May 2008 Table of Contents

Words: Dan KamysTable of Contents

May 2008 Volume 47, Number 5

5-08-coverFEATURES

Masonry Cleaning: The Low Down on Clean Down Masonry cleaning is the last step in the masonry building process. Cleaning is a task that creates an overall impression of your work. If the job is cleaned properly, then it is usually seen as a good job. Masonry looks at cleaning equipment and how to stay on top of equipment maintenance.

Concrete Block Trends Masonry takes a look at the durability, maintenance, cost, efficiency, flexibility and safety of block. What does the market warrant today in the way of block, and what's out there to meet those needs? We'll examine this vibrant part of the masonry industry.

Consulting: Bringing in an Expert The challenges of running one's own company range from considerations on the jobsite to know-how in the "back office" of a business. Experts are available for every need mason contractors have, from understanding workers' comp. insurance to choosing the best accounting or bookkeeping software. Learn to recognize when and where you need help.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS For the Record President's Message Making The Grade New Products MCAA Marketing Report Legal Issues Full Contact Project Management Classified Advertising

Elevating Masonry: Old Habits, Familiar Tools, and the Real Reason Masonry Contractors Aren’t Making the Switch
May 2026

Ask a masonry contractor how they run their jobsite, and the answer probably sounds familiar: paper logs, a flurry of texts, maybe a shared email thread. It works until it doesn’t. And yet, even as purpose-built field management software has become more a

Erin Koets
MAP Partner
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The Cornerstone of Craftsmanship: Nurturing Masonry Talent Through Competition
May 2026

In the evolving landscape of skilled trades, masonry stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship and dedication. Yet, the question of how to cultivate and showcase this vital expertise remains paramount. While the bright lights of national competition

Robert Melgaard
Resources
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There’s the Typical Way to Brace a Wall. And Then There’s a Better Way.
May 2026

Wall bracing is one of the most important safety considerations on any masonry jobsite, yet it is often treated as a task that happens after the wall is built. Crews return, equipment is brought in, and time is set aside to secure walls that have already

Abigail Spung
MAP Partner
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Remembering Harry McGraw
May 2026

The masonry industry has lost one of its great teachers and craftsmen with the passing of Harry Edward McGraw, who died April 26, 2026, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 93.

Dan Kamys
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