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The Future of the COncrete Mousetrap

2/4/2020

10 Comments

 
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Contributed by Eric D. Lussier
Today the exhibit hall opens for the 45th edition of the World of Concrete in Las Vegas. If you've never been to WOC, let me try and put it into context for you, as I had the chance to host a Let’s Fix Construction workshop for Prosoco in 2018.  
  • 1,500 exhibiting companies
  • 170+ education offerings
  • 110+ industry speakers
  • 60,000+ registered professionals
  • 775,000+ square feet of exhibit space
All of this across the expansive Las Vegas Convention Center, and even spilling into the parking lots. All for the world's oldest building material.

So, with an annual knowledge share of this magnitude, one would expect that the literal world of concrete would be cutting-edge that contains less flaws than in years past, and is an exact science, right? Well, sometimes it’s nice to assume, but you know what they say about that.

Anyone who has followed my social media posts or Let's Fix Construction posts from over the years knows that as a flooring contractor, our daily fights with concrete are aplenty. And they don't seem to be getting any better. 

From the constant battles with concrete moisture to the surface planarity to unpredictable curling after placement, the fight goes on into the 12th round and I'd hate to say that concrete might just be winning by TKO.

But don't get me wrong, the future with concrete is looking up. Polishing technologies have flooring finishes on its heels and the longevity of concrete as a building material will never be second guessed. Floor preparation equipment is becoming more productive and more affordable. And its use as a building product is certainly not going anywhere anytime soon.

But it starts at the placement and that is where the industry may need the most help. Proper specifications need to be in place to set a better slab, but more importantly, the concrete contractor needs to read them and recognize that there are always better ways to build a mousetrap. 

When Cherise Lakeside spoke at World of Concrete in 2016 to 50 concrete contractors, she asked a few pointed questions (and blogged about it). Their answers offer insight into their world of concrete: 

  • How many of you read the Division 3 (Concrete) specs? 2 hands went up.
  • How many of you read the Division 9 (Finishes, specifically floor coverings) specs to know what is going on top of your slab when you are finished? 1 hand went up.
  • How the hell do you know what to build? The answer “We look at the drawings, do what the Contractor says and build what we know.  We are the craftsman here.”
  • Why don’t you read the specs? Answer “They are never right and have conflicting requirements that can’t be built or shouldn’t be built in that particular application.”

The future of the World of Concrete show (book it! January 18-22, 2021) will always be bright as the mousetraps look beautiful and there are plenty to see, touch and feel. But the industry will continue to be challenged with the same 11th hour issues if the specifications aren't challenged, changed, and enforced and especially if the contractors refuse to admit that there are always better ways to do things. 
10 Comments
Rory link
3/18/2020 08:05:53 pm

Concrete has definitely come a long way from when I first started 35 years ago. I try to keep up with all the innovations, but it's so fast paced. Looks like you guys are ahead of the game!

Reply
Harrisburg Excavating link
6/26/2020 11:44:44 pm

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy coming across articles like these - good to connect with fellow excavators.

Best,
Bob from
<a href="https://www.excavatingharrisburg.com/”> Excavating Harrisburg PA </a>

Reply
Harrisburg Excavating link
6/26/2020 11:45:46 pm

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy coming across articles like these - good to connect with fellow excavators.

Best,
Bob from
<a href="https://www.excavatingharrisburg.com/"> Excavating Harrisburg PA </a>

Reply
Bakersfield Concrete link
12/8/2020 01:39:22 pm

It's definitely a game of keeping up with the times for many industries!

Reply
Commercial Fence Hamilton link
12/18/2020 04:27:42 am

Wonderful information about the future of the concrete mousetrap, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.

Reply
Landscaping Tauranga link
12/29/2020 10:58:06 am

It’s a great source of knowledge; I think it will be helpful for lot of people who are looking for the future of the concrete mousetrap. Thank you very much for sharing this article, this is really helpful for me, thanks again and looking for more in future!!

Reply
Earthmoving Central Otago link
1/27/2021 02:17:12 am

This is really appreciated that you have presented this data over here, I love all the information shared. It will be very helpful to understand about the future of the concrete mousetrap. Great post to share, thanks for publishing this here!!

Reply
Earthmoving Central Otago link
4/2/2021 06:47:45 am

Here we get to know about modern the future of the concrete mousetrap information in detail. It helps us to decide that which one is best among its types. I enjoyed reading this article and would suggest others it as well. Thank you for this article! This is really very informative for us.

Reply
Site Preparation Kerikeri link
4/8/2021 04:16:20 am

Great analysis, I love how you really went in-depth with everything it really projects what one needs to know about the future of the concrete mousetrap. You have done an excellent job with this content I must say.

Reply
Concrete Restoration Inc. link
10/28/2021 01:02:35 am

Excellent title! At least one person had read the Division 9 since CRi maybe the company coming in next to do the flooring!

Reply



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