Alchatek Blog

In this post, we’re sharing our three most popular articles on sealing seawalls over the last 365 days.  Read the opening paragraph, and then click "Read more..." for the rest of the article.

1. Stop Erosion Through Your Seawall with Polyurethane

When it comes to seawalls, there is a lot more to learn than meets the eye. A seawall is like a living, breathing thing: especially in the way that it is designed to function. But like all living breathing things, they have a finite lifespan. For many of them, it's a mere 20 – 30 years. Depending on where you live, replacing a seawall can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 per foot. That's enough for some homeowners to choose to move instead of rebuilding their seawalls. Today however, signs of seawall distress can be solved before they get too bad through the application of polyurethane grouts to seal leaks, fill voids, and stabilize the surrounding soils. Read more…

2. An In-Depth Look at Polyurethane Seawall Repair

In this article we look at an innovative way to repair seawalls instead of replacing them by stopping high flow leaks, filling the voids behind concrete structures and binding loose soil with polyurethane foam. The underlying cause of seawall deterioration is as follows: As tidal flows rise and fall, water pushes its way in through cracks, joints, and defects in seawalls. The water pushes in on incoming tides and flows out on outgoing tides. As the water flows out, it carries sand and soil with it which causes undermining of the structure, voids to form, and deteriorates the structural integrity of the seawall. This cycle is exacerbated during periods of heavy rain which continue the outflow of soil. Read more…

3. Signs a Seawall is in Need of Repair

Salt corrosion, tidal action, currents, boat wakes, storm surges and sometimes hurricanes all deliver a constant beating on the seawall. Contrary to popular opinion, many of the forces also come from the side of the wall facing the land. Did you realize that rainfall/storm events create more hydrostatic pressure than rising and falling tides? Every time it rains or the irrigation system runs, and every time the tide goes out; all of the groundwater above the waterline needs a place to vent or equalize. Massive pressure can build up if that water is trapped, making it impossible for it to drain into the sea or storm water system. That is a recipe for disaster which can easily be avoided with proper surveillance. Read more…

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I recently consulted with the city of Othello, WA on an interesting application for the leak seal product Spetec PUR HighFoamer.

A galvanized corrugated steel pipe was being used for stormwater drainage to an irrigation canal. The pipe had rusted over time, and water was coming out around the pipe causing the bank to erode. The city put a 25' stick of HDPE pipe inside the existing steel pipe. A hole was Vactor'ed out and two zerks were tapped into the to the metal pipe.

Spetec PUR HighFoamer was injected between the metal host pipe and the smaller HDPE pipe. The system was in-service and had flow during the procedure. The Spetec PUR HighFoamer filled the annular space between the two pipes and stopped the water traveling between the pipes.

As you can see in the "before" photograph below, there was a separate outflow stream to the right of the main stream due to leaking in between the pipe layers (outlined by a red oval).  The red circle below shows where the stream from the leak was hitting the side of the bank.  After Spetec PUR HighFoamer is installed between the pipe layers, the leak is sealed, that separate outflow stream is gone and the bank is no longer getting soaked.  The pipe is now functioning exactly as it should.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal products?

Alchemy-Spetec offers a variety of accessories for use with the geotech product line.  In this post, we'll take a brief tour.  If you have any questions about these products, don't hesitate to call us at 404-618-0438.

I was recently contacted by an engineer in New England who requested a demo with one of our products.  Specifically, he wanted to test Spetec PUR H100 for filling abandoned pipes.  In this case, we tested the material on a 6-inch diameter PVC pipe (but any type of abandoned pipe can be filled with expansive polyurethane as long as it's 30 inches in diameter or less).  This pipe was 10 feet long, but there is no real length limit using the technique I describe in this blog post.

First, we plugged both ends of the pipe.  We drilled a hole in the top middle of the pipe and inserted a port.  We then injected the Spetec PUR H100.  For longer pipes, you would place a port every 3 feet or so.  You'll also want to drill one 3/8" vent hole per 10 feet of pipe, in between ports.  Of course, most abandoned pipes are located underground, so your crew will have to dig down to expose top of the pipe.

Want information on other uses for Spetec PUR H100 and similar products?

Leaking concrete can be detrimental to safety and property values. The products offered by Alchemy-Spetec deliver the ultimate solution for hairline cracks, gushing leaks and other waterstop issues.

Sealing Leaks with Concrete Crack Injection

Concrete starts decaying immediately after it cures. Even brand new construction can require leak seal follow up work. Older concrete structures are even more susceptible. Leaks through concrete are generally going to be through cracks, joints, and honeycomb (areas in poured concrete of mainly course aggregate with voids in between). Depending on water volume and pressure, and the size of the joint or crack, you are going to encounter weeping leaks, steady leaks, and gushing leaks. These leaks can be sealed with crack injection resin.

Stopping Multiple Leaks with Curtain Wall Grouting

Curtain wall grouting is often required when cracks cannot be identified, when the walls are made of material that does not respond well to crack injection (such as masonry, stone and CMU), and when previous leak seal methods have failed.  Curtain wall grouting is the process of injecting water reactive resin behind the leaking wall in a grid pattern. The water on the other side mixes with the grout and cures to a solid mass covering
the surface of the wall on the other side.

Waterstop

Newly constructed floor/wall joints with no waterstop lining can be vulnerable to water infiltration. When designers and builders neglect to line the joints, water can seep into the structure and out onto the floor. Needless to say, water on the floor can be an inconvenience, it can be a safety hazard, and it can damage property. In addition, floor/wall joint leaks can cause the concrete to decay and spall over the long run. Alchemy-Spetec offers a variety of waterstop solutions.

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In honor of Earth Day, today's blog post puts the spotlight on the environmentally safe aspects of the two Alchemy-Spetec products most commonly used for seawall repair:

AP Fill 700

Spetec PUR H200

As mentioned in an earlier blog post, Alchemy-Spetec NSF Certification Spells Peace of Mind for Stakeholders...

Alchemy-Spetec is already known for providing the most powerful polymers and painless procedures contractors need to achieve the rapid results their projects demand. However, on construction projects of almost any scope and size, ensuring the safety of public drinking water is also mission-critical. That's why these Alchemy-Spetec' polyurethane resin products have received the official NSF seal of approval for contact with drinking water. This single designation ensures compliance with the Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA) and guarantees peace of mind for in-the-field stakeholders on construction projects of almost any scope and size.

Once cured, these resins are safe for contact with drinking water - which makes them safe for the environment in general.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec seawall repair products and applications?

Nationwide, municipalities regularly deal with the issue of infrastructure deterioration. One of the most common types being the constant appearance of water leaks. Active leaks, when untreated, can cause an accelerated deterioration of reinforcement within concrete, as well as settlement issues caused by voids below and next to structures.

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how polyurethane injection can be used as a preventative measure to prevent more serious problems.

Municipal Structures Vulnerable to Infiltration

Various areas in the wastewater, drinking water and storm water system may require polyurethane to stop infiltration. This is mainly due to its clean application and rapid results. These areas include but are not limited to:

• Manholes
• Water Treatment and Storage Tanks
• Lift Stations
• Storm and Sanitary Pipes

How Spetec GT500 Seals Hairline Cracks

This graphic depicts the polyurethane leak seal process when applied to the wall of a water tank. Our leak seal resin, Spetec PUR GT500, reacts when it comes into contact with water. It bonds to concrete in a durable manner, yet remains flexible so as not to crack if the concrete shifts in the future. High pressure injection insures that every part of the crack is filled and permanently sealed. This product is certified To NSF 61-5 (approved for contact with drinking water).

How Spetec PUR H200 Stops Gushing Leaks

This graphic depicts the process when applied to a larger leak with a void in the soil on the other side. While the graphic depicts a box culvert, voids like this can develop next to water tanks that are built against a hillside, manholes, pipes, etc. Spetec PUR H200 is used to fill the void and stop the gushing leak in the process. This product is certified To NSF 61-5 (approved for contact with drinking water).

Another Common Issue: Leaks in Equalization Tanks

Another common issue is leaks around the bases of equalization tanks. This untreated water can present a hazard to employees. Left unaddressed, it just costs more and more money to keep pumping this water back out.

Conclusion

Regardless of the leak seal issue at hand, one thing is certain: left untreated it will cost more money and do more damage in the long run. In this case the old adage “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” is completely appropriate. Are you a municipal manager facing any of these issues? Technical Consultants at Alchemy-Spetec have a great deal of experience with leak seal solutions for municipalities. Call us at 404-618-0436.

Want more in-depth info on polyurethane leak seal?

Leak Seal & Geotech Products & Procedures

March 14 & 15, 2019 at Alchemy-Spetec HQ in Tucker, GA

See live product mixing demos!

Get a thorough education in Leak Seal, Slab Lifting, Soil Stabilization and the Alchemy-Spetec Deep Lift™ process. You’ll also get hands-on training from a technical staff with decades of on-the-job experience.

Thursday - Leak Seal

• Leak Seal Product Line Overview
• Curtain Grouting
• Permeation Grouting
• Leak-Seal Product Mixing
• Pump & Packer Overviews
• Leak-Seal Accessories
• Municipal Applications
• Live Injection Demos
• Open Discussions

Friday - Geotech

• Geotech Product Line Overview
• Soil Stabilization
• Geotech Product Mixing
• Rig & Mobile System Overviews
• Geotechnical Accessories
• Slab Lifting Live Demo
• Deep Lift™ Overview
• Soil Testing with the
• GPR & Penetrometer
• Maintenance Discussions
• Pricing / Estimating / Cost Savings
• Open Discussions

Participants receive a Samsung tablet loaded with training material.

Your Instructors:

Stephen C. Barton (President/CEO), Jim Spiegel (VP Sales & Business Development), Andy Powell (Southeastern Regional Manager), Anthony Sandone (Eastern Regional Manager), and Charlie Lerman (Western Regional Manager). Each instructor is a seasoned professional with at least a decade of experience in the industry.  

Get ready for a thorough education in polyurethane leak seal products and applications on Thursday, March 14th (March 15th is geotech day), 2019 at Alchemy-Spetec HQ in Tucker, GA. You’ll get hands-on training from a technical staff with decades of on-the-job experience. Registration includes both days, but we’ll take a close look at the leak seal curriculum in today’s blog post…

The schedule on Thursday, March 14th includes presentations on the Alchemy-Spetec leak seal product line, crack injection, curtain grouting, permeation grouting, pumps & packers, leak seal accessories and municipal applications. There will also be live injection demos, product mixing demos, and open discussions for sharing job related tips and solutions from the field.

Your instructors have years of experience providing technical support for both contractors and distributors across the country. You can look forward to presentations, demos and/or discussions lead by Stephen C. Barton (President/CEO), Jim Spiegel (VP Sales & Business Development), Andy Powell (Southeastern Regional Manager), Anthony Sandone (Eastern Regional Manager), and Charlie Lerman (Western Regional Manager). 

Participants will receive a Samsung tablet loaded with leak seal training material.

The registration deadline is February 28th.

Sign up while there's still space available...

As a chemical grouting professional, you have to be able to adjust on the fly to get the job done, and doubly so when it comes to grouting. Often, while on a job site, I find myself relying on the numerous skills and tools I acquired while serving in a US Navy submarine.

As one can imagine, waterproofing is a bit of high priority on a submarine! Attention to detail is ingrained into each and every service member. With waterproofing, attention to detail is also king. Remember, 99% waterproofed is still 100% leaking. Focusing on the details, whether on you’re a mechanic on a submarine, or waterproofing a below-grade structure is the very foundation for success.

Another important attribute for service members and contractors is integrity. No one is perfect, and it can be hard to own up to our mistakes. Taking ownership of an issue and making it right for your client is important. In the civilian world, doing things right can be expensive, but the alternative is often costlier. In the military, shortcuts can lead to mission failure, or even more dire consequences like loss of life. Whether repairing a pump, standing watch, making oxygen, or something as tedious as routine maintenance, integrity was an essential characteristic.

I enjoyed the discipline of the submarine service. I am certain this has steered my path in life. It prepared me well for being in a specialized technical industry like chemical grouting.

Fair winds and following seas!

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