Masonry Magazine February 2007 Page. 18
Contractor
to Contractor
The existing structure was **neither** level, plumb, nor square. The **entire structure** seemed quite **contorted**.
stripped. The stone was tuckpointed, ground, sandblasted and sealed to achieve the 100-year-old look. The salvaged stone, at random sizes of eight inches to 12 inches, had to be cut to veneer size.
Another large challenge was the locations of the new building. The existing structure was neither level, plumb, nor square. The entire structure seemed quite contorted. This made field measurement for the roof trusses very difficult. We also installed eight- to 12-inch tie rods into the existing structure to help stabilize the existing chapel and bell tower to the new church.
St. Anthony
This project required a competent masonry foreman to work with the construction manager, project engineer and architect.
Quality Tools for the
Professional Mason
From trowels to mason line, Bon has the widest selection of Masonry Tools for the professional craftsman.
Bon
www.bontool.com
Call today for your
FREE 2007 Master Catalog!
800-444-7060
Masonry
February 2007
Masonry: What advice would you give to a budding mason contractor?
Zoltak: Cheap advice to a future mason contractor would be never cheat on workmanship. Bid plans and specifications with a capability to be able to complete a project on time and without problems. Educate your employees, and know how to eliminate the No.1 problem-flashing failures.
Masonry: What do you feel is the biggest misconception about the masonry industry?
Zoltak: Cost is probably the biggest misconception we as contractors hear about the masonry industry. Unfortunately, developers, architects and owners are often competing to reduce budgets and ultimately final costs of projects. Many times, they settle for unproven building products to get a job.
Masonry: What would you do to change that misconception?
Zoltak: Ancient pyramids were made of mud, straw and stone. We must continue to educate owners and architects, with help from MCAA and IMI, that brick, block and stone have beauty and longevity. With proper design and installation most masonry is maintenance free.
Masonry: What are your three biggest concerns in keeping your company successful?
Zoltak: Success requires continuous work for our teams of highly successful management, and working with a core of trained and talented superintendents and foremen, followed by journey tradesmen.
Safety. Accidents are not acceptable; they result in loss of production. Sometimes trained employees and higher insurance premiums take us out of competitive bidding.
Training. Buildings are built with a set of hands. Our employees need to be trained for leadership, motivations and continued skills.
Masonry: What do you feel is the industry's biggest challenge in the near future?
www.masoncontractors.org