Episode 010: A Finish Tradesman’s August

Podcast: Episode #010

Subtitle: A Finish Tradesman's August

Post Date: August 31, 2019

Host: Eric D. Lussier

Co-founder of Let's Fix Construction, Eric D. Lussier returns to the mic to host episode 10. As a subcontractor that handles floor finishes, Eric commiserates about the month of August, which tends to be absolute hell for installers.

Project schedules are being impacted on the front end more commonly due to weather delays, yet the completion timeframe of the buildings aren't being compensated for on the back end. Jobsites aren't ready. They aren't weathertight. Other trades work isn't complete. The HVAC is not on.

Eric talks through multiple jobsites that have had water infiltration issues, even though the buildings were  supposedly weather tight and ready for flooring. He also talks about the real issues that he is confronted with on almost every job - high concrete moisture rates and concrete planarity and levelness.  An 1/8" in 10' radius is the standard in the industry, yet it is getting increasingly more difficult to achieve that.

What is the key of a successful flooring project?  Be aware of the moisture threshold of your concrete slab. Know how to properly test, as per ASTM F-2170 (Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes). Understand and know that concrete moisture is an issue, whether you are working on a renovation, or in new construction. On renovation projects, any concrete vapor barrier that may have been used would be compromised or deteriorated. Understand that until the ground is taken out of play that you will always have moisture traveling into and out of your slab (unless it is capped or a concrete admixture is introduced). Eric references Peter Craig in the podcast. Visit his website at www.floorworks3.com Lastly, know what your concrete tolerances are and how you can minimize or eliminate saw cuts, where curling is commonplace.

Eric has a real concern that project jobsites may be getting worse before they get better. There are 300,000 vacant jobs in construction now, with the fear that there may be 1,000,000 vacancies by 2026. Skilled tradesman are retiring and novice professionals are having to elevate before they acquire the skills that were traditionally held by their predecessors.

Podcast Introduction and Outro by Mel Allen www.therealvoice.com

Podcast Theme: "Let's" is performed by Milton Busker www.miltonbusker.com