COVID-19: Abarent Construction Ltd. Business Continuity Plan

February 16, 2021

We’d like to take this opportunity to let you know what our office will look like in response to current events surrounding COVID-19.  We will continue to strive to provide safe service our client needs through this difficult time. Presently we are still taking calls, booking estimates and performing work under the following protocol as an essential business:

SAFETY PLAN
Please review our COVID-19 Safety Plan.

OFFICE
The office is closed to the public except by appointment.

BOOKING ESTIMATES
Is done over the phone by calling the Main Office Number at (780) 448-2592. You may also go to our web-site dabarentrebuil.wpengine.com and fill out a contact form or direct email inquiries may be submitted at info@abarent.net

ESTIMATES
Currently all salespeople follow a stringent protocol on protection for the client and themselves. Masks are being worn and social distancing of 8 feet or more is mandatory along with stringent hand washing. Clients are to warn our office if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 or simple cold like ailments. In this case the estimate will be re-scheduled to keep all involved safe. Estimates will be issued in digital form only.

ENGINEERING INSPECTIONS
Currently one Engineer, Konstantin Ashkinadze P. Eng., is doing all of the inspections following a stringent protocol on protection for the client and for himself.  Masks are being worn and social distancing of 8 feet or more is mandatory along with stringent hand washing. Clients are to warn our office if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 or simple cold like ailments. In this case the inspection will be re-scheduled to keep all involved safe. Reports will be issued in digital form only.

PROJECT WORK
If we are working onsite at a client project. All of our staff will be following a Strict Safety Protocol related to Covid-19, including but not limited to mask wearing, gloves, social distancing along with stringent hand washing. Staff will not be traveling in vehicles with more than 3 people. All staff have been educated on Covid-19 and its transmission so that they fully understand the boundaries. Any staff member experiencing any symptoms or not following protocols will not be allowed to work.

CONCLUSION
Covid-19 and how we are effected, is evolving. Given that, we too will continue to evolve as we work to align with the recommendations and updated changes from the World Health Organization (WHO), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and Alberta Health Services (AHS).  We appreciate your patience and understanding while we manage this situation and work through unforeseen obstacles. We will continue to keep our communication up to date, as new information is available.

It is important through this difficult time that we support each other and local business safely. Thank you for your patience and trust in Abarent Construction Ltd. We are working hard to ensure continuity of your needs and projects while enforcing proactive measures to safeguard the health and safety of our employees, clients and partners in these unique times.

Sincerely,

Kevin Braddell
President and CEO

Email: kevin@abarent.net or Cellular: 780-499-8340

Why Use a Structural Engineer

Having a structural engineer involved in the repair process for your project can be beneficial for many reasons. Your home foundation is something that is susceptible to a variety of factors that can easily have an affect on its structural integrity. Most homes were designed and built to fit under a generalized set of rules. An engineer brings a specific set of skills to every project so that we can evaluate where those rules fell short. Abarent is equipped with an APEGA Permit to Practice and an in house Engineer who they can work with to come up with a customized solution for the underlying cause of the fracturing or settlement that is occurring.

Unfortunately in this industry we all too often find ourselves at a project where one of our competitors has tried to repair a foundation using poorly and/or under designed solutions. It is important to use a qualified professional with the necessary credentials and experience in order to ensure every project is being completed properly and your investment is not being compromised.

Basement Before Repairs

Basement After Repairs

Qualifications of a Structural Engineer

An engineer is a person that is trained and skilled in the design, planning, and construction of an existing or new structure (residential and commercial). To become an engineer in Canada, they must possess and adhere to the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at an accredited post secondary institution (4 – 5 years).
• Work as an Engineer In Training (EIT) for a minimum of 2 years under someone with a Professional Engineer (P. Eng) designation.
• Successfully complete a professional practice exam in their respective province.

Once an engineer meets these qualifications they may then receive their P. Eng designation and are then bound by their provincial code of ethics.

Some things to look for when trying to determine whether an engineer meets these qualifications are:

The APEGA Permit To Practice

“Any company that engages in the practice of engineering or geoscience in Alberta as part of its business must have a Permit to Practice with APEGA.” Company Permit To Practice. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2017

Stamp

The stamp is issued to a professional engineer by the association (APEGA for example) and comes bearing the engineering associations seal.

An engineer will use their stamp when when they are authenticating documents. The stamp will be accompanied by the engineer’s signature and the date the document was authenticated.

Engineering Reports

Once an engineer has had the opportunity to do a thorough inspection of the foundation they can then identify any underlying causes of structural issues that the foundation may have. They may provide a description of a recommended course of action to repair the damages and prevent any further issues if deemed necessary. This report can serve as a plan for contractors to follow during the repair process or it may be required prior to the sale of a home.

In some cases a contractor may offer to do an inspection report, but they maybe more inclined to suggest repairs that help their bottom line. Having a licensed engineer complete the report ensures that the recommended remediation plan isn’t being padded with unnecessary items that aren’t required to fix the problem.

Engineers Stand Behind Their Word

When an engineer receives their designation they are bound by the governing body for their respective provinces. They are legally liable to prevent against harm or loss to another person as a result of their work. Having an engineer diagnose a problem or create a repair / design plan can enable you to move forward without needing to get another opinion from an unqualified contractor.

Learn more about the engineering services we offer and let us know how we can assist you.

Nancy Wiebe

Nancy has been with Abarent for over 4 years. Nancy brings a working knowledge with experience in construction for many years. Nancy is the “voice” of Abarent Construction Ltd and is there to greet client’s most days with their requests and questions. Her knowledge of our company and industry is always helpful and reassuring. She takes her role as Office Manager and client’s interests personally and works hard to ensure everyone is taken care efficiently.

Ron Renzula – Operations Manager

Ron brings a strong construction background to the Abarent team and knows how essential it is to be a driving force in the company managing all operations using his extensive experience in all fields of construction. Ron enjoys working closely with office staff paying close attention to detail always making time to work along side the field staff. Ron’s works on building relationships with Abarent’s clients through each of their construction processes. Ron’s commitment to the Abarent team is widely felt and reflects in our projects and our client satisfaction.

Maxine Sobisch – Marketing and Promotions

Maxine brings her experience from the promotional and marketing world to Abarent Construction Ltd. Along with her marketing efforts Maxine lends a hand at the office when needed during the busy season. You can always find Maxine hard at work with a smile on her face greeting Abarent clients.

Konstantin Ashkinadze – P.Eng / Engineering Manager

Konstantin Ashkinadze, P.Eng. has over 30 years experience in various fields of residential, commercial and industrial construction in Canada and Russia. He has been involved with Abarent for 15 years as a consultant and recently joined us as our Engineering Manager. Konstantin brings in his advanced theoretical and extensive practical knowledge in foundations, soils and building structures. His particular strength and passion is investigative inspections; if you want to know what is going wrong with your property, he would be the person to ask! Konstantin is an expert in different systems of underpinning, remedial secondary foundations and “reading” the sometimes, convoluted framing arrangements of old houses. This, and his ability to think outside the box come instrumental in choosing the best remedial strategy to your unique problem. Besides engineering, Konstantin is an avid badminton and chess player, guitarist, singer and songwriter, and a nature enthusiast.

Travis Braddell – Architectural Technologist / Calgary Sales

Travis has 10 years of experience in the construction industry, 5 of which have been with Abarent Construction. Working in various capacities from customer service to working in the field; Travis is a valuable asset to the team. Recently, Travis has graduated college with a diploma in Architectural Technologies. He brings with him his knowledge of building science and technical drawings while working closely with our structural engineer to create construction drawings for many of our structural projects. Outside of work, Travis plays an active role in the community and enjoys spending time with family.

Basement Flooring Options After Water Damage

Water damage to a basement is costly, both on your wallet and on your nerves. There are several options for basement flooring, but not all of them are ideal in situations of flooding or water leakage, which can damage your floor and floorboards. Ideally, you want to use materials that are cost-effective (won’t cost you a fortune should they need to be replaced) and offer a quick dry time without the risk of mold.

The following basement flooring options are best suited for all basements, but especially for basements that are prone to water damage or have a history of water damage.

Sealed, Painted or Stained Concrete for a Cost-Effective Basement:

The least expensive and worry-free basement flooring option is your existing concrete. Rather than cover your concrete with additional materials that risk damage or mold in a water prone basement, keep your concrete exposed with a stone-look finish. There are paints, stains and epoxies available specifically for concrete floors that can add a rustic and elegant finish to your basement floor, without the added cost should your basement flood.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles for a Waterproof Basement:

Luxury vinyl tiles are elegant, water-resistant, and warm underfoot without the risk of chips or cracks like ceramic tile.The tiles install easily over concrete, with or without grout, and come in a wide range of style options, such as hardwood, slate or a stone-look finish. If water leaks or spills on the floor should happen, it’s no problem, just grab the mop, wipe, and you’re done. Vinyl flooring is made from synthetic materials rather than organic, such as plywood, hardwood and carpet, so it stands up against moisture far better.

Laminate Hardwood for a Durable Basement:

Laminate hardwood floors are a suitable basement flooring option because it is not real wood, which would get severely damaged should your basement flood, yet it looks like wood. The plastic coating of laminate hardwood adds durability and easy clean-up for those who are tougher on their floors.

However, what’s critical for laminate flooring is the subfloor system you install along with it. Many subfloors include plywood which, once wet, can be costly to replace and has a higher risk of developing mold. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you want to add an extra layer of protection to give the flooring the ability to dry.  Products like Amdry Insulated Subfloors are designed specifically for subfloor systems that require better insulation and air flow between floor and concrete.

Reduce Your Basement’s Risk of Severe Water Damage

All of the basement flooring options above offer durability, water resistance and cost-effective solutions to water prone basements or basements with a history of water damage. Make sure that the basement flooring option you choose is installed by professionals who use materials that will reduce the chance of damage and mold created by excessive water, just like you would contact professionals to aide in a basement flooded by water.

Does your basement need waterproofing or water leak repair? Contact our professionals at Abarent Construction.