Passive House construction goes beyond sustainable materials to construct a building that performs more sustainably. Achieving this demands attention to design, materials, and construction processes.
Challenging Concrete
Specializing in the challenging and complicated concrete projects, Tarlton Concrete Group has found success by a skilled team and staying out of the norm.
6 Steps at Elevating Your Concrete Stamping
From prep to finishing touches, let's break down the concrete stamping process. Here are some expert tips on elevating residential areas with stamped concrete. 26 How to Choose the Right Concrete Saw for the Job
Using an appropriate saw and blade is key to maximizing efficiency and ensuring precise, reliable cuts.
30 Buying Used Concrete Equipment? Beware of Hidden Liens
There's an uncommon-but-real issue that could crop up when buying any type of used equipment—buying equipment that unknowingly has a lien on it.
Women in Concrete
Sharing the voice of three women within the concrete construction industry: Kilah Engelke (left), Lizabeth Howard (center), and Dr. Marisa Juenger (right).
What Does ‘Concrete Contractor’ Mean?
Join me here as I attempt to trudge my way through what “concrete contractor” means. I don’t mean this magazine. I mean the job. Even though you may work on a different type of project, do you think your job is the same as another reader? Aside from the fact that working with concrete in some form or fashion puts food on the table, where’s the intersection of the Venn diagram of hundreds of differences of “concrete contractor?” What does that look like? As I thought about this, the way too simplified answer is that there’s a lot of difference in this community. Like concrete, one could say that this mix is what gives the concrete contractor industry the strength it has.
I’d like to draw your attention to page 18 where share the story of the concrete group of Tarlton Corp. In it we briefly profile two projects that couldn’t be more different—one about a mass concrete project with 25-ft. thick walls, where another featured massive columns, an odd shape, and tight constraints for space.
Our cover story (page 12) features the voices of three professionals within the concrete industry: Dr. Marisa Juenger, vice president of the American Concrete Institute; Lizabeth Howard, P.E., senior project manager at Superior Construction; and Kilah Engelke, the business manager of the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association Local 599. Although these professionals represent very different worlds, they each found there way here and discovered something they love.
Though each are in a vastly different “job,” they represent the range and varying degree of people this industry has. Consider the contractors that specialize in stamping (see page 22 by the way), the finishers, the polishers, the pumpers, etc. These differences aren’t the cracks, they’re the aggregate and cement—I think that’s something all concrete contractors from the foundation and up can be proud of.
Alright, that’s enough from me. Thank you for reading.
Please enjoy this issue.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Get industry news and expert insights delivered straight into your inbox. Stay up to date on the latest happenings across the concrete industry with our e-newsletter, In The Mix. https://CONC.me/newsletters
ADVISORY BOARD
Kim Basham KB Engineering Cheyenne, Wyo.
James Baty II Concrete Foundations Association Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Dennis Purinton Purinton Builders, Inc. East Granby, Conn.
Brand Manager, OEM & Construction ................ Nikki Lawson nlawson@iron.markets
Published and copyrighted 2025 by IronMarkets.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.
The solution facilitates pumping, placing, consolidating and finishing characteristics. The next-generation polymer technology reinforces the plastic properties of concrete, supporting concrete producers and concrete contractors. This helps with challenges related to working with blended cements, manufactured sands and crushed aggregates in low CO2 concrete mixtures. Acting as a conditioner, it facilitates short mixing time, low pumping pressure, flowability and a reliable finish with fewer trowel passes.
Scan the QR code for more information.
https://CONC.me/ osc727f6
MGT America Poly Drum Line
MGT America’s Poly Drum line includes the Mortar Mixer, Cement Mixer, and Wheelbarrow Mixer—offering a durable, efficient, and lightweight solution for contractors.
• Poly drums resist corrosion, lowering the maintenance needs and enhancing the drum’s lifespan.
• Poly surfaces prevent cement from adhering as firmly as it does to steel, allowing for faster, easier cleaning.
• Poly drums reduce noise, ideal for residential and noise-sensitive jobsites.
• Lightweight poly drums reduce fuel usage during transport.
Scan the QR code for more information.
https://CONC. me/8d9xcirj
Wirtgen Slipform Paver SP 33
Wirtgen’s SP 33 Concrete Paver enables the paving of monolithic concrete profiles such as curbs and berms, rectangular profiles, concrete safety barriers up to a height of 52 in. and drainage and gutter profiles. In the offset paving configuration, it can effortlessly pave concrete slabs with a pave width of up to 7 ft., also in combination with a trimmer up to 8-ft. wide. The Crosspave version can pave slabs up to a width of 10 ft. transversely to the direction of travel of the machine. Both solutions can be controlled by the operating concept with an event-driven graphic display. The ECO mode detects every working situation without the need for manual intervention by the operator.
Scan the QR code for more information.
https://CONC. me/61luyfbf P2K Kneeboard LISSMAC
The P2K Kneeboard sliders are ideal for professionals looking for reliable and effective tools for concrete finishing tasks.
• Made of high-quality galvanized steel or stainless steel for exceptional durability and long-lasting performance.
• Available in a standard version or a model with angles to suit different user preferences and needs.
• Angled model designed to prevent digging into the concrete, ensuring smooth and efficient movement. Slightly longer design to maintain optimal weight distribution, providing better stability and comfort.
Scan the QR code for more information.
https://CONC. me/10refyvg
With its 55 kW / 74.8 PS Hatz 4-cyl. engine, coupled with a 3-speed gearbox, LISSMAC’s MULTICUT 605 delivers efficient cutting performance for saw blades up to 1,200 mm, achieving a maximum cutting depth of 515 mm. The hydrostatic drive ensures smooth, controlled operation and even feed rates, while the electro-hydraulically controlled blade raising and lowering system enhances precision and protects the cutting tool. The compact design, balanced chassis, and low center of gravity allow for easy maneuverability and precise straight cuts.
Scan the QR code for more information.
https://CONC.me/ l1mkozms
Toro’s electric Ultra Buggy e2500-THL has the ability to dump into a 30-yard dumpster, navigate tight spaces and operate continuously for up to eight hours on a single charge. The Ultra Buggy e2500-THL does the heavy and high lifting, allowing crews to move materials where they need them. With a carrying capacity of 1,250 lbs. at full 76-in. dump height and 12.8 cu. ft. volume, it’s ready to take on the most debrisintensive tasks, whether hauling concrete rubble, building materials or trash. Crews can reduce physical strain, avoid repetitive motion injuries and focus on getting the job done efficiently.
Scan the QR code for more information.
https://CONC.me/ l8jqapw1 Toro Electric High Lift Ultra Buggy e2500-THL
Conjet Robots and NLB Pumps make a Powerful Combo.
Power, reach and stability are crucial for Automated Concrete Removal™ on bridges and parking decks. Combining an NLB 605 Series water jet pump unit with a Conjet robot gives you all that and more.
The NLB 605 is a 600 hp diesel unit known for performance, reliability, and low maintenance. It’s easily convertible to pressures up to 40,000 psi. The Conjet ACR™ Robot 557 MPA XL features a multi-position arm that cuts more than 20 feet high, and shifts its center of gravity to maintain stability and maximize safety.
Learn about this highly productive tandem by visiting our website at www.nlbcorp.com, or giving us a call today!
605 Series Diesel Unit
Conjet
ACR™ Robot 557 MPA XL
Concrete’s Role in Passive House Construction
PASSIVE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION GOES BEYOND SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS TO CONSTRUCT A BUILDING THAT PERFORMS MORE SUSTAINABLY. ACHIEVING THIS CERTIFICATION DEMANDS ATTENTION TO DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES.
Rendering of La Mora Senior Apartments, Yonkers, New York Group PMX
As the construction industry moves toward greener solutions, the push for sustainable, energy-efficient buildings grows. Global energy consumption for buildings accounts for nearly 40% of total energy usage. With stricter legislation, such as the focus on net-zero emissions by 2050, the pressure to build with energy efficiency has led to more projects pursuing Passive House certification. Passive House is an advanced target that goes beyond sustainable materials to construct a building that performs more sustainably—an embodiment of sustainability’s core concepts.
Achieving certification comes with its
own set of challenges as it demands precise attention to design, materials, and construction processes. Even small deviations can compromise a building’s energy efficiency and environmental performance. Among these challenges is the use of concrete in foundations and slabs, which impacts both airtightness and thermal performance in significantly different ways than conventional construction.
THE 5 CORE PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE HOUSE
1. Eliminate or minimize thermal bridging in the building envelope.
2. Utilize high-efficiency energy (double- or triple-paned windows and doors) to allow
solar gain and mitigate energy loss through glass.
3. Reduce space conditioning loads, allowing for minimum equipment to meet loads.
4. Create an airtight envelope, preventing infiltration and air loss, with an intention for durability and longevity.
5. Capture and utilize heat and moisture recovery in the HVAC system to enhance indoor air quality.
CONCRETE
IN
PASSIVE HOUSE FOUNDATIONS & STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Concrete is used widely in Passive House construction due to its robustness and ability to be molded onsite, which can help eliminate
gaps and reinforce airtightness. While concrete is typically associated with higher costs, the price difference between traditional and low-carbon concrete options is narrowing, making sustainable choices more accessible without major impacts on budget. Even still, concrete’s carbon intensity and potential for thermal bridging must be addressed in order to adhere to Passive House standards.
The use of concrete can introduce thermal bridging at any juncture where it interfaces with other elements, creating opportunities for significant energy loss. Incorporating thermal breaks—materials with low thermal conductivity such as foam glass, high-density polystyrene, or structural thermal break pads—prevents this issue by blocking heat transfer through the building envelope. This minimizes cold spots and condensation risks and also reduces the overall space conditioning loads required to maintain indoor comfort, allowing for smaller, more efficient mechanical systems.
Consistent curing is another critical
factor, as it enhances concrete’s structural integrity and thermal performance. Poor curing can lead to cracking, which undermines airtightness and efficiency. To ensure consistency, contractors must adhere to rigorous concrete placement and curing practices. Proper consolidation, the use of high-performance sealants, and careful detailing at all material interfaces leverage concrete’s strengths while meeting Passive House standards.
PASSIVE HOUSE IN TRADITIONAL VS. MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
Passive House poses certain challenges and opportunities in traditional versus modular construction projects.
Not All Trench Drains Are Created Equal
Traditional construction allows for greater customization, enabling detailed, site-specific adaptations to meet Passive House requirements. Unlike modular construction, where components are prefabricated under factory conditions, traditional construction enables project teams to adapt building designs and processes in real-time to address the unique characteristics of a specific site. This flexibility helps ensure that the building can achieve the strict energy efficiency, thermal performance, and airtightness goals required by Passive House certification with the right trade coordination.
Modular construction introduces
efficiencies that can streamline Passive House projects, as demonstrated by the La Mora Senior Apartments in Yonkers, New York. In combination with prefabrication methods, the team was able to overcome the challenge of maintaining airtightness during transport and assembly while expediting the overall construction timetable. To ensure airtightness, the project team inspected and tested each module prior to installation, requiring close oversight to prevent insulation gaps during stacking. Third-party compliance inspections were used to verify each module’s airtight construction, mitigating risks of insulation damage or gaps. The process also involved performing early blower pre-tests at key stages to identify potential issues, allowing for corrective action before final assembly. This approach balanced the project’s accelerated timeline with Passive House requirements, ensuring those standards were met without
compromising the schedule.
Passive House standards impose rigorous demands that can necessitate additional inspections and extend project timelines. Project managers can address these expectations by incorporating regular testing and inspections throughout construction, not after delivery, and working with concrete contractors to educate them on potential pitfalls. This proactivity allows for earlier identification of areas for improvement, ensuring that the building meets all certification criteria.
EFFICIENCY & SUCCESS IN PASSIVE HOUSE PROJECTS
Earning Passive House Certification requires collaboration between all project team members. Early reviews and alignment of project goals and requirements mean all stakeholders are committed to the stringent standards at hand.
Projects like the La Mora Senior
Apartments show how Passive House can be integrated successfully with concrete, even given complex methods like modular construction. By performing early blower tests and inspections, the project team ensured that the building met airtightness requirements without sacrificing the accelerated schedule modular construction offered or the structural integrity that concrete provides.
As Passive House continues to grow in popularity, it amplifies the importance of careful planning, technical expertise, and collaboration to meet today’s high standards of energy efficiency. The La Mora Senior Apartments are one example of Passive House projects that show how sustainable buildings can be optimized—efficiently, durably, and sustainably.
Jenny Freeman, PE (Ret.), LEED AP, is the Managing Director – Buildings at Group PMX.
Women in Concrete
Sharing the voice of three women within the concrete construction industry: Dr. Marisa Juenger, Lizabeth Howard, and Kilah Engelke.
According to research conducted in December 2023 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women made up about 10.8% of construction overall (this includes legal, administrative, etc., women represented 4.3% in the trades). Comparing that to a November 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, wome n’s employment in construction represents about 1 in 7 jobs in construction—a share of about 14%. If you query the BLS f or poured concrete foundation and structure contractors, women represent 19.9% of jobs (Nov. 2024). With the entire industry challenged for skilled labor, it’s easy to see that women are a growing demographic in the world of professional concrete work. Concrete Contractor connected with three women representing varying areas of the industry:
• Dr. Maria Juenger, Vice President of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), is a Professor and Ernest Cockrell, Jr. Centennial Chair in Engineering #2 in the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin;
• Liz Howard, P.E., is the construction senior project manager at Superior Construction and member of the steering committee of the Superior Women in Construction professional women’s group, designed to support, empower, and advance women in construction; and
• Kilah Engelke is the Business Manager of the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association Local 599 representing the state of Wisconsin.
Q. What got you interested in the concrete industry?
Juenger: My interest in concrete started in a bit of an unusual way, through an interest in chemistry.
Cement chemistry is really complex and unusual. There are so many different aspects to the chemistry of concrete from the high temperature chemistry in a cement kiln, to hydration, to durability mechanisms. When I first started, I also liked that cement research doesn’t involve animal testing or working with hazardous chemicals!
I started working in cements when I did my PhD at Northwestern University in Materials Science and Engineering, about 30 years ago. I was working with cement hydration and microstructure at that point, and I became increasingly interested in concrete at all scales when I joined the University of Texas at Austin. There are so many different areas of research in concrete, including structural engineering and construction, and many different approaches.
Howard: My interest started when I was in college at Tulane University. A professor—who was a great mentor to me—recognized that I had a passion for building things and guided me toward construction. That led to
me getting an internship at a large construction company.
After completing my master’s at The University of Texas at Austin, I was drawn to concrete work since it’s so prevalent in the Southeast, particularly in foundations and bridges. I’m still fascinated by the fact that combining a few components can create something so lasting and durable.
Engelke: My interest happened because of my stepdad. He was an estimator for James Cape & Sons, a big highway paving operation that worked around in the Midwest. We had these long plans from road building projects pasted together in our basement all over the place so he could plan it out. He would always talk about going to the World of Concrete and bidding these projects. I graduated from high school and I got put on a crew to pay for college. There I was, 17 and started watching concrete. My duty was to post up on an intersection and make sure that pedestrians and bicycles stayed off the concrete until it dried. I started
Dr. Maria Juenger, Vice President, American Concrete Institute
working summers right after high school on a paving crew. It turned into an apprenticeship for me in the Cement Masons (OPCMIA) and that eventually led to where I am today.
Q. What is it like being a woman in this industry? How is it different today as compared to when you started?
Juenger: Since I’m at a university, my experience with the concrete industry is different than those working directly in it every day. In my role as an educator and mentor, I help students from diverse backgrounds find careers that are satisfying and rewarding. The concrete industry has a lot of career paths available, some of which have been historically more welcoming to women than others. I’m happy to say that I see our female students find welcoming work environments in the concrete industry, and I think it will be increasingly so.
I have seen in 2024-2025 a greater emphasis on embracing women in the industry, especially through efforts from groups like Women in ACI and the Women in Concrete Panel at the ACI Fall convention in Philadelphia. This panel provided a forum for open discussion of obstacles women encounter in the industry and how to overcome them. It was really encouraging to hear the stories from the panel and the support and advice they gave the participants. I hope we see more of these types of events moving forward, and I hope we can broaden it beyond just women and can support more people from underrepresented groups.
Howard: There are significantly more women in the industry today than when I started in the early 2000s. I was the first female intern and engineer hired full-time at my company. Now, women have a growing presence, especially in commercial construction.
At Superior Construction, we’ve formed a group called Superior Women in Construction (SWiC) to increase visibility and advocacy. This industry has a labor shortage, and if we can get more women to join us, it will be all the better.
Engelke: When I started, there were very few women. There was another woman on my crew when I first started. She was older, like the
wise “mother of the crew” lady, and actually a concrete finisher. But there was plenty of days and weeks and years where I was the only girl on the site. There was plenty of times when it was me and one other girl. But I’ve definitely seen a specific interest in areas like human and workforce development that the number has grown. There’s definitely a huge push and outreach for a different demographic of people to fill the roles. I represent one of the trade unions, but all of the other trade unions, besides for the concrete finishers or the cement masons—everyone, slowly but surely, is implementing things like maternity leave, putting plans into place for helping out with child care, and huge developments to make sure that these jobs and these careers are available for women.
When I first started, it was a different world. But, I feel the numbers are still low. Concrete finishers is one of the more labor intensive trades. It’s pretty rough on coordinating family life schedule. I think our numbers are growing probably slower than some of the trades that don’t work with the perishable material that kind of controls how we operate a lot more but there’s a slow but steady increase.
Q. What were the biggest challenges you’ve faced? How had you overcome them?
Juenger: I think the biggest challenge
for many people can be self-doubt and confidence, especially when put in a new situation like a new job or new role where you have to adapt and learn quickly. This can happen often in the industry when you have new projects. My strategy is to not worry about perceived obstacles and challenges ahead of time, where you are essentially creating imaginary obstacles for yourself. I try to enter new situations fully prepared, when possible, armed with information and support from a team. A little bit of worry is a good thing because it helps you become prepared. A lot of worry can undermine you.
Howard: One of the biggest challenges was earning respect in a maledominated field. I overcame this by being a “sponge”—constantly learning from everyone around me, regardless of their position. I asked lots of questions and worked closely with experienced superintendents and project managers who were willing to teach me. I’m also a pretty direct communicator and that has helped me.
Engelke: The challenges that I’ve faced were internal—my own perceptions of what I thought I could do or couldn’t do. It’s been coined as imposter syndrome. I’ve heard a lot of different leadership and discussions where all the people around you are men and they’re big, strong, rough, and burly when that’s not necessarily what you are. You definitely feel different. I think back to the first
Liz Howard, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Superior Construction
Superior Construction
days when I was working on a crew thinking, “I’m never going to make it through this alive.” Looking back, none of that stuff got easier. I just got better at it.
Maybe it was that I needed to use leverage differently, like physics. Maybe I needed to become physically stronger in certain areas but that doesn’t mean that I couldn’t do it. It’s the same for everybody. That’s why I say, no matter what, when you’re beginning, it’s hard for people. I feel like I would have been my own biggest barrier. I never really realized that until I continued to move forward or grow in my role, especially with the union.
If you ask my biggest challenge, I would say, knowing in myself that I’m supposed to be here. This is where I can be. I was always a really hard worker. The people around me were really hard workers, and I never wanted to be somebody that was “I’m just here.” My stepdad put me on a crew; I didn’t want to but that’s how I got in. I always had it in my mind that that’s not why I was going to stay. People were willing to help me and teach me. I was coachable. Trainable. I wanted to be good at it. I wanted to do everything that everybody did and eventually, I could. My biggest challenge was internal mindset.
Q. What’s happening right now that are getting more women involved in concrete work?
Juenger: We are seeing more female st udents interested in civil engineering and in concrete industry management programs. Our undergraduate civil engineering program at the University of Texas at Austin is about half women right now. The Women in ACI reception attendance increases every year because of an increasing number of female students and young professionals in the industry. It’s well known that having strong positive role models and mentors helps in recruiting people from diverse backgrounds. As more women join the industry and reach leadership positions, more women will join the industry.
Howard: There’s a growing recognition of women as an untapped resource in addressing labor shortages. Programs focused on women in construction are gaining momentum, such as our SWiC group. These initiatives provide support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities specifically tailored for women entering the field. I also attend forums, socials, and networking events that connect industry professionals and highlight available opportunities in concrete construction. The number of women attending these events has definitely increased.
Engelke: There’s women’s groups and affinity groups popping up all over the place throughout different levels of the industry. The one that I work with is called Empower. We developed a mentoring program where we are facilitating or administering a Child Care grant program. There’s a lot of attention industry-wide put on making sure that you can see women that are successful, and that their stories are being told. That their comments are being considered. There’s definitely more effort put towards changing the culture too, whether it’s mental health awareness or antiharassment—all of those types of issues have been critical to at least try to start to move the needle.
I see women being put into leadership roles at all different levels of the construction industry. You’re definitely going to see more people, whether they’re estimating, project managers, or those that are getting elevated to higher level managers and business reps and instructors.
There’s more of an idea that the whole concept of “if you can see it, you can be it” is real, and it exists. There’s power to it. There’s value to it.
I think it’s our fifth year with an outdoor demo at World of Concrete. The OPCMIA put a huge investment into making sure that our booth is run by women. All the work performed and planned out by women. Everything. The people that you see doing any of the work are all women, so it was a critical investment that they made and it’s something that they’ve been committed to building. [The Steel Edge Women] program has grown every year…but that’s what we do. That’s not super different from a lot of most of the other trades as well.
Q. What was the best advice you received? In what ways did this advice help?
Howard: One of the best pieces of advice I received was about the importance of every individual having a role in a company, regardless of their traditional career path. This advice helped me appreciate the value of diverse perspectives and roles within our industry, and it has influenced my approach to team building and leadership.
Engelke: I think the best advice would probably be, “you’re not on time, unless you’re 15 minutes early.” That transpired into not necessarily
Kilah Engelke, Business Manager, OPCMIA Local 599
just the specifics of it or literally like “it’s 6:45 I should be here getting ready” but figuratively into a lot of other things—like being prepared and being ready.
That was something that my stepdad would always say, “you’re not on time, unless you’re 15 minutes early.” That’s something that I try to impose on for young kids, people that are just starting, or apprentices. When I hear them tell stories on what’s happening, it goes back to “how committed are you to this?” Am I getting paid for those 15 minutes? No but in those 15 minutes I stretched, I was able to get myself together and have my tools ready and prepared. I found a reasonable parking spot. All of these things that happen to make sure that you’re going to have a good day.
That translates not into just physically being on the jobsite, but that translates into right now. Did I take a few minutes to look over the questions before we talked about this? Did I take some time to prepare for the class I’m about to teach? All of that I feel like helped get me in the right mindset and contributes to work ethic. Work ethic in the construction industry is what gets you places.
Q. What advice do you have for concrete contractors?
Juenger: I think that concrete contractors could benefit from joining organizations like ACI. Our industry tends to have silos, like many industries, and the way we will advance is through collaboration between the stakeholders. Contractors on ACI committees can have a say in the documents that are developed. The committees benefit from hearing the perspectives of contractors. Given the large student population that attends ACI conventions, contractors can also benefit by using the ACI community for recruiting. Howard: Keep an open mind and realize it’s a level playing field— everyone is on equal footing. Be adaptable and recognize that the industry is evolving. Embrace new perspectives, technologies, and methodologies because they can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and quality. Investing in training and support for all employees at all levels will help you attract
and retain talent, including women. Engelke: This is a little bit of an extra story but this is a way to think about things. I worked for this one contractor for a long time. I would considered myself probably one of their best employees. Was always on time. Always prided myself on never being late. It was one of my last days working there, going from the field and into my role as a business rep, he said, “If I knew you were never going to have kids, I would have made you a foreman a long time ago.” I understood it. It’s kind of a backwards compliment, but not really.
My advice to the contractors of the future would be to not look necessarily at things that you might consider as accommodations as downfalls. Making the industry and the workplace suited to make sure that people feel welcome, happy, and appreciated will probably be critical to the success that you find in the future.
I talk to contractors a lot that say, “I need people, but I need people with these experiences.” And they have a really harsh outlook, but like when he this gentleman said that to me, but I wouldn’t have changed anything. I understood what he was saying, because there needs to be a commitment level.
At the same time you want good people that make good choices, that are happy in what they do. Open your mind to who you think is the right person to be a leader. Find good leadership qualities in different types of people might be something that would make you a little bit more successful in your search for your crew of the future.
Q. What is one of your favorite stories from throughout your career? How has that affected your work?
Howard: One of my favorite experiences was working at a young age as a project manager on Sanibel Island, Florida, in the early 2000s. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding. I worked on a second project on Sanibel Island in September 2022 when I was part of Superior’s emergency repair team that restored access to the island after Hurricane Ian. We rebuilt three roadway sections and
five washed-out approaches in just 15 days. To me, the Sanibel Causeway emergency repairs reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and using knowledge from past experience to solve urgent problems.
Engelke: I was an apprentice and chasing a paver. It was hot, humid, and just a rough day. My job that day was to keep up one edge. There’s people that are bull floating and straight edging or bump cutting, and there’s somebody on the other edge. But I was walking backwards and tripped over my bucket, which had water in it. I fell down, scraped my elbows, my bucket fell on me and I got totally wet. Then got stung by a bee. Amidst all of this, like I said [the concrete] is coming out bad—the whole slab. We’re having to throw water and scrub and throw concrete—it was the worst thing you can imagine.
One of the scariest, meanest, grouchiest old guys—he taught me a lot, he was awesome, and I love him to death—went over to the truck, got a Band Aid, brought it to me and basically said, “Come on, get up.” He took time out of what was important that day. We knew we were screwed, but it was really funny. A Band Aid wasn’t going to help me at all, but the gesture of it was something I’ll never forget.
I love telling that story, because it alludes to how the crew comes together. How the people come together. How the situations you’re in together make you really close. It was a really sweet thing for this super grouchy, super mean, super crusty old guy to come and do. I’ll never forget it.
Editor’s Note: Scan the QR codes to read each of these interviews in full.
Dr. Maria Juenger https://CONC.me/ tr70mrcz
Liz Howard, P.E. https://CONC. me/1z55g13i
Kilah Engelke https://CONC. me/5yfx56ju
Allen Engineering MSP465 Riding Trowel
The 8-ft.-class, mechanically driven MSP465 riding trowel with a 57-hp Kubota WG1605 liquid-cooled gasoline engine is suited for high-volume flatwork concrete.
• Twin 46-in. rotors with five-bladed spiders
• Digital readouts with bilingual digital display offer accurate fuel levels and engine diagnostics
• Helical gearboxes maximize torque at high rotor speeds for performance in panning or finishing operations
• 12-gal. fuel tank e
• Includes a two point, top-mount lifting system and four-point tie-downs
Lavina Propane & Electric Power Trowels
Superabrasive’s LAVINA LP36GE propane model and LP30E electric model power trowels are designed for concrete polishing with free planetary drive and the proven Trowel Shine pan system. The LP36GE is a 6 ft. (80 in.) ride-on trowel, powered by Kohler PCV740, 24 hp Propane engine. The LP30E is a 5 ft. (61 in.) ride-on power trowel, offered in 220V and 380/480V electric models. With 2 x 7.5 hp motors and 8 x 9 in. heads, it can get serious work done, fast. It is very easy to transport and operate and fits through standard doors.
• Updated, easy-to-use mechanical steering
• Integrated wheelset and a crank system for changing tools
• Heavy-duty shroud
• Transport wheel
Plate 2000 Big Foot System Pan Saver
Plate 2000 offers the Big Foot System Float Pan Saver for concrete finishing applications on jobsites. The solution is designed for leveling floors and making float pans last longer. The Big Foot System helps promote flatness of concrete finishing. The company’s patented design achieves this by distributing the weight of the power trowel. This results in fast finishing times and durability of the float pan. Unlike a typical float pan that only has 40% of its surface in contact with the concrete, approximately 70% of the Big Foot’s surface engages with the concrete. Available in 46-, 59-, and 62-in. machine diameter configurations.
Challenging Concrete
SPECIALIZING IN THE CHALLENGING AND COMPLICATED CONCRETE PROJECTS, TARLTON CONCRETE GROUP HAS FOUND SUCCESS BY A SKILLED TEAM AND STAYING OUT OF THE NORM.
As every job is going to be different, every contractor looks for a different project type. Then there are the few that look for the difficult projects. The jobs that test the skills of everyone. Tarlton Corp.’s Concrete Group is one of those teams actively targeting the tough endeavors.
Tartlon Corp. is St. Louis, Missouri’s largest WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise general contracting and construction management firm. They provide preconstruction, construction and design-build solutions to clients in the commercial, institutional, government, nonprofit, concrete, energy, industrial and water-wastewater markets. They provide structural, civil work as well as have a concrete restoration specialty. The company is led by President Tracy Hart.
“We try to target the more challenging, complicated projects that have a little meat to it, that we can offer our expertise and specialty,” says Michael Trettel, Vice President and lead of the Energy, Industrial, Civil, and Concrete divisions. Anything out of the ordinary such as a tough schedule, the scope of the work, what’s being installed, built, constraints, design features, etc.
They find their value and confidence from the people on their team, he says. “We have a lot of great people on our team that are really good at what they do. To take advantage of their talents and serve our clients, we gravitate toward those more challenging jobs
where there’s not as many folks in the market that can do some of those jobs or have an interest in taking them. [The jobs] come with risks of course, but we’re properly positioned to manage those risks and still perform.”
A few of their recent award recognitions:
• Finalist for 2024 Construction Keystone Award, First Bank headquarters
• AGC Missouri chapter 2023 Project of the Year Award, Proton Therapy Vaults
• AGC of America 2022 Merit Award,
Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails, St. Louis Zoo
In a partnership with the concrete and masonry contractors at Otto Baum Company Inc., Tarlton Concrete completed the concrete portion of a proton therapy vault for PointCore Construction. (Proton therapy allows oncologists to target radiation directly without significantly damaging the surrounding healthy tissue, providing the patient with fewer short- and long-term side effects and a smaller chance of recurrence.)
PointCore Construction is a health care
A view of the proton vault under construction on the site. images courtesy of Tarlton Corp.
Tarlton Corp. won 2024 General Contractor of the Year honors from the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council. From left to right: Michael Jones, project manager; Ryan Schaal, senior project manager; Greg Sweeso manager of preconstruction and estimating; Dirk Elsperman, Tarlton executive vice president and chief administrative officer; and Anthony Eftimoff, vice president of finance.
program and construction management company launched as a joint venture of OSF HealthCare and Core Construction, with a mission to design and build cutting-edge health care facilities.
The $5.5 million, below-grade vault is attached to the cancer treatment center of the OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. It was the second proton therapy vault the Tarlton Concrete Division has constructed at the time. The 4,520-cubic-yard concrete vault was designed to have no lead lining. As such, extremely precise structural concrete work was required to prevent the escape of any proton radiation. The substantial concrete walls, which include some over 25 ft. thick, are designed to stop and absorb protons.
To ensure all mass concrete pours were placed and cured properly, consistent communication and coordination between all trade partners was essential. The Tarlton Concrete project team included Kevin Oakley, project director; Brian Julius, project manager; Kurt Aubuchon, senior project engineer; and Jeff Vogt, project superintendent. Otto Baum Company Inc. supplied labor, equipment and construction materials for the project. Doka USA Ltd. fully engineered the concrete formwork to minimize deflections and maintain tolerances.
A thermal control plan was developed in conjunction with CTL Group, an engineering, architecture and materials science consulting firm. The plan included a specific temperature control plan for each individual pour. Temperature sensors were placed in each pour to carefully monitor and track temperature differentials. The team maintained the schedule by streamlining a blockout process for adjacent concrete pours that allowed them to reduce the cure time between pours without sacrificing the integrity and quality of the concrete.
Another standout project for Tarlton was the headquarters for First Bank which featured what Julius called “an odd shape design” and included tight constraints. The original First Bank building, which opened in 1967, was demolished in 2022. Tarlton’s portion of the
The first-of-its-kind immersive outdoor expansion encourages learning through play for the exhibit’s inhabitants and visitors. From left to
President Bob Latham; Jeffry Peterson, Tarlton superintendent; Diane Grimsley, Tarlton senior project manager; and Andy O’Brien, partner and Joe Charczenko, partner, Construction Risk Partners, LLC.
project comprised the construction of two separate concrete structures—the four-story, 87,000-sq.ft. headquarters building and an adjacent two-story, 82,000-sq.-ft. parking garage. The Tarlton team overcame uncontrollable weather delays and carefully sequenced concrete pours to help keep the overall project on schedule.
The design features an open
courtyard connected to large building wings on each side, creating a U-shape which ended up creating a unique challenge for placing the concrete foundation. Built within the original footprint, the structure more than doubled the space. It was targeted for both LEED Silver and WELL certification.
Design challenges included columns where some were round while others had a bull nose
Tarlton Corp. won a Merit Award in the 2022 Construction Risk Partners Build America Awards from the Associated General Contractors of America for its work on the Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails at the Saint Louis Zoo (below).
right: 2022 AGC of America
The Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails at the Saint Louis Zoo is a 35,000-square-foot expansion connected to the Primate House created for a first-ofits-kind inhabitant and guest experience.
shape—square on one end and round on the other—each four stories tall with each requiring an architectural glass finish, says Julius. Tarlton worked with Brinkmann on construction of the three 40,000-sq.-ft. concrete floor decks and on the installation of the massive, exposed concrete columns;
multiple sections of glass curtain wall; and the roof. Tarlton also self-performed the concrete work for the new 295-space parking structure, which included the use of reinforcing steel and construction of an elevated post-tensioned deck. Their expertise in the challenging jobs helped them finish within two
days of the original schedule.
SCHEDULING TACTICS
Tarlton Concrete finds that it helps to look at projects with a different perspective. Julius explains that they use a couple of different methods to help manage. The initial project is built out matching the client’s needs or matching the schedule of the general contractor. “We try to take their schedule dates and build out a pretty detailed schedule,” he says. As the project goes, they’ll end up tweaking and updating it monthly or even weekly. They primarily use Primavera P6 as their baseline overall project scheduling software, some basic scheduling on Excel, plus some additional tools to help ensure they don’t miss details to stay on track and communicate with everyone involved.
“We usually will start bringing in a detailed four week schedule that will show durations—something we can give to the field to explain it in better detail. To the point where it’s not just saying ‘we’re installing six columns this week.” Instead, they break the job by what will be accomplished by day. For example, one day could be to put up half side of the forms for six columns, the next “get rebar in them,” and finally, “close up the columns.”
They conduct pull planning sessions with subs so each trade is aware of all necessary information. In the proton therapy vault jobs for example, “there’s a lot of stuff in the walls, because nothing can be… installed on the walls—everything’s mostly embedded in the concrete. That makes it extra challenging of making sure that everything gets correctly inside of our pour dates and our schedules,” explains Julius.
Even the best of planning can’t hold up to weather and environmental conditions. One of the group’s most recent projects is working in the local River Des Peres channel. “[The River Des Peres] is essentially a collector river channel for storm runoff,” says Trettel. The job requires the demolition, removal, and replacement of degrading concrete slabs and walls all while working when it’s not unpredictably full of water. The schedule is complicated in that they
need a certain amount of weather days each month and figuring out the right seasons to do the amount of work. Almost guessing, at times, when they have a dry period of time and get work done.
The job is scheduled out till the fall of 2026, but they believe they’ll be able to get it done within the year if they get started in the next couple of months. “But with all weather and everything, we’re going to be kind of showing an aggressive schedule to our team to get out of there early,” says Julius.
It’s the field challenges that are hard to plan for. Even the awardwinning work for the First Bank building had near hurricane wind events (50-60 mph) that below formwork off the deck two days before pour. “We had to end up tearing a lot of that deck down, replacing it and getting the floor back scheduled,” says Julius.
Trettel says that there’s a couple of things that help them find and keep control of the project. “One, building that schedule as early as possible, during the bid stage. Secondly, bringing in all of the parties: the owner, the engineer, all of our subs, all of our suppliers, getting feedback on that to manage. There’s getting in front of critical long-lead items associated with the project, building that into the schedule, and managing that the whole way through,” he says.
Trettel has been with the company for about three years. Fresh eyes allow him to approach potential issues with new ideas. “I’m bringing in new ideas…always trying to take a fresh approach and challenge what we know and how we do it. You don’t want to fix what’s not broken, but you always want to strive for continuous improvement at the same time.
The construction industry has long been lagging in technology and innovations and options [but] now, all of a sudden, there’s an explosion of those tools and different things on the market. Vetting those out and seeing what makes sense for us is a big part of what we do now.”
Contractors looking to stretch their skills and bid toward the more challenging jobs, Trettle has suggestions. One, understand as much as you can before getting into it. Second, have the right people and the right experience to build the project that is potentially in front of you. His advice: “There is a leap
going from a driveway. Know the risks, what’s involved, have the people, and the competency to build the project because, like any construction project—and particularly when you’re self-performing—they can go south in a hurry if you don’t have those controls and people in place.”
6 Steps at Elevating Your Concrete Stamping
From prep to finishing touches, let’s break down the concrete stamping process. Here are some expert tips on elevating residential areas with stamped concrete.
As spring encourages homeowners to refresh and renew their outdoor living spaces, one of the most effective ways to enhance these areas is through concrete stamping. Stamped concrete provides a versatile, durable solution that mimics the look of high-end materials like stone, brick, and wood—but at a fraction of the cost. For contractors, stamped concrete offers a highly attractive service to offer clients, with the potential to transform ordinary concrete into stunning, functional surfaces. With the growing demand for outdoor renovations, particularly in residential areas, this spring is the perfect time for contractors to showcase their expertise in stamped concrete. Stamped concrete is an appealing choice for homeowners looking to upgrade their outdoor spaces without exceeding their budgets.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Stamped concrete offers the same aesthetic appeal as more expensive materials, such as natural stone, brick, or wood—but at a significantly lower cost. For homeowners seeking highend looks on a budget, it provides the ideal solution.
• Durability & Longevity: Once properly installed, stamped concrete is incredibly durable and requires minimal maintenance. Its solid structure can withstand the elements,
making it ideal for areas exposed to foot traffic or weather conditions like patios, driveways, and walkways.
• Versatility in Design: Concrete stamping offers virtually limitless design possibilities. Homeowners can choose from an array of patterns, textures, and colors to match their home’s exterior, from replicating the look of slate or flagstone to the appearance of wood planks.
• Low Maintenance: Unlike wood or stone, stamped concrete requires very little upkeep. Regular cleaning and periodic resealing are enough to preserve its beauty and functionality, making it a hassle-free option for homeowners.
• Increased Property Value: The enhanced curb appeal that comes with a beautifully stamped concrete driveway, walkway, or patio can significantly increase a home’s value. Homebuyers often appreciate wellmaintained outdoor spaces that look stylish and are built to last. With all of these benefits in mind, contractors have a real opportunity to stand out as experts in a high-demand field by offering clients a lasting and cost-effective way to transform their outdoor spaces.
STEP 1: PREPARATION
Preparation is the foundation of any
stamped concrete project. Without a solid groundwork, even the most meticulously executed stamping will not achieve the desired results. The first step is assessing the site, which includes factors such as soil stability, drainage, and weather conditions. Proper evaluation ensures that the stamped surface will be both aesthetically appealing and durable over time.
The subgrade, or underlying surface, must be properly compacted and leveled to support the slab. A stable subgrade reduces the likelihood of shifting or cracking, which is critical for the long-term integrity of the stamped concrete. The subgrade should be compacted to a uniform level, with any soft spots being addressed before proceeding.
Equally important is selecting the right concrete mix. A mix with a moderate slump, typically around 4 to 5 in., strikes the right balance between workability and structural integrity. Concrete that is too fluid can be difficult to work with and may not hold the desired texture, while a mix that is too stiff can lead to cracks and poor imprinting.
STEP 2: EQUIP THE RIGHT TOOLS
For a professional-grade finish, contractors need the right tools and materials. Invest in high-quality stamps—these should be durable and able to replicate patterns with precision. Flexible mats are invaluable for intricate areas like curves and tight corners, as they allow for better adaptation to the
EDCO’s NEW 7” TILE SAW
PROFESSIONAL SAWING EQUIPMENT
Single unit design. No field assembly required. No missing parts on return. Minimal storage footprint. Cut with stand raised or lowered.
LIGHTWEIGHT: Easy to load/unload. Less operator fatigue, less injury
SHORT RESIDENTIAL PLUG: Can plug in anywhere, no breaker trip, can run anywhere
LATCHES: Table lock, stand locks, tray lock, no moving parts in transit
WATER FILL INDICATOR: Correct water levels, pump, blade & material protection, operator safety. Water fill line engraved into water pan
PUMP: Passes water over material, direct plug to motor, safety from silicosis, cools blade = longer blade life. Pump easily moves to allow the water pan to be taken out of frame.
BUILT TO LAST
TMS-7 - 7” TILE SAW
surface, ensuring a seamless design.
Another essential tool is the release agent, which prevents the stamps from sticking to the concrete and helps achieve a crisp, detailed pattern. These can also add a layer of color and texture to the surface.
Additional tools such as edgers, chisels, and tampers are also necessary for finishing the stamped concrete project. Edgers and chisels help refine the borders, while tampers apply uniform pressure during the stamping process, ensuring an even depth across the surface.
STEP 3: MASTER TIMING
The timing of stamping is instrumental to achieving perfect results. Concrete must be in the right phase of its curing process to accept an impression. If you stamp too early, the pattern will not set properly and could distort, while waiting too long could lead to a surface that resists imprints altogether. To avoid these issues, contractors must pay close attention to the surface’s firmness and pliability. Testing the concrete’s readiness through touch ensures that the slab is at the optimal stage for stamping.
Weather conditions are another factor that influences the timing of stamping. In hot weather, concrete sets faster, and additional retarders may be necessary to slow down the curing process. Conversely, in colder temperatures, accelerators may be required to maintain the desired workability. Contractors should also work in manageable sections to maintain consistent control over timing and quality. This approach allows workers to move more efficiently and
ensures uniformity across the entire slab.
STEP 4: DESIGN
Stamped concrete provides almost limitless opportunities for customization, allowing homeowners to mimic the appearance of premium materials such as slate, stone, wood, and brick. This versatility presents the opportunity to cater to a wide variety of design preferences.
When designing stamped concrete, consider incorporating multiple colors to mimic the natural variation found in real stone, wood or brick. This layering effect can add depth and complexity to the design. Integral colors, applied directly into the mix, can be combined with surface-applied stains or dry-shake hardeners to create a more dynamic and sophisticated look.
It’s also important to consider how the stamped concrete integrates with the overall aesthetics of the surrounding area. The colors and patterns chosen should complement the home’s architecture and the surrounding landscaping to achieve a cohesive appearance. Adding borders, medallions or custom patterns can further personalize the design, enhancing the property’s curb appeal.
STEP 5: ART & TECHNIQUE
Stamped concrete is as much an art as it is a technical process. Achieving consistent, high-quality results requires both precision and a team effort. The process should begin at one corner of the slab and proceed methodically to avoid stepping on freshly imprinted sections. Overlapping stamps slightly ensures there are no gaps
or inconsistencies in the pattern. This also helps to ensure proper alignment and eliminate seams or misalignments in the design. Be sure to apply steady and even pressure across the stamps. Contractors should utilize tampers to ensure a uniform depth across the entire surface. Uneven impressions or imperfections should be addressed immediately to prevent them from becoming permanent. Tools like texture skins or detail chisels can be used to smooth out rough spots or perfect certain areas, improving the overall look.
STEP 6: FINISHING TOUCHES
Finishing touches make all the difference. First, clean the concrete to remove the release agent. While using a pressure washer can be effective for this task, contractors should exercise caution to avoid damaging the imprints. A gentle rinse is often sufficient to remove excess residue without disturbing the fine details of the pattern.
The final step is to apply a sealer. Sealers protect the stamped surface from stains, moisture and wear, and they bring out the vibrancy of the colors. For surfaces exposed to foot traffic, such as patios and walkways, use a slip-resistant sealer to enhance safety. Regular resealing ensures the surface maintains its appearance and durability over time, allowing homeowners to enjoy their investment for many years.
Rich Cofoid is a senior product and marketing manager at Euclid Chemical. His training sessions have been featured at World of Concrete, Concrete Décor
Contractors can choose between liquid or powdered release agents, but regardless of the form, it is essential to apply them evenly and consistently to avoid uneven coloring.
The Euclid Chemical Company
Minnich Flex Shaft Vibrators: The Experts Choice for Solid Results
Minnich Flex Shaft Vibrators
Built to exceed your expectations and outperform the competition. With results in mind, our vibrators are engineered for control and durability, ensuring a smooth and flawless pour every time. With more control over your results and a longer lifespan than other options on the market, our flex shaft concrete vibrators are the perfect choice for the professional looking to take their work to the next level.
How to Choose the Right Concrete Saw for the Job
USING AN APPROPRIATE SAW AND BLADE IS KEY TO MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY AND ENSURING PRECISE, RELIABLE CUTS.
Choosing the optimal saw and blade for the cutting application saves time and makes it easier to deliver high-quality results.
The choice depends on a host of factors, including the material, the shape of the cut, the depth of the cut, and the project location. For example, contractors will want a different saw for making long, straight cuts on pavement vs. making precision square cuts for windows, and potentially, different saws for working indoors vs. outdoors.
Using the wrong saw or blade for the cutting task can take more time, yield poor results, and pose serious safety hazards. Injuries from saw kickbacks, blade fractures, and other incidents are not uncommon and can cause downtime that delays projects.
This guide outlines four common types of concrete saws to help evaluate
what cutting equipment to rent or purchase for ease, efficiency, and safety. ( Editor’s note: Early-entry, “soff,” or “soft” cut saws are not specified.)
CUTOFF CONCRETE SAWS
Handheld concrete saws, called cutoff concrete saws, cut concrete and asphalt, metal, and masonry materials. Compact and versatile, these can handle a wide range of tasks, such as creating openings for plumbing and electrical installations, and demolishing concrete and infrastructure wreckage.
A small, handheld cutoff saw is ideal for quickly cutting and adjusting building components onsite. These can also be mounted on a table and equipped with a diamond blade or carbide masonry blade to make shallow, clean, precise cuts in brick, block, or stone.
CONCRETE CHAINSAWS
As their name implies, concrete
chainsaws use a chain with cutting teeth to slice sharp angles and square corners in concrete, blocks, brick, and stone without overcutting. A diamond-coated, water-cooled chain runs along the perimeter of the oblong blade.
Concrete chainsaws are small and handy for accessing hard-to-reach areas. They are ideal for breaking up and removing large concrete sections during demolition, creating joints, and cutting openings for windows, doorways, beam pockets, HVAC components, and electrical boxes.
CONCRETE WALL SAWS
Concrete wall saws are designed to make precise vertical and horizontal cuts in walls or sloped surfaces made of concrete, stone, asphalt or cinder block. They are often used to cut apertures for doors, windows, plumbing, and electrical. Typically, these saws are fitted with
Saint-Gobain Abrasives | United Rentals Inc.
a diamond blade and mounted on a track that supports them during operation.
WALK-BEHIND CONCRETE SAWS
Sometimes called floor saws or street saws, walk-behind concrete saws are large, heavy, wheeled saws that are pushed from behind. Some models are self-propelled to help moving it forward and backward.
These heavy-duty saws cut long, straight lines and are ideal for work on asphalt roads, concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks and slabs.
POWER SOURCE OPTIONS
Many concrete saws come in different power source options, including gas, corded electric, battery, pneumatic, and hydraulic models. Gas saws are the most powerful and often the fastest way to cut materials with fewer passes.
Electric saws are a more sustainable choice. Traditionally, they have been less powerful, but they also weigh less, emit no fumes, and are
STIHL | United Rentals Inc.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS
easy to start. They perform well as general-purpose saws and on indoor tasks. These saws must be used near a power outlet and shouldn’t be used with wet-cutting techniques.
A battery-powered saw is a smart option for light-duty indoor or outdoor tasks and work in confined spaces. They offer maximum portability and produce zero emissions and less noise.
Pneumatic saws are useful for making fast, simple cuts, and like battery-powered saws, they are low maintenance. Hydraulic options offer a lot of power for their weight, but they require a hydraulic power unit.
MATCHING THE BLADE
Deciding the type of saw blade to use on a project is as important as choosing the saw. Concrete contractors will likely need a variety of blades. Different blades are designed to cut different materials at fast or slow speeds. Selecting the right blade for
the material and matching the speed rating of the saw to the safe operating speed of the blade will make all the difference in the quality of the work and preserve the longevity of the saw and blade.
Blade choice affects the amount of dust generated. Saws designed for wet cutting feature a water attachment to reduce dust and cool the blade during operation. Minimizing dust provides a clearer field of vision and reduces the health risks associated with dust inhalation. (Of course, contractors should always wear appropriate PPE.) Wet cutting generates slurry, which must be contained or removed.
DIAMOND BLADES
Diamond blades feature synthetic diamond particles embedded in a steel core. Known for their performance, durability, and temperature tolerance, diamond blades suited for concrete saws come in three main types:
PECORA-DECK HB1100-SA
• Segmented blades. These blades feature gaps between the diamond segments to provide faster cooling and debris removal. They make rough cuts in concrete, asphalt, brick, and limestone. They are dry-cutting blades, meaning they don’t need water to cool them during operation, though they can be used with wet cutting. Dry cutting requires repeated short cuts.
• Continuous-rim blades. The solid, continuous rim of these blades makes slow, clean, smooth, precise cuts on materials such as granite, porcelain, marble, and tile. They require a water stream to cool them during operation.
• Turbo-rim blades. The aggressive turbo-rim blade, which features a continuous, serrated rim, is ideal for making fast, smooth cuts in natural stone, concrete, brick, tile, and masonry. Blades of this type are available for dry and wet cuts.
ABRASIVE BLADES
INTEGRAL AGGREGATE, SINGLE-COAT APPLICATION, POLYURETHANE WATERPROOFING & TRAFFIC BEARING COATING
Pecora-Deck HB1100-SA is a two-component, self-leveling, fast curing, UV and weather resistant, low VOC, polyurethane traffic coating system specifically designed for use in both exterior and interior applications exposed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
This coating is applied as a one-step traffic coating system that includes an integral aggregate and functions as both a waterproofing and traffic bearing deck coating system.
Abrasive blades, also known as abrasive cutoff wheels, are circular blades made of silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. They are often ideal for cutting softer materials such as asphalt, green concrete, and brick. They can also be used to cut metal.
Less expensive than diamond blades, abrasive blades do have downsides. They create a considerable amount of dust. They are also considerably less durable than diamond blades, so you’ll have to replace them often, and they can crack or shatter unless they are reinforced with fiberglass and a strong bonding agent.
MAKING SENSE OF THE OPTIONS
Leveraging the most appropriate tools increases the odds that work goes smoothly and efficiently and therefore profitably. With the right saw in hand or at hand, contractors can cut with more confidence.
Victoria Grandal is a content marketing specialist for United Rentals.
COATINGS & SEALANTS
PoreShield
Concrete Sealant & Protectant
PoreShield is a cost-effective, soy-based concrete protectant that’s proven to extend the life of concrete surfaces by 10+ years. Unlike toxic conventional silane sealers which create a thin surface barrier, nonhazardous PoreShield soaks into concrete to block absorption of damaging salts and moisture. Use it on highway joints, bridge decks, and numerous other concrete projects for costeffective protection that lasts. It applies quickly with a simple sprayer and requires no PPE, special equipment or training. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and meets the requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act for federal infrastructure projects. It is 100% American-made from farm to infrastructure.
Pecora Sealant & Coatings Calculator
Estimate exactly how much product you’ll need for your next building project with the Pecora Sealant & Coatings Calculator. Through the mobile app contractors can take calculations and information on the go. Simply input the data required for the sealant, air barrier, or deck coating project and hit the calculate button to get the estimate. Contractors can even save estimates in the My Projects section to review them later—allowing personal project data will be always with you. Once finished, send out data directly from the app via email or text message.
Dutch Boy Paints Concrete & Masonry Floor Coatings
Dutch Boy Paints has unveiled a full lineup of Concrete and Masonry Floor Coatings for construction projects. Available in three products that protect basement floors and exterior concrete pavers, patios, walkways and more, these coatings offer smooth, durable finishes. Water- and solvent-based formulas help seal and protect concrete and masonry surfaces like floors, pavers, walkways and pool decks. The new clear concrete waterproof coating helps keep moisture out. It penetrates and fills gaps within porous concrete surfaces, providing protection from the elements without altering appearances.
APV Engineered Coatings BLOCKSEAL Liquid Flashing
APV Engineered Coatings, makers of NeverFade Facade Restoration Coatings, has added to its building product offerings with BLOCKSEAL, a water-based, waterproof liquid flashing that seals window and door substrates in new and existing residential, commercial and industrial applications. The liquid flashing product meets and exceeds AAMA 714-19, Voluntary Specification for Liquid Applied Flashing Used to Create a Water-Resistive Seal around Exterior Wall Openings in Buildings. BLOCKSEAL Liquid Flashing is a low-VOC, fast-drying acrylic adhesive that keeps moisture from penetrating door and window openings beneath a structure’s exterior facade. Its high resin content provides adhesion to the substrate, eliminating moisture penetration.
Minnich Multi-Purpose Sprayer
Minnich’s Multi-Purpose sprayer was designed to efficiently cover sizable concrete surfaces with ease and accuracy—a solution for large scale jobsites requiring application of water-based sealants, curing agents, and detergents. The sprayer mounts to a 55-gallon drum and totes up to 550 gallons, offering exceptional flexibility for diverse jobsites such as roads, parking lots, and bridges. Its straightforward setup and operation, including a 1-in. intake hose and adjustable pressure settings, allow users to customize the application for their project needs.
• Diaphragm pump with circulatory system for consistent material mixing
• Four pressure settings: 100, 250, 350, and 400 psi
• Multiple hose lengths: 25, 50, and 100 ft.
• Durable aluminum spray gun/nozzle
• Honda GX160 motor
• Unique 1-in. intake hose for maximum motor and pump performance
Buying Used Concrete Equipment? Beware of Hidden Liens
THERE’S AN UNCOMMON BUT-REAL ISSUE THAT COULD CROP UP WHEN BUYING ANY TYPE OF USED EQUIPMENT — BUYING EQUIPMENT THAT UNKNOWINGLY HAS A LIEN ON IT.
Reputable sellers, uniform commerical code searches, and ensuring all paperwork is accounted for are all good practices to follow.
Used equipment can represent an excellent value for companies in any industry. In the concrete industry, this is particularly true as the cost of heavy equipment like agitator trucks and concrete pumping trucks can be quite high. Being that used equipment is popular, I’d like to discuss an uncommon-but-real issue that could crop up when buying any type of used equipment, and that’s buying equipment that unknowingly has a lien on it. Because that could have serious ramifications.
Here’s an example of what could happen: imagine you want to add a used agitator truck to your fleet. You look around and find one another company is selling. You go see it, it’s in great shape, and the seller has a payoff letter showing the loan has been satisfied. Everything looks to be in order, so you buy it. Six months later, you are contacted by the seller’s bank.
It seems the seller has had some financial issues, and defaulted on a
different loan from several years ago. Part of that seemingly-unrelated loan was a blanket lien that included the agitator truck you bought. The bank says they legally own the agitator truck, and are notifying you they plan to repossess it. A quick call to your lawyer confirms this—the bank has a legal right to the agitator truck and can take it. And worse, you’re probably not getting a refund, unless you feel the financially-in-trouble seller will make good. Don’t count on it.
This example is rare, but it does show that purchasing used equipment is not as upfront as it initially appears. This is especially true when purchasing from a private party seller (and not an authorized dealer).
HOW DO YOU UNCOVER USED EQUIPMENT LIENS?
The most common way to uncover liens on used equipment is to conduct a uniform commercial code search (UCC), which will usually reveal most existing liens (with emphasis on the terms “usually” and
“most”—we’ll get back to that in a second.)
Now, who is responsible for conducting the UCC search? The answer varies. Typically an authorized dealer/reseller will conduct one when initially obtaining the equipment. If the equipment is being financed, your lender might conduct a UCC search. In rare cases, a private seller may conduct one to show a clear title.
And if none of the preceding is true, a buyer should definitely conduct one.
One important aspect buyers should understand is there is no sure way to 100% guarantee a lien-free title on any piece of used equipment. Even a UCC search is imperfect. This is due to several factors: the location searched, similar company names, the equipment perhaps having several previous owners and complicated serial numbers handentered, or similar—there’s plenty of room for error.
Plus, remember the blanket lien mentioned earlier? That’s a big factor
too. Blanket liens are when a lender puts a lien on all assets of a borrowing company. These are common clauses in bank loans. For example, if a company finances a new truck, the bank will put a blanket lien on all company assets, even ones long paid off.
Blanket liens are easy to overlook. Since they are a standard bank covenant, and only come into play when there’s a default, it’s very easy to forget they exist. Business owners may mistakenly think a piece of equipment is lien-free because it’s own loan was satisfied (and they may even have a letter stating so.) But if they have other open bank loans, there’s almost certainly a blanket lien in there (Note: if your company has any open bank loans, it’s likely you have a blanket lien in place too.) Note that blanket liens can travel. Maybe the current equipment owner doesn’t have one, but a previous owner might.
HOW CAN COMPANIES
BETTER PROTECT THEMSELVES?
Since finding liens is complicated and imperfect, how can companies better protect themselves? There are a few important steps they can take.
1. Buy from Authorized Resellers/Dealers: Easily the best way to protect yourself is to buy used equipment from an authorized dealer/reseller. To start, they will usually conduct a UCC search preemptively, but more important, most reputable ones will step up if an issue does arise (be sure to ask about that though.) It may cost a bit more to buy from a reseller, but if they will take responsibility for hidden liens, you are also buying peace of mind.
While the pain might be universally felt across the industry, it’s the subcontractors and other lower-tiered companies on a project that potentially have the most to lose by mismanaging the lien waiver process.
2. When Buying from a Private Seller, Make Sure a UCC Search is Done: When buying used equipment from a private seller, please ensure a UCC search is performed by someone (the seller, the lender, or you). This should uncover most existing liens. You can also ask the seller about other loans and blanket liens— if the seller has another bank loan, it’s likely one exists. It isn’t the end of the world if one does, but permission from the bank must be granted for the item to be sold.
3. Original Owners and Complete Paper Trails are Best: Buying from the original owner makes establishing the existence of blanket liens and such much easier. And having a clear paper trail (bills of sale, payoff letters, etc.) all the way back to the manufacturer is desirable as well. Several previous owners and lost documents invite issues—honestly, I would not buy used equipment that has an incomplete paper trail. It’s too risky.
Wrapping up, it’s clear the used equipment market is only going to get stronger, and honestly, most used equipment deals go off without a hitch. Reputable sellers, UCC
searches, and ensuring all paperwork is accounted for are all good practices to follow.
It is important to remember that it is the buyer who will ultimately pay the price if there is a lien issue. By utilizing
caution and paying attention to the “how and why” of hidden liens, businesses can buy used equipment with more confidence.
Dan Furman is vice president of strategy at Crest Capital.
Crafco TechCrete
Fix concrete cracks, spalls and more with the flexible option for concrete repairs. TechCrete is load-bearing and absorbs stress from thermal expansion, so it won’t damage surrounding pavement. Get fast concrete repairs that last with TechCrete.
NEW OZTEC BP-45 BACKPACK AND RUBBERHEAD® WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION PIECE
Oztec is proud to introduce the newest edition to its industry leading backpack vibrators. The New BP-45 adds a powerful 2HP option, capable of running vibrator heads up to 2” in diameter, in a lightweight configuration. This backpack maintains Oztec’s Job-Proven Rugged design. Built to withstand the demands of concrete construction sites with a sturdy steel frame, dependable Honda engines, fully adjustable padding system and the highest quality components, all designed for easy maintenance and long life.
The BP-45 is an option between Oztec’s lightest weight model, the BP-35, and Oztec’s most powerful option, the BP-50a. As with all of Oztec’s power units, the BP-45 includes our patented Quick Disconnect for easy interchangeability with Oztec flexible shafts and vibrator heads.
New RubberHeads® with Optional
Extension Piece
In December of 2019 Oztec Industries, Inc. reintroduced its 1-1/8” & 1-1/2” RubberHeads®. Both of these heads are available with an optional rubber coated extension piece. With Oztec extension pieces, you can greatly reduce the chance of the vibrator head becoming entangled in the rebar. These heads were originally designed to meet the needs of the construction of the Hood Canal Floating Bridge in Washington State, where over 30,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured in heavily congested rebar without a single head getting entangled in the rebar.
Oztec RubberHeads®, ranging in size from 1-1/8” to 2-3/4”, not only protect epoxy coated rebar and delicate form faces, but also produce better consolidated concrete and are job proven to be more efficient and effective than any other vibrator head on the market!
Oztec Industries, Inc.
65 Channel Drive · Port Washington, NY 11050
1-800-533-9055 - 516-883-8857 - Fax 516-883-7857
www.oztec.com
PECORA-DECK HB1100-SA
Pecora-Deck HB1100-SA is a two-component, self-leveling, fast curing, UV and weather resistant, low VOC, polyurethane traffic coating system specifically designed for use in both exterior and interior applications exposed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
This coating is applied as a one-step traffic coating system that includes an integral aggregate and functions as both a waterproofing and traffic bearing deck coating system.
Minnich Manufacturing, the leading manufacturer of concrete dowel pin drills, concrete vibrators and vibrator monitoring systems, is dedicated to helping concrete contractors maximize efficiency.
Minnich’s Stinger and Controlled Speed Vibrator (CSV) are just two examples of how the company’s concrete innovations serve customers.
The light yet rugged Stinger electric flex shaft concrete vibrator is a 14.5-pound double-insulated universal motor that can drive the full line of Minnich vibrator shafts and heads from ¾ inch to 2 ½ inches.
The CSV enables contractors to communicate using their cell phone’s Bluetooth to select set speeds of vibrations per minute (VPM) in coordination with the concrete slump being poured. Minnich will continue to bring products to the industry that support the findings of concrete research facilities across the country.
For more information, visit www.minnich-mfg.com
International Lessons From ‘Kiwi’ Contractors
Recently, I had the privilege to speak to and visit with many contra ors in the beautiful country of New Zealand.
Proud of their Kiwi Bird and their Kiwi fruit, these contractors were some of the nicest people I’ve met anywhere. And their appreciation for the U.S. is tremendous, as they will quickly tell you.
While “on assignment,” I took time to visit job sites and to interview a host of “Kiwi” contractors, owners and leaders, about their current challenges in the construction industry.
The challenge to find good talent continues as their #1 challenge and issue. As one owner told me, “Brad, we are in a real threat of maintaining many of our construction companies due to the lack of a generation of workers coming up.” As this contractor expanded, he confirmed so many things that I’ve heard all across the U.S. and sadly, what I’ve heard voiced in Europe, the U.K., and many area of Indonesia, South America, and Australia.
As contractor Ben McMillan shared, “We are having to go through maybe, two, even three times the number of candidates for hire than we did just five or six years ago. It’s a real time waster ‘mate,’ and that’s just the beginning. After we find a candidate, and hire them, we are spending a longer amount of time training them on just the basics of the trade like the tools used and the equipment purposes.”
This sentiment was shared by several contractors in a session I led on how to move the “Gen Z” generation forward in our industry. Most in attendance confessed that they have never seen so much time spent on recruiting and training. And as they also have found, this effort is fast becoming the way of business, the “new normal.”
Here are some things that I shared with the construction owners and leaders in almost all my workshops. (Even when I was discussing another topic, the audience always wanted to circle back to employment.)
• Start engaging the cellphone in training by
recording each of the important tasks for the company. Then, accessing either an app or software, simply do a “voice over” describing the actions being taken.
• Always start all learning with the “Why?” behind why we are doing each task before we explain the “How” and “What” that executes the filmed tasks.
• Start and continue to employee a “buddy system” with new workers as building relationships is still key to attracting and holding on to employees.
• Intentionally talk to new workers more often, asking them how they are doing, feeling, and what they would like more support with learning. We must admit that it will take longer to educate many of our new and younger workers as many have not simply performed any construction related work…ever!
• Finally, reach out to educational outlets anywhere they can to talk to students about your trade and company. I’m convinced there are many students who just haven’t been exposed to the many benefits to construction such as working with their hands, working outside (versus stuck in a fast-food environment perform the same old boring procedures every day), and contributing to building something that will be around for a long time.
This first challenge is not a surprise to many of you as we face the same issues. However, like the Kiwi owners and leaders, you too have to determine how you will prepare tomorrow’s workforce. As my contractor friend, Ben told me, “Brad, it’s either instruct or destruct.”
It was quite refreshing to hear of their willingness and desire to tight their “money belts” when it came to running their business. In fact, as more than one contractor told me, “Hey Mate, when you live on an island, you tend to be a bit more organized and a better steward of your resources as there just isn’t as much to go around like you ‘Yanks’ have.”
After addressing that sentiment, I was still impressed with many of their practices as business owners. Here are some interesting, but applicable lessons.
Like many companies north of the “Mason-Dixon” line, having a shorter season for work is not uncommon. Most of New Zealand practice similar seasonal methods and practices. Therefore, the Kiwi contractor pushes hard during the temperatures that allow for their work to be completed.
Concrete is used a lot in New Zealand and they tend to follow much of the same processes of the concrete placed in the states. However, with much of New Zealand covering areas of volcanic activity and a great risk of earthquakes, most of anything placed on the ground must be aware of soft areas, often needing reinforcement before placement of concrete or asphalt. I did notice a greater attention to this detail than most U.S. contractors are focused on.
Just as our own domestic costs continue to escalate, the Kiwi Contractor continues to see increases in asphalt, paint, concrete, crack filling, etc. They have seen even the few rock quarries prices escalate; much due to increase in fuel costs. I did find that even the smaller contractor is more disciplined than many American contractors are with many negotiating with materials plants for locking in on prices for fuel, asphalt, and concrete. Many contractors are building buyer groups to provide a more inviting acceptance by material providers since more quantity of material can be leveraged for better financial deals.
Editor’s note: Brad’s column continues online addressing moving to a more female workforce in a separate entry.
Brad Humphrey has been involved in the construction industry for more than 30 years.
For more information visit https://CONC.me/bestfriend
FINISH TOUGH SURFACE PREP JOBS FAST
Tackle the most demanding removal jobs with SMITH FS351 DCS Heavy-Duty Scarifiers.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
SMITH FS351 DCS heavy-duty scarifiers are ideal for challenging removal applications such as leveling floors, grooving, and removing thick epoxy coatings.
PRODUCT FEATURES:
¡ Remove path up to 15 inches wide
¡ Precisely control cut depth with SMITH’s electronic DCS Depth Control System
¡ Self-propelled with variable speed drive for precise speed control
¡ Wide variety of cutters available, including PCD shaving drums
