Alchatek Infrastructure Repair Blog: Polyurethane Leak Seal Injection, Soil Stabilization, Concrete Leveling (101)

Currently Seeking Independent Manufacturing Representative

Posted by Stephen C. Barton on May 17, 2017 11:30:00 AM

Manufacturing Representative (Metro DC Area, Virginia, Maryland)

Will You Be The Next Representative For Alchemy-Spetec?

Alchemy-Spetec is actively seeking a talented experienced remote Manufacturing Rep to join our high growth team. The Manufacturing Rep territory is centered around the Metro DC area, Virginia and Maryland area.

We are looking for a rep with experience in the waterproofing industry and the ability to find contractors and develop them to use our products.

This rep will travel in the three states mentioned calling on municipalities, specifying engineers, architects, geotechnical engineers, soil contractors, grouting contractors and waterproofing contractors that may have interest in our products.

The Alchemy-Spetec brand is a great product line for a rep who is already selling waterproofing products.

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.

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New Alchemy-Spetec Catalog Available

Posted by Kreg Thornley on May 15, 2017 11:30:00 AM

Have you seen the new Alchemy-Spetec catalog?

Download it now for details on the following products and more...

One-Component Resins
(H40 - H100 - F400 - F1000 - GT350 - AP500 - AP600 - AP700)
Two-Component Resins
(AP430 - AP440 - AP475)
Acrylate Resins
(AG100 - AG200 - AG300)
Preventative Waterproofing Supplies
Accessories

Featuring a complete product line from recently merged companies Alchemy Polymers and Resiplast US, the new Alchemy-Spetec catalog is an indispensable comprehensive resource for anyone interested in sealing leaks, stabilizing soil and/or lifting slabs.

Note: Since this blog article was posted, we've revised our catalog to separately reflect the Geotech and Leak Seal product lines.

So what are you waiting for?

Topics: All Posts, Business Tips

In Memory of Jimmie Kays

Posted by Andy Powell on May 12, 2017 11:30:00 AM

Last week we lost one of our own. Jimmie Kays of Vidor Texas and Marsh Waterproofing left us suddenly, and much too early. A big guy with a heart as big as the state of Texas he hails from.

I received word on Saturday night and it just didn’t seem possible. Tuesday found me face to face with reality; having flown to Texas to be with our friends there. We gathered at the small Baptist church in Vidor where Jimmie grew up and I listened to his closest friends and family tell stories about how he had touched them. He was known for his great sense of humor, his habit of greeting everyone with a smile, and his willingness to sacrifice anything to help others. We need more like him and I wish I had the chance to get to know him a little better.

The rain was pouring down on Wednesday morning, but that did not deter a standing room only crowd from gathering to honor Jimmie, pay their respects, and be there to support his loved ones. The mile long procession of cars to his graveside, in such a small town, was a testament to how much he was loved and how badly he will be missed. With his Dallas Cowboys hat and jersey on, and a Harley Davidson logo on his casket, Jimmie took his last ride, where he will now join a lot of other great Texans.

Sometimes reality slaps us in the face and reminds us that there are bigger things than making that next appointment, getting a project, or making a sale. If you knew Jimmie, his family, or the folks at Marsh, keep them in your thoughts as they come to grips with this. If you didn’t know him, make a point to appreciate everyone around you, and offer a smile or a friendly word…that’s what Jimmie would do.

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Proper Polyurethane Recycling & Disposal

Posted by Stephen C. Barton on May 10, 2017 11:30:00 AM

In this post I will share information resources for proper disposal and recycling of Alchemy-Spetec products and containers.

Polyurethane Disposal and Recycling Guidelines

The American Chemistry Council provides plenty of information on polyurethane disposal and recycling. Here are a few links for your review...

Finding a Container Recycler

To find a recycling service that serves your area, simply do an internet search for "steel drum recycling", "IBC tote recycling" or "plastic pail recycling". Be sure to inform them that your containers used to contain polyurethane.

Want in-depth info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Topics: All Posts, Business Tips

Subscribe to Our Polyurethane Concrete Repair YouTube Channel

Posted by Diamond Purvis on May 8, 2017 11:30:00 AM

Do you follow us on YouTube yet? We work hard to make sure our content is relevant and helpful to your bottom line.

Here are two reasons you should subscribe right now:

Sharpen Your Polyurethane Concrete Repair Knowledge

Watch slabs being lifted, seawalls being repaired and leaks being sealed.
See experienced technicians demonstrate best practices.

Learn More About Alchemy-Spetec Products

Watch informative sample demos.
See the products in action under a variety of conditions.

If you are interested in Alchemy-Spetec products and procedures, following us on YouTube is a fantastic way to stay up to date!

Take a few seconds and subscribe to the YouTube channel today. You’ll be glad you did!

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Topics: All Posts, Business Tips

Case Study: Sink Hole Repair

Posted by Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman on May 5, 2017 11:30:00 AM

sink hole repair.png As mentioned in the previous blog post, Kiawah Island is located in Charleston, South Carolina. Due to the makeup of this area, water flows abundantly in every area naturally. In this post I'll discuss a sinkhole that appeared on one of the island's bike trails. This was caused by the soil eroding away under an asphalt sidewalk. This particular bike trail rested on and around a pond that contained fresh fish. The only acceptable route to fix this issue was to use Alchemy-Spetecs’ H100, which has been certified as safe for contact with drinking water. (Other products often used for soil stabilization are AP Soil 600 and H40.)

We advised the contractor to slowly open up the sinkhole by chipping away the bad asphalt and driving probes down to the ground while simultaneously pumping H100. The contractor pumped in H100 until the grout reached a suitable level at the top of the void. The next day after the grout cured, the path was squared off and repaved using sand and stone.

Within 24 hours start to finish, they were able to eliminate the void and get the trail back in shape for public use - without harming the ecosystem of the pond and fresh water fish.

Want more information on sink hole repair and soil stabilization products?

Topics: All Posts, Stabilize Soil

Case Study: Storm Sewer Pipe Repair

Posted by Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman on May 3, 2017 11:30:00 AM

storm sewer pipe repair.png Kiawah Island, located in Charleston, South Carolina, is home to about 5 championship golf courses. On this island there are a lot of corrugated metal storm sewer pipes that carry water from place to place. Many of these underground storm sewer pipes began to leak due to decay caused by aging.

To start this repair, the contractor used inflatable dams to stop the water from going through the pipes. We then advised them to drive 8 foot long grout probes into the ground along the outside of the 72 inch sewer pipes. These probes were used to penetrate the surrounding soil and start plugging the active leaks from the outside with Alchemy-Spetec H100. With the inflated dams in place diverting the water, they were also able to climb inside the sewer pipes. While inside they pumped H100 through to the other side of the pipe, out into the soil. Next, they used spin casting to seal off the inside of the pipes. Spin casting is a method in which a small machine with a hose on one end spins around in a circle shooting a coating material to seal the pipe off after grouting.

With a combination of probe grouting and spin casting, they were able to complete this storm sewer pipe repair and ensure leakage no longer occurred.

Want more information on sealing leaks?

Topics: All Posts, Seal Leaks

Case Study: Waterproofing Warehouse Slabs

Posted by Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman on May 1, 2017 11:30:00 AM

In this case study, I will share a story about waterproofing warehouse slabs. There was a distribution center in North Carolina sitting on land that had a high water table. Eventually, the slabs in this 100,000 square foot building began to accumulate moisture.

There were offices next to the warehouse area. The moisture that was seeping through the concrete slabs was first noticed as the carpet in the office area began to get damp.

To combat this issue, we helped the contractor come up with a plan to inject polyurethane chemical grout through the slab floors to create a positive side waterproofing membrane underneath. That was completed by injecting Spetec PUR H100 underneath the slab using a diamond pattern. This technique is called curtain wall grouting. The contractor was able to waterproof the warehouse slabs while simultaneously keeping the moisture out of the building.

Want more information on curtain wall grouting?

Topics: All Posts, Seal Leaks

Case Study - Concrete Leak Seal Repair

Posted by Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman on Apr 28, 2017 11:30:00 AM

In Manhattan, New York, a building site was facing unforeseen issues. An old building with an empty lot was being demolished for new construction, and underneath was mainly rock and stone. As the contractors began to penetrate the rocks, water began to spew out.

Grouting had to be done because of the water leaks that arose after penetration of the rocks. We advised the contractor to use our H100 resin to slow down the water. Ports were drilled into the horizontal slabs and rocks as a starting point. With the ports set into place, the second step was to inject the resin into the rock fissures (open cracks) to slow down the water and fill the large voids.

In the end, the contractor was able to slow down 80% of the water from the rock fissures. With the water down to a minimum, the concrete slab was able to be poured and a base was created for the new building. This is just one of the many ways our products can be used to repair damage on building sites in emergency situations.

Want more information on concrete leak seal repair products?

Topics: All Posts, Seal Leaks

Stabilizing a House with AP 475

Posted by Andy Powell on Apr 26, 2017 12:51:22 PM

Eroded soil and voids underneath a structure can result in settlement and damage to the structure. These dangerous voids can be filled with high strength polyurethane foam that supports up to 14,000 pounds per square foot. In this video, Stabilizing a House with AP 475, you'll see the back half of a residence resting on nothing but its frame and thin air. Installation of AP 475 foam secures the structure and prevents potentially catastrophic damage. (AP 475 can also be used for lifting if the unstable soil has already caused the slab to sink.)

Watch the video below...

For more videos like this, be sure to subscribe to the Alchemy-Spetec YouTube channel.

Want more in-depth info on slab stabilization and lifting?

Topics: All Posts, Lift Slabs, Stabilize Soil

Alchatek Blog

Currently Seeking Independent Manufacturing Representative

Manufacturing Representative (Metro DC Area, Virginia, Maryland)

Will You Be The Next Representative For Alchemy-Spetec?

New Alchemy-Spetec Catalog Available

So what are you waiting for?

In Memory of Jimmie Kays

Proper Polyurethane Recycling & Disposal

Polyurethane Disposal and Recycling Guidelines

Finding a Container Recycler

Want in-depth info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Subscribe to Our Polyurethane Concrete Repair YouTube Channel

Here are two reasons you should subscribe right now:

Sharpen Your Polyurethane Concrete Repair Knowledge

Learn More About Alchemy-Spetec Products

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Case Study: Sink Hole Repair

Want more information on sink hole repair and soil stabilization products?

Case Study: Storm Sewer Pipe Repair

Want more information on sealing leaks?

Case Study: Waterproofing Warehouse Slabs

Want more information on curtain wall grouting?

Case Study - Concrete Leak Seal Repair

Want more information on concrete leak seal repair products?

Stabilizing a House with AP 475

Want more in-depth info on slab stabilization and lifting?

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