2010/8.2, August 18 — Waterproofing Concrete Shell, Clearing Weep Screeds, Interview and more

August 18, 2010

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Five Keys to Waterproofing Success

Concrete shells must be sealed to make certain they hold their water — but how? According to chemist Mike Mudrick, selecting an approach to waterproofing is ‘one of the most important steps in the construction of gunite, shotcrete or poured-concrete watershape shells and structures.’ Here he suggests five questions to answer first. [more]

LESSONS LEARNED

Keep Weep Screeds Clear

Watershaper Scott Cohen discusses a serious problem that can arise when weep screeds are blocked and therefore cannot keep moisture from accumulating at the base of a wall. Remedying the results after the fact can be extremely expensive, which is why Cohen recommends avoiding the problem in the first place. [more]

WALL STREET JOURNAL SLAMS POOLS — READERS DISAGREE

[more]

INTERVIEW

A Marketing Pro Surveys the Industry

WaterShapes editor Eric Herman talks with Laurie Batter, a watershaping industry publicist with more than 25 years of experience. Batter — a recipient of the Eagle Award, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals’ highest individual recognition — discusses the current state of the industry and where she thinks it’s headed. [more]

BOOK NOTES

Two Tales of Two Architects

About his trips to Fort Worth’s Modern Art Museum and Kimbell Art Museum, WaterShapes book reviewer Mike Farley observes, ironically, that ‘[books] cannot replace the experience of visiting such great spaces in person.’ Still, Farley recommends two titles about the architects who designed those museums: Tadao Ando and Louis Kahn. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Hearst Castle: A Question of Balance

In the August 4 issue of WaterShapes EXTRA!, Mark Holden wrote: ‘I am willing to concede that Hearst’s San Simeon compound and collections impress in their scale and sheer vastness, but shouldn’t we, as design-oriented professionals, perceive his “achievement” with far more critical eyes than the average visitor to the estate?’ Holden’s critique of Hearst Castle engendered a number of interesting reader responses. [more]