Building Management Hawaii April/May - (Page 16)

Eko Painting Inc. Serving Hawaii Since 1993 SBA 8(a) & DOT DBE Certified Bonded/Insured Deep Secrets Do you know the condition of your elevator pits? License No. 25219 COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL & INDUSTRIAL By Val Williams RestoRation P Our well-trained and knowledgeable staff provides excellent workmanship with a particular focus on safety and customer satisfaction • • • • We specialize in Painting Concrete Spall Repair Wall Coverings Various Special Coating Systems Phone: 808-591-9882 Fax: 808-591-9872 info@ekopainting.com FREE ESTIMATE 16 April - May 2013 BMH icture this: The elevator technician sends the cab to the first floor and locks it. He takes out a special key and opens the door to the elevator pit. He turns to the nervous resident manager beside him. “You’ve got to see this,” he says. The manager gulps. After all, how often does the elevator technician invite him to the pit? Something has got to be wrong. When the light turns on, a stench and goo greet the manager. “Holy $@#%. How long has that been there?,” the manager asks. “Well, it’s been wet for a long time, but not like this,” the elevator technician says. Now, the goo is four inches deep and contains things even too scary for a horror movie. Not all concrete restoration companies are willing to take on grungy/leaking elevator pits such as this example. It’s not a simple project. First, all of the water needs to be pumped out and put into 55-gallon drums. The contaminated water has to be disposed of according to law. Once the pit is cleaned, the pit’s walls can be inspected for spalling concrete and the entry point of water can be located. After cleaning with special biodegradable soaps, the pit is rinsed, and again the water is collected into 55-gallon drums. Williams Hawaii, Inc. repairs the spalls and water leaks with “NATCEM,” a product imported from Europe. This quick-set cement product provides for a minimum downtime, adheres to wet concrete surfaces and resists pressure of water intrusion from the outside of the elevator pits. How do you know the condition of your elevator pits? On your next inspection, ask your elevator maintenance service technician if you may take a look into your elevator pit. It is the elevator BEFORE AFTER maintenance technician that is responsible for keeping the pit clean. Problems often start at a joint where the floor meets the wall, or where there’s a crack in the concrete or from an area that has spalled concrete. Once water penetration begins, the water continues to flow until there is head pressure equalization outside and inside. The pressure equalization will vary from time of day, time of month, high tide, heavy rains, but like the little hole in the dike, one day it could just burst through the concrete. Val Williams it the president of Williams Hawaii, Inc. and has 31 years experience with building restoration services. The firm provides a wide range of services such as concrete restoration, waterproofing, decorative coatings, concrete spall repairs, painting, water intrusion repairs, elevator pit repairs, railing installations and retrofits. Williams Hawaii is a certified DBE woman-owned business. www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii April/May

Lifts: Elevators & Escalators
Service Providers Leverage Cutting-Edge Technology
Time To Modernize?
Ready To Switch Gears?
Concrete: Restoration & Repairs
When To Test For Lead
3 Steps For A Solid Spalling Job
Deep Secrets
Phase The Work
Concrete Restoration
Tips On How To Reduce Spalling On Newer Buildings
The Difference Between Repair & Restoration
Insurance
Equipment Breakdown Insurance
High-rise Hotspot
EDITORIAL
Toolbox Talk: How to choose the correct ladder for the job.
Industry News and Movers & Shakers
On Site: Saving Staff

Building Management Hawaii April/May