Larry,

Thanks for your reply.  As an "owner" of BP I have my own opinion, and it is
good to have your information.  It is also good (and I think this is part of
BP's mission) that people freely express their opinions and not be
intimidated by a lack of experience or knowledge in a particular field of
expertise.  The idea is that any person that belongs can increase his
knowledge, and, that there is no such thing as a stupid question.
    Now, in pursuit of knowledge, I do have some follow-up questions for
you:  1)  How did an uncertified contractor get the material?  2)  Was the
second contractor certified?  3)  Is Mr. Weaver a certified specifier for
Jahn?  (i.e. has he taken the Jahn course?)  3) Who originally specified the
Jahn?   Lastly, how did they "rectify" the problem?
    Your thoughts are greatly appreciated in this matter.

Best,
Leland


 ----- Original Message -----
From: Larrey Riddle <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 10:57 AM
Subject: A Final Word on the Biltmore Patching Failure


> As National Sales Manager for Cathedral Stone Products, I obviously have
> followed the discussion of the problems at Biltmore very closely. As a
> member of this list, however, I did not feel it was appropriate to enter
the
> fray. In my opinion, there is far too much self-promotion from
manufacturers
> on mailing lists as it is. I do not think that a mailing list should be
the
> forum for commercial promotion. Just as the contractors on the list do not
> expound on the reasons they think their companies are superior to their
> competitors, I do not think it appropriate for manufacturers to do so.
>
> What I did do, however, was to immediately phone Mr. Bruce Weaver, VP of
> Operations at Biltmore Estates to get more information. I will report what
I
> found out now in the interest of accuracy. This is what Mr. Weaver told
me:
>
> 1. Neither the company nor the applicator that installed the Jahn on the
> conservatory steps was certified.
>
> 2. An additive to the Jahn was used. (He did not know what it was, but
felt
> it was the cause of the failure.)
>
> 3. Another contractor, using the correct Jahn material, has rectified the
> problem.
>
> 4. Biltmore has used Jahn for patching on both the main house and other
> buildings for years and with great success. Mr. Weaver said they would
> continue to specify Jahn.
>
> In other words, this was a case of poor application.  I suspect any
material
> would have failed in a similar situation.
>
> What I can't figure out, Mr. Horton, (as either an individual or a
> representative of the state of North Carolina,) why it is you did not
> contact the manufacturer about the problem instead of addressing it to Mr.
> Edison in a public forum.
>
> Problems and failures happen from time to time.  It is our policy to
respond
> immediately when someone comes to us with a problem.  In the last eighteen
> years every Jahn failure we have examined has been caused by either poor
or
> inexact specifications, stone that was too far gone to patch to begin
with,
> or improper application (from either poor prep of the substrate, incorrect
> application procedures, or problems occurring from application in
inclement
> weather.)
>
> Mr. Horton, you state that, "The opinions expressed in this message may
not
> be those of my agency." I would humbly suggest that this is a good thing,
> and sincerely hope that on those occasions when you do speak on behalf of
> the NC State Preservation Office, that you check your facts a little more
> closely.
>
>
> Larrey Riddle
>
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