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Oops!

It happens innocently. A worker is boring into concrete in order to fix an issue with a bathroom or HVAC system and, suddenly, they hear a BOOM! The floor vibrates. Expletives ensue. It’s a shocking moment and often the first response is to hope it’s nothing. Unfortunately, what has likely happened is a post-tension cable has been struck and snapped, and even though it can’t be seen, it can cause safety issues and problems down the road.

When accidents happen, give us a call. We hear from contractors and building superintendents frequently when post tension cables have been unintentionally hit by core drillers. This typically happens during work on HVAC systems and plumbing—especially installing toilets.

The good news is: we can help. HEXA is the Colorado expert in post-tension repair, with specialized training under our belts and the been-there-done-that knowledge to get repairs done quickly and seamlessly.

We understand that post-tension expertise is not something contractors have time to invest in. The best choice is to get our team in right away to repair the problem and return the building to a safe condition. And for building owners who don’t have an engineer on staff who can assess the damage, we do it for you, bringing in an engineer with the experience to diagnose exactly what needs to be done to get it done right.

When it comes to post-tension repairs, we’ve seen it all. Our experience and quality set us apart. Post-tension repairs can be tricky and no two jobs are alike. You can rest assured that we’ll do a fast, safe, and efficient job. Don’t be fooled by low bids. Unfortunately, we see others get into a job with a low bid only to bump up the cost with “unexpected items.” We don’t work that way. We have the expertise to bid it right the first time and we’re honest and upfront from the get-go so you aren’t caught with unpleasant “surprises.” If you suspect an “oops” has occurred on your job site, don’t delay, give us a call!

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Building Stronger Communities Through Stronger Structures

HEXA has always been locally owned, relationship-based, and committed to helping others. We recognize that strong, stable communities benefit us all. That’s why, when we come across an organization that is actively involved in building better communities, we’re happy to give back.

We recently had the privilege of lending a hand to Warren Village – a nonprofit organization located in Denver, Colorado, which exists to help low-income, single-parent families achieve self-sufficiency. We learned of a concrete problem at their facility that was costing them money every day. The sealant on the top deck of their garage had deteriorated, allowing water to leak into their mechanical/engineering room, destroying their electronics. Their budget did not include funds for this type of repair nor replacement of electronic and mechanical equipment.

Our team was happy to step in and help. Our crews first removed the deteriorated sealant from the joints. We then re-caulked all joints and cracks. We prepped and installed a traffic coating on the top deck to prevent a repeat of this type of water damage, which, without preventive action, can be relentless. Check out some before and after photos.

“I’m grateful to HEXA for the repair and sealing work done on our upper deck,” said Forest Ray, Operations and Risk Manager at Warren Village. “For the first time in many years there are no leaks into the shop area below, and it just looks good! It’s been a pleasure working with your entire crew.”

We’re happy we could help so that Warren Village didn’t need to divert funds away from their important, life changing mission. Their program focuses on providing affordable housing, resources for parents, and services for children.

  • Housing: Warren Village offers two- to three-year transitional housing for single-parent families in their 92-unit, Capitol Hill apartment building. Safe, consistent, affordable housing helps families break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.
  • Parent Resources: Each resident must be committed to working toward specific personal and self-sufficiency goals and is paired with a Family Advocate who has specialized training in core areas. Advocates assist residents as they work towards goals associated with post-secondary education, career development, personal finance, life skills, and child development.
  • Early Childhood Services: The United Airlines Early Learning Center, located onsite at Warren Village, provides high-quality, developmental care and licensed early childhood education for more than 100 children, ages 6 weeks to 10 years. The evidence-based classroom management provides a responsive curriculum which prioritizes mental health and developmental support, with a focus on good nutrition.

We’re thankful to be able to give back to the communities we serve and take part in making them stronger. If you’d like to learn more about Warren Village or how you can contribute to their work, visit their website at warrenvillage.org.

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New Digs

 

We’re moving on up! As we enter our third decade as Denver’s go-to concrete repair contractor, HEXA continues to expand. We’ve moved to a new location in Golden so that we can continue to offer state-of-the-art concrete repair to our loyal customers and many new ones.

Located at 15725 S. Golden Road, we’ve converted a previous four-bay mechanic shop and office to our new, modern headquarters. With blood, sweat, and a few tears, we’ve custom designed the facility with a western rustic biker feeling, open lobby and office space, and our hand-poured epoxy coated floors.

Our new location has room for training, space to hold our equipment, houses a few employee offices and, of course, has room for our bikes! What we like most is that it has plenty of room for our continued growth and expansion.

If you’ve ever moved or renovated, you know the work that goes into it and the pride that goes with it. We’re very excited and would love to show you our new digs – stop by any time!

HEXA is not a huge, faceless, national corporation focused on our bottom line. We are different. Colorado is our home. We’ve been locally owned and operated right from the start, always focusing exclusively on Colorado clients. We take pride in our reputation for innovative communication processes, extremely high client satisfaction, and repeat clients who have become our friends. We’re so thankful for your business and your trust that continues to help us grow so that we can serve you even better.

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An Ounce of Prevention

If it’s true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, now is a perfect time to get garages and structures in shape and ready for the winter months ahead. Maintaining your concrete structures on a regular basis means that you don’t get “surprised” when damage gets so extreme that it becomes costly to repair. We’re all about preventive maintenance!

Colorado winters are tough on concrete. When water turns to ice it expands about 9%. If that water has settled into even a hairline crack, it can mean big damage when the temperatures begin to drop.

Whether you’ve noticed some cracks in your parking structures or aren’t sure the last time you had your concrete structures inspected, call our guy, Mike Hubbard. He knows the concrete industry literally from the ground up and has experience in all aspects of concrete repair and maintenance. He’ll walk your site with your property manager or mechanical engineer and discuss what needs to be done to keep your concrete structures in good condition before anything gets to a point of being costly to repair.

We help you protect your concrete investment by repairing a variety of issues including:

Delamination

Water intrusion

Cracks and leaks

Post-tensioning issues

Damage to concrete coatings

Issues from cut corners

Put your 2022 budget to work and get an inspection scheduled today to give you peace of mind for the cold winter ahead. Give us a call!

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Don’t Let Post-Tension Repairs Become a Stressor

Post-Tensioning is one of HEXA’s specialties and a technique in which we have certification through the Post-Tensioning Institute. Our recent Post-tension Repair blog explained our post-tensioning work at a Denver Metropoint parking garage. Because of our expertise in Colorado post-tension repair, we’ve received inquiries and interest in the techniques involved, so we’d like to share some additional information about this versatile method of reinforcing concrete.

A Unique Structural System

Post-tensioning is often an excellent choice for Colorado’s weather and is used in many types of structures. It is an especially effective technique for reinforcing concrete in parking structures and garages. According to the Post-Tensioning Institute, “Post-tensioned concrete provides a structurally efficient, reliable, and cost-efficient solution” for concrete parking garages.

Cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete has become the system of choice for parking operators, commercial building owners, universities, hospitals, and public institutions for a number of reasons:

  • Post-tensioned structural systems often provide initial cost savings and better life-cycle costs, compared to other framing systems.
  • Since they are more water-tight and resistant to cracking, they typically have fewer maintenance issues.
  • Wide beam spacing and the flat surfaces provided by post-tensioning enhance lighting which improves security, provide a more welcoming environment, and a superior riding surface.
  • The slab thickness and beam widths in post-tensioned structures result in long spans which allow for versatility and adaptability to other structural components such as slopes to drains, ramps, irregular plan layouts, and cost-effective architectural treatments.
  • Post-tensioning provides outstanding structural integrity, including under abnormal and catastrophic loading. This means reduced vibration and resistance to wind, which can be important in our Colorado climate.
  • Post-tensioned concrete is not poured as deep as in other techniques so there is less drying time required, which can also be important during some seasons in Colorado. This technique can also reduce structural depths, excavation, and soil retention costs.

Considerations

Although post-tensioned structures typically have better track records when it comes to maintenance, they are complex systems that are subject to some specific vulnerabilities, especially when initial installation was less than ideal. Identifying and correcting problems requires special investigation and repair expertise and techniques.

Problems that can occur include corrosion and cracking of sheathed, steel cables. In grouted structures, improper installation of grout can leave voids and residual moisture which can lead to damage and deterioration. Post-tensioned steel is also more susceptible to damage from chloride-induced pitting corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, and stress corrosion cracking. Tendon damage can occur and, although there may be external signs of distress, specific inspection methods may be required to find or confirm damage. For example, we use special techniques to evaluate corrosion inside sheathed cables.

Trust the Experts

HEXA’s crews are certified in post-tension repair. We are equipped to get the repairs done right, including taking steps to prevent problems from occurring again.  When you can’t afford to gamble with the integrity of and investment in your concrete, contact us. We’ll perform a complementary inspection and our post-tension experts will take the stress out of your repair work. Check out our Post-Tension Repair brochure here.

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Concrete Inspections Can Save Your Ass-ets!

Now is the perfect time to take us up on our offer for a complimentary inspection – before winter snow and cold impact your concrete. Mike Hubbard, who joined HEXA as Sales Manager last spring, will walk your site with your property manager or mechanical engineer, discuss your issues, and tell you precisely what it will take to resolve them. With expertise built over four decades, Mike knows the concrete industry literally from the ground up and has experience in all aspects of the business.

Mike will help you protect your concrete investment by locating and correcting the actual cause of your damage, not just patching up a symptom. Common issues he’s seeing in recent garage inspections include:

Give us a call to schedule an inspection with Mike. He’ll assess your structure for signs of vulnerability, provide you with a bid, and help you take preventive action or budget for 2022. You can count on the HEXA team – Colorado’s concrete experts – to keep you ahead of the game with a plan for affordable maintenance and repairs.

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Post-Tension Repair: A HEXA Specialty

Post tensioning is used instead of traditional rebar in applications where it’s especially important to reduce concrete shrinkage or eliminate cracking. This method of strengthening concrete is a good choice in a variety of applications. We’ve recently been doing post-tension repairs in a parking garage at Metropoint in Denver to restore strength to concrete and thought we’d share a little about the process.

Post tensioning uses steel cables – referred to as post-tensioning tendons – inside plastic ducts or sleeves that are positioned in the forms before concrete is poured. Once the concrete has gained strength, but before it has to support service loads, the cables are pulled tight – or tensioned – then are anchored against the outer edges of the concrete.

If post-tensioning components become weakened or damaged due to water intrusion, we remove the concrete to expose the deteriorating tendons. We then install new hardware and tendons and re-stress the cables before replacing the concrete. Finally, we waterproof the new concrete to maintain its integrity and prevent damage to the post-tensioning cables, which can be especially vulnerable to Colorado weather.

Repairing or altering post-tension cables is one of HEXA’s specialties. To discuss restoring the strength of your concrete for years to come, call the HEXA experts today. Check out our Post-Tension Repair brochure here.

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HEXA is Up for the Challenge!

HEXA is currently working on an extensive and interesting repair at the top of the huge atrium at Wells Fargo Bank in Denver, which needs to be resealed. The area apparently started leaking several years ago and was undetected at first. Eventually, the leaks became visible, then progressed to the point that buckets sometimes had to be put down to catch water during heavy rains or snow melts.

This massive project will require cutting out and removing the old, weakened sealant and installing new caulking on all window-to-window joints. It will require at least six months to complete. To give you an idea of the scope of this job, once it’s done, we will have replaced 52,000 linear feet of caulking on 2,900 windows – many of which we can only access by tying ourselves off and using the 14 ladders that are attached to the exterior of the building. No fear of heights here!!

This is a perfect example of the damage Colorado weather can inflict on buildings and why periodic inspections are so critical. When windows have not been checked and resealed at regular intervals, caulking can deteriorate and water leaks can sometimes result in structural damage depending on where they occur. We’d like to offer you a free inspection to make sure your concrete and sealants are sound.

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Hanging Out With HEXA

Just another day at the office for HEXA. We wanted to share with you our beautiful view as we are busy inspecting winter and sun damage to window sealants. This is a common issue we’re seeing a lot of these days. If not addressed, it can allow water and chemicals in, which could eventually lead to structural damage and the need for major repairs.

Constant exposure to the elements can lead to sealant failure. No one likes a leaky building. Don’t get stuck with an average fix that leads to future complaints. At HEXA, we’re sealant specialists. We assess windows and use the proper sealants to wet seal any window perimeters that are leaking or will be in the near future.

Exterior repair locations can be difficult to access, but with our expert team and know-how, nothing is out of reach!

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What You Need to Know About Supply Shortages

As you’ve probably seen in the news, the construction industry as a whole is experiencing a shortage of materials and supplies. We’d like to shed some light on the situation and how your future projects could be affected.

There are multiple reasons for these shortages including a record level of housing starts, raw material depletion, and the pandemic’s impact on both shipping and manufacturing.

We are working hard to stay informed about the availability of materials and to maintain adequate supplies on hand when possible. We are also doing everything we can to keep our prices competitive.

You can stay ahead of the curve by getting in touch now to let us know your expected needs for repairs and new projects so we can plan as far out as possible. If you are not sure of your needs, schedule a free inspection and we can help prioritize the urgent projects.

One thing that we’re sure of in all of this uncertainty, is our commitment to building strong relationships with our customers, a fast response to your needs, and getting your projects done on time according to our quality standards. We value your ongoing business and friendship. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

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