Why do we do the things we do ? Like many of you , we have a desire to take something and build it better . Craftsmen Specification is taking Shaw & Sons ’ knowledge , heart , and soul and channeling it to produce projects that are unique , distinctive , and have a true craftsman ’ s signature . We formatted knowledge into strict rules to follow . The same rules that made Lithocrete a success is now combined with Shaw & Sons ’ protocols and procedures to ensure superior installations . Review our portfolio of decades of projects and you will see the overall performance and unique details we have built . Our goal is to give the owner tremendous sustainability and provide high value at a fair price . We are doing this by combining our trade secrets with some of what we have developed from Lithocrete and with new technology and new patents . We have thoroughly tested these advanced systems and offer them as Craftsmen Specification .
Our Craftsmen Specification includes many essentials that are overlooked by our industry . Standard concrete specification 321316 , 033000 , and 321313 use and abide by principles and tolerances that require tradesmen to build within + or – 1 / 8 ” in 10 feet . Shaw & Sons and our Craftsmen Specification builds within more stringent parameters . Our projects are easily distinguishable from our competitors . Craftsmen Specification is old-school craftsmanship using modern physical and mechanical technology . Lithocrete deals with finishes and gave us a set of rules to follow to achieve the same results for a finish time after time . Shaw & Sons Craftsmen Specification amplifies and improves on the basic Lithocrete function . It takes Lithocrete ’ s 11 patents to well over 73 US patents with many other patents pending . Combining trade secrets with our Craftsmen patents is the formula for a successful project . Soil analysis and recommendations , project evaluation , detail evaluation and corrections , civil evaluation and corrections is just one of the steps that is included in the Craftsmen Specification protocol .
Why are these things so important ? Moderately expansive soil means expansive , and measures need to be implemented to help prevent hardscape and plazas from displacing . Drawing from experience , we recommend reinforcing schedules , doweling procedures , base , fabric and Stego specification and will select the products to assure longevity and performance . It goes without saying that proper compaction and use of proper base materials is very important . Thenardite is a mineral with a negative charge that can be commonly found in soil . If thenardite comes in contact with concrete with a contaminated aggregate such as opaline shale , it causes a reaction and will dislodge a spall in the surface of the finished product . Concrete is a composition of atoms . Thenardite provides a greater number of negative charged electrons , which causes a reaction and the dislodging of aggregates . 15-Mil Stego vapor barrier is the best way to prevent any of these salts from penetrating the concrete and protect against thernadite-related problems . The vapor barrier also prevents potential other problems from occurring . Although fly ash can work to prevent types of spalling , it causes other issues in architectural hardscape and should be avoided . Our Shaw & Sons Craftsmen Specification includes a lens of Stego plastic membrane over compacted subbase to eliminate the problem . Over the Stego sheathing , we also include Mirafi 500x to help prevent differential settlement .
Shaw & Sons Craftsmen Specification starts with and provides an onsite project review to determine if grades and elevations are correct per the civil drawing . Many survey devices are out of calibration and need maintenance to assure the instrument is in the best working order . Survey information is often translated incorrectly on the civil drawing , so we always shoot and verify existing conditions . ADA requires cross falls on the hardscape not to exceed 2 %, but many civil drawings are using cross fall percentages that are too great or too close to the 2 % cross fall code restrictions that also don ’ t allow for concrete tolerances per ACI standards and project specifications . Shaw & Sons typically corrects drawings to a minimum of . 75 % to 1.5 % maximum and will
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