I suppose posting to my blog once every eighteen months doesn't qualify me for a social media award?
Rarely setting still I have been tearing out and replacing old concrete, installing new patios and sidewalks, helping out some of my competitors with large projects they have going and just being available when the phone rings to put my talents to good use.
What is driving DLB Concrete forward these days is family, friends, old contacts, and maybe a little luck.
In the weeks and months ahead as things slow down a bit I will post more specifically about some of my magic wand waiving concrete experiences.
Have a great Fall!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Weather or not to pour concrete
While I sit around this Spring waiting for things to dry out from nearly a foot of rain in April, I think I will talk a little about the weather.
The affects of weather on concrete are profound.
Weather related issues include:
Temperature ( hot, freezing, a thirty degree swing from morning to afternoon ).
Humidity ( too low humidity can dry concrete out while too high can effect delay set time which can be good and bad ).
Wind ( can dry out the surface causing finishability problems and make debris airborne that you don't want on an unfinished slab, an inherent problem in Spring and Fall ).
Rain ( probably our worst enemy, increases the water/cement ratio which weakens the surface, can come out of nowhere, causes more tear out than any other weather related issue, delays project schedule which is hard on everyone ).
Snow ( pouring concrete in snow is bad because it has the same damaging effect as rain but then is cold enough to delay set time as well ).
This is a lot to think about when all you really want is a happy customer.
I have seen all of these weather items happen and yes even all in one day!
And don't be mistaken that when the weather is bad I am sitting at home watching Judge Judy when this is likely what is on the tube.
While most weather does not ruin concrete all together it has some effect on the quality. This is frustrating when you have multiple pours on a job and can have multiple degrees of quality between pours.
While I make every effort to minimize the affects of weather on my customers work, some level of flexibility has to be available.
If you scroll back to the first post on this blog you will read "Once you have chosen a contractor and you are absolutely sure they will make every effort to full fill there obligation and your dreams, hang on because your just along for the ride!"
Funny we need that same level of flexibility with the weather.
The affects of weather on concrete are profound.
Weather related issues include:
Temperature ( hot, freezing, a thirty degree swing from morning to afternoon ).
Humidity ( too low humidity can dry concrete out while too high can effect delay set time which can be good and bad ).
Wind ( can dry out the surface causing finishability problems and make debris airborne that you don't want on an unfinished slab, an inherent problem in Spring and Fall ).
Rain ( probably our worst enemy, increases the water/cement ratio which weakens the surface, can come out of nowhere, causes more tear out than any other weather related issue, delays project schedule which is hard on everyone ).
Snow ( pouring concrete in snow is bad because it has the same damaging effect as rain but then is cold enough to delay set time as well ).
This is a lot to think about when all you really want is a happy customer.
I have seen all of these weather items happen and yes even all in one day!
And don't be mistaken that when the weather is bad I am sitting at home watching Judge Judy when this is likely what is on the tube.
While most weather does not ruin concrete all together it has some effect on the quality. This is frustrating when you have multiple pours on a job and can have multiple degrees of quality between pours.
While I make every effort to minimize the affects of weather on my customers work, some level of flexibility has to be available.
If you scroll back to the first post on this blog you will read "Once you have chosen a contractor and you are absolutely sure they will make every effort to full fill there obligation and your dreams, hang on because your just along for the ride!"
Funny we need that same level of flexibility with the weather.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Reflection
2010 was an amazing year that began with me being on the edge of throwing in the towel on a twenty three year concrete career.
I put my nose into the wind, and not knowing if I would have concrete work at all, studied and obtained my skydive tandem rating to try and muster up some income at the drop zone.
Soon after, surprisingly, the concrete work started to trickle in and I was to work concrete and skydiving seven days a week for the next four months.
Thankfully, things slowed enough for me to take the time to marry my beautiful wife and spend a week camping near the Mackinaw Straights on our amazing honeymoon.
The rest of the year was spent settling things at home, spending time with friends and family and healing an aging mind and body after a sincerely demanding season.
I don't know what 2011 has in store for me but I am ready for the challenge.
I am surrounded by people who love and believe in me and it drives me like a locomotive.
The gift I have to work with my hands is becoming more rare every day.
That gift in " tandem " with my willingness to take some chances in life makes me very lucky.
Happy New Year everyone!
Get out this year and do some work with your hands. Take a chance on something you believe in and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Your friend and concrete guy,
Dennis
I put my nose into the wind, and not knowing if I would have concrete work at all, studied and obtained my skydive tandem rating to try and muster up some income at the drop zone.
Soon after, surprisingly, the concrete work started to trickle in and I was to work concrete and skydiving seven days a week for the next four months.
Thankfully, things slowed enough for me to take the time to marry my beautiful wife and spend a week camping near the Mackinaw Straights on our amazing honeymoon.
The rest of the year was spent settling things at home, spending time with friends and family and healing an aging mind and body after a sincerely demanding season.
I don't know what 2011 has in store for me but I am ready for the challenge.
I am surrounded by people who love and believe in me and it drives me like a locomotive.
The gift I have to work with my hands is becoming more rare every day.
That gift in " tandem " with my willingness to take some chances in life makes me very lucky.
Happy New Year everyone!
Get out this year and do some work with your hands. Take a chance on something you believe in and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Your friend and concrete guy,
Dennis
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Post post
We share a postal box with two neighbors that is in need of replacement.
So concrete of course!
So concrete of course!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Restoration frustration
So I did this job.
Twenty five hundred square feet of cement topping is a lot even if everything goes right.
At a little more than 1/8" thick and a working time of fifteen minutes this was non stop fun for about eight hours. THE FIRST TIME!!!
Yeah... The customer wasn't happy and on some levels rightfully so.
There were some five hundred feet of control joint in this area that had to be retraced and cut.
More thought should have gone into this part of the job as it turned out to be the biggest hurdle.
The second time turned out better but toppings are twitchy and great care should be taken to educate the customer to there limitations.
Twenty five hundred square feet of cement topping is a lot even if everything goes right.
At a little more than 1/8" thick and a working time of fifteen minutes this was non stop fun for about eight hours. THE FIRST TIME!!!
Yeah... The customer wasn't happy and on some levels rightfully so.
There were some five hundred feet of control joint in this area that had to be retraced and cut.
More thought should have gone into this part of the job as it turned out to be the biggest hurdle.
The second time turned out better but toppings are twitchy and great care should be taken to educate the customer to there limitations.
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