Reducing your home water usage also means requiring fewer residential plumbing services because the more water you use, the more wear your plumbing system has. Cutting down on water usage is good for the environment and your wallet, and you do not have to make any huge sacrifices to do it. We put together these 5 ways to reduce your home’s water consumption without scheduling rooter service, and you can probably think of a few of your own.
1. Repair Drips and Leaks Leaky faucets, running toilets, and worn plumbing valves waste a lot of water and may cause permanent drip stains in your sinks or tub. If you are not comfortable with making repairs yourself, schedule residential plumbing services to get the job done for you. Also look out for slow draining sinks, which indicate the opposite of a leak: clogged pipes. 2. Wash Only Full Loads Whether you are talking about dishes or laundry, you can save a lot of water by only washing full loads. Washing machines and dishwashers are designed to function efficiently when they have full loads, plus you will reduce your use of detergents and other add-ins by having fewer loads. 3. Showers Over Baths A shower is more efficient than a bath, saving water and time. A long shower now and then is a welcome luxury, but most of us only need around 5 minutes to wash and shampoo. You can also reduce water by not opening the hot and cold water valves all the way. That is one method of controlling water pressure, but we will get to another shortly. 4. Reduce the Water Pressure Even though it is rarely mentioned, one of the most dramatic ways you can reduce your home water use is by reducing the water pressure coming into the home. Just as you can reduce pressure at the sink or tub valves, you can reduce the pressure available throughout the plumbing system by partially closing the incoming water line to the home. This is usually a hand valve on homes with a water pump but may require a special tool if you are using municipal metered water. 5. Trick Your Tank You can add a handful of pebbles to a 1-liter bottle, and then fill it the rest of the way with water. Put a cap on the bottle and place it in your toilet tank so that it doesn’t interfere with the flush mechanism. In an average home, this idea will save 5 or more gallons per day, and that adds up quickly. If you suspect a plumbing issue such as a broken pipe that is causing you to use more water than you should, you can get the problem diagnosed and necessary repairs made by qualified, residential plumbing services.
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The Conco Companies are proud to report that Conco Pumping was recently honored as a runner-up for the 2017 Subcontractor of the Year Award from the American Subcontractors Association of Southern California. The awards are designed to recognize the various achievements and contributions the recipients have made in the construction industry. The ASA is a highly respected organization that embodies ethical & equitable business practices, quality construction, a safe and healthy work environment, and integrity & membership diversity. This year’s winners were honored at the November ASA’s Awards Banquet.
The entire Conco organization wishes to extend our thanks the ASA. Furthermore, we are extremely proud of our Southern CA team who brings a high level of commitment to each and every one of their projects. Conco is also grateful for the support and trust our partners in the construction community continue to place in us, which enables our success. The demands for our pumping services in Southern California including the San Diego area have rapidly grown over the last several years. To ensure our success, we have a large operation in the area including a fleet of concrete pumps and ancillary equipment as well as an experienced team ready to help out on your next project. Conco Pumping, which was founded in 1975, is one of The Conco Companies’ largest divisions and successfully operates throughout California, Washington State and Oregon. Our experienced team has the ability to identify obstacles even before a job starts, and we can successfully handle projects with the most challenging specifications and time constraints. In addition to concrete pumping, Conco also offers rebar fabrication and installation, formwork, shotcrete, cellular concrete, and trucking as well as Design/Build, General Contracting and turnkey solutions. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services throughout the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products and are now one of the foremost concrete contractors in the region. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, industrial and public works projects as well as parking structures. The Conco Companies were recently recognized for our concrete services on the new Wilshire Grand Project with the “2017 Charles J. Pankow, Jr. Award” from the American Concrete Institute’s Southern California Chapter. The Charles J. Pankow Jr. Award was established in 1984 by the ACI SoCal Chapter in honor of Charles J. Pankow, Jr. and is designed to recognize outstanding and innovative use of concrete in construction. Mr. Pankow was an active member of the Southern California Chapter since its inception and had served as the International President of the ACI from 1980-1981.
The prestigious award is only given out annually, if, in the judgment of the Awards Committees, a qualified project and contractor are nominated. Rules for how the award is bestowed include: “One award may be presented annually to recognize an outstanding, collaborative emerging innovation in design, materials, or construction-related research and development. Innovations must be new to the industry. Not more than one award may be given in any one year.” During the course of constructing the Wilshire Grand, Conco set a world record for the largest continuous mat pour that required appoximately 2,000 truckloads of concrete and took 20 hours of continuous pouring. In total, crews laid down more than 21,200 cubic yards of concrete over 7.1 million pounds of reinforcing steel. We also purchased and used a new state-of-the art electric pump to help us pump concrete 650 feet horizontally and then 1,125 feet vertically in order to reach the highest levels of the skyscraper. Furthermore, as the pump was electric, it was both quieter and cleaner than a diesel pump. Conco wishes to extend our thanks for all of the support and trust placed in us by our trade partners and the construction industry. Along with Conco serving as the concrete contractor, the other recipients of the award include the Wilshire Grand’s owner, Hanjin International Corp.; general contractor, Turner Construction Company; structural engineer, Brandow & Johnston and Thornton Tomasetti, and concrete supplier, CalPorland Ready Mix. At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products. Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. Source: asce.org/templates/award-detail.aspx?id=401 The Conco Companies are proud to report that one of our recent projects is the Second Place Winner of the American Concrete Institute’s 2017 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards in the High Rise category. One of only 12 winners internationally, the Premiere on Pine (formerly known as 815 Pine) is a 42-story tower that highlights the structural and technological advancements made in the concrete industry over the last several years.
This year’s winners were recognized at the “Celebrating Concrete Innovation and Excellence Across the Globe” Awards Gala that took place during the ACI Concrete Convention and Exposition. In addition to Conco serving as the concrete contractor for the Premiere on Pine’s project, the team included owner and developer, Holland Partner Group; architect, Weber Thompson Architects; general contractor, Holland construction Inc.; engineering firm, Cary Kopcznyski & Company; and Concrete Supplier, Stoneway Concrete. The Premiere on Pine is constructed with high-strength concrete and reinforcing steel to create maximum floor space for the small site and is the first building in Seattle to have a specified concrete strength of 15,000 psi in its columns. This allows the high-strength columns to be smaller than those in similarly sized buildings. Another innovation was to place the concrete continuously through the slab penetrations, which eliminated the need for concrete puddling around the columns. The building is the tallest residential tower in Seattle, WA and offers residents a range of amenities including a hotel-inspired rooftop sky lounge and five levels of above-grade parking and five-levels below. In addition the apartment units offer spectacular views of the Cascades, Puget Sound and downtown Seattle. Conco was pleased to be selected for this unique, challenging project as well as to be a part of such an exceptional team. We are extremely honored to receive the ACI’s 2017 Excellence in Concrete Construction award. The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington. The Conco Companies is seeking an experienced Safety Director to provide safety leadership to over 1,200 employees for our Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado locations. The individual will be responsible for helping to minimize and manage the legal and financial risks associated with an integrated subcontracting construction company. The job includes overseeing Conco’s OSHA Compliance, our Fleet Safety Management, and Environmental Compliance.
In terms of our OSHA Compliance, Conco’s Safety Director will be responsible for developing and communicating policies and procedures in compliance with OSHA as well as federal, state and local rules and regulations. The Director will also assist the estimating department with pre-bid safety planning, pre-bid qualifications, and development of corrective action plans. He or she will participate with project teams on pre-construction safety coordination planning, and then put together a pre-project hazard assessment. Conco’s Safety Director is also in charge of developing and effectively implementing safety strategic planning initiatives as well as leading executive, regional and divisional safety committees. Additionally he or she will plan and implement company and site specific policies for construction safety and general industry facilities and other duties as stated on our job posting. Along with OSHA Compliance, the Fleet Safety Management responsibilities include continuous improvements to the company’s fleet safety program to ensure compliance to D.O.T. regulations and company policies. As our Safety Director you will develop, audit and improve, and implement driver safety training as well as maintain our fleet safety manual and more. The Environmental Compliance aspect of the job requires applicants to have a QISP. A QSD or QSP is preferred and experience with the CERS program is also preferred. The position’s minimal requirements include requiring a CHST; and ASP, CSP, CIH are preferred, along with 10-15 years of safety experience. Candidates should be capable of identifying known potential exposures and recommending the corrective actions. We prefer that applicants have a Bachelor’s degree in safety management or a degree in a related field. Please see Conco’s website for the complete job description and information on how to apply. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. The concrete industry produces approximately 10 billion tons of concrete worldwide. In the U.S. the industry has an annual production of 500 million tons with an estimated value of $35 billion and employs more than 2 million employees. It is suggested that with the amount of the U.S.’s yearly production that it equals to about two tons for every man, woman and child. To produce these types of volumes, it requires vast amounts of natural resources to supply the aggregate needed as well as to make the cement. Concrete is used to build highways, streets and bridges, commercial, industrial, medical and educational structures, residential housing and other construction markets.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) reports that there is an estimated 5,500 ready mixed concrete plants located throughout the country. They also report that the industry has around 55,000 ready mixed concrete mixer trucks that are used to deliver the material to the jobsite. It is critical to the success of the placement of the concrete to have plants located close to urban areas as well as to rural locations as the material needs to be delivered to the site in a timely manner. This means that concrete production facilities are typically located “within 60 to 90 minutes travelling distance from any construction project.” It is also interesting to note that approximately 75% of the cement shipped to the U.S. is used by the ready mixed concrete industry. In addition to the portland cement, concrete may also contain industrial byproducts such as fly ash derived from coal burning power plants and slag from the manufacturing of iron. Silica fume, a byproduct of the silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production, is used as a pozzolanic material for high performance concrete. The Conco Companies are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products. Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. Sources: nrmca.org/concrete/data.asp columbia.edu/cu/civileng/meyer/publications/publications/83%20Concrete%20Materials%20and%20Sustainable%20Development.pdf The Conco Companies have an impressive fleet of modern, state-of-the-art concrete pumps in addition to Telebelts. We use this equipment to help us complete projects faster and more efficiently for our customers.
One of our more recent additions to our fleet is a couple of Telebelt® TB 105 Telescopic Belt Conveyors that are available from our Southern California and Washington State locations. The Telebelt is a versatile tool that can be used to convey a wide variety of materials ranging from sand all the way to 4-inch rock. It has an operating capacity of up to 360 cubic yards per hour and provides a cost-effective alternative to transporting materials with a crane and skid-steer. The belt conveyors can eliminate the labor-intensive process of having to re-handle the material and are ideal in congested jobsites with uneven, muddy ground. They can also be the solution in areas with low clearances or a tight access point as well as a job that requires material to be deposited below grade. Conco uses our Telebelts to assist with mat pours, large foundations and footings, and backfill. The 105 Telescopic Belt Conveyors come with a variety of hopper options and have a horizontal reach of 105 ft. and an 18” conveyor belt width. They can handle concrete from 0” to 12” slumps and can be setup and operated under heights as low as 16 ft. In addition to transporting concrete, the belt conveyors are used to transport rock, gravel, backfill and other materials. Our Telebelt® TB 110 offers many of the same benefits as the 105 Telescopic Belt Conveyors but with a capability of 5 cubic yards per minute. It too has an easy setup even in congested areas or rough terrain. Please visit our website for more information and specifications on our Telescope Belt Conveyors along with our concrete pumps. The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington. The Conco Companies, one of the West Coast’s largest commercial concrete contractors, is looking for interns and/or graduates to fill our Concrete Estimator positions. As our team is comprised of some of the top experts in the concrete industry, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from the best. In business since 1959, we have worked closely with contractors, developers, owners and engineers on various concrete methodologies in an effort to develop the best standards and practices in the industry today.
Conco is willing to train Concrete Estimators who will work with the East Bay Construction Company in one of their satellite offices in either Southern California or Seattle. Applicants with experience in concrete estimating and any prior employment or an internship with a construction company is a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, On-Screen Takeoff and Auto Cad along with a familiarity of general knowledge in the construction industry and with industry standards is also a plus. All interested individuals should have the ability to apply a systematic and organized approach to monitoring and reviewing estimates. As a Concrete Estimator, your job duties will involve preparing a project’s estimate, bid and schedule for commercial construction projects as well as preparing RFI’s and overseeing the budgeting and financing of the project. Estimators are additionally responsible for interpreting plans and specifications, performing takeoffs and developing estimates. They will evaluate subcontract, vendor and supplier quotes. To be an effective Concrete Estimator, you must have good communication skills and be extremely detailed oriented. We seek talented individuals who have a strong desire to be a part of the challenging construction industry. Please visit our website to read the full details of the Concrete Estimator posting and for information on how to apply. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services throughout the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products and are now one of the foremost concrete contractors in the region. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, industrial and public works projects as well as parking structures. The Conco Companies have continued to extend their reach throughout the Western U.S. Our service areas include the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego, CA; Reno, NV; Seattle, WA; and Denver and Colorado Springs, CO. Our newest office is in Portland, Oregon. Furthermore, we are pleased to report that with a steady uptick in the construction markets of our service areas, all of our regional offices are staying busy.
One example of our growth is in the San Diego area where we are providing services for the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza at the San Diego International Airport. The $128 million project broke ground in September 2016 and is scheduled to be completed mid-2018. The parking structure will offer three floors of approximately 3,000 parking stalls, and as it is within walking distances of Terminal 2, will be convenient parking for travelers. Another new project out of our San Diego office is the Miramar Water Treatment Plant in the City of San Diego. The plant was originally constructed in 1962 and provides drinking water to an estimated 500,000 customers in the northern section of San Diego. The project includes the replacement of the Clearwells #1 and #2 built in 1959 and 1974 respectively, a new Chlorine Contact Chamber, an adjoining lift station, new maintenance and operation building, and a security guard shack. The estimated $89 million project was started in June 2016 and is expected to be completed by May 2020. Conco Pumping was also brought in on the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project that will extend Trolley service from the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego to the University City community. Mid-Coast Transit Constructors (MCTC), a fully integrated joint venture of Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. and Skanska-Shimmick-Herzog, is in charge of the light rail project. We are providing concrete pumping services under the direction of Malcolm Drilling, Condo-Johnson and Skanska. Furthermore, our San Diego crews are working on the Hedionda Lift Station project for the City of Carlsbad. This is the first time in many years that Conco has had the opportunity to work with the general contractor, Pulice Construction, on a water project. Other improvements in the project include the installation of an estimated two miles of new sewer pipeline. Please visit our website to learn more about Conco’s wide scope of projects. As one of the nation’s leading commercial concrete contractors, Conco offers a wide range of premium concrete services and products. Our large portfolio includes challenging projects both big and small including several of recent notable projects on the West Coast. Conco proudly serves California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. Over the last several decades, there have been advancements in shotcrete technology and improvements in the equipment that have resulted in a material that is perfectly suited for more and more applications. While shotcrete virtually eliminates the forming process, it still offers the same structural characteristics as traditional cast-in-place walls. This means that projects using shotcrete are typically completed faster, which saves both time and money.
However to ensure you get the best finished product, you need to use a company that is experienced with the process as well as the proper equipment and skilled crews to place it. At The Conco Companies, we are proud to say we have all three – the experience, equipment and skilled nozzlemen - and our portfolio includes successfully completing a diverse range of projects using shotcrete. Common applications include shear walls, retaining walls, and architectural walls to slope pavement and soil nailing as well as sites with extreme operating environments such as hydroelectric plants along with many other uses. One project we are currently working on is providing shotcrete services for the new I-5NB HOV lane in Tacoma, WA. For this project, we are using a specialty shotcrete technique that involves carving a design on the shot-face of the retaining walls. To increase efficiency, our crews are doing all of the carving from lifts. This project is a perfect example of the cost-efficiency of shotcrete over traditional cast-in-place concrete as it is saving the project an enormous amount of both time and labor costs. On another new project in Portland, OR, Conco is providing a full range of concrete services including cost-effective shotcrete. The 14th & Glisan is a 16-story, mixed-use building. Among the scope of the job includes using shotcrete on a three-level below grade parking structure. Please visit our website for other shotcrete projects we have posted as well as those using our other services. Conco is one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offers a wide range of quality services and products. While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the complete concrete package for the Levi’s Stadium along with other notable projects. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. |
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