By Lynn Connors
Delays are a common occurrence in the construction industry. From weather to inadequate supply of workers, construction projects are prone to disruptions. In 2020, construction project delays were magnified due to the pandemic. Projects across the globe paused to adhere to government shutdown orders and then when allowed to proceed, dealt with supply chain disruptions and other constraints as they follow social distancing rules and other new safety measures that lower productivity.
Despite normal delays and even under current unprecedented conditions, there are ways to mitigate the impact to the project schedule. The following are actions to take to alleviate delays. These are alternative and effective ways to stay on schedule:
1. EXAMINE PERMITS
Consider the potential permits you’ll need when choosing construction methods. Additional permits may add costs and delays to your project. For example, waterproofing on decks has often been done using open flames (aka hot applied approach), and this requires additional permitting in some regions. That’s why many waterproofing applicators have switched from hot applied products to cold-applied liquid waterproofing such as the SILCOR® liquid waterproofing membrane. In addition to its safety benefits, cold-applied membranes offer cost savings related to labor, materials, and equipment rentals. And, they ultimately represent a more durable, safer solution.
2. USE PRODUCTS THAT ELIMINATE STEPS
Look for construction products that effectively cut out application steps. When examining building envelope products, choose primerless air barrier products to eliminate the use of primer. For instance, PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30 membrane can reduce installation time up to 35 percent compared to membranes requiring primer, which is significant in today’s fast paced world.
When conducting floor installation, choose a floor moisture barrier that eliminates traditional installation steps. The KOVARA® AB 300 moisture barrier saves flooring contractors and building owners time and money with a quick and easy application process. Shot blasting is not required, and a self-leveling underlayment is only needed if the concrete subfloor is not flat. Once the KOVARA AB 300 floor moisture barrier is applied, there is no waiting for cure time. It is ready to receive adhesive and finished flooring right away.
3. USE PRODUCTS THAT STAND UP TO EXTREME CLIMATE CONDITIONS
Choose products that are unlikely to cause weather delays. A solution in bridge construction is the Eliminator Bridge Deck Waterproofing, which is highly moisture resistant, so it can be applied in virtually any climate conditions. In addition, it allows temporary trafficking before paving with an aggregate broadcast into the waterproofing membrane. This helps to accelerate bridge construction—which is critical to keep traffic moving during refurbishment and new construction projects.
4. EXAMINE APPLICATION METHODS
Look at application methods and speed when choosing new products. The process of waterproofing is an area that offers many solutions to cut down on application time. PREPRUFE® Plus Waterproofing Membranes reduce the time and cost involved with installation. The system is immediately trafficable upon installation, so rebar can be installed the same day. Self-adhesive ZIPLAP™ watertight laps make it easy to tightly adhere membrane panels together, without the need for heat, power, or special equipment. In addition, complex details can be tightly sealed by using PREPRUFE tape and BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane, providing an end-to-end watertight solution. It’s not just about selecting the membrane, but also how complementary products can seamlessly work together.
5. LOOK FOR PERFORMANCE & SUPPORT BEHIND THE PRODUCTS
When examining a product be sure to look at how the product manufacturer will support you. Will they offer technical service? Do they have a team of experts that will visit the building site to examine their products and guide the contractor on how to install them properly? And, what is the track record of their products? Most products have warranties, it is most important to look at the track record of the manufacturer and the proven performance of their products versus what their material warranty says. Have they been in business for a long time? Have their products performed well over many years? Do they have project profiles to prove performance? These are all more important considerations that will save time in the long run.
6. LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY
Ten years ago, when you walked onto a construction jobsite, there was little, if any, technology in use. Today, every project manager has a tablet and uses multiple tech products to manage a project. Contractors need to look at all of these offerings and decide which ones will have the most impact on their business day-to-day to work more efficiently. The use of apps and product innovations can propel a construction project forward. One example is the VERIFI® in-transit concrete management system, which provides automated process monitoring and control during transit from the ready mix concrete plant to the jobsite by using sensors installed on concrete mixer trucks to monitor, measure, and manage concrete properties in transit. The automation reduces rejected loads, increases jobsite efficiency, and minimizes costly project delays.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Now more than ever there is demand to complete construction projects on time. Bringing projects back to business faster and with limited disruption is essential. Every decision made in any given phase of construction plays a pivotal role that then drives the overall productivity of the project. It is critical to examine each phase to see how you can accelerate it without compromise. Today, there are many high-performance product solutions that save time as well as automation technologies that fast forward traditional processes. By taking advantage of these time-saving solutions and stepping outside of routine procedures, a construction project can be accelerated to meet deadlines.
About the author:
Lynn Connors is a global marketing manager at GCP Applied Technologies, a leading global provider of construction products technologies that include additives for cement and concrete, the VERIFIˇ in-transit concrete management system, high-performance waterproofing products, and specialty systems. GCP products have been used to build some of the world’s most renowned structures. For more, visit gcpat.com.
Modern Contractor Solutions, February 2021
Did you enjoy this article?
Subscribe to the FREE Digital Edition of Modern Contractor Solutions magazine.
