Construction

Waiting for the dust to settle We are seeing some buzz in the industry that OSHA may pull back on the Silica regulation requirement. Yeah, there have been a few big fines, but in general, the feedback is that OSHA has not been aggressively…

How To Ensure A Successful Sealer Application (Original article appears in a SpecTech article from SpecChem. Used by permission) Surface Preparation All surfaces to be sealed must be properly cleaned. Ensure the concrete is clean, dry,…

Starting at the base of the problem Experienced contractors know that producing quality concrete flatwork begins with the proper preparation of the slab support system. Using proper compaction techniques, contractors efficiently transform…

Decrease Dust and Increase Productivity In 2016, the updated standards comprising OSHA’s final ruling around dust collection went into effect. The revised document directs contractors on their responsibilities to prevent exposure to their…

Concrete Finish Work Is On The Rise Flatwork and decorative concrete contractors are benefiting as building owners and designers realize the payoff of tastefully exposed concrete surfaces. Not only are they less costly to maintain, but…

Weathering the Storms Early last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new regulations for "operators of construction activity” that involves more than one acre. Since 1992, contractors working on these type of projects…

"Close" is not good enough on today’s jobsites. Close is not good enough on today’s jobsites. Contractors must be right-on with every control mark. Workers must comply with project specifications that include tight construction tolerances,…

Let's Fill This Joint! Although there are many brands of concrete joint fillers out there, I think we can agree that the installation process is similar for most. If you’re new to the game, here is a step-by-step overview of the basics.…

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The ADA became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and…

Contractors play the main role in delivering high-performance concrete floors. Their team turns floor details into plans and follows an assurance program to make sure floor systems and building materials meet design requirements.…

We used to think of structural engineers as behind-the-scenes workers. Their sturdy foundation and framework designs for new buildings were mostly hidden by architectural design. But those days are over. In many communities within…

In the summer of 2016, citizens of Los Angeles got a wake-up call about the silent danger threatening their community. Thomas Jordan, Director of the Southern California Earthquake Center, reminded them that earthquake preparedness could…

In the next five years, at least 13,000 Los Angeles city property owners face an immediate challenge to retrofit or demolish their soft-story buildings thanks to city ordinance 183893. As neighboring communities follow LA’s lead with…

Having a tough time finding enough skilled workers to bid on bigger projects? You’re not alone. At White Cap we see the challenge some of our customers are facing first hand. In some busy markets, ...

After decades of indifference to the risk, Los Angeles city leaders passed ordinance 183893 in October, 2015. It requires building owners to perform seismic retrofits on their residential and commercial soft-story properties.

THE EVOLUTION OF FIRE SAFETY FOR MULTI-STORY STRUCTURES Back in 1974, the disaster movie called The Towering Inferno was about a fire breaking out in a fictional highrise. Unfortunately, Hollywood became reality over the next few years,…

How to Market Your Construction Business and Get the Right Bids! Even in a good economy, marketing your small to medium-sized construction services is vital to keeping the work pipeline full and jobs coming your way. During COVID-19, it’s…