Prepare Your Jobsite for Winter

Winter is closing in quickly and it is time to think about jobsite weather protection. In the Pacific Northwest, we have two issues to deal with when it comes to wintertime construction. Most of the time, we are dealing with wet conditions. Other times we couple that with freezing temperatures. In the latter situation, there are strict guidelines concerning the laying of masonry in freezing or near freezing conditions. Those can be found on the NCMA or BIA websites. Or ask your local Mutual rep for a copy of Hot and Cold Weather Masonry Construction Guidelines.

Protecting masonry in wet weather really revolves around keeping the materials and walls dry during and after construction. Wet walls won't normally fail, as in the case with frozen walls, but it will invariably cause aesthetic issues downstream as efflorescence and subsequent cleaning issues can lead to permanent staining and unsatisfactory results. The keys to successful wet weather construction are:

1. Provide cover for walls and materials during construction activity.

2. Provide cover for top of walls overnight to prevent the cavity and masonry from filling with water.

3. With conventional scaffolding, turn footplanks over at night to prevent rainwater from splashing on the walls.

4. When cleaning, don't assume walls are wet enough to eliminate the need to pre-wet the wall prior to application of the cleaner.

5. Keep top of walls covered until plate and cap flashing are installed.

If these techniques are followed, your wintertime masonry project will have the best chance to stay and look its best.

Gary Zagelow

Commercial Sales Manager

Mutual Materials and the Olympics

Vancouver and Whistler are ready to host the world at the 2010 Winter Olympics beginning in February of next year. Mutual Materials is taking the opportunity to shine as well. Our brick is appearing in a number of different size and color combinations throughout the residences in the Athlete’s Village on the Vancouver waterfront. This former Expo ’86 site, in the False Creek area, has accumulated our brick for years because of its “human scale”. After the Games, these houses will be sold and are expected to draw some of the highest prices in the Lower Mainland. Additionally, at the Hillcrest curling venue Olympic visitors will get much more exposure to our brick used in single-family residences.

As far as our hardscape products go, they are featured at the 2010 Net Zero House at Whistler: a vision by RDC Fine Homes to build a house that creates more energy than it uses. Our permeable pavers will be used on the driveway to help return rainwater to the ground without creating runoff. Our glacier slate architectural slabs will be used on the deck surrounding the majority of the house. The Whistler 2010 Net Zero House will be open to the public throughout both the Olympic and Special Olympic games.

Brian Cote
Canadian Sales Manager

Backyard transformation

Some of the Mutual staff spent a couple of days this week transforming a friend’s backyard. Our goal was not only to create a great new outdoor living experience for the homeowner, but also to videotape the whole project, so people can see how easy it is to tackle a transformation on your own. If you’re able to gather some friends and family together for a weekend, there’s nothing that can’t be achieved with a little determination and hard work.

Below is a picture of the yard before the project:















And after:















As always, if your project is too daunting to undertake on your own or if your interest level in backyard improvement only extends to choosing paver colors, please consider using one of our Preferred Contractors. To find our more about Mutual Materials products or our Preferred Contractor program please visit our website at: www.mutualmaterials.com

Be sure to look for our videos coming up on YouTube, our Facebook page and the Mutual Materials website in coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Kendall Anderegg
Director, Residential Sales and Branch Operations