Dale Returns.....

Some of you are probably wondering why there haven't been any recent blogs about the goings-on at Cable-tite. I was gone for a few months working on another unrelated project. But, alas.....I'm back, and continuing to post about all the benefits of using the Cable-tite system of hurricane tie-downs for new home construction uplift protection in high wind regions. I will continue to tout the benefits and ease of using Cable-tite over traditional hurricane clips or threaded rods. Your comments are always welcome whether you are a home owner, new home builder, an architect, or an engineer. "Cable-tite - exceeding codes"

A better foundation!

Building a better foundation is the philosophy of Matt Harris with Harris Homes, new home builders. Cable-tite is working with him to install our hurricane and high wind tie-down systems in a new home for Tonya and Chaz Jetton.

My big complaint has been that most of the time the anchor bolt is only secured in the top block of the foundation. This makes the weakest part of the tie-downs the mortar joint between the top block and the one below it. As you can see in the right photo above, the mason is filling the entire cell with mortar, all the way to the footer. He also uses an 18" anchor bolt which secures it to the second block. This creates a much better foundation with which to attach the Cable-tite anchor nut. For Cable-tite to work correctly, the elements surrounding installation need to be strong. Harris believes the same, and proves it by filling the block. Thanks! Cable-tite will attach to the anchor bolt then connect to the top plate for the ultimate in uplift protection.

In the left photo you will notice that some of the anchor bolts are not perfectly straight. That is not a problem for Cable-tite because of the flexibility of the cable. It would not work with threaded rods.

IAPMO Evaluation Report - News Release

IAPMO ISSUES FAVORABLE CABLE-TITE REPORT

Gallatin, TN – On March 1, 2010 the IAPMO Certification Board issued an Evaluation Report which certifies that Cable-Tite meets the International Building Code for residential wood-frame construction in high-wind regions. IAPMO reviewed the certified Smith-Emery Laboratories test results with their engineering staff and determined that Cable-Tite’s claim as a hurricane hold-down system was true. The report, number 0170, is available to read online at www.cabletite.com.

New home builders continue to search for the most robust system for protection from uplift caused by high winds. There is a good, better, and best approach for what they choose. The metal hurricane clips are a good system that allows for minimum protection. The threaded rods offer better protection but are difficult to install. The best system is the “Cable-Tite” system that uses cables to create a continuous path from the roof to the foundation.

“Other current methods are time consuming and expensive. Cable-Tite is an easy system to install, in about half the time, and offers better protection”, says Dale Richardson, Business Development Director at Cable-Tite. “The high-strength steel cable is attached to the top plate and held securely in place with our patented cam locking cap and nut screwed to the concrete embedded anchor bolt.”

With the recent certification, engineers, builders, codes inspectors, and ultimately, home owners can request and use Cable-Tite Tie-Down Systems with confidence.

Texas Hill Country

80 Cable-tite in Texas Ranch Home

Cable-tite just completed installation of 80 high-wind tie-downs in the Texas Hill Country new home of Ronald Deutch. Mr. Deutch chose Cable-tite for his uplift protection after studying several systems on the internet. This 3500+ sq ft. ranch style house sits on a hilltop and he felt he needed more than hurricane clips or threaded rods. He was glad to have a flexible cable system that adjusted easily to the framing of the house. Mr. Deutch's house far exceeds construction codes. It's encouraging to work with a person that understands the need for a safe and secure home by constructing a home much better than it "has" to be. My motto "Build Beyond Codes" and that's when Cable-tite excells.

I worked with Carlos Tellez and Jose of Tellez Remodeling and showed them how Cable-tite is installed. After approximately 30 mins, they were able to install them on their own. When we say this is easy and quick to install, we mean it. We averaged installing one every 11 mins. This included adding or replacing some anchor bolts.

Thanks to everyone involved in this installation....it went GREAT, and we all enjoyed working together. Yippee Ki-Yea

The Cajun Contractor

On December 12, 2009, Mike King, "The Cajun Contractor" will interview me on his show from 10:30-11:00 AM. This show is heard nationwide on over 350 stations and the shows are archived on the Internet at http://www.hometalkusa.com/ Michael King loves to introduce new and useful construction ideas to the marketplace. He researches the products for their claims and only invites people on his shows whose product he believes will perform.

I met Mike several months ago when he was reviewing hurricane tie down systems and high wind storm protection. He and I talked about the benefits of Cable-tite at the New Orleans Home Show. He was impressed with the continuous tie down of the cable from the top plate to the anchor bolts.

Saturday, Dec 12, he and I will discuss the need to use a pretension cable system rather than cumbersome threaded rods and labor intensive metal hurricane clips. Cable-tite is excellent as uplift protection in other high wind zones outside the hurricane regions. It exceeds the construction codes in all areas of the country.

Listen in!

Fred Yate's home

A few days ago I re-visited Fred Yates home on Lake Park Drive. You might remember that we installed over 60 Cable-Tite in his new home in April. For whatever reason, he was just now closing the walls, which worked to our advantage. The Cable-Tite product had been installed approx 4 1/2 months. And every cable was still "cable-tight".

There's a lot of talk in the industry about accumulated compression. Cable-Tite does not have an issue with this problem. First of all, the cables were installed in his house about a month after framing, which we suggest for best results. But even so, accumulated compression will continue for 3-6 months after framing. There was no noticeable change in the pretensioned cables.

It confirmed our claim that there is no need for adjustment after installation. As you know, metal hurricane clips bend, bow, or loosen during accumulated compression. This issue is exaggerated by installing the clips the next day after framing, when there is no accumulated compression. Typical compression is between 1/4 and 3/8 per story. In a two-story house the metal clips at the sil plate could be bent as much as 1/2 inch. If so, the clips have lost much of their hold-down value. Threaded rods can be a better alternative, but they require an adjustment in the attic 4-6 months later, and maybe again a year later.

After my visit to Fred Yate's house I'm even more "sold" that Cable-Tite is the best high-wind and hurricane tie-down system available for uplift protection. And did I mention.....easy to install.

News for the week!

There's more exciting news this week.......

1. Precision Castings of Tennessee (PCT) , our parent company, was the feature business of the month of June for the Gallatin Economic Development Agency Go to this link and read all about us! http://www.gallatintn-eda.com/existingindustry/featuredindustry.htm Thanks to Clay Walker and Shirley Smith for selecting us.

2. "The Cajun Contractor" - Home Talk with Michael King, which airs across the country on 350+ stations, will feature Cable-tite Saturday at 10:00 AM, and again at 3:30. Tune in if you can, or listen on the web at http://www.hometalkusa.com/ and click on LISTEN LIVE in the upper right corner.

3. We had an excellent meeting with two prospective customers, Adam Pittman at Weyerhauser and Lynn Taylor at Taylor Made Plans.

Adam was impressed with our hurricane tie-down system that uses cables for uplift protection. He was impressed that they replace the troublesome threaded rods. He intends to pass our name along and recommend us for new home construction to contractors he knows all over the south.

Lynn does excellent historical looking new home designs and sells them online at www.taylormadeplans.com She is an excellent resource too. She twitters often at http://twitter.com/taylormadeplans If you'll sign up, she will keep you informed of many new products as they hit the market.

Cable-Tite testing

Do you remember the commercial of Dennis Green in a press conference and he says "they are who we thought they were". Well, we've just finished testing our Cable-Tite system at Smith Emery Labs in Los Angeles, and they certified our own in-house test results, confirming that "we are what we thought we were". YEAH!!!!!!!

When we get the "official" certified test results, we will post them on our website, but for now, the uplift protection is 6900 lbs. The failure was in the cable, not the cast parts. So, if you needed more than that in hold down value, we could change to 3/8" or 1/2" cable. Our cast anchor nut and cap looked like they'd never been used.

Once again, we are excited that the hurricane uplift protection of Cable-tite is greater than hurricane tie-down clips or threaded rods. We exceed construction codes, and now we have the data to back up that claim!

NOLA very successful!!!

THANKS!!!! to everyone who made me SOOOO welcome at the New Orleans Home Show this past weekend. I underestimated the amount of friendliness. A special thanks to Mike Zalaznik, Randy Noel, David Sansone, Ann Christian, Jeff and all the staff of HBA and the staff at the SuperDome. You couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. The people in the booths around me at 817 were also very nice. I made a ton of friends in New Orleans, and I appreciate it very much.

But the real reason the show was so successful was the attendees who loved our Cable-tite system for high wind protection as a great alternative to hurricane clips for the hurricane tie down systems and threaded rods. One man told me that he and a helper spent 5 days installing threaded rods. A builder hated the metal straps because the were in the way of the sheetrock. The inspectors from IBTS loved the system, as did several engineers and home owners. YEAH!

Saturday morning I went to the top of the Dome, and took this photo. Our booth is the in the center. It's an 8' x 8' stud building, with two men standing inside (not me....I was taking the photo) "kicking the tires."

New Orleans Home Show

We are excited to announce that we'll be exhibiting at the New Orleans Home Show, March 26-29, at the SuperDome. Booth 817. We will be featured in the "What's New" section of the show. On Thursday evening we will be host to a Builders reception for all members of the New Orleans Home Builders Associttion - HBA-GNO. Please visit us there and see our complete hurricane tie-down system for securing home in a continuous tie-down from roof to foundation. It is the best and strongest uplife protection you can have. Come see how much easier it is than conventional hurricane clips and threaded rods.