Steve Swan’s Post

Am I responsible to fix this?   Subfloor surface preparation and ‘who is responsible for what’ is a constant cause of conflict between the floor trade and the Constructor.   Floor covering trade scope of work does not include this type of surface corrective work.   Meanwhile, the Constructor will typically expect the floor covering installer to take it on.   The term ‘minimal preparation’ is often used to describe what the installer will take on and perform yet this term quantifies nothing.   NFCA Floor Covering Reference/Specification Manual is clear about work responsibilities and states in PART A – General Requirements, Section A12 Substrate Preparation.   The Constructor shall (except as noted below) provide a substrate surface acceptable for the installation of specified flooring materials. This shall include: 1. Provision of substrate surfaces within level and flatness tolerances defined under Part A10 - Acceptable Conditions (Flat to 3/16 within 10’, smooth, dry, contaminants free, warm, sound, clean). 2. Filling and levelling all substrate surfaces including control and construction joints, structural and non-structural cracks, grooves, gaps, and other irregularities. 3. Grinding smooth all ridges, undulations, projections and areas of carbonation and scaling. 4. Correcting low density or powdery concrete surfaces in order to provide substrate surfaces that are acceptable for the installation of flooring materials. 5. Major patching or installation of an underlayment using products that are suitable for substrate surfaces, that are compatible with flooring materials to be used, and that are in accordance with NFCA requirements. The Floor Covering Reference/Specification Manual contains several specification guides useful for Specification Writers to use when dealing with commercial floor covering installation. The latest version of the manual is published as a website at https://lnkd.in/ezn6udg Available NFCA Specification Guides include: Resilient Flooring, Carpet Flooring, Laminate, Hardwood, Hydraulic Cement Underlayment and Gypsum Underlayment.

Elevator Pit Waterproofing Made to Last One more elevator pit was waterproofed this week, this time at a low-rise commercial building on Lakeshore Rd E in Oakville. This pit, equipped with a piston-operated elevator, did not have an active leak, but the customer requested that the steel elevator equipment be rustproofed, in addition to the regular waterproofing measures we take, including cold joint waterproofing, a two-foot waterproofing upturn around the pit perimeter, and a polyaspartic coating. Repair Method The first step involved surface cleaning in preparation for repair, which included cold joint waterproofing, a waterproofing coating upturn, and a polyaspartic membrane installation. Cold Joint Waterproofing Cold joints, which are weak areas where two concrete slabs meet (such as the wall and floor), were thoroughly waterproofed around the entire pit. This step was crucial, as leaks often occur in these areas. To fully seal the cold joints, a continuous patch was installed at a 45-degree angle along the joints, providing a robust barrier against water ingress. Waterproofing Membrane and Upturn Once the cold joints were waterproofed, the entire elevator pit floor surface was coated with a waterproofing layer, which was also continued onto the walls to the height of two feet, to provide a more durable result. Polyaspartic Coating Application The final step in our design was the application of a polyaspartic coating, which included a color pigment for aesthetic purposes. This coating was applied to both the floor and part of the walls (an upturn), ensuring comprehensive coverage. Polyaspartic coating fully seals any surface it is applied to, offering a long-lasting protective layer essential for maintaining the integrity of the elevator pit. Learn more about our elevator pit waterproofing services by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/eRgJG4P. #elevatorpitwaterproofing #waterproofingsolutions #waterproofing #wateproofingexperts #polyaspartic #propertymanagers #facilitymanagers

The Brilliance of Steel Roofing Solutions by Brilliance MAHK Steel roofing solutions have gained popularity due to their durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. This report provides an overview of steel roofs, focusing on Brilliance MAHK as a trusted supplier. Steel roofs, made of high-quality materials like galvanized or coated steel, offer optimal durability and resistance to extreme weather. Advantages include: Durability: Steel roofs outlast other materials, resisting cracking, warping, rot, and insect damage. Longevity: With a lifespan of up to 50 years, steel roofs provide cost savings and reduced maintenance. Energy Efficiency: Reflective finishes lower cooling costs, and insulation options enhance energy efficiency. Aesthetic Appeal: A wide range of designs, colors, and profiles allow for customization and architectural harmony. Brilliance MAHK is a reputable supplier, offering diverse steel roofing solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Their product range, including various profiles and finishes, ensures suitability for any project. Quality control measures ensure compliance with industry standards. Brilliance MAHK also provides customization options and comprehensive technical support.

💡 The number of claims for defective timber framed windows and doors have continued to increase not only in conversion projects but also in new build housing. Read about where these failures are found, our updated warranty standards as well as some key dates you need to know about in the article below. https://hubs.ly/Q02m4DkZ0

💡 The number of claims for defective timber framed windows and doors have continued to increase not only in conversion projects but also in new build housing. Read about where these failures are found, our updated warranty standards as well as some key dates you need to know about in the article below. https://hubs.ly/Q02mvwC20

Enhance Durability and Longevity with Innovative Concrete Repair and Protection Sealers Are you tired of dealing with cracked, deteriorating concrete surfaces? Whether it’s your driveway, patio, or commercial flooring, the wear and tear on concrete is inevitable. However, with the advancement of technology in construction materials, there’s a solution to prolong the life of your concrete structures: READ MORE click the link below https://lnkd.in/gqTAq23f

When selecting a metal roof system, one crucial aspect to consider is the thickness of the metal. This factor can often be intricate and open to interpretation for property owners. Metal thickness is a key element determined during product design by reputable manufacturers of metal roofing. Factors such as metal formability, the inherent strength of roofing panels, and expected weather durability are taken into account during this process. In the realm of metal roofing, the thickness of the metal plays a vital role in the product's performance. For instance, more heavily formed products tend to utilize thinner metals. This is akin to the concept of folding a piece of paper to increase its strength. For aluminum roofing, a flat panel standing seam design may require a minimum thickness of .027” or .032”, whereas heavily formed aluminum shakes may utilize .019” aluminum due to the complexity of their design. Similarly, steel roofing panels can vary in thickness, with corrugated panels typically made from 29 gauge steel (approximately .013” thick) and flat panel standing seam designs necessitating 24 gauge steel (approximately .024” thick). Copper roofing materials also follow this trend, with copper shingles usually formed from 12-ounce copper and copper standing seam roofs from the heavier 16-ounce weight. When assessing metal roofing panels based on metal thickness, it is essential to look beyond just the thickness measurement. Seek out manufacturer test data on critical aspects like wind uplift resistance and historical data on the metal thickness traditionally used in the design you are considering. This comprehensive evaluation will ensure that you make an informed decision when selecting the right metal roof thickness for your property.

Flooring trade: “this concrete surface is not flat to the flooring manufacturers requirements and needs more work that is not in our scope”.   Concrete trade: “we did our job and met our specified flatness requirement months ago”.   Constructor to flooring installer: “I don’t want to hear about extras, you should have included it in your price, proceed with your installation.   Flooring trade rejects the slab surface. Result - conflict and delays.   Concrete placement and wet finishing are a major challenge for the constructor on new projects; they battle weather, curing requirements, dry times, deadlines, labour shortages, changing concrete products, natural deformation of cured slabs and to cap it all… rejection of surfaces by the floor trade even when they met specification months before. Why? And how do we avoid this everyday occurrence in construction? How do we align the work of two of the most important trades in construction when their work is months, often years apart and they don’t meet on site to discuss what surface will be delivered and what is ultimately required.   What is missing? Correct language in the architectural specifications that align with correct activities on site and which anticipate the natural deformation of slabs post pour. Then a meeting between all involved (consultant, constructor, concrete contractor, and flooring contractor) prior to pouring to set expectations and get agreement before work begins.    Aligning the work results of the concrete trade with what the floor covering trade needs for an acceptable surface (flat to 3/16” over 10’, smooth, 3500 psi compressive strength, free of contaminants, thoroughly dry, and warm with a surface temperature of 16 to 28c) won’t happen without a clear understanding of what is needed, who is responsible to deliver it and by when.   NFCA’s concrete finishing specification is a free resource available to all to help avoiding getting caught up in this problem. It was crafted by multiple experts from across the trades representing structural, architectural, cement manufacturing, concrete trade, flooring trade and constructors.    Follow this link to download the free specification, feel free to call us to discuss.. https://lnkd.in/gTKbGFbp   #concretespecification #concretefinishingspecification #flooring #construction

Determining the optimal time for resurfacing your industrial concrete flooring can be challenging. Nonetheless, it is crucial to identify when resurfacing is necessary to maintain the functionality of the associated benefits. For further insights on the ideal moments for resurfacing your flooring, explore our blog: https://ow.ly/nT2V50Qwnpp

How soon can you install epoxy flooring on freshly poured concrete? While most specifications recommend a minimum 28 day period, the answer can also depend on a range of factors including the concrete mix, relative humidity and air temperature. Read our article to discover the different methods that can be used to provide better estimates: https://lnkd.in/eCvQYqyK #ResinFlooring #IndustrialFlooring #FlooringContractors