprufe high performance, integrally bonded vapor barrier membrane protects floor finishes from moisture-related damage. The product is designed for use below slabs-on-grade and is made of a chemical-resistant polyolefin sheet reinforced with...

Coating resists bacteria and mold.(mc's new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The 24-7 multi-surface coating features antimicrobial additives to inhibit the growth of odor--and stain-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew on the film. The additives are EPA-registered and guard against degradation for the life of the coating....

Drill bits match job requirements.(mc's new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Masonry, stone, and concrete applications can all use this line of carbide-tipped rotary hammer and hammer drill bits. Pro 4 bits feature a self-centering, chisel-shaped tip for rapid penetration. The 2-Cutter design has a symmetrical...

Software tracks employee information.(new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Automating employee management from recruitment through retirement is possible with updated Forefront construction software. The program handles issues such as pay rates, benefits, safety, workers' compensation, training, drug testing, and...

Chainsaw cuts 15-inches deep.(new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The K950 hand-held chainsaw is ideal for cuts up to 15 inches. It makes square corners without over-cuts, and provides better tight access and control and less gyration than a large diamond blade. A series of diamond chains in varying...

Device detects metal objects.(new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Eliminate costly test or blind drilling with the DrillSpotter, which can detect metal objects in structures as thick as 40 inches. The hand-held product serves two additional functions: locating exit holes and measuring wall thickness. It...

Ground heater prepares worksite.(new products)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The AC 1100 ground heater enables equipment and crews to prepare sites and place concrete indoors or outdoors, all year round. It can thaw up to 1650 square feet of frozen ground at a depth of 1 foot per day, and can heat up to 2200 square feet...

Device locates hidden rebar.(Repair Tools & Supplies)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Datascan MK 11 locates steel rebar using its ground-penetrating technology. It has a large graphic screen and permits the user to evaluate results in single-wave form using a cross-sectional image of the concrete, or with C-Scan software that...

Drill bit available in five sizes.(Repair Tools & Supplies)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The Keramik drill bit is fitted with a hard, sharp, carbide tip capable of drilling into the hardest ceramic materials. The bit drills from 10 to 100 holes without requiring sharpening. Five sizes are available: 4 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm (hardness...

Bucket carries tools and equipment.(Repair Tools & Supplies)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The Cordura Hard Body tool bucket is a simple and safe way to transport equipment around the jobsite. The device is not damaged by corrosive substances, solvents, acids, or alkalines. The bucket does not tear or crack within a temperature range...

Caulking guns feature revolving frame.(Repair Tools & Suplies)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Model 250 (1/10-gallon capacity) and Model 255 (1/4-gallon capacity) revolving-frame caulking guns offer spout cutter and seal puncture tools as standard features. Both models feature an 18:1 thrust ratio that makes dispensing thick caulks and...

Adhesive gel bonds to variety of materials.(Repair Tools & Supplies)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Type 55-22 epoxy adhesive gel bonds tenaciously to stone, concrete, masonry, wood, metal, ceramics, fiberglass, and virtually all other rigid surfaces to meet many repair and construction demands. As a filling and patching compound, it forms a...

Measuring tape uses ergonomic design.(Repair Tools & Supplies)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... ProSite measuring tape is ergonomically shaped with an over-molded grip for an easy, comfortable hold. Durability-enhancing features include an impact-resistant case, positive locking, shock-absorbing blade bumper cushions, and a nylon coated...

Flat times are here to stay.(lookout)
November 1, 2003... Are you still waiting for the economy to turn around? Get over it! Don't expect boom times to rescue you from the current lackluster business environment. Over the last decade, the construction industry grew ten years straight. The last...