So What Is Flex MSE?

Flex MSE is a Cost Effective, Sustainable and Permanent –  Engineered Solution.

The Flex MSE  Vegetated Wall System uses the same globally accepted principles of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) that builders rely on for making massive  retaining walls.

Geobag walls have been built as high as 75ft, with great success. Our Second Generation interlocking Plate is a 100% recycled, recyclable component which adds increased geogrid compatibility and friction strength over its precursors.

Flex MSE is a unique soft building material that exhibits hard material qualities.  It weathers events that would ruin other systems, and only gets stronger and greener as time goes on.

Cost Effective:

• Flex MSE is 60% of concrete’s cost installed.
• Flex MSE is a simple two component system that often installs in half the time of concrete block walls.
• No specialized equipment, labour, cranes, forms, footings, or rebar.

Sustainable:

• Flex MSE walls require minimal initial leveling or subgrade embedment.
• The flexible, easily adjusted units conform perfectly to trees and unexpected bedrock
• Flex MSE is a recycled, non-toxic product that conforms to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) qualifications.
• Flex MSE vegetated walls are graffiti proof.
• Flex MSE installations use 97%  less Green House Gases (GHGs) over comparably sized concrete blocks.

Permanent:

• Flex MSE lasts almost twice as long as concrete (120 year ASTM System Life rating).
• A light weight soft armour product that integrates easily with other proprietary systems and has  great performance in limited access, tough or unstable terrain.
• Settlement and water ruin concrete walls.  Flex MSE has a very high settlement tolerance and excess water drains through the system.  The drainage aspect eliminates the need for chimney drains and pipe behind the wall, while feeding the vegetation.

Bottom line? Flex MSE  is a Green solution that installs faster, lasts longer, looks completely natural, and costs less. For a truly Green solution without the Green ‘premium’, choose Flex MSE  for retaining walls, slope stabilization, erosion control, site reclamation, and ‘Anywhere Land Meets Water.’

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The life expectancy of concrete is many many years if maintained properly.   But when it does eventually deteriorate, and you decide its time to do something about it.  Think wisely about getting the cover up type fix.  Many homeowners are lured into these other materials that will cover ugly concrete, and as a bonus are quite cheaper.  Don’t be fooled, it will cost you more in the future.  Now you’re in a situation that your having to remove the cover up material as well as the concrete underneath, in turn costing a lot more.  

Many times, concrete needs to be replaced due to cracking.  In most cases, the cracking is due to the earth/ground shifting under it.  This is due to low or high moisture levels, unexpected heavy traffic etc.   While it sounds great covering those cracks or ugly concrete with a much more cost effective product like asphalt or rubber paving etc, remember that the underlying problem is still there.

Remember, your finished product is only as good as the preparation underneath it!   There is a reason why Concrete are 99% of residential driveways in Canada.  It is Tried, Tested, and True.    #yqr #reginaconcretecontractor

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Cracks and Regina basements go together like peanut butter and jelly – you rarely see one without the other. Cracks are never a good sign, but they are pretty common and, depending on the type and severity of crack, can be nothing to worry about or a huge problem. Let’s look at a few different types of foundation cracks and what they can mean:

VERTICAL CRACKS

These are usually the least worrisome of cracks and quite common in basements, especially in Regina. They often happen within a few years after construction as the concrete foundation settles. The most common risk associated with vertical cracks is water seeping in during particularly periods of particularly heavy participation. These cracks can usually be fixed easily and permanently by injecting a flexible sealing material into the crack. Ensuring that rainfall is diverted from around your house will also prevent water from saturating the ground around your foundation and seeping through cracks.

HORIZONTAL CRACKS

Horizontal cracks are much more serious than the others because they usually mean your foundation is bowing, which can actually result in the collapse of your house! This can be caused by several factors including improper drainage and overly compressed backfill around your foundation. There are several solutions to remedy this, depending on the cause, but these cracks should be assessed by an experienced, licensed engineer and repaired by professionals.

DIAGONAL CRACKS

Diagonal cracks are usually caused by a change in the ground around your foundation, resulting in a corner of the house settling lower than the others. The repair usually calls for an injectable, flexible sealant, like with vertical cracks, but usually requires more. Discovering the cause of the crack will also help determine the best way to repair it. These cracks often appear quite wide on one end, and more narrow on the other.

STEP OR STAIRWAY CRACKS

You often will see this kind of ascending crack on the exterior of concrete block foundations. The cause is often the same as diagonal cracks and are treated in a similar fashion.

Our team can assess the cracks in your basement and determine the best way to repair them. Contact us for an assessment today.

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This past summer in Saskatchewan was tough on foundations. The dry, drought-like conditions caused the soil to contract and crack. As the winter weather comes the soil expands as it freezes, pushing against your foundation. This can cause your foundation to heave and crack. This year’s mild weather is especially troubling – the constant freezing and refreezing has the soil constantly expanding and contracting, which can cause further stress beyond your average winter. Thawed moisture can also seep into these cracks and when it refreezes it expands, turning small hairline cracks into big ones.

To combat this, it’s important to reduce the amount of moisture around your foundation. Ensure your eaves troughs are clean and that your downspouts are extended to move any rain away from your house (yes, we’re still getting rain so far this winter). Shovel snow away from your house on all sides, not just where you walk. Inspect your foundation inside and outside and repair any hairline cracks that moisture can get in to.

If the weather patterns of the last few years tell us anything, it’s that we may experience freeze/thaw cycles during a Saskatchewan winter. It’s important to keep your foundation in good condition to deal with the constant contraction and expansion. Our team can help keep your foundation in tip top shape – contact us today for foundation inspection and repair services.

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Anyone growing up in Regina has seen firsthand how structures and foundations can shift and sink in our soil. This can leave concrete basement floors broken and cracked, which can affect plumbing, flooring and more. The dry summer of 2017 certainly hasn’t helped matters, resulting in many basement floors throughout the city in need of repair or replacement. Here are a few things to consider when looking to repair or replace your basement floor.

Leave it to the experts

It may be tempting to tackle at least the concrete removal of your floor/concrete slab to offset the cost of the project, but this could end up costing you more in the long run. Improper floor removal can lead to serious foundation damage. Careful consideration needs to be made for underground pipes and radon removal systems, and things like water heaters need to be properly disconnected. Bring us in early to assess your floor and determine next steps, which can be removal and repouring, but can also be less costly patches or repairs. Removing and replacing a concrete slab is also something that should be done in a timely fashion. A concrete slab floor supports the overall foundation of your house and once a concrete floor is removed or compromised it can cause the bottom of your foundation walls to move inward, which will get worse over time. If you’re looking to remove and replace your floor on a D.I.Y., weekend-here, weekend-there schedule, you could cause a lot of damage to your foundation. Best to let the experts do the job properly and quickly.

Time for a change

Removing and repouring your basement floor is also a great time to reconsider the layout of your basement. If you’re thinking about moving the bathroom or updating your radon removal system, think about it now. It’s also a great time to update your sump pit/pump system and any older drains beneath the slab.

Storage solutions

Keep in mind, you’re removing the basement floor, which also means removing anything on the basement floor. Construction projects of this nature can be stressful enough without the addition of a sea of clutter to wade through. Renting a portable storage container for the duration of the project will help cull the clutter and keep your sanity intact.

The Textured Terrain team has years of experience tackling and taming Regina basements. Give us a call today to assess your basement floor.

The post Starting On The Ground Floor With Basement Repair appeared first on Textured Terrain.

It’s safe to say that this Saskatchewan summer took its toll on lawns in Regina. Drought-like conditions left many lawns yellow and cracked, despite our best efforts. With winter on its way, it’s time to set up our lawn for success next spring.

Here are a few things you can do to get your grass winter ready.

• Cut to the right height – leave your lawn a little higher for the winter to ensure longer, healthier roots. But be sure not to keep your grass too long before the snow falls – long grass can be a breeding ground for grass diseases and snow mold. A good rule of thumb is one setting higher on your mower.
• Aerate – while a lot of people aerate their lawns in the spring, it’s good to do it in the fall as well, especially if your lawn has been damaged over the summer. An aerated lawn creates more contact between soil and both fertilizer and grass seed.
• Fertilize – apply two rounds of fertilize – you’ll find autumn-specific fertilizer at the store. Pay special attention to damaged areas.
• Seed (and overseed) – seed damaged areas and water to ensure germination before snowfall. It’s getting late in the season, but we still have a few warm days. The window to seed is quickly closing, so take advantage of it while you can.
• Deal with weeds – the more weeds you can take care of now, the less you’ll have to deal with in the spring. Whether it’s using a herbicide or pulling as many as you can, you’ll be happy you did come April.
• Rake or mulch – it’s important to remove the leaves on your lawn so your grass can get the sunlight and air it needs. Another alternative is to use a mulching mower and mulch the leaves so they can further decompose and feed your lawn.

Fall may seem like the time when lawn care comes to an end, but as you can see, there are still a few “to-do’s” on the old chore list to keep your grass happy and healthy.

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When it comes to selecting a surface for your driveway, you may be torn between concrete and asphalt – the two most popular driveway options. But nothing beats the look, feel, value and durability of concrete. Here a few reasons you should choose concrete for your driveway.

Curb appeal, right to the curb

A concrete driveway makes the right first impression. It’s literally the first thing guests walk or drive up when they come to your house. Concrete’s clean look is always attractive. Concrete will also bounce any available light when it’s dark out, making it more visible at night, especially when compared to asphalt. Prospective homebuyers will always pick concrete over asphalt too, making your house more attractive if you ever choose to sell.

Clean and comfortable

If you’ve ever walked barefoot on asphalt on an August afternoon in Saskatchewan, you already know how scorching hot it can get. It can also get tacky in high heat and you risk tracking oily asphalt sealer into your house and other parts of your yard. Concrete keeps you and your feet cool, clean and comfortable in any weather. It doesn’t trap heat like asphalt and is easy to sweep. Concrete’s non-skid surface also makes it safer to walk and drive on, especially in wet or winter weather.

Built to last

Concrete is one of the most durable driveway materials out there. While it may cost a bit more than materials like asphalt, you will save money in the long term. Concrete usually lasts close to three times as long as asphalt, which equals less repair and replacement costs. It also takes less maintenance than asphalt, which requires reapplication of oily, smelly and messy asphalt coating every few years.

A concrete driveway is an investment in long-term beauty for your house that’s easy to care for. Contact our team today to discuss the perfect driveway option for your home.

The post Concrete Reasons For the Best Driveway Possible appeared first on Textured Terrain.

It’s important to remember one thing about lawns – if they have been tended to properly, they are quite resilient. Even if they start to yellow and dry up a bit in drought-like conditions, they will usually bounce back when the weather changes and more moisture is present. If you see a little yellow on your lawn, don’t panic. A little yellow is ok in times like this. Yellowing is the grass’ natural defence system and, although it doesn’t look nice, it’s actually saving your lawn for wetter days.

Water regularly, but smartly

If you’re going to water you grass, develop a regular schedule and stick to it. Creating a regular moisture cycle will benefit the lawn, while an erratic watering schedule can throw your lawn out of whack. Don’t water every day or use a ton of water, but keep it regular. And don’t forget to water in the evening or early morning. If you have a sprinkler system with a timer, run it at night. You’ll lose A LOT of water to evaporation if you water in the heat of the day. Don’t over water either – the root system of a lawn will shrink in dry times, so over watering to the point that it drops beyond the root system is a waste of water.

Mow less and longer

Keeping your grass a little longer in dry times will help keep the soil cooler so it doesn’t dry out as quickly. A longer lawn can also develop a longer, stronger root system that will allow it to draw moisture from deeper in the soil.

Fertilize less

Fertilized lawns typically use more water, so fertilize less. Fertilizing in the fall is the top priority, so if you’re going to fertilize, do it then.

Keep your equipment tickety boo

Make sure your mower is in top condition, including keeping the blades nice and sharp. As blades get dull they tend to tear the grass more than cut it, which can damage the root system or pull grass out all together.

Following a few simple steps will keep your lawn healthy and ready to go green once the rain returns.

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Practice regular onceovers

Inspect your sprinkler system regularly, both when it’s running and not. When you first turn on your system, inspect each sprinkler head to ensure it’s operating properly and each head rises smoothly from the ground. Walk around your yard as the sprinklers run, checking that each is spraying water uniformly and in the intended direction. When you turn the system off, check the sprinklers again to ensure each is retracting fully and properly. Raised sprinkler heads aren’t only a sign of your system not operating properly, they are also a tripping hazard. If you notice any issues, give them the attention they need. It could be as simple as removing debris from the surrounding area or a larger repair, but keeping on top of things will ensure that the fixes are small and inexpensive. And you might want to think about wearing your trunks when you make your rounds, because you’re probably going to get wet.

Look and listen to your lawn

Your lawn will also give you clues if your sprinkler isn’t working at its peak. Check your lawn regularly for any dry or brown spots, or noticeable pooling of water after you water the lawn. Those are both telltale signs that your sprinkler system needs adjustment or repair.

Have you been thinking of installing a sprinkler system for your yard? Or does your current system need repair? Contact us and let us work with you to enjoy your very own waterworks!

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Water, water, water (and water again)

Keeping your new lawn well-watered is imperative in the first month so the sod takes root and flourishes. Water it immediately after installation to the point of being spongy and then regularly in the following weeks. The amount of times you should water your new sod is up for debate and will depend on factors like temperature, weather and amount of sun your grass gets. It’s a good rule of thumb to water it twice a day for week one, once a day for week two, every other day for weeks three and four, then resume a regular watering schedule. Watering a little less every week will help your sod develop deep, healthy roots. Just be sure not to overwater as it can result in shallow roots or stop air from reaching the roots.

Please stay off the grass

Try to keep your family and pets off the new sod for at least two weeks after installation and only go on it to do the care and maintenance needed. Give your new sod a chance to get used to its new home and develop a strong root bed without any interruptions.

Mow mowing, mow problems

Don’t over mow your new lawn. Wait at least a week after your sod has been laid before mowing for the first time and don’t cut your grass shorter than 3 inches. Keeping your grass a little longer gives your lawn a lush look, helps retain water and helps your grass choke out invasive weeds like dandelions, clover and crabgrass. Be sure to watch your mower wheels the first time you cut to make sure they don’t get caught in the seams between sod panels.

When to fertilize

You shouldn’t fertilize your new lawn for at least six weeks after installation. Wait until week six or seven to spread fertilizer, if needed. Then resume a regular lawn fertilizer schedule. You shouldn’t need to fertilize your lawn until fall, when you would usually fertilize.

The team at Textured Terrain can help you make the most of your yard. Contact us today.

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