Masonry October 2014

October 2014

Gas-Powered Saws

T h e Vo i c e o f t h e M a s o n r y I n d u s t r y

Pavers and Thin Brick

Volume 53, Number 10

Natural Beauty:

Masonry Hardscaping

BUILD THE

PERFECT STONE WALL SPEC MIX®

Building Stone Mortar is especially designed for masons building walls using full depth natural stone. Whether the specification calls for soft or hard stone, SPEC MIX Building Stone Mortar is engineered to match the specific properties of each stone for optimal bond strength while allowing masons to lay more stone every day. SPEC MIX Building Stone Mortar is available in standard gray and custom colored formulations that are completely preblended for optimal consistency, durability and increased jobsite efficiency—EVERY TIME!

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October 2014 | Vol. 53, No. 10 Shown on the cover is the winner of the 2014 MCAA TEAM Awards, Landscape/Hardscape category. The purpose of the Tribute to Exemplary Achievements in Masonry (TEAM) Awards is to recognize quality masonry projects and construction team members for outstanding accomplishments in masonry design and construction. The mason contractor and supplier was Spencer Brickwork; the architect was Dick Busch Architects; and the supplier was Richards Brick Co.

34

columns & departments

features

6

From The Editor

14

8

Chairman’s Message

Gas-Powered Saws We reached out to a number of top manufacturers and retailers of gas-powered saws to get the lowdown on the latest models.

22

10

Government Affairs

12

New Products

40

Rocky Awards

42

Association News

44

Full Contact PM

46

Classified Advertising

Hardscaping Case Studies

47

News

Learn from others’ experiences as we feature beautiful hardscaping projects created with masonry.

50

MCAA Upcoming Education

Paver, Thin Brick and Thin Stone Veneer The benefits of working with thin masonry are growing, as we’ll see in several examples of the use of these materials.

32

MCAA Strategic Partner Program

MASONRY (ISSN 0025-4681) is published monthly. Subscription rate $29 per year; Canada and Mexico $47 (U.S. currency); all other countries $65. Single copies $8.50. Copyright 2014 by Mason Contractors Association of America. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MASONRY, c/o Lionheart Publishing, Inc., 506 Roswell St., Ste. 220, Marietta, GA 30060. Canadian return address: Station A, PO Box 54 Windsor, Ontario N9A 615.

SEND SUBSCRIPTIONS and business correspondence to: MASONRY, c/o Lionheart Publishing, Inc., 506 Roswell St., Ste. 220, Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: 770-431-0867 or 888-303-5639 www.masonrymagazine.com.

Layout & Design © Lionheart Publishing, Inc.

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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FROM THE E D I T O R T h e Vo i c e o f t h e M a s o n r y I n d u s t r y

MASONRY Magazine Jennifer Morrell Editor jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

Three Acts of Kindness Last month, the MCAA held its annual Midyear Meeting, this time in Milwaukee, Wis. – the hometown of MCAA chairman, Mark Kemp. The meeting was well attended, and everyone enjoyed the many fun and educational activities coordinated by the MCAA staff and board members.

MCAA committee and board meetings took place, along with the first-ever rounds of “Speed Dating,” which consisted of short, concise business-tobusiness meetings between mason contractors and manufacturers/suppliers (you’ll see more coverage on all of this in our November issue). Delicious dinners and even a Brewers game added to the Wisconsin feel. Networking, education and overall fellowship MCAA secretary Paul Oldham of Ollier Masonry plays bartender were in abundance, along with brats, cheese and beer. during a reception hosted by Mark Of all the takeaways from this meeting, the most and Pauline Kemp. important might have come from Mark during the TEAM Awards, held at the Harley Davidson Museum. In a packed room of MCAA members and TEAM Award recipients, we paused for Mark to speak before we enjoyed dinner. Mark, who is one of the most positive people I know, talked about the concept known as “Three Acts of Kindness.” In general, we all should try to do this every day. Small acts, large acts – any acts of kindness matter.

Mark is a great leader for our association and comes from a place of gratitude and positivity, with a pay-it-forward mentality. We’re lucky to have Mark and all of our MCAA staff and board members working to move the masonry industry forward every day.

If you missed this year’s meeting, you should plan to attend next year. But meanwhile, we hope you’re planning to attend the MCAA Annual Convention to be held during World of Concrete/World of Masonry in early-February 2015. It’s a week not to be missed for mason contractors and anyone in our industry. ❙MAS

Official Publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association The Mason Contractors Association of America is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.ion of America is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.

MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Chairman Mark Kemp Vice Chairman Mike Sutter Treasurer Paul Odom Secretary Paul Oldham Regional Vice Presidents Robert V. Barnes, Jr. Ron Bennett Steve Borman Edwin Davenport

Glenn Hotmann Gary Joyner Michael Schmerbeck Rick Swanson Larry Vacala

President/CEO

Jeff Buczkiewicz

EXECUTIVE STAFF Government Affairs Representatives Director of Marketing, Education, and Information Technology Director of Training and Workforce Development Administrative Assistant Consultant

The Keelen Group Timothy W. O’Toole Terry Ruppel Ann Trownsell Rashod Johnson

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Jollay (Jollay Masonry Contractors), John Chrysler (MIA), John Melander (PCA), David Hill (Pettit Construction Co.), John J. Smith (John J. Smith Masonry Co.), Brian Grant (Grant/Jack’s Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Masonry, Inc.), Doug Nichols (Doug Nichols Enterprises), G. Alan Griffin (Griffin Contracting, Inc.), Tom Daniel (GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.) Executive Office 1481 Merchant Drive Algonquin, IL 60102 Phone: 224.678.9709 or 800.536.2225 Fax: 224.678.9714

MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (CMCA).

The magazine acts as a sounding board without approving, disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appearing under a byline or obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source. Opinions expressed by officers do not necessarily reflect the official views of MCAA or CMCA. The appearance of advertising or new product information doesn't constitute an endorsement by MCAA or CMCA of product featured.

MASONRY ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE

Send all advertising and editorial submissions for Masonry to: Lionheart Publishing, Inc. 506 Roswell Street, Suite 220, Marietta, GA 30060 USA Tel: 770.431.0867 • Fax: 770.432.6969 • E-mail: lpi@lionhrtpub.com www.masonrymagazine.com Publisher Editor Assistant Editor Art Director Assistant Art Director Online Projects Manager Advertising Sales

John Llewellyn • llewellyn@lionhrtpub.com Jennifer Morrell • jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com Marty M. Hohmann • marty@redclayeditorial.com Alan Brubaker • albrubaker@lionhrtpub.com Jim McDonald • jim@lionhrtpub.com Patton McGinley • patton@lionhrtpub.com Marvin Diamond • marvin@lionhrtpub.com Art Shaeffer • art@lionhrtpub.com

Marketing Director and Audience Development Maria Bennett • bennett@lionhrtpub.com Reprints Kelly Millwood • kelly@lionhrtpub.com

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

CHAIRMAN’S M E S S A G E Mark Kemp Chairman Mason Contractors Association of America Mark@superiormasonry.com

Striving to Reach Perfection and Continually Improving Did you ever belong to something, but not feel you were a part of it?

Well, the easiest way to overcome this is by putting yourself out there and getting involved. For me, whether it is doing martial arts, a Tough Mudder, or being a member of an association, I feel you have to get involved. You cannot just sit on the sidelines waiting for things to happen. By getting involved, you start to feel you’re a part of something. You start to see all the benefits through your involvement.

There is a saying: To be a great martial artist, you must reach out and teach others. This is true within MCAA. It is by reaching out and participating that we not only help others, but ourselves as well. I urge all of you to get involved with the masonry industry – your industry – by being an active member of MCAA. We can use your help, and you will see the benefits of being involved.

One year ago, we started to see our industry pick up. Today, we are in most areas of the country at full employment. Along with this good news brings other challenges, like a skilled workforce shortage. MCAA is committed to working on this problem through our Workforce Development program. We are presently working in the states of Tennessee and Arizona by reaching out to the high schools and offering to be their sponsor representative through NCCER in any constructionrelated trade. We are excited about expanding these opportunities to 8

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other states, next through a grant we applied for with NCMA. As these programs become self-sufficient, we will continue to expand into other states.

Along with the problem of a skilled workforce shortage comes the problem of safety. I urge all of our members to take advantage of the great webinars we offer on safety. Remember, if you signed up for the webinar package, you can go back and listen to any webinar through our On Demand program. I recently hired a young engineer from college, and this webinar program has been a huge benefit to expedite his growth about masonry. Another thing to help keep your company safe is to download one of the safety topics, and go out to the field and use it as a safety toolbox talk or training aid.

It has been great to see our membership increase during the last several months. I can count on Linda or Angie (MCAA staff personnel) to email me a couple of times a month, asking me to send out a welcome email to our new members. I have to thank some of our Regional VPs for welcoming our new members as well.

As I have stated in the past, our strength grows with membership.

With the construction boom taking place, I expect lots of new members in the months ahead.

It is hard to believe that in a couple months, our Annual Convention will take place in Las Vegas. I assure you, we are working hard to make it better than ever. The MCAA headquarters will be at the Aria this year, to keep the

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

It is by reaching out and

participating that we not only help others, but

ourselves as well. event alive and fresh. We have added a ladies’ event to this year’s program.

Masonry Madness will be bigger and better than ever. Watch your emails as we get closer to the date to see what is going to take place.

MCAA will be holding its first Regional Program in Arizona, Nov. 14 and 15. These regional programs are starting as a way for MCAA to reach out to our members and non-members on a more personal and local basis. This is just one more way MCAA can better serve its members.

The Foundation Board continues to solidify its pledges through its strategic regional members. This Masonry Foundation will enable our industry to meet its fiscal responsibilities, not only now but for the future.

We will be able to provide funding through grants for things like BIM, workforce development, masonry programs at universities, and educating architects, engineers and construction managers – all of this at state, regional and national levels.

We all should be positive about the future of our industry. I assure you that MCAA and the masonry industry are striving and continually improving. ❙MAS The Voice of the Masonry Industry

GOVERNMENT A F F A I R S

By Matthew Keelen

The Race Is on for the Senate By now, you have likely seen and heard numerous campaign ads running across your television screen or on your radio on the drive into work.

While this is no different from the usual biannual campaign season barrage, the outcome of this election is surely going to be tight and very impactful.

As you are aware, all 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are up for re-election and must be voted back to office by the electorate. However, in the Senate, the 100 Senators are staggered by “elected class,” so that one-third of the

COMING IN NOVEMBER 2014 Be sure to catch the November 2014 issue of Masonry, which will feature articles covering current trends and examining industry issues, including:

HANDHELD TOOLS An important part of any mason’s tool stock is the variety of handheld tools. Masonry shows you the latest and greatest handheld tools available.

NATURAL STONE We’ve said it before: Natural stone is the best way to assure the longest life cycle in the most sustainable manner. Learn more in November!

GREEN BUILDING Green is no longer just a buzz word, but an integral benefit of building with masonry materials.

Masonry reports.

For advertising information, contact

Marvin Diamond 770.431.0867, ext. 208 Toll-free: 888.303.5639 E-mail: marvin@lionhrtpub.com

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Senate is up for re-election every two years, with overall six-year terms. Most pundits and elected officials agree that the U.S. House of Representatives, currently controlled by Republicans with 233 Members, will remain in the hands of Republicans, who many believe may in fact increase their majority with an uptick in the number of seats held by Republicans. Where things get really interesting is in the U.S. Senate.

Currently, the U.S. Senate is controlled by Democrats who hold a majority with 53 Members and two independents who caucus with the Democrats. However, many pundits and elected officials have stated that they believe the Senate has a good chance of being taken over by the Republicans or at the very least, that the Democrat majority will shrink to 51 seats. I wanted to take the opportunity to discuss a couple of factors that will play into the Senate election and impact the outcome of this election.

The first factor that will play a massive role in the upcoming Senate elections is the historical evidence that shows the mid-term elections in a President’s second term (the upcoming election) is usually very harsh on the President’s party in Congressional races. Add to that the fact that Senate Democrats have 20 seats to defend across the country and Republicans only have 13 seats to defend, and the recipe is ripe for a hard election night for Senate Democrats.

The second factor that will most likely have a deep impact this election cycle is the current approval rating of President Obama. As of the time of writing this piece, the most recent Gallup poll shows that President

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

Obama’s approval rating stands at a measly 38 percent. It is quite clear that Democrat Senators are afraid of this issue as most Senators in the eight “toss-up” states have tried to distance themselves quite clearly from the President and his policies.

The third factor that will likely play an integral role in the outcome of the elections is the ongoing political unrest throughout the world. With issues such as immigration, terrorism, Ukraine, Israel and many other international issues, campaigns are going to have to quickly swivel, change tactics and throw away their favored campaign talking points to address these ongoing issues and how the United States should respond.

On top of all of these factors, we can always expect to hear and see some major political missteps along the way. There have been numerous political missteps already in this campaign cycle, and I am assuming we will likely see others before all is said and done. If the election were held today as I write this, I would predict that the Republicans take over the majority of Senate seats, but have a slim majority in which to legislate. As always, it is imperative that you are making your voices heard, you are getting involved, and you are staying informed. Take the time to educate yourselves on MCAA’s top legislative issues and make sure your elected officials and candidates know where you stand on these issues. Stay tuned and stay involved. ❙MAS Matt Keelen is founder and president of the government affairs firm The Keelen Group, www.keelengroup.com.

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

The Complete Solution for Facades Masonr Masonryy V Veneer eneer Installation System (MVIS) as a ccomplete omplete ssolution olution ffor or aadhered dhered m anufactured sstone tone LATICRETE hhas LATICRETE manufactured eneers, pproviding roviding a permanent, permanent, hhigh igh strength strength iinstallation nstallation m asonry vveneers, masonry tthat hat iiss ffreeze reeze thaw thaw stable stable aand nd pr otects ffrom rom w ater iintrusion ntrusion – protects water ® backed bbyy a LLATICRETE ATICRETE 25 25 Year Year SSystem ystem W Warranty*. arranty*. backed

w www.laticrete.com/mvis ww.laticrete.com/mvis | 1.800.243.4788 1.800.243.4788 A-5634-0914 *See Data Sheet 025.0 for complete war warranty ranty information. information. ©2014 ©2014 LA LATICRETE ATICRETE Inter International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties ties of their respective owners.

NEW P R O D U C T S

TO SUBMIT A NEW PRODUCT: Contact Jennifer Morrell • Email: jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

ARRISCRAFT

STIHL

Cambridge, Ont.

Virginia Beach, Va.

Arriscraft New, Light Colors

The GS 461 STIHL Rock Boss

Arriscraft, manufacturer of all-natural products that emulate quarried stone, introduces two new, bright colors in coordinating Shadow Stone and Contemporary Brick – allowing homebuilders, designers and architects to create modern and striking exteriors. Arriscraft is the stone products group of General Shale. Shadow Stone Building Stone in new bright Avalanche provides designers a fresh option for contemporary designs in both residential and commercial applications. The Blizzard color in Contemporary Brick allows designers to continue a lighter color scheme throughout a project.

The GS 461 STIHL Rock Boss is the newest member of the STIHL industrial family lineup, giving professional masons a lightweight, handheld companion for deep cutting tasks. The first STIHL concrete cutter of its kind, the STIHL Rock Boss is ideal for plunge cuts, shaping square corners and cutting concrete pipes in trenches, cinder blocks, masonry bricks, asphalt and soft stone. This concrete cutter provides the best power-to-weight ratio in the industry and a powerful engine with low exhaust emissions and a 13,500 max rpm.

www.arriscraft.com

www.stihlusa.com

HILTI

SKILSAW

Tulsa, Okla.

Mt. Prospect, Il.

HDI+/HDI-L and HDV Drop in Anchors

SKILSAW Family of Saws

Hilti’s HDI+/HDI-L+ Drop-In Anchors are taking productivity to the next level. These FM and UL approved drop-in anchors (3/8-inch and ½-inch) provide outstanding performance for applications such as anchoring sprinklers, HVAC, plumbing, electrical elements and suspended interior finishing elements The HDI+/HDI-L+ DropIn anchors have been redesigned with a new stepped plug, which requires less impact energy to fully set the anchor. This reduction allows the HDI+/HDI-L+ to be installed with Hilti Cordless rotary hammers and an automatic setting tool with integrated stop bit.

SKILSAW’s new worm drive family includes three saws: the SKILSAW SHD77-02, the SKILSAW SHD77M-02 and the SKILSAW MAG77LT. Each is designed to achieve different cutting applications. The main feature of the new SKILSAWs is the reduced weight. Each saw is lighter than its predecessor, which was a big improvement noted

by SKILSAW user groups. The new saws also feature a multifunction wrench that stores on the saw foot for convenience, a Cut-Ready Depth of Cut System for quick and easy adjustment, and a 24-tooth carbide blade.

www.us.hilti.com

www.skilsaw.com

KEEN UTILITY

Product & Service Information

Portland, Ore.

WWW.MASONRYMAGAZINE.COM 888-303-5639, EXT. 230

American Built Work Boot

We’ve made it fast, easy and convenient to request FREE information about any product or service in this issue.

KEEN Utility has built a brand of progressive safety styles, with the understanding that the best work boots blend comfort and protection in unique silhouettes.

KEEN Utility’s American Built Hybrid safety footwear is built to perform. KEEN’s new boot features a direct-attach outsole featuring a proprietary PU-injected midsole that does not compact over time, helping to deliver long-term cushion, comfort and durability. A fullgrain waterproof leather upper is partnered with a KEEN.Dry waterproof breathable membrane and hydrophobic/hydrophilic Zone Comfort Technology.

www.keenutility.com

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To request information online, go to: www.masonrymagazine.com.

Click on ‘FREE Product Information’ (right top corner) then…

1.

2.

3.

4.

Select the issue of the magazine you are reading Check the box next to the advertiser you are interested in Provide your name, address and business information Click submit.

Not close to your computer? Request information by phone. Dial tollfree 888-303-5639, Ext. 230. Follow the voice guidelines to request FREE information.

In a hurry and need the information now? We have provided the advertisers’ Websites and phone numbers in the ‘Ad Index’ toward the back of this issue. You can call direct for information on the products and services advertised in this issue. Don't forget to tell them you saw their ad in MASONRY Magazine.

www.masonrymagazine.com

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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Need to Know:

Gas-Powered Saws

BY K.K. SNYDER WHEN IT COMES TO MASONRY SAWS, MANY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET, from corded power saws to cordless, gas-powered models. Power tools are a major investment, and some consideration must be made prior to making such a substantial purchase. So, which saw is the best tool for your job? Masonry reached out to a number of manufacturers and retailers of gas-powered saws to get the lowdown on the latest models.

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October 2014 â&#x20AC;¢ www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

Acme Tools, headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., is a major industrial tool distributor and retailer of tools and equipment. With 10 retail stores in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, a direct-mail catalog division, and an e-commerce website, Acme Tools stocks more than 180,000 products from 3,500 manufacturers.

Among those offerings are gas-powered saws by STIHL, Husqvarna and Makita. Joel Kovar, assistant manager of Acme Tools’ Grand Forks store, says the three brands basically offer all the same type features on gas-powered masonry saws. The choice really comes down to brand preference of the purchaser.

“Customers are looking for reliability; they want it to run when they need it to,” says Kovar. “These are all reliable brands of saws. One manufacturer might have a better air filtration system and one may start a little easier. If a customer has been using a particular brand for years with good results, that’s what they’re going to continue to buy.”

www.masonrymagazine.com

October 2014

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M A S O NRY

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S AW S A N D S AW B L A D E S

Product to Watch

Husqvarna K 970 Power Cutter

Kovar says the progression of masonry saws – during the two or three decades The Husqvarna K 970 power cutter has a his company has sold them – has been high power output of 6.4 horsepower and a toward making them lighter and more well-balanced body that make it efficient and compact, yet more powerful. Many of the easy to use in all handheld cutting applicaimprovements through the years have had tions. The low weight (24.2 pounds for 14 inchto do with better filtering technology. es without fuel and cutting equipment) and “Air filters really have changed on the optimized performance enhance the saw,” he says. “Now, probably 99 percent of machine’s power-to-weight ratio.

A new cylinder design and carburetor the air is getting filtered before it gets into increase the power cutter’s capacity and optithe engine. That makes a major difference mize performance. A new cylinder and new in servicing and reliability.” muffler with integrated heat deflector ensure Other performance improvements, optimal operating temperatures and make the machine less sensitive to variations in climate and fuel.

Ergonomics also have been improved. The new, lighter blade guard made of magnesium (only however, are often determined by the user. available on the 14-inch model as the 16-inch model has a steel guard) gives the power cutter betTake fuel efficiency, for example. “If you ter balance and provides step-less guard adjustment. This makes operation and altering cutting posihave two guys doing the exact application, tions easier. The blade guard includes a reversible blade bushing, which allows operators to switch one may hold the throttle wide open, between blades with different center holes. A progressive water valve allows exact adjustment of the while the other holds it halfway open. water volume, reducing water consumption and slurry.

The K 970 is equipped with an X-Torq engine, which lowers both emissions and fuel consumption Both will get the job done at the same when compared to conventional two-stroke engines. It also has great startability with air purge and time,” he says, adding that fuel efficiency a decompression valve. will not be the same between the two.

The new K 970 is ideal for heavier cutting of concrete and stone in alterations, renovations and Among some of the more recent new construction work. It is perfect for cutting smaller holes and adjusting window and door openofferings at Acme Tools is STIHL’s fuel- ings, as well as for pipe, asphalt and metal cutting. It also is the machine of choice for cutting curbinjected saw, the TS500i. “It has better stones and pavers in landscaping.

For more information, visit www.husqvarnacp.com. balance, easier starting, quick pull, light weight and it’s new in the industry this year,” says Kovar. The While the gas-powered saw isn’t new technology, there have electronically controlled fuel injector means no carburetor, and certainly been some improvements in the product through the no carburetor means no choke; just purge it and pull it. years. For instance, Makita recently released what’s being billed as

Product to Watch

TS 500i STIHL Cutquik Cut-off Machine The STIHL TS 500i Cutquik 14-inch cut-off machine is powerful, lightweight and well balanced. The STIHL computer-mapped fuel injection system continuously and precisely determines fuel mixture, injection and ignition timing. The fuel injection system also makes starting easier and more reliable by eliminating the need for a choke. Just set the switch to on, prime and pull.

The high-efficiency 72.2 cc engine delivers low exhaust emissions and optimal torque throughout its RPM range with unparalleled responsiveness. The X2 air filtration system is virtually maintenance free and maintains an incredible 99.96 percent cleaning efficiency.

The standard electronic water control feature allows for easy and efficient water flow adjustment while cutting. The water control feature remembers the last setting that was used, and water flow automatically stops at idle speed and starts again when the throttle is engaged.

Attachments/accessories: • STIHL premium diamond wheels have earned their reputation based on long life, smoothness and high cutting speed in a variety of materials, including bricks, pavers, precast landscape fixtures, stone, tile and cinder block. The patented high-density sintering process used to create the diamond segments applies heat and pressure from both sides to create a dense, uniform bond matrix.

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The process offers: • No voids in the bond matrix • Better segment cooling • Longer wheel life • The STIHL Cutquik cart is an optional accessory that is ideal for long, precise cuts and offers improved handling and cutting performance with a forward weight orientation and a toolless quick connect system. Other features include high-impact resistant wheels with sealed ball bearings, a handle-mounted depth control lever, and an automatic “return to idle” handle release. The STIHL Cutquik cart is specially designed for matched cutting performance with the TS 410, TS 420, TS 480i, TS 500i, TS 700 and TS 800.

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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S AW S A N D S AW B L A D E S

While the gas-powered saw isn’t new technology, there have certainly been some improvements in the product through the years.

New Saw Series

MK-2000 Masonry Saws on the Roll The MK-2000 Series of masonry saws has been designed for high-production cutting. The saws are engineered to cut a variety of masonry types, including cinder block, slump stone block, wall brick, pavers, brick, concrete block and cylinders, roofing tile, marble, granite, decorative rock or almost any other non-ferrous material.

They are available with a Honda, Kohler, Vanguard or Subaru engine or electric Baldor 1.5- or two-horsepower motors.

The MK-2000 features an openback design, which allows for material up to 16 inches long to be cut. The pull-down handle on the cutting head prevents operator fatigue and increases visibility during all cutting operations. Jig-welded, reinforced steel construction, combined with sturdy die cast aluminum uprights, provides positive alignment.

The MK-2000 is designed for use with a 14-inch-diameter segmented wet or dry diamond blade with a .110- to .375-inch cutting width, providing a five-inch depth of cut. The cutting head can be locked in the down position when cutting smaller pieces. It features a spring-assisted cutting head to allow for easier step cutting. The cast aluminum blade guard, with stainless steel water tubes, will not bend or rust. For safety, the stay level blade guard gives 180-degree coverage at all times. Specially located forklift brackets under the frame provide lifting control points for ease of transportation. All saws include a diamond blade, rip guide and water pump.

An optional rolling cart with a rust-resistant, powder-coated finish is inches from the ground, so moving and cutting around the jobsite is fast and easy when setting pavers, stone or brick. The welded frame, with wire mesh decking for easy cleaning, has eight-inch casters and a 38-inch-long handle for easy mobility. The cart has 360-degree swivel casters on the front and locking fixed casters on the rear. The weight capacity of the cart is 1,000 pounds. It cuts down the back labor and work time for installers, so they can get more done in the same amount of time.

For more information visit www.mkdiamond.com.

“the world’s first 4-stroke power cutter,” making fuel mixing a task of the past. The saw was unveiled in January 2014 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry show, and the company has been getting a lot of feedback since.

“It’s a game changer in the industry, because you don’t have to mix fuel anymore,” says Wayne Hart with Makita, noting the convenience of not having to deal with two gas cans on the jobsite. In addition, not having to purchase oil to mix not only saves money, it eliminates the risk of maintenance and repairs due to improper fuel mixing.

“When you get to the end of the day, and you just have a couple more cuts to make, you might be tempted to put in straight gas,” says Hart. “That’ll seize the motor and mean a big repair bill.”

The gas-powered cutter can cut wet or dry, and a retractable wheel kit makes it easier to do extended cuts down a line.

“Because they’re retractable, when you sit the cutter down, the wheels aren’t touching,” he says. “That keeps it from vibrating and allowing it to ‘walk’ while it’s sitting on the ground with the motor running.”

The 4-stroke is slightly quieter than the 2-stroke and is easier to start. In fact, the automatic engine decompression makes it 40 percent easier when pulling the starter cord than a comparable model, says Hart. Comparatively, the company’s 4-stroke price starts around $1,200, while a 2-stroke starts at $700.

Clean air is an important factor with the gas-powered cutter. The 4-stroke produces lower emissions than a 2-stroke, and Mikita’s five-stage filtration system not only keeps air cleaner, it’s designed for easy removal of accumulated dust and debris.

Likewise, Hilti features a cyclone filtration system designed for reduced maintenance and increased durability, reducing the frequency with which air filters must be changed. “It takes air in and circulates it, throws off the biggest dust particles, and brings the cleanest air to the filter, reducing the amount of dust particles going into the filter,” says David Walker, product manager of gas saws for Hilti North America.

Hilti’s first generation gas-powered concrete and masonry saws were released in 2004. Several generations of saws later, Hilti markets saws featuring “the best power-to-weight ratio in 18

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

its class,” with the DSH 700 and DSH 900 being the most common, says Walker. The 700 is a 70cc saw available in 12- and 14inch models, while the 900 is a 90cc available in 14- and 16-inch models.

Hilti’s integrated choke and gas control allow users to turn the choke on with the trigger half pulled, making it easier to start with fewer rope pulls. “You don’t have to pull these 15 or 20 times, so there’s less wear and tear,” Walker says.

Easy maintenance is always a goal with product development. This latest generation of saws makes air filters easier to change than ever, says Walker.

“It’s easy to get to, and the screws are integrated into the air filter housing, so they don’t drop.”

Another feature of Hilti saws is the reversible wheel design, which prevents the saw from rolling when not in use. And a three-point vibration absorbing system provides vibration transfer that improves operator comfort and productivity.

Appealing to many contractors is Hilti’s fleet program, an option for sourcing tools from Hilti without the big layout upfront to purchase them. The program is especially popular for sourcing gas-powered saws. “The nature of these tools is that they have very hard, heavy usage – a lot of dust in a rough MK-5000 ELECTRIC SAWS environment,” says Walker. Instead, fleet members pay a monthly usage fee that includes repair costs and theft coverage.

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October 2014

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S AW S A N D S AW B L A D E S

Customers are most interested in dependability, ease in starting, and serviceability – including easy access to serviceable parts.

Product Spotlight

Makita 4-Stroke Engine Power Cutter For cutting brick, block, or concrete, the Makita 4-stroke engine power cutter offers easy starts, fuel economy, and the ability to fill the tank with straight unleaded gas. With 2-stroke power cutters, engine seizure due to improper fuel and oil mixing is one of the most common failures.

Makita 4-stroke engines are engineered to solve this problem. With no need to mix 2-stroke oil into the fuel, this means the Makita 4-stroke engine power cutter can use the same fuel as other gas-powered equipment on the jobsite. No fuel mixing gives the convenience of a “one-can” jobsite and simplified operation. It also eliminates engine failure due to improper mixing, and delivers big savings with no need to purchase 2-stroke oil.

The Makita 4-stroke engine power cutter has an automatic engine decompression valve engineered into the cam gear to reduce pull-start force by 40 percent, for easier starts. For faster maintenance, the five-stage air filtration system is easily accessible, and engineered for cleaner air and improved engine durability.

The Makita 4-stroke offers several other advantages over the 2-stroke. The Makita 4-stroke has lower noise at 92.7 dB(A) and smoother idle for continuous operation, as well as lower fuel consumption at only .45 gallons per hour. The Makita 4-stroke also has lower exhaust and intake carbon build-up than the 2-stroke for longer cylinder life.

For improved handling, the Makita power cutter includes an integrated all-aluminum wheel kit to reduce fatigue during long, straight cuts. The wheels are positioned to engage only when the blade is lowered to the cutting surface, and they retract when the saw is not in use, to prevent unexpected movement during idle.

that allow the mason to operate virtually dust free, says Paul Guth, VP of product development. A 100 percent dry cut saw, the iQPC912 collects 99.5 percent of the dust, making the danger of silica exposure practically a non-issue.

Integrated into the saw, a belt drives the blade and also powers a vacuum fan that sucks dust through the blade guard and into a dust containment chamber.

The chamber can hold up to 5 pounds of dust before it needs to be emptied, and the filter is rated for 100 cutting hours or 90 days.

“Other saws that use water for dust suppression require a hose or pump system. That becomes a problem with mud and

staining and, in the winter, it’s almost impossible,” says Guth, a third-generation mason who opened the products business a decade ago with family members who also were in the trade.

“All of our tools have come out of a masonry and concrete construction background,” he says, noting that the iQPC912 retails for $1,950. Maintenance for the IQ Power Tools masonry saw is typical for a power cutter engine – maintaining the dust collection system, changing the filter about every 90 days (depending on amount of usage), and routine changing of the spark plug and fuel filter.

In general, safety factors when using this type of equipment are fairly standard across the board. Hart urges users to first read the instruction manual as it’s the best source of information regarding all aspects of the equipment, regardless of the brand. Use of hearing and eye protection, a hard hat with face protection, gloves and respiratory protection also are essential.

At the end of the day, says Kovar, regardless of the preferred brand, customers are most interested in dependability, ease in starting, and serviceability – including easy access to serviceable parts. ❙MAS K.K. Snyder is a freelance writer based in Albany, Ga.

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

Tough Enough – for the Rough Stuff Professionals with the most demanding jobs demand the tough quality of STIHL Cutquik® cut-off machines. They’re packed full of power and loaded with features that deliver convenience, comfort and cost-effectiveness. The long-lasting X2 Air Filtration System saves time on maintenance, while the IntelliCarb™ compensating NEW! GS 461 Rock Boss® carburetor maximizes engine performance. Plus, features like the Electronic Water Control system mean less time adjusting – and more time cutting. If you need to cut through concrete, metal, asphalt, masonry, stone or ductile iron, STIHL Cutquik® cut-off machines deliver the power and performance to get the job done.

Scan to learn more about the STIHL TS 500i

NEW! TS 480i

TS 500i

Addison, IL

Chicago, IL

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Lemont, IL

River Grove, IL

McCann Industries, Inc. 543 S. Rohlwing Road (630) 627-8707

Turek & Son’s 1333 S. Jefferson St. (312) 850-1333

Logan Contractor Supply, Inc. 4101 106th St. (515) 253-9048

Concrete Clinic 13089 Main St. (630) 257-5440

Murphy Contractor Equip.

2420 N. River Rd. (708) 456-6900

Bloomington, IL

Chicago, IL

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Midwest Construction Rental 810 North Linden St. (309) 829-1046

Way-Ken Supply Co. 4640 W. Belmont Ave (773) 283-2413

J & R Supply Inc. 220 Frentress Lake Road (815) 747-6501

Mathis Kelley Const. Supply 1046 W. Jefferson Street (309) 266-9733

R & J Construction Supply 30 W. 180 Butterfield Rd. (630) 393-9020

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Campbell Supply Co. 2127 N. Towne Lane NE (319) 395-0991

Lee Jensen Sales Co., Inc. 101 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (815) 459-0929

Altorfer Rents 601 W. Washington St. (309) 694-9898

Carroll Dist & Const. Supply 205 South Iowa Ave. (641) 683-1888

Burris Equipment Co. 2216 N. Green Bay Rd. (847) 336-1205

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O’Leary’s Contractors Equipment 1031 N. Cicero Ave (773)-252-6600

Gierke-Robinson Co. 3929 West River Road (563) 322-1725

Bracing Systems, Inc. 4N350 Old Gary Ave. (630) 665-2732

Multiple Concrete Assoc.

20284 N. Rand Road (847) 438-2000

STIHLusa.com

Available at participating dealers while supplies last. © 2014 STIHL MVS14-1MMAG12-112402-1

Brick Cladding:

Helping to Keep the Moisture Out EVERY YEAR, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. The season brings with it longer days, festivals and time at the pool, but also humidity interchanged with dryness.

In many parts of the country, periods of intermittent rain showers followed by stretches of blistering heat are common. Nonetheless, these variations in climate can lead to an increase in wall moisture and negatively impact the safety and structural integrity of a home.

While construction techniques have advanced, structures have become significantly more energy efficient and airtight. Building codes and consumer demand for comfortable, energy-efficient homes has increased. Although better for the energy bill, these practices minimize the amount of moisture movement and natural drying in the building envelope. Trapped moisture, if not addressed, can lead to problems such as mold and deterioration of the building components.

Maintaining a consistently dry wall assembly provides certain advantages: • Lower humidity can inhibit mold development.

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• Over time, high wood stud wall cavity humidity levels can compromise the performance of wood and wood products, such as studs and sheathing. Wood stud wall cavities with consistently low humidity, can minimize damage to wood and wood products, and help maintain structural integrity.

• Damp wood and wood products provide an ideal breeding ground for bacterial growth and insect infestation. Wall assemblies, including a nominal oneinch air space, can provide rapid drying, which can hamper bacteria growth and insect infestations.

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

Product Watch

ProSeries from Techniseal ProSeries from Techniseal is a three-step As part of an effort to better recognize paver care system of cleaning stains, the performance of wall assemblies in preparing the surface and applying thepromixed-humid climates, the U.S. Department tective sealant. Techniseal provides mainteof Housing and Urban Development nance products to remove all types of worked with the U.S. Department of Agri- stains as well as efflorescence and grounddirt.Techniseal proposes a protector to culture’s Forest Products Laboratory and the in retain the original look of pavers, enhance Brick Industry Association to conduct a their color or revive faded surfaces. Nearly year-long field study on the effects of mois- all protectors are formulated without strong ture. According to the National Association or flammable solvents, and emit low VOC levels in the atmosphere. An investment in pavers adds character and value to a facility. However, the of Homebuilders, the study was the result of erosion of joint sand and the appearance of weeds and ants can quickly create an eyesore. Tech“the increase in moisture-related problems niseal has continued to develop formulas,including the RG+ and HP2. Unlike conventional sand, Techin new residential homes, combined with niseal Polymeric Sand remains stable and stays in place. It resists erosion caused by sweeping, wind, the popularity of absorptive claddings in rain and pressure washing. It also inhibits weed growth and resists insect infestation, leaving pavers clean at all times. moist climates.”

The field study examined eight popular and commonly used • Two factors worked to secure lower moisture content sidings, including: vinyl sided wall, stucco clad wall with one layer throughout the test claddings: wall temperature and of felt, stucco clad wall with two layers of felt, stucco clad wall with air circulation. Higher wall temperatures resulted in vented cladding, stucco wall with plywood sheathing, wall clad lower moisture content. Air movement controlled the with manufactured stone, fiber cement siding wall, and brick drying capabilities of the cladding. veneer. Aimed at examining the performance of wall assemblies • In most cases, the effects of a wall penetration will not in the presence of periods of extended heat and moisture, the change the moisture performance of the wall. study also considered how wall design factors enhanced the dura• North-facing with manufactured stone and north- and bility of energy-efficient walls. south-facing stucco-clad walls with plywood sheathing Over the span of the 12-month testing period, 44 sensors exhibited the poorest performance from the designed to detect and analyze moisture content, temperature perspective of highest initial moisture content. The and relative humidity were affixed to the wood framing or wall cavities for these two assemblies were the slowest sheathing in varied test points on each sample. The moisture to dry. levels were recorded in natural elements like precipitation and wind-driven rain, as well outdoor and indoor temperatures Because its typical construction contains a nominal oneand humidity. The sensors were dispersed on the sampled walls inch air space behind the cladding, brick veneer wall assemblies to take into account assorted temperatures – increased coolness were the most consistently dry. Results of the study proved that closer to the ground or excess warmth near the roof. To ensure brick construction consistently produced a wood stud wall cavaccuracy, each sensor transmitted new readings every 30 minity with lower humidity. The one-inch air space also allowed utes during the testing period. for rapid drying, inhibiting the growth of bacteria that damp Researchers also utilized controlled injections of water wood could promote. Additionally, darker claddings, like brick, behind the cladding to determine the draining capabilities of maintained the highest wood stud wall cavity temperature. the walls. Other tests included computer simulations that preBecause lower humidity can inhibit mold development, brick dicted moisture levels, both in magnitude and seasonal phases. veneer wall assemblies meet the “Conditions Necessary to MinAt the conclusion of the examination period, it was clear imize Mold Growth” of ASHRAE Standard 160. that of all the assemblies tested below the industry-recognized Experts throughout the industry recognize the importance moisture content threshold level (16 percent). of proper ventilation as an important element of moisture conThe study also revealed that: trol. In hot and humid climates, seasonal condensation issues • Walls constructed with an air gap saw no sustained indicate that the wall assemblies need to resist the intrusion of increase in moisture. bulk and vapor water. Often, increased air movement brings • When bulk water gets behind stucco, a second layer more moisture into the wall cavity, reducing the drying opporwater resistive barrier (WRB) is vital. According to tunities. As industry leaders have called for additional ventilaresearchers “stucco-clad walls with two layers of WRB tion, the shortcomings of current and past moisture control had virtually no increase in moisture content while the strategies have been exposed. In addition, considerations like stucco-clad walls with a single layer of WRB realized the cladding type, climate, geographic orientation and wall moisture increases of up to 3.5 percent.” assembly are important. The amount of annual rainfall can be • Orientation and solar exposure proved to be crucial used as a guide for determining the level of moisture manageelements in wall performance. In every case, northment needed in a wall. No matter where homeowners live, facing walls experienced higher moisture and brick wall assemblies can promote dryness that helps maintain humidity readings than the south-facing walls in the the structural integrity of a beautiful home. ❙MAS same construction.

For more information, visit www.boralna.com. www.masonrymagazine.com

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Do It Right:

Brick Paver Installation Methods B Y A RT H U R M I N T I E BRICK, CONCRETE, PERMEABLE, INTERLOCKING AND STONE PAVERS ARE POPULAR PAVING OPTIONS for exterior plazas, walkways, driveways and mass transit applications. These pavers are durable, offer many patterns and design options, are able to withstand vehicular traffic and maintain their integrity in demanding exterior freeze/thaw climates. For the purposes of this comparison, the most common type – brick paving – will be featured.

Brick pavers should be specified to perform in the intended application according to the following industry standards: • Pedestrian paving brick - meeting ASTM C 902 (pedestrian – minimum. 2 3/8 inches thickness) • Light traffic paving brick - meeting ASTM C902 (pedestrian and residential vehicular – minimum. 2 3/8 inches thickness) • Heavy vehicular paving brick - meeting ASTM C1272 (heavy commercial vehicular – minimum 3 1/8 inches thickness)

There are advantages and disadvantages to the three methods. A specifier will need to make an informed decision concerning the area of use and the amount of long-term maintenance that will be required for each of the systems. The following is a comparative analysis of the three methods:

Weather classifications: • Class SX – exposed to water and freezing • Class MX – exposed to water but not freezing • Class NX – interior only Traffic classifications: • Type I – for areas that expect extensive abrasion – sidewalks, driveways in public areas • Type II – for areas that expect intermediate pedestrian traffic – residential sidewalks and driveways • Type III – for areas that expect low pedestrian traffic – residential floors and patios For more information on brick pavers and various setting methods, consult the Brick Industry Association, www.gobrick.com.

There are three basic types of setting options for these types of pavers in demanding traffic bearing applications: • Sand Set – Type F • Bitumen Set – Type R • Fixed Mortar Set – Type R 24

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Sand Set Pavers SAND SET PAVERS have the lowest initial cost of the three options. The setting system can be altered, depending on the level of traffic that will be exposed to the installation system. The installation starts with grading and compacting the soil under the pavers. A geotextile drainage layer can be placed over the soil to help facilitate drainage. Next, a layer of aggregate (3/4-inch) is placed and compacted well over the soil (up to 95 percent of standard Proctor density as specified in ASTM D-698 or to ASTM D 1557 for areas subjected to vehicular traffic).

The aggregate layer is then “rough screeded” to get the level of this layer close to the design level. This layer can be adjusted, depending on how robust the setting system is intended to be.

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

For example, heavy vehicular traffic will require eight to 12 inches of the aggregate base. Pedestrian traffic areas generally require four to six inches of the aggregate base. This base layer serves as the support for the sand set paving system.

In addition, the aggregate base facilitates water run-off and drainage. Next, the sand layer is used to bed the pavers. The sand layer (meeting ASTM C 33 or CSA A23.1 (coarse, clean masonry sand) can range in thickness from one- to two-inch thickness. The sand layer is placed compacted and screeded to the desired height. The pavers are then dropped into the sand layer. The pavers are tamped/compacted into place and finished to the desired height with a vibrating plate compactor capable of exerting 3,000 to 5,000 psi of centrifugal compactions force operating at 75 to 90 hertz. A plastic or rubber mat should be used on the compactor to avoid paver damage. Generally, at least two passes are made to seat the pavers.

Traditional masonry sand is swept into the paver joints to fill the joints. This process also helps to secure the pavers into place.

The pavers are then compacted again until the joints are full. Polymeric sand can also be used for this process and is generally worth the cost upgrade. The polymeric sand will harden and set firm to a degree once it is exposed to moisture. The polymeric sand stands up better to point loads within the joints and resists â&#x20AC;&#x153;washout,â&#x20AC;? when compared to traditional sand swept joints.

Second generation/high-performance polymeric sands (see Figure 1) provide even superior performance and resist erosion and blow-out, and help prevent weed growth. In addition, these polymeric sands are permeable, allowing rainwater and oxygen to permeate.

www.masonrymagazine.com

Figure 1: High-performance polymeric paving sand used in the joints of this installation; these paving sands come in various colors to compliment any architectural design.

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In The News

Videos Demonstrate Proper Installation for Clay Brick Pavers

PAV E R S

Possibly the most critical issue with Two new YouTube videos for landscape professionals and homeowners demonstrate proper instalsand set pavers is the edge restraints. lation for clay brick pavers. One video, "Proper Installation of Clay Pavers,” covers the unique steps for Edge restraints can range from typical laying clay pavers on a sand setting bed, including measuring modules, laying chalk lines and proper paver edging strips and spikes to poured joint spacing. concrete curbs and sidewalks. Most sand Another video, "Compaction of Clay Pavers," covers the proper techniques to compact clay pavers durset paver issues arise from the fact that ing installation to help ensure that paver projects will provide the desired longevity, look and durability.

Both videos combine shared content from the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and the School for the edge restraints are not designed to Advanced Segmental Paving (SASP), Franksville, Wisc. withstand the “pushing” and “move“While fired clay brick pavers do last much longer and retain their color much better than other ment” that traffic will place on the syspaving surfaces, proper installation is critical for optimal appearance and performance – just as they tem. The edges can push out, which in are for every paving surface,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA president and CEO. turn causes the paving system to sink More detailed instructions with graphics can be found in BIA Technical Note 14A: Paving Systems and start to experience issues with Using Clay Pavers on a Sand Setting Bed. Additional BIA paving resources for landscape designers maintaining its designed level. It is to be may be found at www.gobrick.com/Resources/Clay-Brick-Pavers. Installation guides and a photo expected that sand set pavers will require gallery for homeowners may be found at www.gobrick.com/Homeowners.

The Brick Industry Association (BIA) is the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construcperiodic ongoing maintenance to fix tion representing the nation’s distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related areas that have moved, dipped to vehic- products. Visit www.gobrick.com. ular patterns. Ongoing long-term maintenance costs should be factored into the life cycle analysis of For better and longer term joint performance, second gensand set paving systems. eration/high performance polymeric sands can also be used Advantages of sand set pavers: with the bitumen installation method.

• Economical The bitumen layer is not considered a permanently fixed • Low initial installation cost system in that the bitumen does allow some movement to take • Designed to accommodate minor movement without place. However, this method also requires good edge restraint failure to prevent paver separation and edge blow out. In addition, • Easily repaired over time, vehicular traffic patterns can still reflect in the finish • User-friendly installation materials layer as the bitumen can experience long term fatigue.

• No off-gassing of installation products • Easy access to repair underground utilities • Can be designed as a permeable pavement Disadvantages of sand set pavers: • May require a thicker base for heavy duty applications • Edge restraints commonly experience problems with movement and “blowout” • Pavers can show traffic patterns • Tree roots can disturb installation • Drifting of pavers can occur • On-going maintenance is required • Traditional sand filled joints can experience erosion during periods of heavy rain and maintenance • Of the three systems, sand set pavers have the highest life cycle cost • No installation warranties apply II. Bitumen Set Pavers BITUMEN SET PAVERS are considered the middle ground as far as cost is concerned. A suitable concrete base or a three- to six-inch bituminous binder base placed over a compacted aggregate base (eight inches) is required for this installation system.

Once the concrete base is poured and properly cured, a layer of ¾-inch asphaltic bitumen is placed over the slab followed by a 2 percent modified neoprene tack coat layer. This layer acts as an adhesive as the pavers are dropped into place. Once the pavers are set into place, the joints are filled in similar fashion to the sand set pavers with traditional masonry sand or polymeric sand.

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Advantages of bitumen set pavers: • Mid-grade initial installation cost • Designed to accommodate minor movement Disadvantages of bitumen set pavers: • Edge restraints commonly experience problems with movement and “blowout” • Pavers can show traffic patterns due to long term bitumen fatigue • Drifting of pavers can occur • Little tolerance for paver thickness variations • On-going maintenance is required • Traditional sand swept joints can experience erosion during periods of heavy rain or maintenance

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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PAV E R S

• Bitumen can give off a “petrol” odor • Bitumen is not considered to be an environmentally friendly product • Bitumen can off-gas (volatile organic compound) • Bitumen is not a user-friendly product (labor generally does not like this method) • No installation warranty in effect

• User-friendly installation materials • Installation materials do not off gas • Long-term manufacturer performance warranties can apply • No weeds will grow in between the joints • Insects will not be able to disrupt the appearance of the paving system

III. Mortar Set Pavers OF THE THREE installation types, the mortar set system is considered to be the most permanent fixing system. The mortar set system typically requires a concrete base and aggregate drainage layer beneath the concrete slab. Once the concrete slab is in place and properly cured (e.g. 28 days at 70ºF), the mortar setting system can be placed. The thick bed methods (bonded or unbonded) or the bonded thin bed method can be used for this application.

Mortar set pavers are permanently fixed in place and require little long-term maintenance. Of the three paver setting methods, mortar set pavers have the lowest life cycle cost.

Disadvantages of mortar set pavers: • High initial installation cost • Repairs are the most difficult and expensive Paver protection: EXTERIOR PAVERS can be exposed to any number of potentials spills, oils, contaminants and other types of soiling as well exposure to impact and scuffing damage. To help protect the pavers from this potential damage, they can be sealed/treated with durable acrylic, scuff resistant coatings that provide a barrier against staining, damage from de-icing salts and abrasion (see Figure 2). The coatings come in a variety of finish types including brilliant high gloss, wet look finish, color enriching finish and no gloss finish type.

Some of these sealer types will deepen and enhance the inherent color of the paver, while drying to a clear finish that will not leave the surface slippery.

Figure 2: Exterior driveway/walkway treated with acrylic, scuff resistant coating; finishes typically come in natural or wet-look appearance (wet-look shown here).

• • • • • 28

Advantages of mortar set pavers: Low maintenance required Low life-cycle cost Resistant to point loading Resistant to fatigue and reflecting traffic patterns Resistant to edge blow out

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Brick and other types of masonry paving can add character and aesthetic sophistication to any space. The versatility of the modules, patterns, colors, textures and joint and paver finishes can create endless design options to fit any condition, use and customer taste. Proper installation and finishing techniques can result in durable long term performance and design for years. ❙MAS

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

Arthur Mintie is director of technical services for LATICRETE. The Voice of the Masonry Industry

Veneer Revolution:

Thin Brick Panels THIN BRICK CREATES ATTRACTIVE BRICK EXTERIORS WITHOUT THE COST AND WEIGHT DISADVANTAGES OF TRADITIONAL BRICK MASONRY. New advances in thin brick panels such as the patented Old Mill Thin Brick System add to the advantages of thin brick, making it more versatile, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Contractors and architects should look into the benefits offered by the Old Mill thin brick panel system to create visually appealing exteriors for commercial and residential structures.

The Old Mill Thin Brick System consists of high density polystyrene panels that connect to the substrate with a fastener system or Old Mill adhesive. Once the panels are connected to the walls, thin bricks are joined to the panels with the help of convenient brick alignment guides. The panels provide a quick and easy way to create thin brick veneers on any surface.

Using thin brick panels creates more design opportunities for contractors and architects. With the Old Mill Thin Brick System, architects and contractors can create columns, cornices, reliefs and other features. Thin brick panel systems can help with aesthetic challenges created by irregular walls, as the panels can be sanded or rasped to create a uniformly flat exterior.

Thin brick panels also require no brick ties or ledges, another key design advantage.

According to Garrick Hunsaker, president and CEO of Old Mill Brick, a Bluffdale, Utah-based company, thin brick panels are gaining popularity for mixed commercial and residential use as architects and contractors learn more about the versatility, cost savings and environmental benefits offered by this remarkable building material. “There’s more architectural options you can do with it and it’s green,” Hunsaker said.

Energy efficient ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS continue to evolve, setting the bar ever higher for contractors in terms of energy efficiency and other factors. The Old Mill Thin Brick System helps contractors meet increased energy efficiency standards mandated by the government and industry standards. On average, structures outfitted with Old Mill Thin Brick System panels can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling bills each year.

The Old Mill panel systems create strong air and thermal barriers, preventing drafts and heat dissipation that can reduce buildings’ energy efficiency. Contractors using thin brick panels made

by Old Mill can achieve insulation values between R-7 and R-22, allowing them to achieve a wide variety of energy efficiency standards they may be asked to meet.

Thin brick’s weight also helps to reduce its environmental impact as a building material. Thin brick is less expensive to transport than traditional masonry, thus requiring less fuel and creating fewer carbon emissions. Industry experts estimate 30

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transporting thin bricks requires five times less travel than moving full brick.

Cost-effective LABOR is a major cost factor for contractors, cutting into often thin profit margins. Thin brick panels can help reduce those costs, as they can be installed more quickly than full masonry and traditional thin brick. Installing thin brick panels does not require the advanced skill set that traditional masonry does, allowing contractors to save money by hiring less skilled labor. The brick alignment guides at the face of the panel insure straight lines with increased speed of installation.

The Old Mill Thin Brick System also saves contractors thanks to the water channels incorporated into its design, removing the need for drainage mats or other costly drainage systems.

Durability THE OLD MILL Thin Brick System is built for the long haul. Old Mill warranties its product and the panel system is designed to withstand a variety of environmental conditions.

The panels have sheer strength of more than 1,000 pounds per foot, and they are designed with water channels for drainage which helps prevent moisture damage.

For contractors seeking a cost-effective and eco-friendly means of creating aesthetically pleasing exteriors, the Old Mill Thin Brick system fits the bill. ❙MAS

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

To learn more about the patented Old Mill Thin Brick System, visit www.oldmillbrick.com.

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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Pavestone Keeps Texas Community Out of Dangerous Waters

A

2013 survey of residents in Coppell, Texas, identified the 160-acre Andrew Brown

Park and its associated outdoor recreational activities as a major contributor to favorable living satisfaction in this desirable Dallas-Fort Worth community.

However, the 30 acres of lake in the park also serve to accommodate storm water runoff from 900 acres and more than 2,000 houses in the surrounding residential areas. The lake’s primary source of flow is an about 60-feet-wide X six-feet-deep channel that meanders through the neighborhoods.

This can prove insufficient when managing high, fast-moving water caused by heavy rains and storms. Combine those factors with the notoriously soft clay found in the region, and residents face erosion conditions that can be both financially and physically dangerous.

Enclaves on the Parkway, one of the communities that border the south side of Andrew Brown Park, desired a more natural looking solution than rip rap or concrete with soil backfill to overcome the erosion issue. So, a PAVESTONE segmental retaining wall with concrete backfill was installed by JDK Associates Inc. The 26,000-square-foot segmental retaining wall featured blended earth-tone colors in a variety of paver sizes and styles to deliver a natural stone appearance. The wall not only satisfied the aesthetic demands of the residents in the neighborhood, but also provided the structural integrity and drainage system required to minimize erosion.

In addition, this creative approach proved to be a more time- and cost-efficient alternative to other construction methods considered for the project. Residents at Enclaves on the Parkway now take comfort in knowing that, during heavy rains that can cause flooding and fast-moving waters, the new PAVESTONE segmental retaining wall will protect the community and serve as an attractive addition to the backyards. ❙MAS

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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salts into concrete, brick and concrete paver sidewalks and driveways.

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HARDSCAPING

Landmark Church Gets New Life With QUIKRETE

A

local treasure dating back more than a century, El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was transformed into a

public park memento after falling victim to an arson attack in 2007. Epoxy Design Systems successfully repurposed much of the remaining structure as a park pavilion in a manner that reflects the original architecture of the church by using QUIKRETE Shotcrete MS. Originally built in 1889, El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church served the post-Civil War community of Houston’s Fourth Ward until being replaced with a new sanctuary in 1997. Unfortunately, the vacant church burned down in 2007 in a case that remains unresolved today. Several years later, the City of Houston purchased the remains with plans to convert the area into a park memorializing the church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest sanctuaries in Houston.

Epoxy Design Systems removed all the unsalvageable elements of the three standing walls, made the necessary structural concrete repairs and reinforced the surface with wire mesh before spray-applying more than 7,000 square feet of QUIKRETE Shotcrete MS on the adaptive reuse project. In addition to renovating and stabilizing the church, Epoxy Design Systems successfully incorporated relief designs in the walls and returns around columns, doors and stained glass windows that recaptured the look and spirit of El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Today, visitors can sit on attractive brick pews in the symbolic, open-air church enjoying views of the adjacent park.

QUIKRETE Shotcrete MS is a single component Micro Silica-enhanced repair and restoration material that achieves a compressive strength of more than 9,000 PSI at 28 days, and features very low rebound and permeability characteristics. The QUIKRETE Cos. offers a full line of shotcrete products that can be applied through a wet or dry process to deliver the combination of high strength, high adhesion, low rebound and low sag. These characteristics make QUIKRETE Shotcrete MS ideal for use in rehabilitating bridges, tunnels, parking garages, ramps, piers, dams and other concrete structures. ❙MAS More information on QUIKRETE products and projects is at www.quikrete.com.

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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HARDSCAPING

By Walt Steele

Saved by StormPave Permeable Pavers

T

he problem came on rainy days in Lancaster, Pa.

Stormwater and sanitary sewage ran together in the same lines. When it was sunny, there was no problem. If it rained, the additional volume overwhelmed the sewage treatment plant.

As it turned out, an installation of Pine Hall Brick Co.’s StormPave permeable pavers was part of the solution, which has attracted some attention.

Earlier this year, an installation of the pavers was one of the key features in an upgrade of the intersection of Plum and Walnut streets in Lancaster, Pa. The Chesapeake Stormwater Network announced that the project won the Grand Prize – the Best Urban BMP (Best Management Practice) in the Bay Award, or BUBBA. The stormwater network said the project effectively transformed a low-lying intersection that had a large concrete island and a dangerous merge lane into a model for stormwater management, with enhanced pedestrian amenities, improved traffic safety and increased commercial activity. A large outdoor dining patio with StormPave pavers was built at the Lancaster Brewing Co. A short distance away, diagonal parking spaces made of StormPave pavers, with contrasting pavers used for stripes, was installed.

The once concrete and asphalt intersection is now home to native shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and new tree species surrounding the outdoor café. Adjacent to the dining patio is a sculpture with a framework of steel and irregular native woods that hides a 700-gallon cistern. The installation captures stormwater from the roof for watering planters that are used by the brewery’s owners to grow their own produce.

The stormwater network, consisting of nearly 4,000 stormwater professionals throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, which runs from New York south through most of Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia,

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began the competition to recognize innovative approaches to handle stormwater.

The group is made up of engineers, planners, researchers and environmental advocates. They are trying to find out what works and share that knowledge with others. Those methods can be adapted for use in their own communities. The overall goal is to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The competition was divided into several categories that examined a wide range of projects, including relatively small

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

ones intended for residential homeowners and those much larger, to restore wetlands and create habitat for wildlife. The category that the Plum and Walnut streets project won was in the Ultra-urban BMP category.

According to the competition rules, such projects are in urban areas with more than 75 percent of impervious cover and had to demonstrate how well they achieved a high runoff/pollutant removal rate; create an attractive site, and effectively overcome the infrastructure, utility, traffic and other challenges of the ultra urban environment. www.masonrymagazine.com

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>>> CASE STUDY

HARDSCAPING

John McGrann, owner of Penn Stone, a Pine Hall Brick Co. dealer, said that the use of permeable paving is seeing increased popularity in the area around Lancaster, in part because of how Lancaster’s stormwater infrastructure was designed.

Like many of the older inland cities in the United States, Lancaster has a drainage system that combines stormwater with raw sewage. McGrann said that on a sunny day, it’s not a concern. On a rainy day, the combination of stormwater and sewage overwhelms the treatment plant, which results in pollution being released into the Conestoga River. From there, it goes into the Susquehanna River and, finally, into the Chesapeake Bay. McGrann says that the project at Plum and Walnut streets makes good economic sense, on a couple of different levels.

He said that the City of Lancaster is under a mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to either come up with a way to solve the problem, or the EPA will require the

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city to build a series of expensive gray-water holding tanks.

The tanks are designed to hold the wastewater to give the treatment plant time to treat all of it before it’s discharged into the river.

“We can either spend the money or we can explore the alternatives that are out there,” says McGrann. “We can get in compliance with the EPA requirement through a strategy of green infrastructure for half the investment and create some interesting infrastructure in the process.”

McGrann says that early examples, in addition to the street project, have included the use of porous pavement, instead of solid asphalt, to build basketball courts; and a combination of porous pavement and permeable pavers to replace an alleyway.

“From what I hear, we’re getting held up as an example of discovering good solutions instead of being confrontational and getting forced into a bad solution,” says McGrann.

He added that another example of a good investment was the Pine Hall Brick StormPave paver itself. The job was originally specified with a reddish concrete paver, but McGrann made the point to the city that a red clay paver would be more authentic; would be more architecturally consistent with the red brick buildings that date from the 1880s; and would make better sense financially – even if more expensive in the beginning. It will last virtually forever, and its color will never change.

“With the lifespan, with the long-term aesthetics, if you had to spend a little bit more up front, the real value proposition was the life-cycle cost and being true to the historic character of that location and the city in general,” says McGrann.

“It was the right thing to do.” ❙MAS

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October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

Walt Steele is a paver business manager for Pine Hall Brick Co., a manufacturer of genuine clay pavers. The company has plants in Madison, N.C., and Fairmount, Ga. Its corporate headquarters is at 2701 Shorefair Drive N.W., Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Steele can be reached at 800-334-8689 or waltsteele@pinehallbrick.com. For more information, please visit www.PineHallBrick.com.

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

THE

2014

ROCKY AWARDS

REDI-ROCK ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF ITS ANNUAL ‘ROCKY AWARDS’ Redi-Rock International announced the winners of its annual Rocky Awards for projects completed within the last year. The Rocky Awards annually honor the best Redi-Rock walls built in the categories of Commercial, Residential, Freestanding, Water Application, and the People’s Choice award – chosen by the general public through an online vote. More than 130 Redi-Rock manufacturers across North America, Europe and Asia competed for the awards, which were presented at the 2014 Redi-Rock Summit. More information can be found at www.redi-rock.com.

1

3

2

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1 Redi-Rock of Kentuckiana, Mt. Washington, Ky. is co-winner of the Commercial Wall of the Year for walls built for The Parklands project in Lousiville, Ky. Due to the topography of the area, both gravity and reinforced Positive Connection (PC) System retaining walls were necessary for the various phases of project, which includes a 41-foot-tall PC System wall that is the tallest Redi-Rock PC wall in the world to date.

2 Graymont of St. Marc des Carrieres, Quebec is co-recipient of Commercial Wall of the Year for the Canadian National (CN) Railway project. The CN rail line had to be elevated over the Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) light-commuter metro line, where they crossed. When CN Rail geotechnical engineers saw the

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Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) System at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting in early2011, they began incorporating Redi-Rock PC walls from Graymont Materials into the design. Trains made their first run on the line in late-2013.

3 CPM Group of Somerset, Great Britain won the Water Application Wall of the Year for the limestone harbor sea wall built as part of the Foryd Harbor Enhancement Project in Rhyl, North Wales, along the Irish Sea coast. The goal of the project was to deepen the river channel, enlarge the marina, and improve the park area along the river. When a massive storm battered the United Kingdom in January, causing a 60-year-high tidal surge, the Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) System wall performed exactly as engineered.

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

5

6

4 DuraCast, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was awarded Residential Wall of the Year for work on a shoreline wall built to save a familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lakeside home from strong storms and rising water levels. When a 2012 storm destroyed the hand-built rock wall that had been in place along the shoreline of the property for many years, George Searle of Searle Environmental Services Ltd. chose Redi-Rock to replace the failed wall. The project included 350 Redi-Rock blocks equaling about 2,000 square feet, plus 72 Redi-Rock caps.

5 Redi-Rock of Central Maine, based in Sangerville, Maine received the Rock Award for Freestanding Wall of the Year for walls provided at the Maine General Hospital Alfond Center for Health. Standing at the main entrance of the hospital, the Ledgestone-texture freestanding wall is the most visible wall on the property, creating a backdrop for the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrance sign. Due to a tight construction schedule, Redi-Rock of Central Maine coordinated with nearby Redi-Rock Walls of New England to meet the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule.

6 Jensen Precast of Sparks, Nev. was awarded the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Rocky Award for a Redi-Rock gravity wall and columns built as part of a new fire station project in Summerlin, Nev. The Palm Valley Golf Course in Summerlin donated land along its ninth tee to make the project a reality, and the City of Las Vegas agreed to operate the station. The Summerlin architectural committee insisted all of the retaining wall and columns at the fire station match the new tee box.

They also wanted the blocks to match the look of the stone work on the new building. Jensen Precast supplied Ledgestone-texture Redi-Rock blocks in a custom color that coordinated. â?&#x2122;MAS www.masonrymagazine.com

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ASSOCIATION

NEWS

By Lindsey G. Stringer

News From the Texas Masonry Council “We’ve got spirit; how ‘bout you?” In Texas, the fall season means football, hunting, cooler weather and the start of a new year for the Texas Masonry Council (TMC). As you know, in Texas, football is a sort of culture and club that we all belong to. Most likely, folks from my hometown of Waco can be found at a high school football game on a Friday night or Baylor University games on Saturday.

I am incredibly proud to call Waco my hometown, thanks in part to the redevelopment of the downtown/Brazos River District and a new Baylor Stadium (although I am a proud graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos).

Whether you are driving in to Waco on I-35 or taking a stroll along the redeveloped Brazos River, you are greeted by the beautiful red-brick Baylor stadium.

Having been in the masonry industry for almost nine years now, the awe of a beautifully constructed masonry project always captures my heart. In addition, it was built by a member of the TMC. And, many more of our members contributed by supplying quality materials.

That TMC spirit The TMC is eager about what the future holds for our state and the rest of the nation. We wrapped up another fiscal year with our Annual Convention, and we are now taking a minute to reflect as we begin to embark on a new year. We are thankful to our members for another successful year and hope that sharing our year-end reflection will help you and your masonry association. We are all in this together, right? Just like a football team going out for the big win!

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Despite our members still being caught in the tide from the Great Recession and, now, becoming consumed with an overload of work, we had another exceptional Annual Convention. I simply cannot put into words the comraderie, friendships, networking and training that took place.

If you have not been to your regional, state or national association meeting lately, make the commitment to go. You will walk away with a feeling of pride for the industry that you helped build. Attend often; it’s contagious, I tell you!

Reflecting on the TMC year, our most important effort is and will continue to be the Masonry Policy Planning program (MPP). Our aggressive, threeman MPP team is a win-win for Texas cities and for the Texas masonry industry. I know you have heard us advocate our program across the nation, but keep in mind that the MPP program has helped us and can help you.

This past year, the TMC government relation specialists passed 19 new ordinances – a record-breaking number, since it can take from three to five years to pass an ordinance. The outlook for our new year appears even stronger for the MPP program as many fast-growing cities are looking to adopt masonry requirements.

In addition to masonry ordinances, the government relations team also is developing a new formal presentation for municipal officials regarding the benefits of firewalls for new multifamily construction.

Our firewall initiative for 2014/2015, coupled with the support of The Concrete

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

Shown are Lindsey Stringer and Harry McGraw, who was inducted into the 2014 TMC Honorary Membership Class.

Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act of 2013, H.R. 1563 and S. 429 is needed to enable our industry to regain and grow market share. A tagline we often use is “Texas is a Masonry State.” It is, and we want to keep it that way.

The environment around us is rapidly changing before our eyes. If we do not put into place the tools to keep us ahead of the game, our industry will suffer. The TMC is a champion of the check-off program, and we hope you are, too.

Twenty teams participated in TMC’s annual Golf Tournament held in conjunction with the convention. Shown is the Brazos Masonry team, L to R: Kent Bounds, Kelsie Bounds, David Barclay, Mackie Bounds.

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

Future leadership The TMC is aware that our association needs to become more responsive to the social shift to the Millennial Generation. We encourage our members and industry friends to stay connected with this generation. We will be addressing the following questions this year: • What are the biggest barriers for younger members?

• What do they want out of an association?

• How can we connect and reenergize young professionals?

On the skilled-labor front, the TMC’s Workforce Development committee is committed to creating partnerships with fellow colleagues and construction networks to secure and maintain an effective masonry workforce. The TMC and Workforce Development committee are dedicated to promoting careers in masonry by working in partnerships with community colleges, vocational

www.masonrymagazine.com

schools, government and industry friends to advance and support masonry.

The TMC University Masonry Day program is an opportunity for students to have hands-on experience laying masonry products at their schools.

Industry experts and uni- TMC President Romeo Collazo announces that the TMC raised more versity professors work than $90,000 at the annual Golf Tournament and Live Auction. together with students to give them a taste of what they will be scholarships for students who commit to designing with masonry. working with during their careers.

Small-town Waco and Baylor UniverIn 2014, the TMC University Masonry Days reached more than 300 sity dared to dream big with building a architectural and construction man- $266 million stadium and Brazos River redevelopment. The TMC has a reagement students. Participating campuses included: The University of charged team spirit, with dedicated and Texas at Austin, University of enthusiastic cheerleaders. We hope you Houston, The University of Texas San do, too! ❙MAS Antonio, Texas Tech, and Prairie View Lindsey Stringer is association manager for the Texas Masonry A&M. This growing program will Council, 254-300-4544 or continue in 2014/2015, with the addilstringer@texasmasonrycouncil.org. tion of two more universities and

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FULL CONTACT PROJECT MANAGEMENT By “Coach” Gary Micheloni

I recently watched a new football movie, “When the Game Stands Tall,” which has very little to do with football, and everything to do with life – lessons, leadership and showing love.

“When the Game Stands Tall” is a movie based on the winningest sports team of all time – any sport, pro or amateur – the Concord De La Salle football team, which had a winning streak of 151-0 over 12+ years. De La Salle is a Catholic boys’ school in Northern California, and it primarily played against public schools. The team’s coach is Bob Ladouceur.

Interestingly, the movie is not really about the win streak, but what happened once that streak ended, and how the team reacted to it. That’s about where we come into the movie.

Let me give you a possible parallel to your business. Most mason contractors had a pretty good business “win streak” going from, say, prior to 2000 to just about 2008. When the meltdown of the economy happened, lots of us were bemoaning the loss of business, thinking about the good old days, instead of getting a new game plan going. Our comfortable streak of winning business had been stopped.

It’s easy to get caught up in the woeis-me mentality. Sort of like another line from an ancient movie, where Marlon Brando says, “I coulda been a contender.

I coulda been somebody.”

Your own team is not a bunch of high school boys craving Coach Lad’s four requirements: commitment, accountability, perfect effort, love. The men and women on your team can only hope for those, but are absolutely blown away when you make those 44

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© Mark Evans | 123rf.com

When Leadership ‘Stands Tall’

principles the cornerstone of your business efforts.

In the movie, the team learns to deal with adversity, disappointment, losing and tragedy. We face the same out in the real world, don’t we? Are there many days when your phone doesn’t ring, and one of those things rears its ugly head? I doubt it.

Coach Lad taught his kids that they needed to give the perfect effort on every play.

When you get that bad phone call, email, fax or whatever, it might mean that your team did not execute properly and give that perfect effort. Stuff happens. Sometimes it’s really bad, but mostly you can and will get through it.

One of the best lines in the movie came not from Coach Lad, but from Assistant Coach Terry Eidson, who told the team after a loss, “Don’t let a game define who you are. Let your lives do that.”

But there’s another big lesson inside of that lesson: Whether you are winning or losing, don’t let that current game define who you are. Because, sometimes, we can win ugly.

It used to be said in football that a tie game was kind of like kissing your

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

sister. Winning ugly is about the same, I imagine. Personally, I want to know that I did give something the perfect effort, from start to finish, and that I went into the game with the proper training and equipment, a committed team, left it all on the field, and did everything we possibly could to give that perfect effort. Absolutely everything. ❙MAS Gary Micheloni is a construction company marketer, working project manager, speaker, author, consultant and coach.

Copyright 2014 Gary Micheloni

COACH GARY’S CORNER: What’s your plan for 2015? Are you marketing your company, driving business to it, or are you just hoping that you’ll run into some? Write Coach Gary at FullContactTeam@gmail.com.

He loves to get questions.

Business development & marketing coaching will help you get there in less time, and with more success. Ask Coach Gary to speak for your group, association or convention, or even to coach your company. Coach Gary’s first book, “Get Paid for a Change!” is available at Amazon.com. Pick it up there; change your business.

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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October 2014 â&#x20AC;¢ www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

I N D U S T RY N E W S

Please submit your news and events to: jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Remaining Regional Schedule The official 2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional calendar includes 12 remaining events from October, going forward. Masons can take up their trowels and decide who is going to compete for the title of “The World’s Best Mason.” The bricklaying competition consists of competing masonry teams, each with a mason and mason tender building a 26-foot, double-wythe brick wall.

The most bricks laid and counted under the quality rules wins the event.

The winning Regional teams (competitions began in June) will go to Las Vegas on Feb. 4, 2015, to attend the World of Concrete/World of Masonry held in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, they will compete in the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 National Event.

This event has the world’s largest masonry competition cash and prize list, valued at more than $100,000.

The 2014 season has been a year of firsts for the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 program. At the 2014 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 National competition, one South Carolina mason, Jerry Goodman, won both top honors: First Place and the SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN Award. The double win was the first time that has happen in the existence of the program. On the Regional level another first occurred, this year will be largest Regional Schedule ever, with 23 Regional qualifying competitions set on the calendar. Regional competition dates run June through December at various locations throughout North America.

Established to showcase the skill, craftsmanship and pride of the masonry trade, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 is a bricklaying contest requiring all masons to meet the quality standards of the event. Each two-person team has 60 minutes to lay as many bricks as possible on a 26-foot, eight-inch-long, doublewythe brick wall that is constructed by following strict rules and procedures. www.masonrymagazine.com

The competition has four awards.

First, second and third places are based on the highest net brick count meeting the quality standards. The 4th award, and arguably considered the most coveted prize, the SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN, is judged the most sellable wall with over 500 brick laid and zero point deductions. It has the second-highest award purse and can be won in tandem with each of the other prizes. Whether the competition is for a Regional Qualifying event or the National Championship, the walls are closely evaluated by carefully selected masonry officials carrying several years of bricklaying experience and training.

Be sure to become involved or attend the event, either as a masonry competitor, judge, volunteer, masonry student or as a trade fan. It’s an opportunity to network, support and promote the great trade of masonry in your area.

SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 Regional – Oklahoma Date: Thursday, October 2, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Tulsa Technology Center – 3420 South Memorial Drive – Tulsa, OK 74147 Contact: Carson Wann (918) 230-6124 or Trey Harris (214) 728-4592 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – Ontario Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2014 Time: 5:00 PM Location: Conestoga College – 108 University Avenue East – Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2W2 Contact: Dean Garbutt (519) 240-7265 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – Pennsylvania Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014 Time: 2:30 PM Location: Fizzano Brothers Concrete Products – 1776 Chester Pike – Crum Lynne, PA 19022 Contact: John Paci (610) 656-1608 or Ed Owens (804) 291-8417 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – Illinois Date: Friday, October 10, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: District Council Training Center IL - 2140 W

Corporate Dr, Addison, IL 60101 Contact: Mike Rolf (414) 640-1373 or Shawn O’Malley (708) 476-3486 or Matt Pfotenhauer (630) 707-8200 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – California Date: Saturday, October 11, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Calstone / Peninsula Products – 1175 Aster Ave. – Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Contact: Rob Dyer – (510) 861-8067 SPEC MIX Manager: Tom Peterson (612) 750-8653

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – N. Carolina Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Tucker-Kirby Co. – 3825 Wilkinson Blvd – Charlotte, NC 28208 Contact: Troy Crosby (864) 414-0461 or Ryan Coyne (404) 702-5944 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – New Jersey Date: Thursday, October 16th, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Sparta Block – 477 Woodport Rd. – Sparta Township, NJ 07871 Contact: Dan Scott (201) 415-7748 or John Mulvaney (973) 229-0201 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – North Texas Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: ACME / Featherlite – 3815 Singleton Blvd. – Dallas, TX 75212 Contact: Trey Harris (214) 728-4592 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – South Texas Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Headwaters Construction Materials – 2088 FM 949 – Alleyton, TX 78935 Contact: Trey Harris (214) 728-4592 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – Alabama Date: Thursday, November 6th, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Willcutt Block & Supply Co., Inc. – 1201 Kicker Rd East. - Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 Contact: Rich Brand (205) 215-9759 or Ryan Coyne (404) 702-5944 SPEC MIX Manager: Nick Blohowiak (920) 737-3856

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IN D U S T RY N E W S

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – Alberta Date: Friday, November 7, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: So. Alberta Inst. of Tech – Thomas Riley Building, 1301-16Ave NW – Calgary, AB T2M 0L4 Contact: Tom Bartley (403) 651-0650 SPEC MIX Manager: Tom Peterson (612) 750-8653

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Regional – Arizona Date: Saturday, December 6, 2014 Time: 11:00 AM Location: Phoenix Brick – 1814 South 7th Ave – Phoenix, AZ 85007 Contact: Dennis Berger (623) 764-8369 SPEC MIX Manager: Tom Peterson (612) 750-8653

The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 program relies on a family of outstanding sponsors who support the programs efforts in KEEPING THE TRADE STRONG. Platinum Level Sponsors

• • • • •

Masonry Construction Hydro Mobile QUIKRETE Multiquip Belden Brick Gold Level Sponsors

• • • • • • • •

Prism Pigments Marshalltown Company STIHL, Inc. Mason Contractors Association of America Crick Tools i.Q. Power Tools Beta Max Hoists National Concrete Masonry Association

For more information, contact Jeff Farmakes with SPEC MIX Inc. at 651-9947120 or jfarmakes@specmix.com. You also can visit www.specmixbricklayer500.com and www.worldofconcrete.com.

• SPEC MIX, Inc. • Ford Trucks

ASTM International has published ASTM C1790-14, “Standard Specification for Fly Ash Facing Brick.” ASTM standards are a crucial tool for architects, engineers, specifiers, installers, and project owners, providing assurance that products meet established, consensus-based criteria for performance and quality.

CalStar Products, which manufactures a range of brick and masonry products using up to 37 percent fly ash, is the first manufacturer to offer products that meet the new standard.

Development of C1790 involved an exacting, consensus-based process within ASTM’s established hierarchy of committees, subcommittees, and task groups. More than 300 members of ASTM Committee C15 Manufactured Masonry Units were invited to comment on the standard. Final passage required approval (or abstention) from approximately 200 voting members on the committee, representing masonry, equipment, and material manufactur-

MASONRY

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The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to welcome the following new members to the Association.

The MCAA would like to thank them for joining their fellow mason contractors nationwide in helping to build a strong and successful masonry industry.

for October 2014 CEMEX Phoenix, AZ 602-416-2854 Chapter Associate Member

Cemex Materials LLC West Palm Beach, FL 561-833-5555 www.cemexusa.com Chapter Associate Member

II in One Contractors Chicago, IL 773-847-2100 www.ii-inone.com Contractor Member

Masonry Incorporated

ASTM Issues New Standard for Fly Ash Brick

48

New Members

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

Tallahassee, FL 850-893-9873 Contractor Member

Sunset Fence Tempe, AZ 480-838-2870 Contractor Member

Discover the many benefits your company is missing by not becoming a member of the MCAA. Call 800-536-2225 or visit www.masoncontractors.org/join to join the MCAA today. Together, we are stronger.

ers, trade associations, mason contractors, general users, and other industry stakeholders.

The resulting specification covers fly ash brick intended for use in masonry, in both structural and facing applications.

CalStar uses fly ash, a byproduct of coal-burning power plants, as an alternative to clay for its bricks, thereby eliminating firing from the production process. As a result, manufacture of the bricks requires 81 percent less energy while emitting 84 percent less CO2. For more information, visit www.calstarproducts.com. ❙MAS

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

A D V E R T O R I A L

CONTRACTOR TIP OF THE

MONTH

BY DAMIAN LANG

If You Want the Job, Give Your Customer a Quote to Do His Work!

A few years ago, I decided to purchase a tractor big enough to pull 11-foot rotary mowers behind it, to mow the 30 acres of grass I maintain. Having good luck with the Kubota tractor I already owned, I called the local Kubota dealer for a price on a larger one. It was a Thursday afternoon, still within regular store hours, when the Kubota salesman on the other end of line gave a swift reply, “I am the only one working this afternoon; I have parts orders to fill; and I need to get out of here within an hour. Can I call you next week, and get you a quote?”

That response never aligned with my goal of owning a tractor by the end of the week, nor did it make me feel very important as a potential customer. I said to a friend, “I can’t believe I just called for a price on a Kubota tractor, and it looks like it could take five or more days to get one. I just might buy a John Deere, instead of a Kubota.”

My friend told me that when the salesman called back the next week, I should give him some of his own medicine: “Tell him you are glad he called, so you could tell him what color tractor you bought.” We laughed! When the salesman finally called back, I told him the tractor was green as I purchased a John Deere instead of a Kubota.

This happens all the time in the construction world. Contractors often lose good customers by following up with requests for a quote for work. I have a friend who kept asking me for the opportunity to do the cleaning work on our jobsites and my properties.

When I’d see him at a social event or in passing, he’d ask when I was going to give him a chance regarding cleaning. Recently, one of my rental properties became vacant, so I decided to give him a chance to do the

Shown is Damian Lang’s new home, being constructed. work. I got his answering machine and left a message telling him that I have a big warehouse and office space that needed a major cleaning, right away. He did not call me back. Instead, I got a text message that read, “I am in Vegas; can Howard (my property manager) call me next Tuesday?”

I thought about the wording in the message I left him. I did say that it was a large space that needed a major cleaning in a swift time frame. It brought me back to my green John Deere experience years earlier.

I called Howard and told him to hire someone else to do the work. It has been three weeks, if my friend ever does call back, I will tell him the other contractor got right back with a quote to do the work, so he got the job. Can you imagine losing the opportunity to lease this large facility, due to waiting for someone to follow up with a quote to clean it?

I am in the process of building a new house. While some of the sub-contractors

make us feel important through prompt follow-up, others are slow to respond to our calls for prices to do the work. Usually, as long as the quick responders are qualified and we believe their price is fair, we never even get a second quote.

Make sure you and your people are not too busy to get back to requests from new customers. Prompt follow-up will make your customer feel important to you, and can increase your future workload immensely.

Damian Lang owns and operates four companies in Ohio. He is the inventor of the Grout Hog-Grout Delivery System, Mud Hog mortar mixers, Hog Leg wall-bracing system and several other labor-saving devices used in the masonry industry. He is the author of the book called “RACE—Rewarding And Challenging Employees for Profits in Masonry.” He writes for Masonry Magazine each month and consults with many of the leading mason contractors in the country.

All rights reserved, © 2014 Damian Lang, President of Lang Masonry Contractors, Inc., and EZ Grout Corp.

www.masonrymagazine.com

October 2014

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Education Calendar The following is the MCAA’s education calendar: October 6 FREE: How to Automate FP&A Processes By Leveraging Technology

November 3 Free Dow Webinar

ONLINE Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices

Credits: 1

ONLINE Discipline: Masonry Products

February 2 Construction Boot Camp for Field Leaders—Four Corners of Field Leadership Excellence Location: Las Vegas, Nev. Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices

Credits: 1

Credits: 8

October 8 Harassment and Discrimination Basics ONLINE Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices

November 5 Marketing Checklist for the Mason Contractor ONLINE Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices Credits: 1

Credits: 1

February 2 Employee Problems—Not on My Watch Location: Las Vegas, Nev. Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices Credits: 1.5

November 12 Masonry Inspection & Testing

October 15 FLSA II ONLINE Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices

ONLINE Discipline: Codes & Standards Credits: 1.5

Credits: 1

October 21 Methods for Leading and Managing a Multilingual Workforce ONLINE Discipline: Safety Credits: 1

October 22 Masonry Wall Bracing Seminar ONLINE Discipline: Safety Credits: 4

Credits: 3

ONLINE Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices

February 2 Field Issues in Residential Brick Veneer: How to Avoid Common Problems

Credits: 1

November 26 Building Information Modeling for Masonry (BIM-M): November 2014 Update

Location: Las Vegas, Nev. Discipline: Masonry Products

ONLINE Discipline: General

February 2 From the Field to the Bid Room— How to Compete with Large Scale Projects

October 27 Free Dow Webinar

December 10 Efflorescence Causes and Solutions

ONLINE Discipline: Masonry Products

ONLINE Discipline: General

Credits: 1

Credits: 1

ONLINE Discipline: Codes & Standards

Location: Las Vegas, Nev. Discipline: Bidding Practices

November 19 Same-Sex Harassment

Credits: 1

October 29 Weather Resistive Barriers and Underlayments

February 2 Essential Parts to a Successful Estimating System

December 17 Masonry Repair and Restoration Techniques

Credits: 1.5

Location: Las Vegas, Nev. Discipline: Bidding Practices Credits: 1.5

February 2 Leadership and Management: Be Successful by Knowing the Difference Location: Las Vegas, Nev. Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices Credits: 1.5

ONLINE Discipline: Masonry Products Credits: 3

Credits: 1

Online classes available at: www.masoncontractors.org/live For more information and to view a complete list of all upcoming education, please visit www.masoncontractors.org/education

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The Voice of the Masonry Industry

I n d e x 31

t o

A IRPLACO E QUIPMENT

A d ver tisers 3

K RANDO M ETAL P RODUCTS, I NC.

888.349.2950 www.airplaco.com

C3

A MERIMX

11

L ATICRETE I NTERNATIONAL, I NC.

888.313.0755 www.amerimix.com

46

C HEMG ROUT, I NC.

2, 29, MCAA 35, 51 800.536.2225

41

M CC AUSEY S PECIALTY P RODUCTS

866.454.2766 www.cromequipment.com

27

D UPONT S URFACE P ROTECTION S OLUTIONS

21

M ISSISSIPPI VALLEY S TIHL

5

S CAFFOLD M ART 252.756.3862 www.scaffoldmart.com

19

MK D IAMOND P RODUCTS, I NC. 800.845.3729 www.mkdiamond.com

855.736.2869 www.ermatorusa.com

45 13, 49

EZ G ROUT / G ROUT H OG

33

H OHMANN AND B ARNARD, INC.

1

SPEC MIX, I NC. 888.773.2649 www.specmix.com

37

800.447.2429 www.mvstihl.com

E RMATOR USA

T HE Q UIKRETE C OMPANIES 800.282.5828 www.quikrete.com

800.365.9663 www.mccausey.com

877.786.6383 www.PaverArmorPro.com

25

C4

www.masoncontractors.org

C ROM E QUIPMENT R ENTALS

Q UIKPOINT, I NC. 800.368.2292 www.quikpoint.com

800.243.4788 www.laticrete.com/mvis

708.354.7112 www.chemgrout.com

41

48

610.543.4311 www.krando.com

T RADESMEN’ S S OFTWARE 800.494.6922 www.tradesmens.com

38

T ROW & H OLDEN 800.451.4349 www.trowandholden.com

M ORTAR N ET S OLUTIONS 800.664.6638 www.mortarnet.com

800.417.9272 www.ezgrout.com

15, 43 M ULTICOAT C ORP. East Coast: 800.660.6729 West Coast: 877.685.8426 www.multicoat.com

800.645.0616 www.H-B.com

17

H USQVARNA C ONSTRUCTION P RODUCTS

7, 9

800.845.0845 www.nonstopscaffolding.com

800.288.5040 www.husqvarnacp.com

31 C2

46

39 K ENNISON F OREST P RODUCTS 888.697.5585 www.kennisonforest.com

Reserve your Product in Masonry’s Showcase Today!

Contact: Marvin Diamond Phone: 770.431.0867, ext.208, or 888.303.5639 FAX: 770.432.6969 E-mail: marvin@lionhrtpub.com

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PAVM OR 413.743.2064 www.paverplacer.com

IQ P OWER T OOLS 888.274.7744 www.iQpowertools.com

15

O LD M ILL B RICK 888.264. 6455 www.oldmillbrick.com

H YDRO-M OBILE 888.484.9376 www.hydro-mobile.com

20

N ON-S TOP S CAFFOLDING

P INE H ALL B RICK C OMPANY, I NC. 800.334.8689 www.pinehallbrick.com

GET

FREEINFORMATION

FROM THESE ADVERTISERS NOW.

You’re busy, but you need to find out about this product. We’ve made it fast, easy and convenient to request FREE information about any product or service in this issue.

To request information online, go to: www.masonrymagazine.com. Click on ‘FREE Product Information’ (Right top corner) then…

1. Select the issue of the magazine you are reading 2. Check the box next to the advertiser you are interested in 3. Provide your name, address and business information, and click submit.

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Request information by phone. Dial toll free 888-303-5639, Ext.230. Follow the voice guidelines to request FREE information.

In a hurry, and you don’t want to wait? We have provided the advertiser’s website and phone # for your convenience. You can call direct for information on the products and services you have been reading about in this issue. Don’t forget to tell them you saw their ad in MASONRY Magazine.

October 2014 • www.masoncontractors.org

The Voice of the Masonry Industry

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