Opportunities for Recycled Concrete in Seattle

With the new SR-99 tunnel now open for business and ferrying north and southbound traffic beneath the waterfront district of Seattle, demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct has also commenced. The years-long tunnel project was meant to replace the structurally-unsound viaduct, and now that it is completed, construction crews have turned their attention to taking apart the elevated stretch of highway. This process will create a vast quantity of rubble and debris, and city officials have designated the Battery Street Tunnel, which is slated to be decommissioned after the viaduct’s demolition, for its resting place. Many cities and construction contractors face the challenge of disposing of the various steel, glass, asphalt and concrete detritus left in the wake of demolition, but resourceful commercial concrete contractors Seattle is home to know there are several uses for the old concrete from these sites. Recycled concrete can be a versatile and inexpensive building material on projects big and small.

How shotcrete saves construction time

When experienced concrete contractors go to work on a large construction project, they work closely with architects, engineers, and their customers to ensure their portion of the project utilizes the best cost- and time-saving methods, all while delivering a strong and lasting final product. With these goals in mind, concrete contractors in Portland such as The Conco Companies have incorporated shotcrete into their wheelhouses.

Shotcrete Projects

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.  

Concrete Solutions from a Full Service Provider

The Conco Companies initially started out as a concrete contractor but as our business expanded over the years, we have evolved into a full service provider to the construction industry.  We now provide a range of “concrete solutions” to our customers as opposed to “concrete services,” and we have the resources and expertise to oversee the entire process.   

Placing Shotcrete Expertly and Cost-effectively

At The Conco Companies, our shotcrete services provide an excellent alternative to traditional cast-in-place walls.  Since shotcrete is pneumatically placed, it virtually eliminates the forming process, saving time and money, while still offering the same structural characteristics as traditional concrete methods.  It is used for a wide range of applications including retaining walls, shear walls, and architectural walls as well as soil nailing and slope pavement.    

Operating Heavy Equipment Safely

The Conco Companies are proud to have an excellent safety record and work at it every day to make sure our entire workforce is trained on and adhere to all safety rules and regulations.   Whenever applicable, members of our team are certified on the machinery they operate including our concrete pump operators, shotcrete nozzlemen, and crane operators.    

High-quality Concrete Services in the Portland Area

Over the last couple of years, The Conco Companies have expanded our concrete services in the greater Portland area.  We now offer a full range of services including premium concrete pumping, rebar fabrication and installation, shotcrete, and formwork.  In addition we provide Conco customers a great value when they take advantage of our design/build, general contracting and turnkey solutions.  

About the Exciting Career Opportunities for Shotcrete Professionals

Shotcrete professionals are highly valued members of the team at The Conco Companies. Shotcrete is the term used to define the entire act of spraying concrete or mortar instead of pouring by hand.

What is a Shotcrete Nozzleman?

A nozzleman is a person who understands the process of making and placing wet-mix shotcrete via a nozzle. Different kinds of shotcrete methods require different kinds of skills. For example, a nozzleman working with wet-mix shotcrete will be spraying a pre-mixed solution onto the surface. Gunite, on the other hand, is a dry-mix process in which the dry mix and the water are mixed on-demand from the nozzle. This process requires a highly skilled shotcrete professional with experience with this process.

The Conco Companies Are Always Hiring Shotcrete Professionals

Conco is one of leading commercial concrete contractors in the Western US. As Conco expands in the region, we need qualified, hardworking professionals to join our growing team. We are seeking qualified shotcrete professionals at all of our locations in Northern California, Southern California, Washington, and Colorado. A qualified candidate must have requisite shotcrete experience. In addition to shotcrete work, Conco has job openings for qualified cement masons, ironworkers, laborers, engineers, and more.  With the exception of Colorado, these are all union positions offering competitive wages, medical, and retirement benefits. Please visit our website for further details on open positions and appropriate contact information.

Conco is 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.

What Are The Top Uses of Shotcrete?

Shotcrete is not a material, but a technique of applying concrete at high velocities through a hose. This application method shaves time and money and is gaining popularity in the building community each day. Though shotcrete can be used on almost any concrete project, there are a number of projects where the use of shotcrete is often the best choice.

Here are five projects that are ideal for shotcrete usage:

Repair and Restoration Projects

Shotcrete is a fantastic method for repair and restoration projects because of its versatility and ease of application. The key is to ensure that the new concrete material is well blended with the existing material to ensure that the repair will stand up to the test of time.

Pools and Water Features

Water-resistant concrete is ideal for structures like pools, dams, reservoirs, and marine-based structures. Because shotcrete can be placed directly against soil, it is the ideal material for home pools. Shotcrete doesn’t rely on forms and molds, so it can be used to create very attractive shapes at an economical price.

Skate Parks

Like pools, shotcrete can be used to create the smooth, tall curves needed for skateboard ramps and parks.

Landscaping

Shotcrete can be used to create interesting architectural shapes and landscape structures like sculptures, walkways, and any project that requires flexible and durable materials.

New Construction

Shotcrete greatly reduces the cost of construction projects and offers designers the ability to create curved, irregular shapes that are also structurally sound. Shotcrete can save both time and money while making innovative architectural decisions feasible.

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. and 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. Our offices serve California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

 

What's the Difference Between Cement and Concrete?

Concrete is one of the most utilized man-made materials on the planet. Used for buildings, sidewalks, and infrastructure worldwide, concrete is a hearty material comprised of a mixture of aggregates (any coarse particles used in construction) and paste. Common concrete aggregates include sand and gravel and common pastes are composed of water and cement. That’s right, contrary to popular belief; cement is actually an ingredient in concrete itself.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, concrete and cement couldn’t be more different. Concrete is the material that we know and love, whereas cement is simply a binding agent used in approximately 15% of concrete to create its signature hardness. Cement is typically composed of finely ground limestone, silica, alumina, and iron oxide.

Types of Cement

There are two common forms of cement: hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement. Hydraulic cement hardens when it comes into contact with water and ultimately forms a water resistant barrier. This is the kind of cement most people are familiar with. Non-hydraulic cement does not harden when in the presence of water. The most common form of cement used in concrete, Portland cement, is a form of hydraulic cement. While most forms of Portland cement are very similar, there are varieties of cement which can be used for specific construction needs:

• Sulphate-resistant cement
• Rapid hardening cement
• Air Entraining cement
• Colored cement
• Low-heat cement
• Hydrographic cement
• Blast furnace slag cement
• White cement (created by using materials with no grey raw materials, such as iron or manganese)
• Quick setting cement

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Our Expanded Geographic Footprint Includes Reno, NV

The Conco Companies are the premier commercial concrete contractors for the Western United States and offer exceptional services to clients in the Reno, Nevada area.  We bring our vast experience to projects both big and small and offer the unique perspective of   executing innovative, cost-effective solutions.  In addition we have earned a reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget, and do so by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and modern, technologically advanced facilities to serve our growing markets.   

For each of our projects, Conco’s team of highly skilled professionals collaborates and partners with clients starting in the pre-construction phase right through to the finished product.  Our portfolio includes many of the most notable and challenging projects constructed throughout the West over the last several decades.  Our extensive experience includes multi-residential, educational, healthcare, parking structures, and industrial construction as well as public sector work. 

Furthermore, our fleet of modern, up-to-date boom pumps and equipment allow us to provide the safest, most efficient concrete pumping for even the most challenging projects. All of our concrete pump operators are ACPA certified and adhere to the highest industry safety standards. We are proud of our pumping division’s excellent safety record and work every day to make sure we keep it.

Much of Conco’s success can be attributed to our willingness to advance and implement the latest concrete industry’s methodologies and techniques.  We also continue to invest in state-of-the-art equipment to do the job more cost-effectively as well as to purchase equipment that helps to reduce emissions at the jobsite.  In addition our entire workforce is routinely trained in the latest safety regulations and protocols.  Please visit our website for contact information, and while you are there, take a look at our featured portfolio of projects for examples of the scope of Conco’s experience. 

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Give Your Project the Benefit of Topnotch Concrete Services

The Conco Companies have proudly been providing the Western U.S. premium commercial concrete services for close to 60 years.  Conco was founded in 1959 by Matt Gonsalves, Gerald Santucci, Ray Santucci, Will Gonsalves, and Mel Gonsalves and first started offering commercial concrete services in California’s Bay Area.

One of the original founders and President, Matt Gonsalves, still serves as the Chairman of the Board.  Throughout his long career, Gonsalves has consistently worked to advance the concrete industry.  Some highlights of his accomplishments include helping to form the Concrete Contractors Association as well as serving as the President of the Building Industry of America.  He was inducted into the California Building Industry Foundation Hall of Fame in 2000.

Steve Gonsalves is Conco’s current President and Chief Executive Officer and under his leadership we have expanded our products, services and geographic range. He is an active member of the Concrete Contractors Association, the Building Industry of America, the Home Builders Association, the American Concrete Pumping Association, and the Engineering & Utility Contractors Association. 

We currently provide services to Southern and Northern California, Oregon, Washington State, Nevada and Colorado.  They include professional concrete Design/Build services, concrete pumping, rebar fabrication and installation, shotcrete, and place and finish, although not all services are available in Colorado.  We also provide cost-effective general contracting and turnkey solutions as well as dependable construction hauling services. 

The Conco pumping division is now one of the largest in the U.S., and has the expertise and resources to customize concrete pumping for even the most challenging projects.  Conco Reinforcing is also one of the largest independent reinforcing steel and post tension contractors on the West Coast, with state-of-the-art rebar fabrication facilities in Benicia, CA and Rochester, WA.  Contact us to learn how our extensive resources and experience can help your next project come in on time and on budget. 

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.  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.

Topnotch Concrete Solutions for the Denver Area

The Conco Companies are proud to bring premium concrete services to Colorado’s Front Range.  Services include high-quality concrete formwork, reinforcement, finishing, and shotcrete.  We also offer the Denver area design/build, turnkey and G.C. services that provide customers the opportunity to not only work with some of the top professionals in the field but to do so at a great value. 

Right from the planning stages, Conco partners with owners and contractors to ensure each project gets off to a great start.  For Conco formwork, our team takes into account project specifications, requirements and budget and uses up-to-the-date technology including BIM to determine the best type of material to use to construct the forms.  We make forms out of a variety of materials including plywood and steel as well as custom-made plastic and fiberglass.  In addition we offer professional concrete drawing services for walls, columns, beams and slab soffits.

As we own and operate two large, rebar fabrication facilities, Conco is equipped to be a single source for all of your reinforcement and installation needs.  Our high-performance, precision-engineered rebar is fabricated in state-of-the-art plants equipped with modern shear lines, benders and post-tension cable manufacturing equipment.  In addition our finishing teams are some of the most experienced in the field and bring to each project Conco’s standard of excellence. 

Our shotcrete services offer an economical solution for many projects and we are experienced in the most advanced methods of application.  The technique almost eliminates the forming process all together reducing both labor costs and time.  Shotcrete is used in place of traditional cast-in-place shear walls, retaining walls, architectural walls, slope pavement, and soil nailing.

One project we recently completed was the luxurious high-rise apartment building, the Platform, which is part of the Union Station redevelopment project in Downtown Denver.  The 21-story skyscraper includes 288 apartment units and 260 parking spaces as well as 7,000 square feet of retail space.

The Conco Companies mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in Western US and bring expertise, experience and quality to each project. Conco’s portfolio includes public works projects, commercial, educational, healthcare, parking structures and other construction development.