Building Out Bugs: Bath Traps

Author, Cassie Krejci, Ph.D.

Hello and welcome to week 8 of the TERM Barrier System blog series! This week we will be continuing our summer blog series titled Building Out Bugs by highlighting a way you may block pests in bath traps and slab leave-outs.

In our last Building Out Bugs post, we talked about plumbing penetrations and the ease of protecting the structure with TERM® Sealant Barrier. After sealing plumbing penetrations, you would next want to look at your bath trap areas and leave-outs in the slab. These are sections of the slab that are left unfilled with concrete so that plumbing penetrations may be manipulated and so that the structure may drain in the event of any future leaks.

TERM® Sealant Barrier

Bath traps and leave-outs can easily provide access to the home or structure.

Think about it:  Leave-outs can be as large as 2’ x 2’ and scattered around the footprint of a home or structure. What is in place to stop a subterranean (i.e. tunnels below ground) termite from coming into the home if given the opportunity?

TERM™ Bath Trap Screen Barrier

I will be honest; before starting with Polyguard, I had little knowledge of the building industry. As I investigated areas of the building envelope that we could improve, in terms of termite and pest exclusion, I was first surprised by the bath trap. As I walked out on the job site, I see this:

Bath Traps

A bath trap formed with a cardboard box.

Subterranean termites consume cellulose for nutrition and cellulose is the main compound of trees, paper, and cardboard, among other derived materials. Essentially, leaving the cardboard box in place after the bath trap is formed is like setting up a deer feeder for subterranean termites. If you build it, they will come.

Stories aside, we at Polyguard recognized the need for a bath trap solution that would keep termites and other pests out of the home or structure. After much research, we developed the TERM® All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier. When integrated into the building envelope, this barrier allows the structure to drain as it is intended to, while excluding the pests from this critical entry point.

The TERM® All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier is a combination of materials and installation is simple.

  1. Any wood or cellulose forms should be removed from the inside of the bath trap. The bath trap should be cleaned of any concrete debris, and any dirt on the walls of the trap removed.Vertical portion of pipe penetration should be clean and dry.  Any protective sleeve on the pipe should be removed. Use sandpaper or other abrasive to roughen the surface of the pipe.

Bath Traps

  1. Pour TERM Particle Barrier into the bath trap until the top of the particles are even with the top of the slab.

Bath Traps

  1. Cut the stainless-steel wire mesh to size so that it extends completely over the bath trap and 2” beyond onto the horizontal concrete surface on each side of the mesh.Cut an “X” shaped opening in the wire mesh where the pipe penetration is to come through.  This opening should be placed so that the wire mesh maintains the 2” overlap onto the concrete perimeter.

Bath Traps

  1. Spray apply TERM 343 Spray Adhesive or brush apply Polyguard 650 LT Liquid Adhesive. Adhesive should extend 4” from each edge of the bath trap cavity.

Bath Traps

  1. When the adhesive/primer is tacky, place the wire mesh over the bath trap. Install the mesh over the penetration pipe and extend the wire mesh 2” onto the horizontal perimeter of the slab.

Bath Traps

  1. Cut four strips of TERM Flashing Barrier. The length of each strip should be 2” longer than the side of the wire mesh which that strip is to seal.Seal the wire mesh to the slab with TERM Flashing Barrier by peeling away the paper release liner, exposing the adhesive, and installing the flashing 2” over the wire mesh, and 2” onto the concrete perimeter outside of the mesh.  Flashing should extend a minimum 1” past each end of the wire mesh being sealed.Roll the flashing, applying pressure so that good adhesion is created between the concrete and flashing, and between the flashing and the wire mesh. When finished, there should be no gaps anywhere around the perimeter.

Bath Traps

  1. Apply TERM Sealant Barrier with caulking gun or trowel to seal all gaps where the pipe comes through the wire mesh. Any gaps should be covered with a minimum 3/8” coating of sealant.

Bath Traps

All the materials for the TERM All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier are shipped in an easy-to-use kit. After these steps have been completed, you will now have an all-pest bath trap barrier in place. These materials allow the bath trap to drain as it is intended to, while still blocking the intrusion of unwanted pests.

Bath Traps

It’s important to note that the TERM® All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier is intended for new construction products, but may be an option for existing structures dependent on the ability to access the area.

The TERM® All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier is a component of the pesticide-free TERM Barrier System which, when properly installed as part of the building envelope, acts as a barrier to almost all pests.  Because almost all pests are excluded for the life of the structure, the need for pesticide treatment should be permanently and drastically reduced.

To inquire about the TERM® All-Pest Bath Trap Barrier for your next home or building project, or for additional information on the TERM® Barrier System products, please feel free to email me at ckrejci@polyguard.com.

Polyguard to Present at Building Envelope Symposium

DALLAS, TX – Polyguard Products, Inc. has been invited to participate in a Building Envelope Weatherization Symposium in Dallas and Austin next month.

David Leslie, Director of Technical Services for Polyguard’s Architectural Division, will be a panelist on Wednesday, July 12 at the Meridian Business Centers in Dallas and Thursday, July 13 at the Peachtree Social House in Austin. The programs are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. both days and a working lunch is provided. To RSVP, call Bradley Kempthorne at 386-631-1629 or email him at bkempthorne@moisturesolutions.net.

Representatives from industry leaders will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics related to protecting the building envelope. Polyguard will be on hand to discuss and answer questions regarding Chemical Resistant Membranes in an Integrated Building Envelope. The full day programs are CEU accredited programs.

“The building envelope represents approximately 10 percent of the building cost and Moisture Intrusion represents 90 percent of Construction Litigation,” according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP with 24 consecutive years of sales growth.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguard.com.

[Read more...]

Polyguard Expands to New Manufacturing Facility in Corsicana, TX

Polyguard - 2017 New Corsicana facilityDALLAS, TX – Polyguard Products, Inc. is proud to announce that it has more than doubled its manufacturing capabilities by moving a majority of its operations to Corsicana, TX.

In March 2016, Polyguard purchased the former Anchor Glass building in Corsicana and has spent several millions of dollars renovating that space to accommodate increased manufacturing demands that have resulted from 24 consecutive years of sales growth. The new facility, located near the intersection of U.S. Hwy 287 and Interstate 45 in Corsicana, is 380,000 square feet and has been modernized to accommodate the growth seen at the company, which is expected to continue. Polyguard projects to double in size by 2021.

“We have more than outgrown our current facilities in Ennis and this new building will allow us to continue to expand,” President Shawn Eastham said. “Moving to Corsicana will allow us to keep our existing staff of employee owners intact and will allow us to grow organically as our business grows.”

The company’s existing headquarters will remain in Ennis, with some manufacturing continuing at that location. The Ennis location will also include a training center to be used by its Architectural Division.

“This will allow us to conduct hands-on training at our facility, where our expert technical team can show existing and potential customers about our products,” Eastham said.

Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguard.com.

Building Out Bugs: Plumbing Penetrations

Author, Cassie Krejci, Ph.D.

Hello and welcome to week 7 of the TERM Barrier System blog series! This week we will be kicking off our summer blog series titled Building Out Bugs. Throughout the series, I will be highlighting areas around your home or structure that can be potential pathways for termites and other pests. Additionally, I hope to show you products that be integrated into your home or building to close off these pathways.

It’s important to note that most of the products you will see throughout this blog series are intended for new construction products, as it is difficult to install a complete pest barrier envelope after the structure is built.

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to keep insects out of your home or structure is to protect the plumbing penetrations above the slab using TERM® Sealant Barrier.

TERM® Sealant Barrier around plumbing penetrations

Plumbing and pipe penetrations can provide access to the home or structure through the miniscule openings that occur between the pipe and concrete. I like to refer to this area as a “super highway” for pest intrusion because there is little to stand in the way of a determined pest.

Plumbing penetrations

Subterranean termites will be the biggest offenders of the plumbing and pipe penetrations, though it is possible that other pests will also use it for access into the structure. While termites do not eat concrete or PVC pipes, the opening that occurs naturally, or over time because of settling, will create a pathway for termites to get into the structure. As were have discussed, termites only require 1/55th of an inch to gain access to a structure.

TERM® Sealant Barrier

The process of protecting plumbing penetrations is quite simple and may be completed by your pest management professional or construction crew.

  1. If a sleeve is present around the pipe, cut sleeve and remove, or slide up.

Removing sleeve

    2. Roughen the pipe surface using sand paper or a sanding block.

Roughen the pipe surface

    3. Clean the pipe, removing all dust and debris from the concrete and pipe.

    4. Apply adhesive primer to the pipe and concrete and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Apply adhesive prime

    5. Dispense a ½” bead of TERM® Sealant Barrier on the pipe-concrete intersection using a caulking gun.

Apply 1/2" bead of TERM® Sealant Barrier

    6. Use a flat tool to smooth the dispensed TERM® Sealant Barrier to gain sufficient contact with both the concrete and pipe surfaces.

Smooth TERM® Sealant Barrier

You will now have a physical barrier in place to protect your structure from termite intrusion!

Structure protected from insect intrusion

TERM® Sealant Barrier is a component of the pesticide-free TERM® Barrier System which, when properly installed as part of the building envelope, acts as a barrier to almost all pests.  Because almost all pests are excluded for the life of the structure, the need for pesticide treatment should be permanently and drastically reduced.

To inquire about TERM® Sealant Barrier for your next home or building project, or for additional information on the TERM® Barrier System products, please feel free to email me at ckrejci@polyguard.com.

Polyguard Launches Airlok STPE Technology Into Air Barrier Market

ENNIS, TX – Polyguard Products’ Architectural Division recently launched a new line of Airlok® STPE fluid-applied air barriers to support its already robust line of Air Barriers on the market.

The permeable Airlok® STPE WRB products utilize Silyl Terminated Polyether chemistry and includes:

1. Airlok® STPE Spray Barrier – a sprayable, high performance coating providing extended service life in wall cavities. For use on masonry cavities, poured and pre-cast walls. Can be applied to almost any substrate.
2. Airlok® STPE Flash-N-Roll – a rollable, high performance coating air barrier and/or flashing material. This combines the best of silicone and polyurethane properties. Applications include rough openings and other above-grade flashings.
3. Airlok® STPE Gun-N-Spread – a sausage-gun fluid-applied flashing used to create a weather resistant, fully adhered waterproof barrier system around rough openings. Used on window openings and applied with a putty knife.
4. Airlok® STPE Detail-N-Joint – a sausage-gun fluid-applied, fiber-reinforced joint filler and transition flashing material that combines the best of silicone and polyurethane properties. Typical applications include detailing the rough opening, penetrations, above grade flashings and transition joints.

“Airlok® STPE WRB products are seamless fluid-applied solutions specifically designed to protect the building envelope,” John Somers, Vice President of Polyguard Building Products Group, said. “We are using the latest air barrier technology to improve on our line of air barriers”.

Polyguard’s STPE products recently passed NFPA 285 test protocols.

Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP with 24 consecutive years of sales growth.

[Durability & Design Magazine Article]

[Press Release]

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguard.com.

Polyguard Welcomes 17 to Employee Ownership

Polyguard ESOP 2017
Polyguard ESOP 2017

Polyguard ESOP 2017

ENNIS, TX – Polyguard Products, Inc. recently held its 30th annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) dinner at Winding Brooks Event Venue where 17 new employees received their first account statement.

Polyguard’s ESOP is a broad-based ownership plan where employees become owners with no out-of-pocket contribution of their own. Polyguard is a 100 percent employee-owned ESOP and currently has two ESOP millionaires currently working with the company, and that number is expected to grow in the coming years. An ESOP is a retirement plan which is in addition to the 401(k) and matching contribution already offered by the company. Its value is based on the stock price of the company, which is up more than 300 percent since 2010. This year’s ESOP contribution is roughly 15 percent of eligible employees’ salaries.

“We take pride in the culture we’ve developed here at Polyguard, and we’ve been able to do that because we are an employee-owned company,” President Shawn Eastham said. “It’s great to see our employee owners are working together to build on their futures. This is a rare opportunity that only a small portion of American workers can benefit from.”

Polyguard, with 24 consecutive years of sales growth, currently employees 13 owners who own 1 percent of more of the company and has over 100 total employee owners. Polyguard recently began limited production at its new Corsicana facility, which more than doubles the company’s manufacturing space. Most of Polyguard’s production and shipping will be handled in Corsicana by the end of summer 2017.

“Our strategic plans include doubling the size of the company by 2021, and that will directly benefit those who will help us get there – our employee owners,” Eastham said.

Polyguard’s ESOP began in the mid-1980s after John and Kathy Muncaster bought the company and wanted to build the type of culture where employees have a direct impact in not only their own personal success but also that of the company.

[Read more…]

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguard.com.

Polyguard’s Progress

Corsicana Meets Needs of Growing Company | News | CorsicanaDailySun.com:

Polyguard Corsicana Plant Polyguard Corsicana Plant Polyguard Corsicana Plant Polyguard Corsicana Plant

Polyguard President Shawn Eastham and Director of Marketing Tre Bischof, invited the Corsicana Daily Sun inside its Corsicana plant recently for an exclusive update on the companies’ progress.

While Eastham admits plans have been hindered because of the rain, much work has been done inside and outside the building and the warehouse area is already in use.Last year Polyguard Products, Inc. out of Ennis purchased the 380,000 square foot former Chattanooga glass plant on Highway 287 in Corsicana with plans to expand its manufacturing capacity.

The expansion is expected to bring a $10 million investment to the community and create an additional 80 jobs over the next few years.

Polyguard specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. The company exports to over 30 countries and its products have been used in projects as big as Disney World, The Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park in Arlington and the Perot Museum.

It plans to increase its production capabilities, and its research and development capacity, and the new building more than doubles the company’s current building assets.

“We had outgrown our Ennis facility,” Eastham said. “The expansion of our manufacturing capacity and addition of new technology will help us maintain our leadership position of providing the highest quality products to the industries we serve.”

In addition to expanding its manufacturing and warehouse space, Polyguard also needed more space to create new products.

“All our research and development is now done in Corsicana,” Bischof said. “We needed to expand our lab as well.”

Eastham said the company invented 60 percent of the products it makes.

A two-story glass office is planned for completion by next year. The finished grounds will include an eight-foot fence with three controlled access gates. The entire area will be landscaped with a pond and pavilion to provide an appealing “gateway to Corsicana” for drivers exiting from Highway 45.

Interior amenities include a huge employee lounge area which will have vending machines and a big-screen television with an Xbox. Tile floors and wood ceilings give the break room a “lodge” feel and should be a welcome change from the otherwise industrial surroundings.

Polyguard tries to use local materials and contractors when possible.

“Watkins Development has been fabulous,” Eastham said.

“We use a lot of Corsicana labor,” Bischof said. “We use local hardware stores and lumber yards.”

Polyguard is a 100 percent employee-owned Employee Stock Ownership Plan and currently has two ESOP millionaires working with the company, and that number is expected to grow in the coming years.

An ESOP is a retirement plan which is in addition to the 401(k) and matching contribution already offered by the company. Its value is based on the stock price of the company.

Juan Alvarado, who has been an employee with the company for 30 years, has over half-a-million dollars in his ESOP and owns more than one percent of the company.

“Polyguard’s ESOP allows us to create a culture based on teamwork and pride,” Eastham said. “All the employees get a chance to share in the success of the company. Our employees act like owners because they are owners. They don’t have to contribute anything but work.”

Most operations will be moved to Corsicana by the end of June, with everything but the office moved by the end of 2017.

 The company plans to show off its finished plant with an open house toward the end of this year or the beginning of 2018.

“Our financial performance has been really good the last few years, but I believe it will be even better in the years to come,” Eastham said. “Our strategic goal is to double the size of the company again by 2020 through acquisitions and organic growth, and we’re well on the way to making that goal a reality.”

Click here to view full article:
http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/news/polyguard-s-progress-corsicana-meets-needs-of-growing-company/article_6f25bf9e-31de-11e7-a50d-971dc1733bac.html 

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On the Net:

https://polyguardproducts.com

To apply for jobs:

https://polyguardproducts.com/careers

Polyguard Corsicana PlantPolyguard Corsicana PlantPolyguard Corsicana PlantPolyguard Corsicana Plant

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Polyguard To Present At Building Envelope Symposium

DALLAS, TX – Polyguard Products, Inc. has been invited to participate in a Building Envelope Weatherization Symposium in Dallas and Austin next month.

David Leslie, Director of Technical Services for Polyguard’s Architectural Division, will be a panelist on May 2 at the Meridian Business Centers in Dallas on Tuesday, May 2. Phil Funkhouser, Southwest Regional Manager for Polyguard, will be on the panel Thursday, May 4 at the Peachtree Social House in Austin.

Representatives from industry leaders will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics related to protecting the building envelope. Polyguard will be on hand to discuss and answer questions regarding Chemical Resistant Membranes in an Integrated Building Envelope. The full day programs are CEU accredited programs.
“The building envelope represents approximately 10 percent of the building cost and Moisture Intrusion represents 90 percent of Construction Litigation,” according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP with 24 consecutive years of sales growth. [Read More…]

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguard.com

 

Polyguard Earns 1st Place in National Video Contest

ENNIS, TX – The National Center for Employee Ownership announced Polyguard Products Inc. was the winner of its inaugural video contest earlier this month at its annual conference in Denver. The purpose of the video contest, open to all Employee Stock Ownership Plan companies throughout the nation, was to highlight the benefits of employee ownership and focus on the culture behind what makes those companies so unique.

“We’re proud of our culture of employee ownership and it’s great to be recognized by our peers as a first-rate ESOP Company,” said President Shawn Eastham, who was in attendance for the announcement. “We pride ourselves in hiring the best of the best, and this further exemplifies the talent level of our employee owners.”

Polyguard employee owners Cecilio Acosta and Emily Abrams were the directors on this year’s video project which can be found on YouTube by searching Polyguard as well as on the www.polyguard.com website.

Founded in 1953, Polyguard Products specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, or other undesired substances. Polyguard is an industry leader in the production self-adhesive protective coatings for engineering and construction. Polyguard is also a 100% employee-owned ESOP with 24 consecutive years of sales growth.

The NCEO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership and research organization with over 3,000 members that was founded in 1981 to provide most objective and reliable information possible on employee ownership.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tre Bischof at 214-515-5000 or email at Tbischof@polyguard.com. [Read more...]

“Expansion Against Headwings” | World Pipelines

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16 March 2017 – “Expansion Against Headwings” | World Pipelines

World Pipelines

Polyguard has purchased a new facility in the town of Corsicana, Texas that more than doubles the manufacturing capabilities.

The global oil and gas industry is currently experiencing leaner times due to depressed pricing. In spite of this challenging macro-economic environment, Polyguard Products Inc. has announced that at the end of its most recent fiscal year it has completed 24 years of unbroken sales expansion. This means since 1992 total sales have always exceeded the prior year’s sales. To accommodate this growth, Polyguard purchased a new facility in the town of Corsicana, Texas (close to the existing facilities in Ennis, Texas) that more than doubles the manufacturing capabilities. This facility will open in the middle of 2017 and represents a significant capital investment.

Polyguard’s headquarters will remain open in Ennis while a majority of its manufacturing will be moved to Corsicana with no projected slowdowns in product during the move. Many of the processes will be improved and an increase in efficiency is expected, with an eye on further growth in the future, made possible by revenue growth and a new, larger home for the manufacturing facility. The proximity of Ennis to Corsicana (less than 25 miles south of Ennis on Interstate 45), means all current employees will remain with the company during the transition.Polyguard believes that innovation and differentiation are crucial elements to the company’s nearly quarter century of uninterrupted expansion. Likewise, staff motivation and being diversified across multiple industry sectors, such as building products and mechanical insulation, among others, is important. As a 100% Employee Stock Owned company, almost all employees are stake holders in the overall success. But certainly, constant expansion is a strong statement about the caliber of the products that Polyguard produces and the relationship Polyguard has with its customers. Not to mention their longevity in markets and the loyalty displayed by Polyguard customers, for which the company is grateful: as growth can be simply defined as keeping the existing customers you have while acquiring more every year.For those potential customers amongst the readers of this article, Polyguard would like to emphasise the company’s focus on differentiation. Sometimes in the minds of someone unfamiliar with the benefits of a Polyguard product, the fact the product is different is viewed negatively. But firstly, in any graduate business school they teach one of the fundamental keys to being successful is the ability to differentiate your products or services from the competition. So if someone accustomed to standardisation sees something is different, the first instinct can be to disregard it as “non-compliant” or negative in any case. But the root of innovation is to improve on existing designs or otherwise design a better, more efficient, or more effective way to achieve an objective or function. So by criticizing something as “non-standardised” or different often one could be missing the whole point of progress in technology. In fact, it is the company’s opinion the solutions offered by Polyguard represent creative and innovative approaches to the challenges faced by the industries Polyguard services.Polyguard recognises sometimes the solutions it offers are not “one size fits all”, but perhaps the financial results of Polyguard demonstrate the repeated success and market confidence in their products. Polyguard has expressed how the company feels honoured to get such consistent positive market feedback in the form of expanded sales every year without interruption for almost a quarter century. This validates that the global markets do want companies that innovate and differentiate themselves from the mass market pack. So if you are a potential user of one of the products Polyguard manufactures, make contact and see which products could be of use to you. It is safe to say time has proven them successful.Read more: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/16032017/expansion-against-headwings/
Polyguard Corporate Office
P.O. Box 755
Ennis, Tx 75120
Phone: 214-515-5000

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