FAQ

Yes. Environmental due diligence is an important first step in understanding your total liability in purchasing an undeveloped or underdeveloped property. Many lending institutions require Phase 1 environmental site assessments prior to the lending of funds, and the due diligence provides better CERCLA liability protection if adverse environmental conditions exist.

Patriot provides qualified and seasoned technical staff to collect environmental soil samples that meet or exceed state environmental agency quality control standards via submittal to accredited laboratories. Patriot project managers can evaluate laboratory data and provide recommendations for the next steps based on guidelines or regulations.

Yes. Even within residences, environmental conditions can exist that require sampling or remedial measures such as asbestos, lead paint, home heating oil tanks or mold. Patriot will evaluate the data and recommend whether the conditions need to be mitigated.

Our experienced staff will evaluate the specifics of your facility size and operations to determine what permits you need. We can assist you with those specific applications and help you comply with the permits you are issued.

Yes, potentially. The glaciers that pushed through and receded multiple times, pushing material up in front of them and randomly depositing material as they receded, formed most of the geology in Indiana. This process formed pockets, seams, layers, of unequal and dissimilar materials to be scattered throughout the landscape. Compounding the natural geology obstacles is man-made development and redevelop of land, known or unknown, which has left remnants of past construction on the land (e.g., varying soils, urban fill, and construction debris).

As with most things in life, age and changing conditions inevitably bring an end to a structure’s functionality. Yearly or bi-yearly check-ups or observations, like going to the doctor, can help detect changing or deteriorating conditions prior to a failure of the structure. Regular observations, maintenance, and repairs allow for peace-of-mind that your investment is safe and so are the lives, structures and infrastructures that are downstream of your dam.

Yes. We have the equipment along with licensed professional drillers to perform subsurface explorations. Additionally, we also team with select experienced subcontractors which we have pre-screened to assist us with projects. These drilling professionals are a vital resource to the exploration of subsurface conditions and the collection of representative samples. However, the value you as a client are looking for does not come from drilling holes, but from the engineering, and expertise Patriot can provide based on evaluation of the conditions gleaned from the borings and our ability to provide you the most feasible conomical approach to your project.

In terms of the number of borings, the International Building Code (ICC, 2012) suggests a minimum of two (2) borings for built-over areas up to 5,000 square feet (sf), and at least one additional boring for each additional 2,500 sf of built-over areas up to 20,000 sf. For built-over areas larger than 20,000 sf, ICC (2012) suggests at least eight (8) borings plus at least one additional boring for each additional 5,000 sf. However, it is important to recognize that there is no single “correct” solution for the required number and depth of borings, and these guidelines must be tempered with appropriate engineering judgment.

1. Proofroll building pad and collect soil sample for laboratory analysis
2. Field density testing of fill soil during building pad construction
3. Foundation inspection to include footing excavation observation, reinforcing steel observation, and concrete testing
4. Structural steel and weld inspection
5. Field density testing of footing backfill and slab-on-grade stone base
6. Concrete testing for slab-on-grade
7. Floor flatness and levelness evaluation for slab-on-grade
8. Proofroll parking lot and hardscape areas
9. Concrete testing for site elements
10. Asphalt testing for parking lot and drives

A proofroll consists of repeated passes of a loaded, pneumatic-tired vehicle (such as a triple-axle dump-truck or scraper) across the subgrade to identify areas found to rut, pump, or deflect excessively. Based on proofroll observations, recommendations are provided to stabilize the areas of weak soil identified.

Absolutely. Hardened concrete can be tested for several attributes, including but not limited to, compressive strength, air content, and water-cement ratio.

Yes. Patriot has provided testing services to facilitate structural evaluation of several structures. A few examples are:

• Lady Victory atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument
• Revitalization of The Coca-Cola Bottling facility in Indianapolis, Indiana
• River Valley Resources in Madison, Indiana