Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter September 2023

Welcome to Fall, the leaves are changing, and the temperatures are cooling down in most areas.  This is welcome news for many of us that have had to deal with wildfires and record high temperatures. The ASCC Annual Conference is coming up at the end of the month, so we have a lot of preparation to make things ready. Just a reminder, we are offering both Flatwork Finisher and Decorative Concrete Finisher exams at this conference. So, get registered now so you have plenty of time to study! In the Decorative and Polishing world, we have seen an increase in the hotline calls for July and August. At first this may seem alarming, but it tells us that people are busy, and of course with an increased workload we always face new challenges.  Some common issues in the last 2 months included, freeze thaw damage from de-icing salts used during the first winter of exposure. Slip-coefficient on polished concrete, strength reduction from Type IL cement, problems with Type IL concrete sticking to curb forms making them difficult to strip and face. Also, achieving a Class A exposure on concrete with low F Numbers, which is a clear example of contradictions in specifications. For example, a cast in place spec with low or no F-numbers called out, and a polished finishes spec calling out a Class A exposure which normally would require a minimum of an FF-50.

Here at ASCC we are dedicated to helping you navigate these challenges and find solutions to your problems.

The ASCC Technical Department is always available to help you with your questions and find the right solution to keep your company moving forward.  We look forward to seeing you all at the Annual Conference soon!