Combatting Sandstone Discoloration: A MasonProof™ Customer Testimonial

We’re very proud of the work we do here at Global Environmental Solutions, and are always humbled when we’re chosen to help solve a problem for any of the customers that come “knocking” on our doors. The challenges are aplenty, and we’re grateful for that… Our global reach never ceases to amaze us, and, if we haven’t said it enough, we’re happy to have the solutions at our fingertips to navigate the task at hand.

The following is a note from the Butters, who reside in Meadowie, NSW. Our Australian partner, Jeff Crawley, and his team recently put our proprietary MasonProof™ solution to the test, and, in the end, it exceeded expectations (which we strive for each and every time we set foot in the field with our suite of DirtGlue® products)!

Here’s the testimonial from the Butters:

“I just want to say thank you for the help and consultation in regard to our outdoor gardens, fountain, brick pavers, sandstone staircases around our property.

Over the past 4-6 years we have seen a lot of aging and growth of green moss that starts to turn into a permanent black stain which settles into most of our masonry surfaces here, and no matter how often I pressure wash and clean each of these surfaces, it just seems to be getting darker and darker in color and we have lost that new, clean look you get when its first laid or installed.

And the constant rework and cleaning starts to absorb any free time you may have in mind, while the property just seems to be aging before your own eyes is very frustrating to stay on top of, and until now, I have had no solutions to these issues.

I was already on my way to the hardware shop to try and find a product solution at the same time I approached you on your Facebook advert, in regard to the kind offer to use your masonry cleaning and treatment processes, and also to use your product MasonProof™ in that small trial we did. It was amazing.

Now that the three stages are complete, I wanted to share these photos with you and I’ll let them do the talking!

There is no doubt your MasonProof™ is a very special product! Your MasonProof™ processes and treatment actually works on many aged masonry surfaces where nothing else can. Again we can’t thank you enough.”

Kind words from a kind (and satisfied) customer!

The challenge the Butters were faced with above was that the sandstone present in their existing masonry is, at its core very soft (relative to stone in general). It’ also very porous so it absorbs water readily. As it absorbs water it discolors – usually going from a beautiful natural beige, light brown, or light orangish color, to black over time. Some sandstone is so soft that over decades and/or centuries it can even erode due to weather, especially vertical sections such as walls made of sandstone.

To keep sandstone looking nice, it requires constant cleaning, usually annually or biannually to really keep that clean, new look the Butters were striving to accomplish as mentioned above. Using MasonProof™ on newly placed sandstone or on newly cleaned sandstone eliminates water absorption and reduces cleaning requirements by a factor of at least ten or more (so it might not need to be cleaned for more than a decade – possibly two or three decades depending upon how perfectly it was treated with MasonProof™ at the outset.

Our MasonProof™ product was also scientifically formulated to prevent erosion of the sandstone on vertical walls as time presses on…

Choosing MasonProof™ for masonry waterproofing applications increases water-resistance and provides long-term protection, which is essential for preservation of the structure and preservation of the owner’s dollars.

Global Environmental Solutions MasonProof™, the Masonry Waterproofing solution:

  • Is not a film-former like other products on the market
  • Is not a surface sealer like other products on the market
  • It penetrates deeply into the masonry substrate, working from the inside out
  • It is, for all intents and purposes, permanent waterproofing protection

Like all of our DirtGlue® products, we’re constructing powerful solutions for the earth, with the earth in mind…

To learn more about MasonProof™, click here! And, as always, if you’re faced with a challenge you can’t quite figure out, give us a call. We’re here (and happy) to help!

Providing the Best of Both Worlds – Dust Control & Soil Stabilization

Ah, balance. We’re all looking for it in our life, are we not? Deep breaths here, quick stretch there, looking at the calendar and counting down the days until our next vacation… Yes, balance is a part of everyday life – or, at the very least, part of everyday thinking. Sometimes we find it, and, well, sometimes we don’t…

But let’s get down and dirty and talk about terrain. And specifically, challenging terrain that is in need of a guided push for easier manageability.

What on earth are we talking about?

DGBalance™.

Were so excited to unveil our newest product line and welcome it into the Global Environmental family of solutions that help you out with challenging project needs.


What is DGBalance™?

It’s a fair first question…

DGBalance™ is a proprietary blend of organic compounds that produce a unique product capable of providing a solution to the most difficult, demanding dust control while also controlling shear and providing stabilization. This environmentally friendly organic blended product eliminates dust inhalation risks – especially in areas of fine, loose soil particles – while providing flexible stabilization to the treated soil/terrain.

The unique characteristics of DGBalance™ allow it to provide “flexible” stabilization and shear reduction along with excellent long-term dust control in trafficked areas. The product is revolutionary to the market in that it can be applied in temperatures above 32°F / 0°C. DGBalance™ is highly purified and proven to be non-toxic to humans, animals, marine life, and plants.

Benefits of DGBalance™:

  • Creates long-term dust control
  • Flexible stabilization to the treated soil/terrain
  • Shear reduction
  • No VOCs (no air quality respiratory issues)
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Safe for humans and animals
  • Can be applied in temperatures above 32°F / 0°C

But don’t take our word for it (well, do, please, we like being heard and pride ourselves on our transparency and straight shootin’ trust!)…

DGBalance™ was successfully applied in March 2020 for a U.S. Federal Government project. Although specifics are under lock and key as most Government projects are, the immediate goal we’re at liberty to discuss was to research what the best solution would be to remedy the issue at hand which was, at the core, a solution to address a dust abatement with soil stabilization for rough and long term use. Below are comments from our end customer as well as the contractor (hired by the Government) responsible for executing the project:

“Your product worked wonderfully! I appreciate all of your time, support, and information you gave me in the weeks/months leading up to our project start as it was very beneficial. Our Contractor and Sub-Contractor also stated how much they liked the product. I am very happy with the results, and I believe there will be more projects to come that will open the doors to the possibility of the use of your products again. Awesome products with outstanding customer support.” – GES Customer

“When the weather finally cooperated, our Sub-Contractor applied the product on the area and it turned out quite well, and have had several good compliments on the job. One from the Director (of the government branch) and one from the Division Chief of the location. We are very pleased with the product.” – Project Contractor

We’re so proud of this new product and the opportunity it presents to our collective industry. We can’t wait for you to try it on for size!

Potential Uses of DGBalance™:

    • Wherever MORE than just dust control is desirable or necessary
    • In areas where dust control with some stabilization or shear resistance in the soil will be beneficial
    • Driveways, parking lots, farm lanes, public parks with high foot traffic areas, BMX tracks, etc.
    • Can be surface spray applied and left to dry/cure – it will provide long-term dust control and some stabilization with reduced soil movement
    • For maximum effectiveness product can be applied to loosened soil and compacted to create an even tougher surface that is more resistant to movement

And so much more!

Are you looking for balance in your life (as it pertains to potential terrain project management applications)?

Deep breath…

Look no further!

DGBalance™ is here, and is available to order in the following convenient sized “packages”:

1 gallon
5 gallon pails
55 gallon drums
Or 275 gallon tote

As always, please feel free to contact us for any additional information you may require regarding DGBalance™ or any of our other products. We are here to help with your success and are happy to answer any questions or work through a particular challenge with you!

GES: For the earth, with the earth in mind.

Property Improvement with DirtGlue® at the Core

As COVID-19 and its inherent “social distancing” measures continue to sweep the nation, some businesses have largely been deemed “essential” at the outset. By and large, business that maintain a safe distance for employees and customers have been “safe” and in the clear; this includes outdoor works such as those employed by and operating landscaping companies. And, at this time of year, landscaping and outdoor terrain/property improvement are at the forefront of many peoples’ minds.

We thought, as an escape, we’d present four quick ways properties can be improved upon, and how DirtGlue® products help shape each one of them. Any landscape company worth their salt knows the ins, outs, and advantages of doing things right, and doing them right the first time. That recipe ought to include DirtGlue®. Right? Right.

  1. Landscaping – Landscaping can take on many different meanings, but for the purpose of this post, we’ll discuss the actual development of a lush lawn, and the healthy vegetation required to achieve a desirable landscaped space that is free of environmental issues such as erosion, improper drainage, and the like. So, we’ll begin with hydroseeding… Hydromulching, at its core, is an essential element to many processes involving the healthy and vast cultivation of expansive vegetation – primarily that of grasses.
     
    Sometimes referred to as hydroseeding, the hydromulch process is a faster, more economical way to bring get vegetative coverage over large areas quickly and economically and to increase the likelihood of seed germination. This is to the benefit of contractors worldwide, laying down and planting seed from applications from residential lawns to commercial and government projects such as seeding roadsides as a means to help protect against dust, erosion and elemental runoff.
     
    Benefits of using DirtGlue® polymer as a tackifying solution –

    • Reduces water usage and helps retain available moisture
    • Reduces erosion and the effects of erosion
    • Improved plant growth
    • Binds soil, seed and mulch mediums
    • Prevents washouts even in the severest weather
  2. Patio – If you’re considering hardscape, let’s talk about what you’re doing (and using) for infill materials when you’re installing pavers or repairing an existing the patio.
     
    Consider our DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer solution if you appreciate the notion of “working smarter, not harder” when it comes to this application. When mixed with appropriate sand or a sand / stone dust blend and then wetted, DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer cures to form a hardened infill material that is resistant to insect and weed infestation. The product is also proven to tolerate pressure washers and leaf blowers allowing periodic cleaning of the patio without necessitating new infill be put back in after cleaning. Its strength is unrivaled by other solution sets on the market. This option is much lower in cost than purchasing polymerized sand. It also allows you or your installer to customize the strength by adding more or less DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer to the infill material of choice (sand or stone dust sourced locally to reduce cost significantly).
     
    Once you’ve got the infill set, it’s time to focus on the piece of the patio that you actually see, which of course, is the surface…
     
    Engineers, construction contractors, builders, and you, the common DIY homeowner deal with the destructive chemical reactions cement-based building materials suffer due mainly to the exposure to water, which acts as a reaction medium or solvent in this destruction. You work tirelessly to make repairs, and patch compromised spots within the infrastructure of your patio. Why not consider a solution that, quite simply, lasts?
     
    Film formers/barrier type technologies (coatings) have been widely used, but due to weathering and ultraviolet exposure these coatings have limited lifespan and thus periodic reparative applications are required. This issue has been revolutionarily remediated with the all-inclusive protective properties of MasonProof™, which is a permanent waterproofing product that does not change the color or texture of the treated surface.
  3. Drainage / Erosion – Soil erosion and embankment control is a problem that many contractors face when trying to shore a landscape that is subject to runoff from a storm, general rain, or seasonal change. It’s a natural process, which occurs due to detachment and movement of topsoil by the action of wind and flowing water. In many cases, the lack of vegetation cover on existing slopes is often responsible for the formation of rills and rain cuts eventually leading to sliding of slopes.
     
    These soil and embankment erosion control challenges are either met at the outset / design phase of a new construction project, or they’re tackled as the issue pops up organically whether at a property, or on the side of the road where embankments are in no short supply.
     
    Products such as our tried and true DirtGlue® polymer will penetrate the surface by binding with the soil to form a tough, durable, three-dimensional matrix layer of protection. Combining superior film strength and adhesive properties, DirtGlue® polymer is the ideal solution for dust control in non-traffic areas, stockpile capping and stabilizing slopes and embankments. When hydroseeding, substituting DirtGlue® polymer in place of a traditional, old style tackifier increases germination rate, decreases germination time, and eliminates washouts, rilling and, erosion. Using DirtGlue® polymer as the tackifier, it will hold even in the toughest conditions, protecting against heavy rain and wind.
  4. Pathways and Pavement – There’s two distinct modes of thinking/delivery here. Pathways, as they are, can mean myriad things. They can be straight native terrain that you’re looking to augment for safer, easier travel. They can be built with some sort of prick, or paver, in which case, we invite you to reference the “patio” portion of this post as it falls pretty directly in line with a pathway built of similar material. And finally, we arrive at pavement, which can be laid for a pathway, or as a larger scale project, be it the drive, parking area, and all of the above.
     
    In order to provide a pavement having good functionality and good lifespan we need first to ensure good base and good drainage, thus we do NOT rely on the pavement for strength but rather for “consolidation of the surface aggregate” such that there is no mud in the wet season and no dust in the dry season.
     
    Things to consider prior to a pavement dump include what it is your pouring the pavement on. Seriously, what’s in the terrain? Where is the terrain? What are the challenges associated with the surrounding ecosystem? What’s the drainage situation in the event of any environmental runoff? What’s under the terrain you’re pouring on?
     
    At Global Environmental Solutions, we take to the art of road building seriously. And, we’re serious when we use the word “art.” Because it is. It’s not as easy as what we’ve already mentioned above. You can’t just dump a load of pavement and flatten it out with a roller. There’s a science and craft element to the entire initiation. And, there exists another important question… What’s in the aggregate that makes up your pavement? Do you even know?
     
    Appropriate steps for DGE Polymer Pavement System are as follows:
  • Ensure good drainage.
  • Ensure a well stabilized base.
  • Ensure proper aggregate with correct particle size distribution including 20% – 25% fines (material passing #150 sieve).
  • Loosen the aggregate in the area to be treated.
  • DirtGlue® polymer will be applied at a rate of not less than 0.03 gallons per sq. ft. per inch of pavement thickness as calculated before diluting with water. After making calculations dilute the DirtGlue® polymer with approximately one part water (a slight amount more water may be added later if you determine that the aggregate is too dry).
  • Add the appropriate amount of TerraDry® (if required because of soil/ aggregate type).
  • Apply the blended liquid (polymer and water) to the aggregate and mechanically mix in thoroughly and evenly. Depending upon type of equipment used this could take two or possibly three applications to get all of the liquid into the soil/aggregate. Keep mixing thoroughly and evenly 2 – 3 inches deep!
  • Once the aggregate is treated with full amount of the product(s) specified and the product(s) are mixed in completely then level and compact.
  • Proper curing requires warm temperatures. Do not apply when temps are below 55 or when rain is imminent. Typically, the warmer the better to ensure fast curing.

Are you tackling large scale projects on the frontlines of property improvement? Give us a shout. We’ve got what you need to get that terrain in order to best bring those projects to successful fruition. Our products are environmentally friendly and suited to take back control of the grounds we dwell upon.

GES: For the earth, with the earth in mind.

Observations from the Worksite: The Rise of DGCool™, the Industry’s First Cold Climate Polymer Solution

Conversation with D&T Landscaping & Irrigation President Dave Olson

D&T Landscaping & Irrigation have been serving their community in Minnesota since 1980.  That’s 40 years of service with a continued value proposition to improve and foster top tiered solutions for all their customers’ unique needs.

One such customer/vertical they’ve long served exists in the mining industry. A reoccurring challenge D&T has been faced with is in utilizing a dust suppressant solution that keeps potential environmentally harmful fugitive dust particles onsite rather than floating around in the air. The challenge is further heightened by the fact that the different experiences Minnesota is faced with from naturally occurring seasonal shifts had compromised past remedial attempts. D&T utilized an assortment of polymer based products as a potential solution (as opposed to their typical mode of attack – hay) from several different companies over the years. Finally, three years ago they came in to contact with Global Environmental Solutions who have worked closely with D&T owner/president, Dave Olson, to create an exact solution to their working problem(s). This relationship led to GES developing their latest product offering, DGCool™.

Keep reading to learn more about the challenge, the approach, the solution, and the overall experience with GES and DGCool™:

How’d you learn about Global Environmental Solutions and their DirtGlue® line of products?

Dave Olson: Well, what we do is we provide dust suppression services for the steel and tackamine mines over here in Minnesota. We’ve historically used hay to suppress the dust permeating from the mines. The Challenge with that is these conditions. These tailings basins that we work in are wet. Getting a piece of equipment down there is extremely challenging so we started exploring using polymers as a potential way to hold the dust down until we could get other equipment out there to cover it up.

We tried probably six different products to accomplish this from five different companies and GES or DirtGlue® was the only company that was willing to reformulate their product to best serve our unique conditions. Up to that point we had no products, no polymer based products that were holding the dust down on our tailings basin.

DGCool™ came out of that effort to kind of redesign the product to hold in colder temperatures. When we’re transitioning from fall into winter and then again from winter to spring, we go through a frost / freeze process where the tailings freeze generally at night, warm up, moisture draws out and then we’re kind of okay for the day. But once it starts to freeze, it’s a really fine product, the moisture evaporates and any wind that picks up from below wipes it out. That’s an issue because in these mines, the dust is considered fugitive dust, which is not ideal. Obviously, our goal is to keep that dust in place.

How long have you been working with GES?

Olson: We had tried a bunch of polymers from a number of companies because by-and-large the marketing shtick is everyone claims to have the solution you/we need. When we solicited the help of GES three years ago we started by using two of their products, DirtGlue® and DustLess®. A lot of polymers act similarly, but there are certain elements to each that are proprietary, which is why we tried two different products and the products of other vendors. We wanted to see what would work best for our challenges.

Two years ago we tried a large 100-acre deployment of GES’s DirtGlue® product and it did not withstand the frost / freeze process. It would freeze and peel off and didn’t solve the problem. So I went back to Chris (Rider) and explained what was happening – what we were hoping for – and that’s when he started reformulating the recipe based off of tailings samples we sent at his request. This was the beginning of what would become their DGCool™ solution.

How did GES work with you to outfit you with the best possible solution for your unique challenge? What can you say about the working relationship between all involved?

Olson: What I like about Chris and GES is he’s continually taking a proactive approach and even still asks for tailings samples so the company can work to improve upon what we’ve put to action. They don’t simply rest on what they’ve delivered and move on – they stay actively engaged and strive to maintain advanced improvement.

They were the only company that came back and asked how it went. “How did it go? What were your application rates?” Of all the other companies, they’re the only one that called back. We’re not in this for a one-time sale, we’re looking to solve a problem, so that gets me enthused about the working relationship…

You worked with GES to help facilitate a working test example of the effectiveness of their new DGCool™ product. Tell us about the application. What can you say about the product? How did it help you accomplish what you were looking to achieve?

Olson: It held until we got snow, which is good. Once we get snow there is no dust problem until spring (for obvious reasons). So we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with when the snow melts and water starts to runoff as it does in spring. If the product is still there, we’ve done it.

We have the product at two sites, a 100-acre site and a 5-acre one. They both held until we got the snow on the ground, which is encouraging. It’s definitely much better than what it was. Prior to this year we tried a different deployment method which was application via helicopter. The first year we used a bucket with large spray nozzles. The helicopter company came up with a different solution – it wasn’t a spray nozzle but more of a rotating spin, gravity feed out, which was a much better solution. So the combination of the product and the delivery method is how we’ve gotten to where we are this year.

Would you recommend GES and their products to people in your industry?

Olson: Yes and no (laughs). Yes because they offer exemplary service and work with the customer to tweak their product to match exactly what the customer needs. This can’t be understated. I jokingly say “no” because in our case I feel like we’re on the cusp of a pretty proprietary solution and application set that separates what we’re doing in the market. But I think as far as what we know as of right now, absolutely I would. GES has been a real pleasure to work with, and the relationship continues to develop as we both look to improve upon what we’ve accomplished thus far, which is exciting for all parties involved.

Between Rose and Chris I can’t say enough good things about the GES team. I’ve felt like from the start they’ve been engaged with me to help me solve a problem. Since the inception we’ve been working closely to help solve the challenge at hand and we’ve collectively kept peeling the onion. For instance, when we started we had a problem with our pump system at the application stage. Come to find out, the polymer heats up to a pretty high temperature and the seals of the deployment pump would fail. I called Chris to ask him what he thought was happening and he was like, ‘if you’re not immediately trying to pump that through the pump prior to it heating up, yeah, it’s going to wreck the seals.’ So we solved the problem by finding a high-temperature chemical seal, which he was engaged with at the outset. I can’t even begin to tell you how many emails he sent me with resources full of information to look into when it came to finding an appropriate seal.

As we’ve gone through evaluating the product, they’ve been there. They want to help us find the perfect solution. I have no doubt that if we come out of spring and the product has deteriorated or is non-existent, Chris is going to be right there and spend more time trying to figure out where we go to move forward and solve it. That’s the kind of guy he is…

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Are you faced with a terrain based challenge you’re not sure how to best tackle? Contact the friendly folks here at GES. We’ll hear you out, and lead you down the best path to successful resolution. We’re with you every step of the way…

GES: For the Earth, with the Earth in Mind.

Taking Safety Seriously – Our Response to the Global Pandemic

To our loyal customers, family, and friends,

We are deeply concerned about the impact of the health and wellbeing of our employees, customers, and communities from COVID-19. 
 
In response, Global Environmental Solutions is closely following the mandates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local public health officials. This includes suspending all non-essential business travel for our employees, accommodating working remotely, and conducting virtual meetings.

GES corporate office is working from home to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our commitment to take all necessary measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep our employees and customers safe and our business running. Comprehensive cleaning and hygiene practices are in place to ensure employees are safe in our production and warehouse facilities in order to continue supplying product to our customers.

During this time you can expect the same quality products and high level of service and tech support from GES. We do not have any plans to create business interruptions or change in supply at this time.
 
Our thoughts remain with you and your families during this unprecedented time.  What is most important now is that you stay safe and healthy. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re looking to get in touch with us. We are available to answer any questions you might have, and, as mentioned, are more than happy to set up a virtual meeting if one is desired.

Contact Us For More Information