Company News

Ram Jack Receives ICC Evaluation Service Report

Ram Jack is the first helical manufacturer to receive their ICC Evaluation Service Report (ESR‐1854). ICC‐Evaluation Services adopted the Acceptance Criteria for Helical Foundations Systems (AC‐358) in June of 2007. Since this time, Ram Jack Systems Distribution has been working to have our 2 7/8" diameter helical and driven pile products evaluated per the AC‐358. This criteria spells out what is required of a manufacturer in the way of testing, calculations, safety factors, quality control, product identification, etc.

In order to obtain an evaluation report, all product testing must be performed by an International Accreditation Service (IAS) accredited laboratory following a published standard. Comprehensive design calculations must be performed that are in compliance with the IBC and reference standards.

The evaluation report and its acceptance criteria provide a common standard for the overall helical foundation system, not just its components. There are currently over 50 helical foundation manufacturers in the world. Manufacturing quality varies considerably. As an ESR holder, Ram Jack had to demonstrate that our quality control system would ensure the reliability and consistency of our products. This also requires a quarterly inspection of Ram Jack’s Manufacturing facilities by an ICC‐ES accredited inspection agency in order to maintain the report. Since Ram Jack is one of the few helical pile manufacturers with a “legacy” evaluation report, our quality control system had already been in place for many years.

ICC‐ES Evaluation Reports provide clear, independently obtained product capacity information as well as design and installation guidelines. Engineers and building officials can now have greater confidence in knowing the design, reliability and quality of Ram Jack products are compliant with the building code. An ESR offers building officials an independent resource for acceptance and structural engineers a resource for preparing a design. Please click on the link to download or view ESR‐1854: http://www.icc‐es.org/reports/pdf_files/ICC‐ES/ESR‐1854.pdf

KC Small Business Announces KC Smart Companies to Watch in 2010

KC Waterproofing Listed as 2010 Company

Customer-Centered Success

Launched twenty years ago, KC Waterproofi ng Solutions creates healthy and safe environments through innovative building, foundation and waterproofi ng solutions. They serve both commercial and residential customers throughout Kansas City and the surrounding Region.
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KC COMPANY INTRODUCES NEW MOLD SCREEN FOR HOMEOWNERS

KANSAS CITY – One of the scariest problems a homeowner faces are those things he can’t see – like carbon monoxide, lead, asbestos and mold!

Well, now there’s a new test for mold that brings the issue into the light quickly and inexpensively. Kansas City Company KC Waterproofing is the only area business to provide this simple mechanism for mold detection in homes across the metro. Known as the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) test, this new evaluation method applies DNA technology in the detection of mold. To date, only one Kansas City business, KC Waterproofing, is certified to provide ERMI testing.

“This is the most useful and effective mold test the industry has to offer and it’s been a long time in coming,” says KC Waterproofing President Don Derry, Jr. KC Waterproofing conducts the ERMI test and other air quality tests for property owners throughout the Kansas City area and surrounding region.

According to Derry, the ERMI test was developed by EPA scientists, and involves the analysis of a single sample of carpet dust from a home. The sample is analyzed using a highly specific DNA-based method for quantifying mold species. The ERMI report includes the detection and concentrations of 36 mold species, along with the ERMI value itself. This provides a single number to rank the "moldiness" of a home, making it easy to compare the results to a national scale.

Mold and its health effects present a growing concern for homeowners, physicians, real estate professionals and new home buyers. In initial studies by the EPA, the concentrations of different mold species in "moldy homes" (homes with visible mold) and "reference homes" (homes with no visible mold) were compared. Based on those results, mold species were selected and grouped into those with higher concentrations in moldy homes and those with lower concentrations.

Derry says that in addition to the simplicity of taking only one sample, the ERMI offers several advantages over traditional mold screening methods. Carpet dust acts as a reservoir for mold spores and is more representative of mold levels over time, versus traditional short term air samples. Additionally, the use of a DNA-based method for this test allows for increased precision of mold identification as it is based on a biochemical assay using calibrated instrumentation.

The EPA is conducting further research that will link the ERMI scores to assessing health risks for susceptible individuals. This new scientific information, along with the national database will be invaluable in providing a more objective and standardized method for screening homes for mold.

HOMEOWNERS UNPREPARED BY WARM FALL WEATHER

KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions Says it’s Time to Check Your Foundation

KANSAS CITY – Foundation maintenance is one of the first things area homeowners should consider when the wind begins to blow and the trees begin to change color. Unfortunately, the signs of the coming winter months typically signal concern for residential foundations.

Don Derry, Jr., of KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions, a division of KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions in Kansas City, says many soils in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri-Nebraska-Iowa area contain active clay minerals that expand and contract with changing moisture content. These changes are evidenced by the cracks that form every summer and disappear later in the year or early the following year. And these conditions wreak havoc on your home.

“Homeowners think that once a foundation is in, it’s set for life,” says Derry. “Unfortunately, climate and other environmental changes can weaken a foundation over time and you must rely on regular maintenance.”

Such conditions can exert high pressures on foundations, causing them to move both vertically and laterally and putting high stress on their supported structures. In our area, says Derry, extreme changes in precipitation, evaporation and transpiration rates occur every year, giving homeowners reasons to be concerned.

Landscaping

Not surprisingly, Derry says landscaping can also have a negative impact on a home’s foundation. When a house is first built, he says, builders usually provide proper backfill around foundations and positive drainage away from the house. Owners can interfere with these provisions when they landscape around the house. As such, Derry recommends backfill around the foundation should have high clay content and be compacted at the surface so water will run off rather than infiltrate. If the clay is allowed to dry out, it will shrink away from the foundation wall, letting water run down the interface. So, the ground next to the foundation should be covered with mulch to reduce evaporation, particularly on the south and west sides. Shrubs and flowers should not be planted any closer than two feet from the foundation.

Watering

Insufficient watering can interfere with a foundation’s health. It is change in soil moisture content that causes shrinking and swelling. So, maintaining constant moisture content in the soil under and around a home’s foundation can prevent a lot of problems, says Derry. He recommends watering the foundation during the summer months with soaker hoses. The hoses should be placed about two feet out from the foundation wall so the water will soak into the soil and not flow down the wall face. Derry warns, however, that homeowners should not over water. Standing water indicates the soaker hose should be turned off. During hot summer weather, homeowners may need to water every day. It may even be necessary to water during the fall or winter if the weather is particularly dry.

KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions is a specialty division of KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions. The family-owned company has been a leader in area building repair since 1985. KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions is joined by two other divisions, KC Foundation Solutions^® and KC Environmental Solutions^®.

Derry says KC Building Solutions combines its expert staff with state-of-the-art, patented technology to repair damaged foundations and associated structural and environmental damage in homes and commercial buildings with basements, crawl spaces or concrete slabs. They also specialize in providing an array of new construction waterproofing, water control, mold remediation and asbestos and lead abatement services to address issues that occur when a building foundation or structure is compromised.

Profile: KC Building Solutions restructures to reflect expanded offerings

Building on a solid foundation is as important for businesses as it is for contractors.

KC Building Solutions of Parkville began by offering a few services and has grown steadily for more than two decades by expanding into related areas.

“As technology and techniques change, we will change with them,” said its president, Don Derry Jr.

Derry restructured the business last fall to reflect expanded offerings. With revenues of $5 million a year, KC Building Solutions now encompasses three divisions: KC Waterproofing, Foundation and Environmental Solutions^®, KC Foundation Solutions^® and KC Environmental Solutions^®.

The divisions grew out of the original business concept, which Derry launched after graduating from Smithville High School in 1985.

“My dad owned a separate company that installed driveways, sidewalks and patios,” he said. “I started a side business doing the maintenance side of it, such as epoxy repairs.”

The company was part of a waterproofing franchise from 1990 until 1999, when it went on its own so it could expand its services. Last year, it added the environmental division, which provides lead, mold and asbestos remediation, bio cleanup and hazmat services.

“It took a long time to get the environmental division up and running,” Derry said. “There are a lot of federal guidelines, and we had to become certified in both Missouri and Kansas.”

Forming the environmental division, as well as expansion of the structural division, prompted the reorganization.

“Although we have always done commercial work, we had never specifically targeted it before,” he said. “Our commercial services include anything to do with water or foundation issues, above or below ground.”

Most of the 25 employees work in a single division, although several are cross-trained in several areas. Residential waterproofing provides the majority of the business.

KC Building Solutions bids for commercial jobs throughout Missouri and Kansas. It recently has worked on environmental projects at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

“Our environmental and commercial project are all bid jobs and require bonding,” Derry said. “Business is very competitive in all three divisions.”

Referrals and repeat business are important, he said.

“Fifty percent of our business comes from referrals,” he said. “For most people, their home is the biggest investment they will ever make. If they have a problem, they want it done right and never have to deal with it again. We offer a warranty for the lifetime of the structure. If we fixed a leak in 1985, it’s still under warranty.”

Derry encourages homeowners to take care of small problems before they become larger — and more expensive.

“We try to help people evaluate problems quickly so they don’t have a $20,000 or $30,000 repair bill,” he said.

Water in the basement, doors and windows that don’t close properly, and cracks in the walls are telltale signs that something may be wrong.

Steve Reise of Kansas City credits KC Building Solutions with solving a major headache.

“I had water coming up through my basement floor when it rained, and the problem was getting worse,” he said. “I found out I had an underground creek beneath my house. They put in a couple of sump pumps, which run 24/7, 365 days a year. They did the job they said they would do.”

That is exactly the response Derry wants to hear from his customers.

“We try to make it easy for people to do business with us,” he said.

KC Building Solutions is doing well during the current housing slump, Derry said.

“People are holding onto their homes longer and taking better care of their investment,” he said. “If they have a problem, they will fix it.”

The future is bright for KC Building Solutions, Derry said, because of Kansas City’s clay soils and fast-changing weather.

“As long as we keep building homes,” he said, “something will always happen to them.”

KANSAS CITY BUILDING REPAIR COMPANY EXPANDS

KC Waterproofing Sees Growth in Foundation, Waterproofing & Environmental Services Throughout the Region

KANSAS CITY – Steady growth has prompted a corporate expansion for one veteran Kansas City business. KC Waterproofing has announced plans to expand its environmental, foundation repair and waterproofing business. KC Building Solutions will serve as the parent company to KC Waterproofing Solutions^® as well as two new divisions: KC Foundation Solutions^® and KC Environmental Solutions^®.

An area building repair fixture since 1985, family-owned KC Waterproofing began specializing in repairing commercial and residential foundation, as well as structural and water control problems. Today, the company has leveraged its expertise to operate KC Waterproofing Solutions^®, KC Foundation Solutions^® and KC Environmental Solutions^® all under the KC Building Solutions umbrella. KC Building Solutions President Don Derry, Jr. says the company’s proven track record and steady growth set the stage for their expansion.

“As we maintained a foothold in Kansas City and in the region, we really became known for our knowledge in all three areas, and KC Building Solutions was born,” says Derry.

Derry says KC Building Solutions combines its expert staff with state-of-the-art, patented technology to repair damaged foundations and associated structural and environmental damage in homes and commercial buildings with basements, crawl spaces or concrete slabs. They also specialize in providing an array of new construction waterproofing, water control, mold remediation and asbestos abatement services to address issues that occur when a building foundation or structure is compromised.

KC Building Solutions is also a leading authority in eliminating indoor dust caused by concrete removal. Engineered controls are used to remove dust from the environment to provide a safe atmosphere and reduce clean-up as well as stress caused by the repair.

In each area of expertise, KC Building Solutions has comprised an Emergency Response team to act quickly and efficiently.