The Case of the Cracked Terrazzo (part 1)
A Muggy Morning Start
It was one of those muggy mornings when even the coffee at Flo’s diner couldn’t wake me up. I sat on my usual stool, and Flo topped off my cup before I even sat down.
“What’s the case today, Stone Detective?” she asked.
“Cracked terrazzo in Atlanta,” I told her. “Insurance company’s bringing me in.”
She gave me that look like she always does when she knows I’m in for a long day.
“Better take the Woody,” she said. “You’re gonna need something to make you smile when you’re done with those suits.”
She wasn’t wrong.
The Trip to Atlanta
Next thing I knew I was wedged into a center seat on a packed flight to Atlanta. On my right, a guy so big he should’ve bought two tickets, and on my left, a good-looking dame with a crying baby that could have been used as a fire alarm. Luckily, it was a short hop.
After the usual rental car circus, I was finally behind the wheel and on my way to what I was already calling “Yuppyville.”
Meeting the Suits
I pulled into the office building’s parking garage, parked, and headed for the elevator.
When the doors opened, I was greeted by what looked like the insurance company’s entire executive team. Eight of them, all in matching blue suits, standing in a perfect line like they’d rehearsed it. One by one, they shook my hand and handed me a card, like I was the president or a Hollywood big shot.
Finally, they escorted me to the main lobby where the terrazzo floor was waiting for me. And what a sight it was. The entire floor was covered in random spider cracks, like a tipsy spider had tried spinning a web after one too many drinks.
Asking the Right Questions
“How old’s the installation?” I asked.
The head yuppy, clearly the leader of the pack, froze. He turned to his crew, and they huddled like a football team calling a last-second play. After a couple minutes of whispering and nodding, the chief looked at me with all the confidence in the world and said, “Six months and ten days.”
I had to keep from laughing. Most contractors I talk to can’t tell me if a job was done last year or five years ago. These guys were precise.
“Got the job specs?” I asked.
Back into the huddle they went. When they broke, the chief said, “Yes.” And then just stood there.
I had to ask again: “Can I see them?”
They didn’t huddle that time, thank goodness, just nodded and promised to get them.
My Inspection
I spent the next hour walking the floor, tapping here and there, checking for hollow spots. The yuppy squad followed me in perfect silence like I was on parade.
When I was done, I told them I’d need to review the specs before I could give them my official opinion.
The Real Cause
But between you and me, I already knew what had happened:
- No expansion joints
- Too much water in the mix
- Or not enough cure time before the floor was put into service
Any of those can cause spider cracking. To prove it, I’d need to come back and take some samples for the lab.
Wrapping Up My Visit
I made an appointment to come back with the chief, thanked the crew, made my escape back to the rental car, and headed out of Yuppyville. Next stop, the airport. And this time, I was crossing my fingers for an aisle seat. For my trip back in a couple of weeks, I’ll make a reservation.
