The most common included:
•    Wallboard
•    Attic insulation
•    Tiles
•    Cement
•    Adhesives

When construction workers crumbled, pulverized, cut or otherwise damaged these asbestos-containing products, they released asbestos into the air. This placed workers at risk for a number of asbestos-related cancer, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
A workers’ likelihood of developing these diseases depends on the extent of their exposure. Construction workers such as insulators or pipe fitters who were exposed to high quantities of asbestos for long periods of time have the highest chance of developing an asbestos-related disease. However, any worker with a history of exposure has an elevated risk for these illnesses.
OSHA’s current asbestos regulations have reduced the asbestos exposure threat for construction industry employees, but by the time the regulations were in place, countless workers had already inhaled or ingested the fibers. As a result, construction workers who were in the industry before the 1980s are now facing a high risk for asbestos-related diseases.
Current Risks
In a 1988 survey of 3.6 million buildings, the Environmental Protection Agency found that 733,000 contained friable asbestos. Both public and commercial buildings (including Federal buildings) contained these hazardous asbestos materials.
The survey did not list the number of buildings that contained non-friable asbestos. Although non-friable asbestos is not a health threat when left alone, construction workers can easily disturb such material during renovations. Unless an inspection company has tested a material and determined that it is free of asbestos, construction workers should treat it as though it poses an asbestos exposure threat.
Under current regulations, construction companies must put workers who encounter asbestos through accredited asbestos training classes. These classes outline the proper methods of identifying, handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials. Following these methods can help reduce the risk of asbestos exposure on a construction site.
Author bio: Faith Franz researches and writes about health-related issues for The Mesothelioma Center and the Mesothelioma Outreach Blog. One of her focuses is living with cancer.

Todd Rothstein of Great Falls Construction takes you on a walk through of the installation of a new domestic hot water system. He also has discussion with Tom Lavin of Portland Winnelson and Gordon Atkinson of Gaco Plumbing on options for hot water in the home.

If you are interested in a plumbing project or installing a unit that will help you to increase your energy efficiency, please contact us at info@greatfallsinc.com

You may also like: Tank-less Heaters for Greener Homes

On the residential construction side of our business, there is a growing need for affordable housing projects throughout New England. As a corollary to the urban density trend, we have seen a large spike in multifamily building certifications. These projects are very important to the Maine economy for contractors, suppliers, and the residents who are fortunate to inhabit these new buildings. So far this year, we’ve been apart of several multifamily housing projects valued between $2,000,000 and $4,000,000.

In the commercial construction industry, we have seen an increase in retail and commercial fit ups over the last 12-18 months as the economy has become more stable. We expect this trend to continue and are gearing up for several new commercial projects.

• Do you specialize in a type of construction work (commercial or residential)?
• Do you provide a detailed cost estimate to create a price quote or bid for your projects?
• Do you have sub contractor relationships for all divisions of the project?
• Do you have a portfolio of similar work?
• Can you supply customer references and sub contractor references upon request?
• Do you include project management supervision during the project?
• What is your typical warranty policy for your workmanship?
• Are you certified as a Lead Smart Renovator (dealing with properties older then 1977)?

Do you have questions about hiring a general contractor? Call us for a consultation. 

Eartha the globe measures 41.5 feet in diameter and is made of a light weight aluminum. It revolves on a special cantilever arm and rotates on an axis with a 23.5 degree tilt—just like the earth. Eartha has been delighting visitors to DeLorme’s corporate headquarters for 14 years and the mechanical axis is now in need of repair. Here’s where we come in…

Great Falls Construction is working with DeLorme to assemble custom staging so that the globe can be lifted off the axis and repairs can be made. The DeLorme team will manage the repairs so that the globe can become fully operational again.  In addition to the axis repairs, Delorme also plans to upgrade the globe’s skin panels to better replicate the earth’s terrain. As Maine natives, the DeLorme globe holds a special place in our hearts. We’ve had a blast working with them and are excited to see the globe back in action.   Have you visited the DeLorme globe? We’d love to hear about it. Share your story in the comments!

Amistad offices in Portland, Maine

The Amistad offices occupied two floors of the building.  On the main floor we supplied and installed new chair railmoldings inside the existing cafeteria space, built new shelving to an existing closet, removed an old storage room and converted it into usable common space, and re-wired the existing light fixtures in the great room. On the lower floor we remodeled an underutilized office space and converted it into two secured walk in storage closets with a pair of sliding pocket doors each.

If you or anyone you know has estimating experience please contact info@greatfallsinc.com

If you are interested in having Great Falls Construction remodel your office please contact us at info@greatfallsinc.com or visit www.greatfallsinc.com

The new wall we are building will be used to house a new electric fireplace and house a flat screen tv for the customers viewing pleasure.  Going beyond framing and building a new wall for Tim Horton’s we will be adding specialty seating, new tables and decorative pendant lighting in each location as well.

These pictures show you the remodel in progress:

Fireplace Wall Framed

Project Underway in Biddeford

Drywall and Taped

Ready for Tile

Biddeford Wall Framed

Portland Underway