Services

Concrete

Repair and Restoration

The detection and remediation of concrete deterioration has become an industry unto itself. The source of the problem is primarily attributable to the brutal environment of South Florida, particularly along the coast. The air has a high content of humidity, and also a high content of calcium chloride (salt). Most hi-rise and mid-rise buildings are constructed of either pre-cast or poured-in-place concrete. In both cases, concrete is a porous substance. When the “skin” (paint surface) of the building is not waterproof, the concrete absorbs the moisture and the salt from the air. This causes the steel reinforcing bars (“rebar”) to rust. When steel rusts, it expands. This then causes the concrete to break away from the building, commonly known as “spalling.” By the time significant spalling is detected, there is often significant damage already done to the reinforcing steel structure of the building.

The complexities of structural repair and protection of concrete demand specialized expertise and a full-range of service capabilities. By applying new technologies to well-established repair principles, SPECIAL FORCES partners with owners and engineers to safely deliver cost-effective solutions. We draw from our many years of experience to perform the optimum repair that best meets project needs.

In the commercial and public markets, we offer solutions applicable to the repair of structures including buildings, high-rise structures, parking structures, plaza decks, and historic structures. Our experienced, highly skilled technicians repair spalled concrete surfaces, seal leaking cracks and joints, and apply coatings and linings.

Concrete repair replaces defective, damaged or deteriorated concrete, restores structural function, protects itself or underlying concrete from aggressive environments and restores any lost performance requirements.

Concrete repair problems are diverse in nature. Each condition requires a clear understanding of what is expected of the repair including appearance, protection needs and load carrying requirements.

An effective repair strategy must draw from a variety of repair materials, each having an installation technique that best suits both the material and the strategy. Some examples of the techniques utilized are: Dry Mix Shotcrete, Dry Packing, Form & Cast-in-Place, Form & Pump, Full-Depth Repair, Hand Applied Repair, Overlays, and Wet Mix Shotcrete.

At SPECIAL FORCES we have the expertise to utilize specialized techniques applicable to repair or restore damaged concrete.

Demolition

Safe Tear-Downs

Special Forces experts can handle all of your needs from interior to exterior, selective (partial removal) to complete demolition (the total removal of a structure, including its foundation). We especially enjoy working with clients in preserving historical structures, including facades and artwork.

Our trained professionals are well versed in environmental and safety concerns. A site safety supervisor is assigned to each project to oversee and enforce all OSHAand client-specific safety rules and regulations.

Each demolition project is unique and a site specific Health & Safety Plan (HASP), along with an OSHA engineering survey must be developed. A brief description of common steps, practices and methods of demolition is provided below

The typical razing of a building, structure, plant, factory, etc. is accomplished as follows:

  • Obtain all necessary permits
  • Install Soil and Erosion Control Measures as necessary
  • Isolate demolition area / perform all utility disconnects
  • Perform asbestos abatement when necessary
  • Removal all lights, ballasts, mercury switches, freon, etc. for recycling
  • Removal all hazardous materials when necessary .

Demolition Operations:

Hydraulic excavators may be used to topple one-or two-story buildings by means of an undermining process. The strategy is to undermine the building while controlling the manner and direction in which it falls. The demolition project manager/supervisor will determine where undermining is necessary so that a building falls in the desired manner and direction. The walls are typically undermined at a building’s base, but this is not always the case as building designs may dictate otherwise. Safety and cleanup considerations are also taken into account in determining how the building is undermined and ultimately demolished.

In some cases a crane with a wrecking ball is utilized to demolish the structure down to a certain manageable height. At that point undermining takes place as described above in first paragraph

In order to control dust, fire hoses will be utilized to maintain a wet demolition. Hoses may be held by workers, secured in fixed location, or attached to lifts to gain elevation.

Loaders or dozers may also be used to demolish a building. These loaders and bulldozers are typically equipped with “rakes” (which are thick pieces of steel which could be an I-Beam or thick steel tube) that is used to ram building walls. Skid loaders and loaders will also be used to load materials out and sort steel.

Safety is always paramount on each project. A site safety officer is assigned to each project and enforces all OSHA and client specific safety rules and regulations.

  • Comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety (EHS) laws and regulations, including federal, state and local requirements.
  • Provide a healthy and safe environment for all employees, contractors, and visitors with the goal of zero accidents.
  • Promote pollution prevention, including the conservation of energy, water and raw materials resources, and ensure that all waste is handled and disposed of responsibly.
  • Provide employees with initial and refresher training in occupational health and safety, hazardous
  • Provide employees with initial and refresher training in occupational health and safety, hazardous materials management, fire prevention and response, and environmental awareness, consistent with the highest standards of professional practice.

Preservation

Historic Structures

Preserving the Past for Our Future

Whether it is a new design, remodel, addition or custom home or office building, Special Forces can do a full service job from start to finish. We have experience in every aspect of building no matter how large or small. Special Forces also has the knowledge, resources and experience in renovation or restoration of historic buildings.

LOCATION

1501 Decker Avenue

Building D, Unit 410

Stuart, FL 34994

OFFICE HOURS

M-F: 8am – 4:30pm

Sat: Closed

Sun: Closed