When you set out to work on a leak seal injection project, it's important to be prepared. 

Let's imagine you have a big polyurethane grout injection job today. Great, let’s go!

Everything starts going into the truck and you’re off. You get to the job, start pulling material, equipment, tools and a lot of other stuff out of the truck - then someone asks, “Where is the______? And where is the _______? And what happened to the _______?"

Suddenly it’s time to find the nearest hardware store, so you can get what you need, so you can get your job started and finished and cleaned up after you’re done. When you're not prepared, one trip to the hardware store is usually only the beginning. Sometimes multiple trips are necessary to get the project done.

The Boy Scouts always talk about the importance of being prepared. Here is a little help. Make a checklist to be sure you have what you need, so you can get to the job…..get started……..and get it done (without holding up work because someone needs to go to the hardware store).

Here is a suggested starter list. Add to it whatever else you think you may need:

Before you pack up for a job, it's critical to make a checklist of what you need. Check it twice (like Santa does) to make sure you have everything squared away up front. 

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In this post I'll provide a brief overview of four different ways to fix leaking wall joints with Alchemy-Spetec polyurethane chemical grouts.

• Drill at a 45 degree angle, injecting on alternating sides of the joint. Drill deep into the wall, but don't drill through the wall and into the soil. Instead the drill holes should penetrate the crack itself, allowing for resin to seal the crack in the wall.
  
  
• Drill straight through the wall and into the soil. Inject through either side of the joint every 8 to 10 inches.  Curtain grout behind the joint and into the soil, creating a leak barrier behind the wall.
  
  
• Soak AP Oakum in our resin, then dip it in water and shove it into the joint.  Pack oakum to the back of the joint, working your way towards the front of the joint.  Now you have a tight seal.
  
  
• Pack AP Oakum into the front half of the joint, leaving the back of the joint oakum-free.  Then push an injection needle through the oakum, and pump grout to back side of joint. This will fill the void with foam and make a very good reinforced seal.

• Spetec PUR F400
• AP Seal 500

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The Deep Lift™ process is different from common slab lifting in that it requires polyurethane foam to be injected deep into the soil beneath the structure. Deep Lift™ is often appropriate for certain larger structures and more flexible pavements that may not be ideal candidates for conventional slab lifting. It can also be used in conjunction with conventional slab lifting. In this post, I'll provide a quick overview of the Deep Lift™ process and its many applications.

The Process:

1. Complete a thorough site evaluation including – soil borings, DCP testing, and GPR as necessary
2. Address any potential binding with saw cutting, clearing of joints, and removal of old grout
3. Based upon soils data, calculate grid spacing and injection depths
4. Drive injection tubes to the correct depths and locations
5. Inject the appropriate AP Lift series polymer(s) in the predetermined sequence while monitoring for lift
6. Follow the grout plan, adjusting the injection depths and locations as the structure raises into place

The Applications:

• Bridge abutments
• Highway approach slabs
• Rigid and flexible pavements
• Ports and airports
• Settled buildings
• Soil densification and encapsulation
• Lift stations
• Pipe and tunnel segments
• Equipment pads

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Ports are generally used to deliver resinous material and seal vertical or overhead cracks in concrete with epoxy or polyurethane chemical grout. 

Using Ports with Epoxy

For epoxy applications, ports are set directly over or into the crack. Epoxy is injected directly into the crack. A low viscosity epoxy needs to get at least 90% penetration and fill of the crack for a structural repair. It is not necessary to drill into the crack to set the ports for epoxy injection. “Top Hat” ports can be used to set and seal cracks. This seal creates a reservoir for the epoxy by not allowing any of the resin to leak out during and after injection.

Using Ports with Polyurethane

Polyurethane crack injection is done differently. Holes are drilled at a 45 degree angle to the crack in an attempt to meet the crack at its mid-point in the concrete membrane. Injecting the grout into the mid-point of the crack allows for expansion in all directions for a complete seal.

For polyurethane curtain wall grouting, holes are drilled completely through the wall in a pre-determined grid pattern and ports are set for the injection site. This method allows the crack or joint to be sealed from behind the wall. It is important to make sure you know where the steel reinforcing, possible post-tensioned cables, electrical conduit or any other systems that may be in or behind the wall are before drilling.

Polyurethanes and Epoxies

As mentioned in a previous blog, Polyurethanes vs. Epoxies, there are many different situations requiring either product type. The choice depends on the project at hand and the depth of your product knowledge.

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Do You Know Someone Who Would Be Perfect for This Position?

Apply online by following this link:  Alchemy-Spetec Manufacturing Representative Application

Please note, this is an independent contractor position; the selected candidate will not be an employee of Alchemy-Spetec.

Alchemy-Spetec is an equal opportunity employer.

When repairing cracks in concrete, which material is better to use? Polyurethane or epoxy?  Well the real answer is both products will work, but there are some rules that apply.

Polyurethanes Vs. Epoxies

If the crack is leaking, polyurethane chemical grout would be the better choice because epoxies do not perform well where moisture is present. Polyurethane is a fast setting foam product that can stop leaks in as little as 5 seconds. It can also fix hairline cracks and cracks that are a few inches wide. 

Epoxy can be used for cracks in need of structural repair because of the high compressive strengths they have. Some epoxies even have higher strength ratings than concrete. This is why they are the best choice for non-leaking structural cracks.

A few years back I was asked by an engineer to look at a parking garage that had many leaking cracks. It turned out that those cracks were previously repaired with epoxy grout. This is a perfect example of why grouters should not use epoxy in leaking cracks.  As I mentioned earlier, epoxy does not do well in cracks that have moisture in them.  The other mistakes they made were: using a very rigid epoxy without flexibility, and failing to bridge the crack for movement. This is what caused the cracks to leak again.

My recommendation for this problem was a simple. Because the cracks already had epoxy in them, I had the contractor drill through the wall and into the soil. I then had the contractor pump polyurethane chemical grout behind the wall and build a curtain wall of grout behind each crack.  Problem fixed!

Products we have for crack injection:
Spetec PUR F400
AP Seal 500 

Products we have for curtain wall grouting:
Spetec PUR H100
AP Fill 700   

Product we have for structural crack repair:
Epicol INJ LV

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Pipes that are fed through foundation walls are subject to leaking over time due to corrosion, pressure or cracks around the pipe.  This takes place because water essentially weakens the concrete around the pipe and creates leaks.

When these particular pipes are put in place, contractors usually drill a hole through the wall and insert pipe sleeves to hold the conduit, sewer pipe or water line.  Most of the time water will leak from the back of the wall where the soil has eroded and then through the sleeve and out on to the floor.

Qualified contractors can use Alchemy-Spetec polyurethane water activated chemical grouts and oakum to repair these pipe penetration leaks.  (Oakum is a oil-free natural fiber that is used for filling voids.)

Here's how it's done:

1. Soak the oakum in chemical grout, and then quickly submerge it in water. 
2. Immediately pack the oakum around the pipe that is sitting in the sleeve.  It will harden in minutes and become a tightly sealed gasket. 
3. If needed, use an injection needle to fill area behind the oakum with chemical grout.

Alchemy-Spetec products that can be used include:

• Oakum
• Spetec PUR H100
• AP Fill 700

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Parking garage leaks can cause many issues for property managers when it comes to city code upkeep.  A major sign that a parking garage needs repair is evidence of water intrusion. The longer this evidence is ignored, the bigger the cost for the property owner in the long run.

One obvious sign of water intrusion is sudden ponding or free standing puddles on the concrete.  Another telltale sign is efflorescence on your walls and floor.  Efflorescence is the migration of salt to the surface of porous material where it forms a powdery white coating.  Efflorescence occurs when wall or floor cracks begin to leak water over a period of time.  If you see exposed rebar in a parking garage, it's a sign that water may be going through cracks, spalling the concrete and exposing the rebar.  Once this happens, the exposed rebar begins to rust and then has to be replaced soon after. Replacing rebar can be costly.

Alchemy-Spetec products are ideal for the Crack Injection or Curtain Wall Grouting procedures that are used to address these issues.  

When chemical grouts are injected into the floor or wall cracks, they provide a durable and lasting seal to prevent further leakage.  This can prevent concrete from spalling and exposing rebar, eliminate future puddles from forming and stop expansion joint leaks.

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Elevator pit water leaks are very common. These pits can be open to flooding and leakage because they are usually at the lowest point of a building below the water table. Water can easily seep from cracks in the walls or through the floor wall detail.

There are many reasons why elevator pits leak.  This can include incorrect application, damage to existing elevators, pits that are very old, changes in the water table, and even shortcuts that have been taken such as non-installation of waterproofing materials. These are just a few of the causes.

So what happens when these elvator pits become consumed with water?

The solution is simple!

You would drill holes through the walls and floor using a grid pattern.  You would then pump water activated polyurethane chemical grout into the soil to create what we call a “curtain wall”.  This wall essentially stops the water from penetrating the area around the pit.  It creates a permanent seal and allows the elevator to function properly again.  (If you're a property owner, we can help you find a contractor to do this.  Just call us at 404-618-0438.)

Alchemy-Spetec products that are used for curtain wall grouting include:

If you are unfamiliar with the term "curtain wall" and what it includes, be sure to check out our previous blog series on Curtain Wall Grouting to gain a deeper understanding of the process.

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When you are in the window business, you walk down the street looking at windows in different buildings. When you are in the concrete repair business, you walk down the street noticing all the defects (cracks, spalls, etc.) in the concrete on the surrounding concrete structures. Being in the chemical grout business one tends to notice applications for chemical grout.

Walking in a parking lot to my car the other day I noticed something unique. At first, I thought it was some type of mushroom or fungus growing from a tree trunk. But as I looked closer I found that it was a chemical grout. I took some photos and then did some brief research on it.  I found that chemical foam grout can be used to help stop or slow down dry rot in tree trunks. It keeps water away from the rotting areas and gives the tree a chance to live on.

We make some of the finest polyurethane chemical grouts available. Most of our grouts are environmentally safe and carry NSF/ANSI 61-5 approval for contact with drinking water. Always consult an experienced arborist before proceeding with any trees on your property (and one of our Technical Consultants if you plan to use our foam).

And, as always, if you need material for leaking concrete, soil stabilization, or concrete leveling...we are the people to talk to. Powerful polymers, painless procedures and rapid results. We’ve got your back!

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