GRIFFIN CEMENT Enough is enough...waiting a year for Griffin Cement to replace the bad driveway they poured as he had promised.Griffin Cement Sterling Heights, Michigan

GRIFFIN CEMENT l.l.c.

STERLING HEIGHTS MI 48313

RE: BBB Case # 7991218 - Griffin Cement

Customer Information:
Robert K. Gurski
*****************

Rochester Hills , MI48309

 Mr. Gurski signed a contract with Griffin Cement to perform work at his home to remove and replace the driveway from the garage to the street.

We removed and replaced the drive as specified to the contract and all saw cuts were made. Mr. Gurski paid in full, no monies are due.

We received a complaint call from Mr. Gurski about the project at his home, he stated in an emotional tone that his driveway was shattering and heaving, it was peeling up and looked terrible, my reply was we will fix what ever issues have arisen do to lacking workmanship or product defect

We asked the representative from the concrete supplier to investigate the problems at the Gurskis home and give us a report, and after reviewing the project we were advised to disregard the problems as they were from a natural occurrence.

Mr. Gurskis 1^st complaint: the saw cuts werent made with in 24 hours

The job was cut with in 3 days of completion at the Gurski home.

 Optimally, easement cutting should be performed as soon as possible to alleviate the stress cracks associated with the weight and destabilization of the concrete, and is often done within the first 24 hours of pouring, but may be delayed several days due to weather, length of curing, and specialty curing as some of the conditions.

There is no guaranteed way to control cracking in concrete. It is a natural product that even when all the precautions are used this may still occur. The American Concrete Institute states there are several different types of cracking caused by various conditions and that in time all concrete will crack.

We believe the cracks that appeared are due to several conditions. First, we believe the base is unstable, and cracks in the street in front of the drive give this indication. Additionally there is a tree close to the area where the cracking is located, so the roots could contribute to the stress as they move. Another contributor was a downspout that enters the ground. Mr. Gurski states he does not know where it leads to, but it appears to eject on the left side of the drive and the exhaust waters could be undermining the base. When I had visited the home I noticed the left side of the driveway had recently had been back filled and seeded, indicating an area of washout.

Page Two

Mr. Gurskis 2^nd complaint: slabs spalling

In reference to this problem the pieces that Mr. Gurski is referring to are not spalling or spald.

The drive was poured and finished then there was another hour and a half for clean up before we left the site. A few hours later there was a thunderstorm and heavy rain fell on the pavement causing slight cosmetic blemishes, but the integrity was not compromised nor was the surface washed away. This scaring can only be seen when the concrete gets wet.

Stated in our contract:

 All agreements are contingent upon the weather, accidents or delays beyond our control. This document serves as legal release from all liability for damage done during the course of normal work process listed above including any basements, sidewalks, grass, bushes, shrubs, flowers etc

Griffin Cement is mindful of weather conditions before scheduling a job, but cannot provide a guarantee that after the pour and set-up period that weather will not have a factor in the final look or final outcome. Therefore we are not libel for the rain, and the pieces in question are still acceptable.

After examining the complaint and getting the report from the concrete representative who determined there was no action was required and Griffin Cement had satisfied the conditions of the contract. Mr. Gurski had asked us to replace the entire driveway, and then stated he would pay for half the costs, or the costs related to the pieces that were not damaged.

We stated that we would not replace as the concrete, the elevations were intact and the natural cracking was not our responsibility.

Mr. Gurski was unhappy with this decision and posted several internet complaints. On several occasions Mr. Gurski would call after working hours and leave multiple phone messages that were abusive and alcohol induced ramblings, calling my wife and myself crooks and liars. There were approximately 10 different occurrences where he made these phone attacks.

On 2 of the occasions we had to involve the Sterling Heights police and asked them to intervene to help stop the phone attacks. The first on Dec 20, 2009 there were 28 recorded phone voice messages were left by Mr. Gurski, and on January 10^th 2010 an equal number of messages. We have filed a restraining order with the Sterling

Heights police and wish no more contact with Mr. Gurski

Sincerely,Robert Watson
President, Griffin Cement L.L.C.