I’m frequently asked to look at existing EIFS projects to assess their condition (as in a house sale) or to determine what’s causing some problem (as in the case of water leaks). A thorough analysis often requires cutting into the wall to see what is going on inside. Subsequently, the wall needs to be patched. And the patch needs to be done soon to keep Mother Nature out of the wall.
Meet Victor Picena, proud member and apprentice of the Carpenters Union. He was born in Los Angeles and life was not particularly good for him at first. Victor found himself in a gang and doing everything wrong to be successful and get ahead.
It is generally accepted that for each ton of cement manufactured, one ton of carbon dioxide is discharged into the atmosphere. An average cubic yard of concrete contains 500 to 700 pounds of cement, which equals 500 to 700 pounds of CO². New construction of an average U.S. residence with a full basement will require about 100 cubic yards of concrete, a contribution of about 60,000 pounds of CO².
Several times a year, I get inquiries from companies that want to enter the EIFS business. Sometimes, it’s a big company wanting to set up a new division and it has the resources to do so. In other cases, it’s some small group with a brain-child idea, limited resources and lots of enthusiasm-and they usually think they’ve come up with a better EIFS.
Is doing “bad” good or bad? Are you one of the many people I’ve talked to who are wondering why “big companies who do bad get bailed out?” I don’t think those of you in business will see a wall and ceiling stimulus or bail-out plan any time soon.
I’m sure many of you are familiar with the tongue-in-cheek Darwin Awards, since the selection of annual winners seems to be among the most forwarded e-mails on the Internet.
This winter has been particularly unkind to us here in the Northwest. When it snows in Seattle, the place pretty much shuts down. We got hammered with more snow than many have ever experienced and it lingered for days and days.
The time has come for labor and management to get real. Across this country, union construction has lost some market share and still some contractors yawn and some business managers just count votes.
Location: Bartle Hall Ballroom Expansion, Kansas City Mo. Designed by four Kansas City-based architecture firms: HNTB, BNIM Architects, International Architects Atelier, and Junk Architects Contractor: E&K of Kansas CityManufacturer: NewMat
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