Do you know how to enlighten a brick?  That is a great setup for a dad joke!  I’m a dad, and I of course love horrible and cringe-worthy dad jokes.  But bad jokes aside, how do you light up a brick?  Why would you want to light up a brick?  Can a brick emit its own light?  These are some of the questions I hear on occasion.  Let me illuminate some answers to brighten up your knowledge.

The first question is ‘how?’  The easiest way to install lights is during the construction phase of the project.  This will give you the most choices and opportunities to strategically place the wiring for the fixtures.  However, you can still add lights to your preexisting project with some ease as well.  We offer brands like Alliance and Sollos lighting products at the Hardscape Center to give you a variety of choices.  We stock path, ledge, puck, up lights, and many more types and designs in a large array of styles and sizes to meet your needs.  We offer transformers that can power a small job like a walkway to the big 600-watt transformer to tackle the backyard yard party house capable of landing airplanes.  Do you know how many LED lights you can run with 600 watts of power?!?! (Just ask the hardscape team!)

The second question is the most fun and easy; why?  One of the biggest reasons is to extend the time you can utilize your outdoor living space.  Adding lights to a seat wall around a fire pit can add to the ambiance.  Add lights around a kitchen, bar, or even a water feature.  Just like the lighting around flower beds and trees with uplighting on them, adding light enhances their beauty at night.  Another great use of lights around brick projects is for safety.  A few well-placed lights may thwart a stubbed toe or prevent an accidental fall.  Lighting stairs, landings, and walkways are a great way to avoid these mishaps.  Lights can also highlight the areas you do not want to inadvertently go into like attached flower beds.  

Do you know that we have fixtures with color-changing, dimming & warm-cool settings & capabilities? The options for how the light emits from the fixtures are almost endless.

And, yes, there is a company that does make a brick that can emit its very own light.  It uses a glow-in-the-dark material that lasts for hours after dark.  It does not have an off switch, so it’s always on.  There are other styles of lights, some that can be installed directly into the brick by boring a hole through it.  Others have a concrete-colored plastic shell that looks like a brick but is a lighted fixture.  Some of these can be more challenging to install after the project has been completed, but it is not impossible.  Finding the right style and color for your area might be the hardest task of all.  Do you know that there is a tiki torch that has a light underneath it?!?

What if you don’t have any brick patios, walkways or garden walls?  Don’t feel like you’ll be left in the dark.  These same lights can be used on poured walls or pillars, placed around cement driveways and sidewalks.  Wall sconce and puck lighting work great to add lights to a porch or side of a garage.  What if you have a deck?  Do you know that these outdoor lights can be attached to almost every type of material available including wood, plastic, metal, and of course concrete?

We have come a long way since the start of landscape lighting, there are so many more styles, colors, and options.  The way technology keeps advancing, who knows what new and exciting products they will think of next?  If you want a good history lesson, I know a guy who has been installing lights for a few moments, our very own Dave Reutter.  So, if you have questions or concerns, give us a call or stop into the Hardscape or Plant Center here at Christensen’s.  We can help illuminate any questions and bring to light any concerns you may have about shining a little light on a brick or two.  As far as the enlightened brick goes, I don’t know the answer to that; nobody has shined any light on that subject yet.

Marketing is like magic. Magic is all about misdirection and sleight of hand. The performer will have you so focused on what the left hand is doing so that you never notice the right foot. Marketing can be very similar, focus on the positive and redirect from the negative. Everybody, I’m sure, remembers the expandable garden hose craze. For $25, they were great! Until you got 1 teeny tiny little hole, but nobody mentioned that the stretching feature comes at a cost of durability. Concrete wall and pavers are in the same boat, they have been advertised and promoted as low maintenance, especially compared to traditional wood decks. But what does that really mean, low maintenance? Let me redirect your focus over here then.

‘Low’ does not mean ‘none’. And, that does not always mean quick and easy, either. Concrete is a sponge; its pores will trap all sorts of dirt and debris. Rusty water, red soda stains, tree sap and salt residue are just a few examples of what your concrete products can soak up. This does not affect the strength or longevity of the brick but it sure can alter the color and appearance of it. To bring it back to almost a new appearance you will need to wash it!

So how does one wash a brick? It does not involve any toothbrushes or mops, but it does involve some specialized cleaners depending on the stain or material you are trying to wash away. Not all, but most chemical cleaners have some small amount of acids in them, this is why you rarely need to scrub the concrete. The cleaner is designed to either soften or dissolve the materials, then simply rinse away with a garden hose. But with that dissolving effect comes a warning, left for too long or too strong of a mix could start to dissolve the concrete’s smaller particles which will leave the concrete pitted and appear much more aged. Always test on a small obscure place on the concrete to test the effects. There are cleaners that specialize in gum, oil, tar, rust, and organic material like food condiments and popsicle drippings.

After the cleaning, you now have an opportunity to seal the concrete, if you so desire. Years and years ago you would have to wait 6 months to a year for the efflorescence to work its way out of the concrete. Back then the sealers were not breathable, they trapped everything in. Now they have water based breathable sealers that can be applied shortly after installation. But why would one want to seal the concrete, especially if you can simply clean it? Think of sealer like shoe shine, it helps protect the shoe’s material while it helps to improve the appearance. It will make cleaning stains much easier as well as help maintain or enhance the color of the concrete. This could be very important around cooking and dining areas. You don’t have to seal every year, maybe not even every other year, but you will have to reapply again at some point to maintain the same protection and appearance.

Sealing can be both a blessing and a curse. It is so nice to take the hose to a grape jelly blob and simply hose it away. But you may have one more thing to add to an ever-growing list of springtime chores. I choose to live dangerously; I go sealer free. But I also have an amazing washing system, a yard full of kids and a hose. The car, house, dog, tree, neighbor kids, and most times the patio get a good washing many times during the summer. But if you do not have a high fructose fueled (kids with popsicles) washing system like me, stop by the Hardscape Center and let us help you make your stains and grime disappear, magically!

One of my favorite toys growing up was Legos. I loved the kits and themes they offered; their designs were amazing. And best of all, you did not have to follow the instructions, you could just make up anything you wanted so long as you had all the pieces. I am lucky to have a daughter that was equally as interested in Legos as well. She was young when she started, so I had to make many of the initial kits for her which gave me an excuse to play with these bricks once again. As a child, I always remember getting so excited around Christmas when I would pick up a box, and you could hear the pieces parts rustling in the box knowing that was going to be a great gift for sure! I am slightly older since the Lego days, but here I am still playing with bricks and blocks. And just like before, I am excited to announce that I have a brand new shiny set of Legos to play with: Techo-Bloc!

Techo-Bloc was founded by Charles Ciccarello back in 1989, starting the company with only 5 employees. Now, 34 years later with over half a dozen state-of-the-art factories throughout North America, they are one of the top manufacturers of pavers, wall stones, steps, and curbs. Most of the products that Techo-Bloc produce have a modern design to them and tend to lean toward neutral earth tones and colors. This has been a growing trend over the last few years, and I do not expect that to change for several more years. Colors such as reds and oranges have been phasing slowly out as well as circle and curved designs.

We hinted at this new addition in the mid to late summer of last year. We were testing the waters with some of Techo-Bloc’s accessories such as their Flexlock polymeric sand and Gator sealers and cleaners. We were planning on bringing the pavers and wall stones in over the winter, but due to the immediate demand for some of their more popular items, we decided to get a head start.

We are starting out with Techo-Bloc’s most popular paver, the 60mm Blu HD2 in both smooth and slate texture in the Chestnut Brown, Greyed Nickel, Shale Grey, and Champlain Grey. We are stocking the 3 pc Slab series, but we can special order the Grande and the 6”x13” pieces if your job requires them.

We are stocking Techo-Bloc’s Raffinato and Brandon wall series in both the 90mm and 180mm sized pieces. You can find the Beige Cream and Greyed Nickel in the Raffinato wall, and the Champlain Grey, Shale Grey, and Oynx Black in the Brandon wall. There is also Brandon and Raffinato wall caps in stock, too. We will also be carrying some of the Raffinato Steps.

We will continue to add and adjust the products stocked as the demand grows and changes. I expect a truckload of products from Techo-Bloc to arrive weekly, so please ask us about special order items, or concerns for your larger-sized projects. We can check into Techo-Bloc’s online inventory and help you know what, when, and where the status of your material is.

I do not get to play with the blocks like all our contractors do, but I do enjoy watching how they use them! I hope to see the enjoyment that you will have through the successful pictures of your beautifully created projects. And don’t worry, if you happen to lose that one piece you really needed, give us a call. I have a salesman with bare feet that will find it for you in a painful moment!

A 50-year-old birthday is no small feat. As many of my friends, and in a few more years myself approach or crest that half-a-century milestone, I find myself reminiscing about the journey it took to get here, and the road from here on out. Looking back at having the first VCR and having to choose from VHS or BETA.  Power steering and automatic transmissions were considered options, not standard equipment. Phones had 50’ spiral cords and every gas station, convenience store, 

It all started back in 1972. That is when Ed Bryant brought the first paving stone from Europe over to North America. As one of the foremost leaders in the industry, Unilock has had many more firsts over the years including permeable pavers, facemix, and Ultima products. The technologies that produce these products have also changed dramatically. The days of measuring and leveling ingredients are now done with a computer and sensor-controlled mixers in a state-of-the-art facility. That’s a long way from the first plant in Barrie, Ontario.

They have also had their trials and tribulations with recessions, labor shortages, material shortages, and most recently the pandemic. But they have always strived with innovation to overcome adversity, creating new and unique quality products even when the times were tough. But let’s face it, you need a great team to make success grow and thrive.

Many of the sales reps, managers, and service reps that work at Unilock started out in the landscaping business in some way shape or form. I have seen everything from a lawn crew employee to a previous landscape owner working in the front or back offices. They add their knowledge and experience to a company that encourages learning and growing. It can be fast paced, intense and maybe be even hectic at times but the employees have always shown their best professionalism, patience and understanding. I have had the pleasure to see many of their employees rise throughout the ranks and take on new positions and challenges. I look forward to seeing many new faces that will become part of the Unilock family in the years to come.

What is next? What will be the next best product, idea, design, or tool? There is so much potential in what we already have that I can’t imagine what could be next. But I like to think that Unilock does. To help commemorate their fifty years of success, they are planting a tree along with a time capsule with the intention of opening it back up fifty years from now. That’s confidence, and comes with all their hard work and effort. I sure would like to be a fly on the wall to see all the new cool things they will have by then! Congratulations to 50 now, and 50 more to come!

So, by now most people know that I am a hobbyist. I have everything from R/C cars, planes, helicopters, drones, and even an r/c boat. That’s all great stuff for the outdoors, but when winter comes, I am a solid inside guy. I don’t ice fish or ski; I have never even sat on a snowmobile, however, I have just as many indoor hobbies as I do outdoor. One of my favorites is working on a model train layout.

The train layout is around 120’ square feet and takes up ½ of my basement. I have modeled it after a modern-day early 2000 to 2010 era. This can make it challenging to find modern buildings, vehicles, and industrial equipment. Luckily though, the landscape materials are easy to find, and as many styles and designs have changed through the years, the core material is still the same. The species and cultivars of real plant materials may have changed, but on a 1/87 scale, a tiny green leaf is still a tiny green leaf.

The look that I am trying to recreate is loosely modeled around the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio area. These areas are similar but also have a little variety between themselves such as the lush forests in the upper lower peninsula to the flatlands near Columbus and Fort Wayne. So, this involves me taking a variety of pictures in a variety of locations. Not all scenes that are being modeled are in a landscaped area like homes and businesses. I have more pictures of plants and scenery in their natural wild unadulterated habitats.  With as close to realism as you can get being the goal you want the landscape to not only make sense, but to be realistically possible. On my layout, I have a city scene, an industrial scene, and carnival scene and then a light-up wilderness scene underneath the layout itself. All these scenes allow me to have tremendous options and unlimited creative designs.

The scenes that I think are both the most challenging and most fun to create are the maintained scenes, a truly landscaped area. Some materials are store-bought, but many items are handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items. Adding mulch beds, manicured boxwoods or arborvitaes for rows and hedges, flowering shrubs, or perennials. Even a couple of mulch volcanos around trees; remember the idea is what you see in real life and not how it should be. Applying rust lines around a building to show that there is irrigation, lines in the lawn for mow patterns. The diligence to the details is just as prevalent in the hobby as it is in the real world with one exception, none of my stuff dies or needs water!

I have had one person ask me why there are no segmented walls or brick paver designs, since, after all, that is what I deal with every day, and not so much on the greener side of things. I explained that the scale being so small, the wall stones would be half the size of a piece of rice. Then I showed him the brick inlays in the city sidewalks around trees and sidewalk crosswalks!

I think everyone takes a piece of the work home with them, and I am no different. I am not a plant guy, but I have learned so much from being around so many creative landscapers and great employees. So, I have taken that knowledge that they shared with me and put it into my own hobby. I enjoy creating landscapes and buildings as much as just watching the layout. Watching a weathered and detailed CSX EMD go by pulling over fifty weathered, graphited, and dilapidated railcars next to a realistic backdrop is like watching fish in an aquarium, or maybe a relaxing night in your backyard on the patio next to a bonfire.

Barbecue chicken and ice-cold lemonade, cold beers and brats, chilled watermelon and grilled hamburgers. That was a small part of my menu for the fourth of July weekend. I most definitely took advantage of some choice weather and time off to relax and recharge. My outdoor toys and appliances however, had no rest. They had 8+ children and friends to keep refreshed, full and entertained. The hose had a good workout, too!

But after the cooking and entertainment have concluded, the cleaning must begin. And unlike cleaning the kids, I would not recommend using the hose to undertake this process. Here are some maintenance and cleaning tips to help keep your outdoor appliances looking new and clean. 

Grills Are Not Self-Cleaning

It’s easy to fall into the habit of just giving your grill grates a quick swipe with a wire brush before you toss on those steaks. While you won’t directly harm your grill by doing that, it is important to check its other components, specifically burners, valves, and hoses. If you have a gas grill, don’t ignore the burners. Use a stiff brush periodically to clear grease and gunk away from them, and as you cook, pay attention to the color of the flame. A healthy flame on a gas grill should be blue with a yellow tip—if your flames are all yellow, turn off the grill and disconnect the fuel tank so that you can check the fuel valve pressure. Lastly, look at any hoses, such as fuel lines, on the grill. Even if your outdoor kitchen isn’t directly exposed to the elements, it is still affected by temperature changes. Depending on the material, grill hoses can contract and expand in response to changing seasons, so give them a brief inspection to see if any of them have cracked or split and need to be replaced. 

Don’t Go Nuts Cleaning Outdoor Appliances 

Stainless steel appliances are extremely popular in outdoor kitchens, and for good reason. Not only does stainless steel look nice with the hardware typically used in outdoor spaces, but it is also resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for outside use. Although stainless steel is a durable material, it isn’t indestructible. Don’t cut directly on a stainless-steel surface, only use a cutting board. Hot pots and pans as well as other metal, steel, or cast-iron items can cause staining and corrosion if they’re left on a stainless steel surface for too long, so find another resting place for them or use a heat resistant pad or cloth. A rinse with soapy water will be sufficient for cleaning a stainless steel surface, but make sure that you follow the grain of the metal and dry it completely. There’s no need to use chemical cleaners and stay away from steel wool pads; little bits of them can flake off and get imbedded in your stainless steel surface. While the actual surface won’t rust in that situation, the steel wool pieces will. 

Protect Your Outdoor Furniture 

While it may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of outdoor kitchens, furniture plays an important part in rounding out your backyard sanctuary. If possible, try to keep your outdoor kitchen furniture out of rain and extreme weather by bringing it indoors. If that is not an option, try looking for vinyl covers that don’t touch the floor, which allows moisture to escape. You can clean vinyl, mesh, and fabric components with a mild, all-purpose cleaner. Avoid harsh bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, they are not necessary and can do more harm than good. As with your countertops, try to catch and wipe up spills as soon as possible. 

Check Your Fridge 

Did you know that there are 2 different ratings for outdoor refrigerators? The better option is an actual “Outdoor Rated” refrigerator. It differs from the “Standard Outdoor” by having 304 stainless steel material, greater insulation, an advanced compressor, and better ventilation. This will help when the outdoor temps start to climb in the 90’s. Keep your fridge full, even if it is just water bottles. This will help the fridge work less and keep your items colder. 

Your outdoor kitchen and fireplace area represents not only a financial investment, but also a commitment to time spent with family and friends. Taking a few minutes to maintain your outdoor kitchen, patio, and furniture will protect your investment and allow you to spend as much quality time as possible with your loved ones.  

I love spring! The trees foliating and flowers blooming, the smell of fresh air in the house, planting the garden, and, of course, the boat rides. Last spring was nice, not hot too soon, no crazy two-foot snowstorms, but we did have a slight amount of extra rainfall. Slight being the understatement of the year, as we had over 2 months’ worth of rain in about a week! So, for a while last year I lived on 2 lakes, one my boat was on and the other in my back yard! Detroit and some neighboring cities were hit especially hard. A combination of old or faulty equipment, the inability of the infrastructure to process that amount of water, and I’m sure some design flaws and errors along the way.

Water is the most destructive force on the planet, and it doesn’t take much of it to do a whole lot of damage. Climate changes have been producing some of the most intense and destructive weather that we have ever seen, and there is no sign of this pattern changing. What once worked before may be inadequate for today’s needs. As many municipalities change their designs on the processing and reclamation of storm and runoff water, should you also change your designs on the landscaping end?

Unfortunately, we suffer every year from the effects of our freeze thaw cycle. The water underneath thaws and refreezes so many times that it creates voids by pushing everything around it away. When it thaws, those voids get refilled yet with more water and the process restarts. The problem is that the water has nowhere to go. You can’t stop the expansion, but you can give it a path to follow. One of the newer trends has been the use of clean fill aggregate as a base for driveways, patios, and even roads.

The biggest differences between the clean aggregates and the traditional is the removal of the finer particulates and a more consistently sized stone. The lack of the finer particulates does not take away from the strength and stability of the base, but it allows for water expansion without exerting outward pressure in a confined area. This also allows for excellent drainage, so no more puddles or ponds. Many municipalities have incorporated this type of base because of how effective it is in reducing icing and refreezing since the water drains as soon as it has thawed. And the best part is you do not have to use a permeable style paver to obtain the benefits of a permeable base. The cost to change from traditional to permeable is negligible, the installation is slightly different but easy to follow.

As great as this sounds, there are of course a few draw backs. Firstly, is finding the material. Permeable pavers and permeable materials are slowly becoming more popular, but you may find certain areas more challenging than others to find the supplies you need. You will have to retrain your crew for a new installation process which is not hard, but change can always be a challenge. Lastly, this base requires maintenance. If you think of the base as a sponge, when the top is covered and clogged it no longer absorbs as well. Depending on the area, the amount of traffic, and surrounding landscape, this may need some frequent attention or very minimal maintenance. So, keep in mind that a permeable based driveway might not be the best choice if you live off a dirt road. But if your sunny backyard patio is always underwater after a good rain, that might be helpful choice.

At Christensen’s Plant and Hardscape Centers, we stock a huge assortment of drainage components from companies like NDS. We also stock the clean aggregates for the Hardscapers out there, too. Stop in and see what we can help solve for you. I promise you; it will not put a drain on us!

This year has been one of the worst grade B late-night horror movies ever made! It is so bad that I would rather fast-forward and just watch the commercials. Thankfully, it’s almost over, but before we get to the credits I have a spoiler alert for what could be coming - a slip, slide or fall on the patio, steps, or driveway. Trust me when I say that the horror experience will only continue at the hospital. Here is some info so you can just fast-forward through those last few painful moments and hopefully save yourself from enduring a sequel in 2022.

What deicing chemicals do most concrete manufacturers suggest using?

There is a lot of conflicting information about this out there, so let me distill it for you. All of this stuff can cause corrosion so choose your product based on the temperature range you are expecting and use whatever you use sparingly. Least damaging and preferred in most situations is good old rock salt, sodium chloride (NaCl) which is most effective to about 15°F. Colder than that, use calcium chloride (CaCl2) which works down to -2°. It is slightly more corrosive. Products containing magnesium should be avoided.

Are there any recommendations for using deicing products?

Follow the directions listed on the bag! In addition, practice these simple recommendations:

• Clear the snow first before putting down product. There are no shortcuts here, sorry.
• Use sparingly to prevent damage to your concrete surfaces and planted beds.
• Sweep and remove any excess deicing product after the ice and snow melts.
• After the winter season, thoroughly wash the paver surface to remove any chemicals remaining.

Can other types of deicing products be used?

It is not recommend to use any other types of deicing chemicals. This includes:

• Magnesium chloride (MgCl2)
• Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
• Potassium chloride (KCl)
• Potassium acetate (KA)
• Fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate.

The deicing product is not sodium chloride or calcium chloride, but the product label says it's safe for concrete. Can this product be used on concrete pavers?

It is not recommend using any products other than sodium chloride and calcium chloride. Research has found that some products are incorrectly listed as “safe” for concrete and do cause damage to concrete and concrete pavers.

Will sodium chloride and calcium chloride damage plant material?

Unfortunately, they can. Always use sparingly and try to prevent runoff of meltwater into landscape beds.

Other types of deicing chemicals have been used on ready mix concrete sidewalks without damaging the surface. Is this because concrete pavers are not as strong?

All concrete materials are susceptible to damage from deicing chemicals no matter how the concrete product is produced. It takes time for this type of damage to show. Concrete pavers are typically two to three times stronger in terms of pounds per square inch strength and have lower absorption rates than pour-in-place ready mix type concrete so are actually more resistant to damage. Proper application and cleanup of deicing products will go a long way in assuring the longevity of your concrete installations.

Call us at the Hardscape Center if you have any questions or concerns on what you should or shouldn’t use to help keep those patios, walkways and driveways looking great.

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Adhesives hold our world together - literally. Industrial products of all kinds require bonds of varying strength to perform their function, from the furniture in your living room to the parts that intricately connect and hold together the automobile in your driveway. Due to my numerous hobbies I have easily fifteen different varieties in my basement right now. Luckily in our industry, we do not need quite that many. So let's talk about the main two types of adhesive products that you can choose from to make walls and steps; solvent based or polyurethane based.

The first is solvent-based adhesive like our VOC compliant SRW. This style has been the longest in the market and is still highly used. It cures as the solvent evaporates, leaving the polymers. (Cons are toxic and flammable fumes in non-VOC compliant products.) The pros for this product are price and availability, an extremely long shelf life, and basic ease of use. There are a wide range of curing times which are affected by heat, humidity, and moisture. The product will also shrink due to the amount of evaporation during the curing process, which mostly isn't a factor in our industry.

The next type of adhesive is polyurethane-based, such as Brickstick. The curing process for this product uses air and moisture. Since there are no solvents, there is no shrinking or cracking while this product cures. It can also withstand higher temperatures like you would see in a fire pit or fireplace. Lastly, the speed at which this product cures is probably the most significant reason this type of adhesive is sought after. However, that speed can also be problematic if you need to move, shift, or rearrange something so plan accordingly. It is also harder to remove from hands or tools. The shelf life is under a year so pay attention to that when stocking up.

Both types of adhesives will perform well for most of your applications. They are both usable in rain or snow, so mother nature won't get in the way. Both are low-VOC compliant (volatile organic compound) so enclosed areas are no problem. Here at Christensen's we stock both types of adhesive, to have you covered in whichever choice you make. Ask one of our salesmen about the whats and whys so we can better help adhere to your needs and stick you with a great product.

The number one question we’ve been asked this year is: “Do you know when you will be getting (insert literally anything here) in?” This season has been one big game of "Go Fish", and I am lousy at fishing! The shortages have been across the board, with almost nothing unaffected. But what if I told you that you could play a key role in keeping something from running out? If that does not raise an eyebrow - what if I told you that you will get paid to do this?

You're not alone - the concrete vendors who produce pavers, wall units and steps are also facing shortages. They have plenty of aggregate and colorant, but what they are in dire need of are the empty pallets that your product was loaded on. You paid a deposit for that pallet, wouldn’t you like your money back? Instead of waiting until the end of the season when you have a gigantic pile of skids, bring them back as often as possible. Don’t risk the skids in your yard becoming damaged and unusable, weather worn, or magically vanishing. That is your money disappearing!

Concrete vendors need these pallets to be returned so they can be reused or refurbished. If they don’t have returned ones, they’ll buy new ones - and at the current prices of wood, vendors will be forced to raise their prices. Recover your cash by returning those skids, and don’t let your money evaporate by failing to return pallets in good condition.

Here is a list of things we at Christensen’s look for when you are returning brick skids to us: 

• Does it have all the boards on top, bottom, and in between? When boards are missing, the pallet can no longer effectively hold what could be up to 3500 pounds.
• Is the wood rotted? Do you see mold? If yes, that wood is no longer structurally viable, which in weakens the entire pallet. This is a huge safety concern.
• Is it a returnable skid? All our vendors have either spray painted or burned their name or logo on the side of the pallet. Brick pallets are specially constructed to support the weight of the product and are easily identifiable.
• Did you buy the product from us? We only accept pallets by the vendors and brands we carry, so if there are other brands mixed in, we will give them back to you.

Help us slow potential price increases by reducing the pallet shortage. Make sure all your employees are aware of the pallet deposit as well, so you do not have an accidental $500 bonfire! As always, feel free to call us with question or concerns, or if you want to try your luck at "Go Fish". But be warned, we have a very well stocked pond.