FLATWORK:
driveway • sidewalk • patio • floors • porches • features • install • repair • replace

SURFACES:
smooth • broom • swirl • exposed aggragate • stamped • brick • stone • colored • stained

VERTICAL WORK:
retaining walls • concrete • block • deco block • brick • stone • install • repair • replace

MASONRY:
fireplaces • features • flue tile • brick • stone • culverts • bridges • install • repair • replace

A Concrete Primer: Why Concrete is Prone to Failure

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Whether you are planning your new terrace patio for exciting entertainment, or you have to replace your failed patio or driveway, you want to be sure you never have this expense again...AND YOU SHOULDN'T, AS CONCRETE SHOULD LAST IN EXCESS OF 50 YEARS.

CONCRETE FACTS

Concrete continues to harden for 28 years after it is placed, before it starts a slower deterioration. The quality and strength of concrete materials available from concrete mixing plants has increased thru the years.

Properly placed concrete should remain sound for over 50 years, although the surface will wear away.

CONCRETE CRAFTSMANSHIP HAS DETERIORATED IN RECENT DECADES

The concrete trade is perceived by consumers as being easy, requiring little skill by the contractor and tradesmen, and only needing a nice finish. It is an easy business to get into...and out of. A Columbia yellow pages survey shows that there were 27 total listings in 1992 for concrete contractors, only 13 of these were listed in 1988. Just as astonishing is that 17 additional companies have come and gone since then. These statistics are still representative of the industry today.

THE HUMAN FACTORS IN CONCRETE FAILURES

Most contractors price concrete jobs and worker output by the "square foot", disregarding the actual tasks involved. This results in reluctance of both the contractor and the employee to take the necessary time to properly perform the task at hand.

CONCRETE INVOLVES MUCH MORE THAN A NICE FINISH

Although some concrete failures are caused by the finish, the majority of failures are caused by inadequate base preparation, reinforcing, placement techniques, jointing, surface sealing, or maintenance.

THESE CONDITIONS HAVE RESULTED IN:

• short life of quality concrete materials
• loss of an expensive investment by home owners
• excessive cracks and movement
• rough appearance from lack of forming and finishing skills
• poor quality thru gauging skill by speed of installation
• low compensation that discourages quality
• few contractors and tradesmen that stay in the industry long enough to become skilled and knowledgeable in the REQUIREMENTS for concrete placing techniques THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

EXPERIENCE

Our "Experience Engineered Total Craftsmanship Concrete System" is the cumulative result of acquired industry skills and knowledge gained in the replacement and installation of thousands of concrete projects. Guaranteeing to pour problems out, rather than pouring them in.

ENGINEERING

The"Experience Engineered Total Craftsmanship Concrete System" was compiled by Gary Naugle Sr., using over 50 years of general contracting experience in building over 500 new homes and thousands of concrete projects.

More later . . . . . S.R.

Copyright 2008 © Naugle Company.