The Most Versatile Vibrating Concrete Tool


Every so often, we get the opportunity to talk about our absolute favourite products, and today is one of those days. This product has been with us for years and we’re proud to carry it because of the incredible results and repeatedly pleased customers who use it. We’re talking about none other than the Rattle Stick EX Concrete Bull Floats. We have supplied numerous flat work companies with this amazing product because it always performs, cuts down on labour time, and if we don’t have it in stock, we have a close relationship with the supplier to get it quickly! Well, what just is the Rattle Stick?

The Rattle Stick EX Bull Float is a concrete bull-floating tool that vibrates to smooth out freshly poured concrete. Like you would use a bull float right when screeding is completed, you can use the Rattle Stick to do the same and to remove excess moisture or bleed water that rises to the surface through the vibrations caused by the tool. This is an incredibly important step in finishing concrete. The adjustable handle allows for it to be used in all sizes of jobs and the various bull float bottoms allow for increased versatility for different bends and curves needed on poured concrete. Overall creating an incredibly versatile concrete bull-floating tool with no question as to why it's constantly growing in popularity. The Rattle Stick EX Bull Floats come compatible with DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee batteries, just be sure to select the specific one that you need!

On top of providing excellent products, Rattle Stick does a tremendous job of uploading informative and interesting YouTube videos on their products. See by clicking here a video uploaded FOUR years ago that holds up great on explaining the various ways that the Rattle Stick EX Bull Float can be used. The videos especially showcase the simplicity and speed in which the Rattle Stick is used on job sites, lowering the labour involved which saves money. Click their channel to see further explanations, live on-site demos, and different applications for the bull floats. Their channel has just about everything you need to find out all about Rattle Stick bull floats.  As you already know now, Form & Build is a proud carrier of this product line and we would love to talk more with you about it on the phone at our number 519-453-4300 or you can go directly to our website by clicking here to check it out for yourself and see how it can be right for you!

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Innovation Hub


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Job Name: Linmar Innovation Hub

Contractor: Newton Group/ Tri Con Haid Concrete Finishing Ltd.

Owner: Linmar

Engineer/Architect: Tacoma Engineers

Background:

To build on its vision of cutting-edge manufacturing, Guelph-based Linamar recently constructed the Linamar Innovation Hub. From conception through to design and build, the facility needed to accommodate the dynamic nature of the company’s business. Research, development, and contract-manufacturing require a facility that can withstand constant re-tooling and rearrangement of heavy equipment. This created the necessity for a particularly resilient concrete floor.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

To create a durable, abrasion-resistant floor, Form & Build supplied Hard-Cem manufactured by Kryton. Hard-Cem is an Integral Hardening Admixture (IHA) that has the ability to at least double the wear life of a concrete pad. This makes it an ideal choice for a number of applications including industrial, transportation, marine, and many more. Essentially, wherever there are high-loads and abrasion-inducing activities, Hard-Cem will protect your concrete investment.

For this project, the following benefits also helped the customer feel confident in their choice of floor hardener:
• Consistency – Hard-Cem provides uniform hardness throughout the entire slab.
• Labour Savings – Hard-Cem is batched either at the concrete plant or at site whereas traditional shake-on hardeners must be applied after the pad is poured.
• Rust-Resistant – Unlike other metallic/fibre based hardeners considered for the project, Hard-Cem will not rust in the areas around the exterior doors of the facility.

Concluding Remarks:
Every day at Form & Build we enjoy the opportunity to build trust and form loyalty with the people who build our communities. Do not hesitate to reach out to any one of our six branches to inquire about how we can help you on your next project. If you’re an Engineer or Contractor interested in what Hard-Cem can do for you, click here to request a Lunch-and-Learn. Or get in touch with Joe Taylor to learn more, here.

Effort Trust


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Job Name: Effort Trust Headquarters

Contractor: DeFaveri Construction

Owner: Effort Trust

Engineer/Architect: N/A

Background:

Situated in picturesque Gore Park in downtown Hamilton, Effort Trust’s new headquarters will be part of the area’s revitalization. With new condos, retail, and office space, the area around Gore Park will be a vibrant part of Hamilton. However, the General Contractor entrusted with construction of the new headquarters found that the site’s close proximity to Hamilton Harbour posed a challenge. Ground water and hydrostatic pressure were significant at the site and had the contractor exploring dependable foundational waterproofing solutions.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

The contractor made a call to his Form & Build sales representative, David Freitas, who suggested they consider an integral waterproofing material. Form & Build proudly supplies Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) system for integral concrete waterproofing. Relying on Kryton’s knowledgeable technical staff, the contractor learned about KIM’s advantages from labour savings due to the integral nature of the material to the performance of Kryton’s patented crystalline technology.

By sourcing KIM through Form & Build, the contractor was able to save time and money while being
confident of the foundation’s long-lasting durability.

If you would like to learn more, contact David Freitas here

Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex


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Job Name: Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex

Contractor: Collaborative Structures Ready Mix: Hanson Ready-Mix

Owner: City of Waterloo

Engineer/Architect: Parkin Architects Limited

Background:

The City of Waterloo’s planned expansion of the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex broke ground in early 2020. However, construction was halted for a period of time due to the onset of the Coronavirus. When construction resumed, the General Contractor (GC) turned its attention to the pouring and waterproofing of the building’s elevator shaft. The original specification required a brush applied waterproofing membrane. The GC grew concerned that finding the manpower for this labour-intensive process would prove difficult during the pandemic and risk delaying the construction schedule.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

In discussing these concerns, Form and Build was able to recommend Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) from Kryton as the best solution to the GC’s problem. KIM is a hydrophilic crystalline admixture used to create permanently waterproof concrete. Because the product is integral, it eliminates the labour required for surface-applied waterproofing thereby accelerating the construction schedule.

Form and Build also recommended Kryton’s Krytonite Swelling Waterstop for use in the joints of the structure. Krytonite has superior swelling pressure and performance that stops water better than bentonite and competing swelling waterstops.

By incorporating the Kryton waterproofing system into the structure, the GC was able to save time. It also provided confidence to the owner of the structure’s long-term impermeability and therefore lower lifetime repair and maintenance costs.

Want to learn more? Email Keith Armstrong here!

Miller Peppel Stone Transfer Station Whitby


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Job Name: Miller Peppel Stone Transfer Station Whitby

Contractor: Miller Concrete/ Belmont Floor Finishers

Owner: Miller Waste

Engineer/Architect: Miller Waste/ Concrete

Background:

After seeing huge success with the Earl Turcotte Waste Trasnfer Station, Miller is going to continue using Kryton Hardcem in all their transfer facilities.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

Kryton Hardcem was recommended by Form & Build as it meets all the criteria and is incredibly abrasion resistant. This is imperative to Miller as their transfer facilities are constantly being driven over by Dump Trucks and Heavy Machinery.

Earl Turcotte Waste Transfer Facility


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Job Name: Earl Turcotte Waste Transfer Facility

Contractor: Miller Concrete/ Wheelwright/ AMS Construction

Owner: Miller Waste

Engineer/Architect: Architecture Unfolded

Background:

Miller Waste was looking for new concrete flooring solutions for their transfer facilities; they needed something that would be resistant to surface abrasion and withstand the weight of dump trucks and other large vehicles for a long time. The Earl Turcotte Facility was designated as the test site to find the best solution.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

Kryton Hardcem was recommended by Form & Build as it meets all the criteria and is incredibly abrasion resistant. Miller was so pleased with the results Hardcem yielded, it is now being used in all Miller productions.

TTC McNicoll


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Job Name: TTC McNicoll Bus Garage

Contractor: Buttcon Limited/Eastern Construction Joint Venture

Owner: Toronto Transit Commission

Engineer/Architect: Strasman Architects Inc. | Morrison Hershfield Engineering

Background:

The TTC required a product that could be used with C1 exposure concrete to mitigate surface abrasion while increasing the concrete durability against salt penetration and freeze thaw cycles in their new bus garage.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

Kryton Hardcem integral hardener was recommended as the best possible solution. Hardcem provides excellent performance against surface abrasion resistance as well as increasing concrete durability. As an integral admixture, Hardcem is also compatible for use with air entrained concrete.

Press Pit


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Job Name: Press Pit

Contractor: Feltz Design Build LTD

Owner: Undisclosed

Engineer/Architect: MTE Consultants

Background:

FDB LTD was retained as the general contractor to renovate an existing industrial facility to make way for a new powdered metal press. A portion of the work involved constructing a pit apx 30x30 with a founding grade of 12 BFF. Previous excavations within the building had shown some free groundwater during spring conditions. Because a typical waterproofing layer on the outside of the pit walls could not be installed due to the nature of the excavation and the dead wall design, the owner and engineers decided to investigate a concrete admixture that would prevent ground water seepage and seal the interior of the pit from oil leakage to the surrounding soil.

Product(s)/Solutions Provided:

Form and Build, in conjunction with Lavis Ready Mix, suggested the KIM waterstop admixture as an alternative to a costly conventional excavation and additional epoxy coating on the inside of the pit. This helped to keep the project on time and on budget. We have found that the admixture has performed as advertised and was an economical solution to complex construction challenge.

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