Summer in New Orleans is no joke — and neither is the effect that extreme heat and humidity have on concrete. Whether you're pouring a slab, placing curbs, or doing flatwork, the months of June through September demand a different game plan. Here's what our team at Building Specialties Co. recommends to keep your projects on track when temperatures push past 90°F. 1. Schedule Pours for Early Morning The single biggest thing you can do is get concrete in the ground before 10 A

If you're bidding on Louisiana DOTD work — bridge decks, highway paving, culverts, retaining walls — you're operating under a stricter set of concrete specifications than most private work. Getting the mix wrong doesn't just cost you a re-pour. It can cost you the contract, the bond, and your relationship with the GC. This post breaks down the key DOTD concrete requirements Louisiana subs encounter most often, and what you need to stock or source to stay compliant. Why DOTD S

Why Symons Is the Gold Standard Ask any experienced concrete contractor in Louisiana about wall forms and the name Symons comes up fast. For decades, Symons forming systems have been the go-to choice for contractors who need predictable performance, interchangeable hardware, and a system that holds up pour after pour. Building Specialties Co. is your authorized local source for Symons forming systems and accessories in Southeast Louisiana. Whether you're forming walls for a c

The Louisiana Concrete Problem Pour concrete in Dallas and you have time. Pour it in New Orleans in July and you're racing the clock. South Louisiana's combination of high temperatures, oppressive humidity, and intense sun creates conditions that accelerate hydration, reduce workability, and cause premature stiffening before your finishers can get to the slab. Get the mix right and your pour goes smoothly. Get it wrong and you're fighting the concrete — or worse, calling for