One of my favorite segments on TV is when the sports analysts stand around and watch film of the previous week’s boneheaded plays.  These are the “C’mon man” awards.  See a guy fumbling or running the wrong way and these analysts are like, “Come on man, what are you thinking!”  It’s a really funny segment.

As someone in the concrete lifting industry, it’s impossible not to miss obvious tripping hazards and the methods different municipalities and businesses use to address them.  I have frustrated contractors talk to me regularly, letting me know about this job or that job where they didn’t get the sale and some other method was used (or NO method was used) to deal with the problem.  So in honor of those methods, here are a few of my How NOT to Repair a Tripping Hazard “Come on Man!” Awards.  Names of the perpetrators will be withheld cause I'm a nice guy.

1. Look at these before and after pictures...

A certain city had their tripping hazard painted with orange spray paint. Our slab lifting contractor offered to do this for free as a demo for the city.  What did they do?  They sent a crew of four guys out and an asphalt truck and slapped a makeshift asphalt ramp together to bridge the slabs.  This is certainly not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and it’s also ugly as hell. Most importantly - it will NOT last.  COME ON MAN!

2. Look below how tripping hazards were addressed at a rest area...

These slab transitions were ground down to remove the tripping hazards.  At least they didn’t just slap some asphalt on it.  Grinding the concrete exposes the aggregates, and it leaves ugly patterns that will stay visible for years.  Not to mention the fact that it doesn't address the underlying sinking problem, so a tripping hazard is likely to appear again.  Last time I drove by there the rest area was closed.  COME ON MAN!  They should have had those slabs adjusted with polyurethane technology.

3. Some places just opt for the paint job...

Maybe if they paint this tripping hazard yellow, people will see it and not trip and fall down.  How well does that work at night (or if someone is distracted while walking)?  This was on a hotel property and there is certainly pedestrian traffic in the evenings along these walkways (not to mention millennials walking around staring at their phones).  COME ON MAN!  Do they realize that by painting the tripping hazard they are proving prior knowledge of an the issue they didn’t do anything about?  Prior knowledge is a key component in tripping hazard lawsuits.

4. Then of course, there are property owners that don’t do anything at all...

COME ON MAN!!!!!

That’s it for this special edition awards blog. And remember, if you’re a property owner faced with a tripping hazard…COME ON MAN!  Repair it correctly.  Don’t be that guy!

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Everyone claims their lifting foam is "the best" on the market (unless they're claiming theirs is the cheapest - which is a red flag to look into the quality ASAP).  As a quality leader in the industry, we provide more than vague statements and marketing slogans on this issue.

Here's a detailed list of the advantages you'll enjoy with Alchemy-Spetec's AP Lift 430 and AP Lift 475 lifting foams:

No Recycled Materials

The products are made of virgin raw materials only. They are consistent and clean, with no particulates floating around.

Water Blown Formula

Your drum set of material will be consistent from top to bottom. Whether you pump it all in one day or all in one month. No mixing will be required.

Lower Exotherm

You'll be able to fill voids, stabilize soil and lift slabs faster.  In addition, unlike some other foams out there, these foams have no history of smoke or charring.

Cured Foam is Safe for Contact with Drinking Water

These foams are certified To NSF 61-5.  That means that the cured foam is safe for contact with potable water.  Most of the time your foam won't ever come into contact with drinking water, but this certification assures your customers that once the foam cures it will not pose any kind of environmental or health hazard.

Consistent Quality

You won't have to worry about your foam setting up one way this month and another way next month.  The NSF certification and the ISO 9001 certification require the exact same formula for every single drum set.  We have both certifications.

DOT Grade Polyurethane Foam

DOT grade foams cure faster, work in wet conditions, and are traffic ready in 45 minutes.  Use less material and get less call-backs with foams that meet the standards for Department of Transportation work.  

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products and procedures?

The Quick Answer

One question we get from both property owners and potential new slab lifters is about the difference between polyurethane vs. cement grout. The quick answer is that our AP Lift Foam weighs less, has a quicker set time, doesn't shrink, requires less equipment, and can be installed in any climate.

The table included in this post provides further specifics for each claim.

More Details

If you want even more details on this subject, check out one of my earlier blog posts Polyurethane vs. Cement for Slab Jacking. In that article, I delve a little deeper into the importance of using a lightweight yet strong material, why polyurethane creates less mess than concrete grout, and the importance of using a material with a quicker set time (or cure time) than cement grout.

Want in-depth info on the slab lifting process?

Today I'd like to discuss a little "foam 101" info that addresses some commonly asked questions I get from slab lifting customers:

Density and Expansion

Technical Data for Each AP Lift Foam

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Slab stabilization and structural void filling can actually be even more valuable than slab lifting. Why wait for a slab to sink, settle, or break, when it can be stopped. Preventative slab stabilization and underslab recompaction (I'm making up words now) is a great way to protect the investment that is the foundation of any home or business.

A good contractor should know how to: spot the signs indicating a possible problem, verify whether a problem exists or not, and repair an unsupported slab that’s in danger of sinking.

How to Spot a Slab That May Be in Danger of Sinking

The most obvious slabs at risk are the ones where a void can be seen from the side. In these instances, the soil on the side has washed away along with significant soil underneath. (See the photo included with this blog post for an example.) Other situations to look out for are slabs on a hill or at the bottom of a hill. Concrete in these locations is likely to have rain water washing under it and eroding the soil. Slabs on level ground aren’t immune from this problem either. Check for gutter downspouts placed very close by, or adjacent structures with no gutter system at all. If a rain water management system wasn’t set up to direct water AWAY from the slab, there may be an issue. Another red flag would be cracks in the concrete.

How to Be SURE a Slab’s in Danger of Sinking

There are many ways to check for voids underneath a slab. Some people tap the slab with a metal tool, or even a golf club. (Others use golf balls, which they bounce off the slab). Whatever the tool, the point is to listen for a hollow ring. This tactic may take some practice at first, but many people use it. Another approach is to drill a small hole, and then check the soil underneath with a soil probe or a penetrometer. I find that the 4’ long fiberglass driveway markers make a nice probe.  Endoscope cameras are small enough to stick down through the drill hole and have a look around. On larger jobs, some have arranged for the use of ground penetrating radar.

How to Stabilize a Level Slab in Danger of Sinking

On a void fill/stabilization job, the contractor should set up an even grid pattern across the entire slab. This approach allows for the even distribution of material, as needed. Unlike a lifting job, there’s no need to emphasize one side of the slab versus the other. Instead, the contractor injects the appropriate amount of resin into each hole of the even grid pattern. It’s important to monitor every injection with a zip level or dial indicator and stop at the first sign of any movement. If ANY slight movement happens it’s time to move on to the next hole. These tools allow for the detection of movement as small as 100^th of inch, which isn’t a visible lift to the naked eye. For more on stabilizing slabs, see the blog post Slab Void Fill with Polyurethane Foam.

Wrap Up

No property owner should assume that their slab is safe just because it isn’t sinking yet. It’s better to know the danger signs and call a qualified professional to check it out. In addition, contactors should always keep an eye out for concrete in vulnerable situations. Remember: just because it’s level doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Want more in-depth info about soil stabilization?

Voids beneath warehouse floors can be filled with AP Lift 475 foam. This product is great for slabs that rock and warehouse floors that have begun to sink. The video below shows an example of the product in action. Inside this warehouse, the floors have begun to rock and are unleveled - which can speed up wear and tear on valuable equipment. With this powerful polymer and its painless application procedures, unlevel slabs can be repaired at a rapid pace. Take a look for yourself!

Want in-depth info on how to repair unlevel warehouse slabs? 

 

In the previous installment of this two-part series, we looked at common slab settlement danger zones, causes of sinking slabs, and the many risks of neglecting a known trip hazard. This time around we’ll review the two most common non-polyurethane repair options, and then explore the three most common types of polyurethane slab repairs.

Non-Polyurethane Repair Options

Aside from polyurethane repair, the property owner has two other options: replacing the slab or mudjacking it with cement grout.  There are drawbacks for both.

Tear Out and Replace

Ripping out a slab and putting in a new one has three main disadvantages.  Namely, the process is…

• Environmentally unfriendly (landfill bound?).
• Messy (requiring heavy equipment and possibly damaging the surrounding area).
• Time consuming.

Mudjack with Cement Grout

Mudjacking may be less expensive than replacement, but the property owner is still facing a number of issues.

• It’s still a messy process.
• Cement grout washes out.
• The grout is heavy and can sink over time.
• The grout can crack and shrink over time.
• Not an impermeable water tight solution.

Structural Polyurethane Repair

Polyurethane repair has distinct advantages over replacement and mudjacking.

• Very clean installation process.
• Lighter than cement mudjacking grout and won’t sink over time.
• Will not shrink.
• Closed cell structure makes it water impermeable.
• Typically less expensive than replacement.
• Less time consuming to apply than a mudjacking or replacement solution, and ready for traffic 45 minutes after application.

Not to mention the strength of these polymers. For more on that subject, see our blog post Slab Jacking with Polyurethane Foam - How Strong is Strong Enough?

Trip hazard repair with polyurethane resin can require one or a combination of the following three approaches: lifting, soil stabilization and void fill.  Let’s take a close look at all three…

Lifting

Sunken concrete slabs can be lifted back into place with a-two component structural polymer foam designed to work in wet or dry conditions. The expansion force of the foam coupled with the pressure of a PMC proportioner pump can generate enough controlled force to lift virtually any structure back into position within 1/10” of the intended level.

Soil Stabilization

Unstable, eroded, or loose soil below infrastructure can result in settlement, damage to the structure above, and of course – trip hazards. Voids can be filled, soil consolidated, and water migration halted by permeating the soil with one of our ultra low viscosity polymer resins. Once the bearing capacity of the soil has been increased with this process (soil has been stabilized), then the structure can be lifted with our slab lifting process.

Void Fill

Water erosion beneath slabs can cause voids to form that weaken the structural integrity and allow higher water pressure to develop. Filling these voids with rapidly expanding foam that is designed to react in the presence of water will return the integrity to the structure and prevent trip hazards. We have polyurethane resins designed specifically for this type of application.

Whether you’re a property owner looking for a professional to repair trip hazards on your property, or a contractor looking for material and/or technical assistance – Alchemy-Spetec is at your service.  Give us a call at 404-618-0438 to discuss your trip hazard concerns.

Want in-depth info on concrete leveling procedures and products?

Concrete slabs sink for a variety of reasons.  The result is an eyesore and possibly a trip hazard that could - in a worst case scenario - result in a serious injury, a law suit and/or death.  Lifting slabs with polyurethane foam is safe, fast, and economical. 

Property owners and managers should learn how to deal with these liability issues NOW with the latest concrete repair techniques and preventative measures. If you’re a contractor, you need this information because it’s critical for YOUR customer – the property owner.

Common Danger Zones

Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it’s helpful to know where to look for potential sunken slabs, especially if you own or manage a large variety of properties.  As a contractor you’ll want to focus on these types of sites when looking for potential customers.  The three main property categories that tend to have slab settling issues are:

• Residential (single and multi-family).
• Commercial and industrial.
• Warehouse and logistical.

Residential sites can often have driveway, sidewalk, patio, or garage floor issues.  Commercial and industrial sites often contain showroom or factory floors made of concrete slab.  Warehouse and logistical centers can contain huge floors with massive square footage.  Because warehouse floors are often raised off the ground to incorporate a loading dock, they are particularly vulnerable to the formation of dangerous voids underneath.

Causes of Slab Settlement

Let’s take a look at why slabs sink in the first place. There are at least six main reasons:

• Equipment on surface putting too much weight on slabs.
• Erosion due to natural causes.
• Leaking drain pipes and water mains.
• Improper site drainage or poor water management from downspouts and gutters.
• Poor soil consolidation/compaction.
• Old trash pits from the original construction phase that were too close to the structure.

Familiarity with these common causes of slab settling can help a lot when attempting to diagnose the exact cause at a specific location.  For more, see our blog post series The Causes of Unstable Soil.

Results of Neglect

After becoming aware of a slab issue, the property owner has a critical choice to make.  To repair or not to repair – that is the question.  Neglecting a repair can have huge implications.  Here are a few possible results of neglect:

• Damage to vehicles and equipment.
• Unlevel racking and storage.
• Personal property damage.
• Sinkholes.
• Trip hazards.
• Employee injuries.
• Limitless liability issues.

Read that list a few times and seriously consider the very real possibility that one or more of these events may occur when a property owner neglects a slab repair.  As experts with many years in the industry, we’ve seen every one of these events unfold after a problem was ignored.

In the next installment of this two-part series, we’ll review the two most common methods for repairing a trip hazard aside from polyurethane, and then we’ll review the three most common types of slab repair with polyurethane: slab lifting, soil stabilization and void fill.

Want in-depth info on concrete leveling procedures and products?

This blog post explains how to develop a contract for a typical lifting job.  We’ll cover essential points such as Description of Process and Products, Scope of Work, Scheduling, Items Furnished by Others, Stipulations, Price, Warranty, Terms of Payment and Seeking Legal Counsel for Fine Tuning. 

PLEASE NOTE: This article covers situations that you may want to consider when preparing your contract.  It is not intended as legal advice, is not all inclusive, and has not been reviewed by any attorney.  It should not be relied upon as such.  Laws vary from state to state.  You should seek the advice of legal counsel licensed to practice law in your state before finalizing your contract documents.

Brief Description of Process and Products

It’s important to start by outlining the process and products you’ll be using.  Some of our current customers use blurbs like this… 

The slab lifting process consists of the injection of expansive high density polyurethane foam underneath the concrete.  This foam is manufactured by Alchemy-Spetec of Tucker, Georgia.  This high density foam has a quick cure time of 15 minutes to 90% weight load capacity, does not shrink, is hydrophobic, creates a moisture barrier, and is lightweight.

Scope of Work

Next you’ll want to be very specific about the scope of work for the project.  Use this section to explain to the customer exactly which areas will be lifted and exactly how you estimated the amount of material you’ll need.  (For a refresher on estimating material, see our blog post Estimating Material for Slab Lifting Jobs.)

Scheduling

It’s important to spell out the order in which certain events will take place and the time parameters in which you’ll be able to do the work.  For example, you may cover points like calling the appropriate agency to locate underground utilities on site before the job starts, coordinating with the engineer (if there is one) during the job, and outlining the days and hours in which you typically work.  You can also let them know how long it will typically take you to begin the job after they give you the green light. 

Items Furnished by Others

In this section you can briefly list any items that you expect the customer to furnish, such as access to and from the work area, electricity, water, etc.

Stipulations

It’s critical to inform your customer and also cover yourself regarding anything and everything that could go wrong on a slab lifting job.  Unlocated plumbing pipes accidentally infiltrated with resin, cracks in foundations lacking steel reinforcement, cracks in slabs, etc.  Be clear about what you will and will not be held liable for. 

Warranty

Alchemy-Spetec warrants that our resin products will not deteriorate or shrink for a period of 10 years after the date of installation.  You need to decide what type of warranty you will offer on your labor.  Many of our contractors offer to replace any failed product for a period of 1 year at no cost to the owner, and then at a pro-rated scale after that.  Be sure to exclude any damage done by acts of nature such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. 

Price

Spell out exactly how much you will charge for labor and how much you estimate materials will cost.  You may want to break down the material cost into a per pound amount, so they have an idea how much extra they will be paying if you have to use more material than originally estimated. 

Terms of Payment

Lay out the terms of your compensation, including an up-front deposit amount, how long the customer has to pay the balance.  Many of our customers insist on the balance being paid upon job completion, to avoid any collection headaches. 

Seek Legal Counsel for Fine Tuning

Again, it’s important to note that these are just general guidelines meant to assist you in constructing a contract of your own.  Laws differ from state to state.  Once you have a rough draft completed, we strongly urge you to seek the advice of legal counsel licensed to practice law in your state.  An initial rough draft combined with feedback and fine tuning from an attorney will get you to a solid standard contract that you can re-use for many jobs to come.

Want a phone consultation to discuss your concrete leveling contract?

Don’t Be Complacent When It Comes To Safety

For many years I have been a Technical Consultant for Alchemy-Spetec.  Prior to that, I ran a small crew doing polyurethane, and in some cases epoxy, injection for infrastructure repair.

All of the products I have worked with have some similar things in common both in terms of the product, and the application.  First of all, everything we work with is sticky and secondly, most everything we work with is pumped under some kind of pressure.

Sometimes on-the-job events remind you to always think things through, and to never be complacent or take anything for granted when it comes to safety.

Know Your Equipment

Although Alchemy-Spetec sells turnkey equipment systems for installing all of our products, often I am consulting in the field working with a contractor’s equipment.  Once on a seawall injection job, we started pumping and it became clear that material was not moving; somewhere there was a restriction.  Typically I work from the injection gun back to find out where the problem is.  On the Titan pumps I usually work with for leak seal jobs, you can switch the pump from “Spray” mode to “Prime” mode and it will relieve the pressure on the main line.  This wasn’t a Titan though, and after making that switch I thought I had relieved the pressure.  The injection gun was locked up and I thought material had set up in it causing the lock up.  Disassembling a fitting on the gun informed me otherwise as it blew off and shot high pressure resin onto my arms and elsewhere.  High pressure fluid wounds can cause long term complications and should be treated immediately if the skin is penetrated.  I made out okay with only wounded pride and a lesson learned. 

Think It Through

The old rule of thumb for carpenters is measure twice and cut once.  That is good to keep in mind for a lot of things in life, but it especially applies to our industry.  Sometimes we are pumping one-component resin and sometimes we are pumping two-component.  Other times we might be flushing out equipment or doing maintenance.  Think through everything you’re doing at all times.  Two-component equipment may have a lot of different valves and controls that need to be turned on or off in a certain order.  If you’re not sure consult the manual or pick up the phone and ask us.  Doing things out of sequence may not create a problem but there are times when it can.  That can lead to a mess or an injury.  When doing maintenance always follow appropriate lock-out tag-out procedures (LOTO).

Always Wear Your Safety Gear

When I had that high pressure blow out on my arms, it was a July day in FL.  Extreme heat and humidity were prevalent so I was wearing short sleeves as is common in the Sunshine State.  I had my safety glasses on which did prevent material from splashing in my eyes; however as I had to shave my arms later that day to remove resin, I wished I had been wearing a Tyvek suit.  Don’t cut corners on the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).  Additionally, make sure you always have a first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and a safety plan in place.  For confined spaces, mandatory training and certification is not an option; it’s the law.  Don’t let your Christmas bonus evaporate because of a heavy OSHA or MSHA fine.

Pay Attention

There is plenty more to cover in a blog on safety; this one was really more of a reminder to both myself and everyone else to keep it in the forefront of our minds.  Safety is a group effort and requires everyone to be on the same page.  If you have more experience than the other person; pay attention to them and offer instruction and correction as necessary.  Watch out for each other and for your surroundings and you will establish the proper culture to succeed in this business.

Have More Questions About Contractor Safety?