Alchatek Blog

Safety is the number one priority for factory and warehouse managers across the country.  Emphasis is most often placed on training employees to wear the right personal protective equipment and observe safety procedures when operating machinery - and rightly so!  In addition, it's also important for management to consider the state of the concrete slab floors.  Sunken or rocking slabs can cause trip hazards and damage equipment.  Undetected voids underneath seemingly solid slabs create the risk of sudden collapse.

Alchemy-Spetec sells high-strength polyurethane resin to slab repair contractors all over North America.  We can help you find a well-trained contactor to inspect the concrete in your warehouse or factory. 

Call Alchemy-Spetec now at 404-618-0438 or...

Click below, fill out a form for a slab lift brochure & we'll contact you ASAP.

Maintenance managers at schools and universities should be keenly aware of the dangers posed by sunken concrete slabs.  Campus walkway slabs can settle and create trip hazards for students and teachers.  Sunken concrete parking lot slabs can create trip hazards and damage vehicles.

Alchemy-Spetec provides high-strength polyurethane concrete leveling foam to contractors all over North America.  These highly trained professionals can spot danger areas during a routine inspection and lift concrete back into place if the slab is still intact and the conditions allow.  Given our extensive customer base, we can very likely help you find a contractor.

Wherever your campus is located, we'll do our best to connect you with a contractor in your area who can perform an inspection and provide you with a repair estimate.

Call Alchemy-Spetec now at 404-618-0438 or...

Click below, fill out a form for a slab lift brochure & we'll contact you ASAP.

Are you in the market for a tough and compact slab lifting system?  The PolyBadger is a reliable entry-level choice for new lifting companies focusing on small jobs.  It's also a great system for larger companies facing out-of-the-way jobs that may prohibit the use of a large rig. 

Benefits of the PolyBadger over a standard rig:

• Lower Initial Investment
• Less Equipment Needed
• Easily Fitted To Truck, Trailer or Cart

In addition, the PolyBadger has considerable advantages over competing mobile cart systems.  Talk to an Alchemy-Spetec rep for comparisons to any other cart system you are considering.

Want more info on the PolyBadger?

Last week we were happy to host over 30 participants at our Fall 2019 Leak Seal & Geotech Training event.  We enjoyed meeting everyone, learning about their experiences in the field, and sharing info about our products and application procedures.  

Wednesday, October 9th consisted of a joint exploration of polyurethane Leak Seal products and applications.  Classroom discussions were supplemented with live crack injection and permeation/curtain wall demos. Participants were also given the chance to mix products with accelerator on their own and watch the products set up in real time. The day was rounded out with discussions on estimating the cost of material and a look a few case studies.  The night was capped off with pizza and beer at a local brewhouse here in Tucker, GA.  (Unfortunately, for local Braves fans, their historic playoff meltdown was unfolding on the bar's TV screens at the time.)

Thursday, October 10th was all about polyurethane Geotech products and applications. Classroom presentations on lifting, soil stabilization and void fill were supplemented with live lifting and equipment demos. Product mixing workshops and estimating discussions filled out the afternoon.  The day was wrapped up with a look at ground penetrating radar and a case study presentation on a job that required both Leak Seal and Geotech solutions.

We very much appreciate everyone who attended and look forward to the Spring 2020 Training event.

Want to be alerted when Spring 2020 training registration is available?

Ready for an entertaining story?  Well, buckle up, because this is a good one.  As the Western Regional Rep for Alchemy-Spetec, I usually keep product samples and mixing supplies in the trunk of my car.  I recently took my car in to the dealer for an oil change.  My girlfriend drove me home after I dropped the car off.  A few hours later, we picked the car up, went home and started getting ready to attend an Arizona Coyotes hockey game. 

I checked my voicemail after getting out of the shower.  I was surprised to hear very frantic sounding messages from my parents, the dealership, and um...the police!  My mother's voicemail went something like this: "Michael!  The police are at our house questioning us about possible bomb making supplies in your car?!!  What's going on?!!"  The message from the dealership was a bit more measured: "Michael.  You need to call us back IMMEDIATELY.  This is extremely serious.  Please call us the minute you get this voicemail."  It all became clear with the next message from the police department: "This is officer (name withheld for obvious reasons). I have a report that there were some suspicious chemicals in your trunk. Give me call at your earliest convenience."

I called the officer back first, at the number he provided.  I got his voicemail, so I left my explanation and contact info.  Then I called my mother to calm her down.  Finally, I called the dealership for a full explanation.  The manager, who knows me well and knows what I do for a living, laid it all out for me.  Apparently, an employee who doesn't know me too well decided to take a look in the trunk while they were doing the oil change.  Alarmed at what looked like suspicious chemicals, he quickly slammed the trunk shut, not sure what to do.  He said nothing to management.  His shift ended shortly thereafter.  He met up with some friends and told them this exciting story about possibly finding bomb making chemicals in the back of a car he was working on.  One of his friends became concerned and alerted the police.

Meanwhile, I had tickets to a hockey game.  I had replied to the officer's message, and with the knowledge that they had already been in contact with my friend who managed the dealership, I figured it was safe to catch the Coyotes game.  I would follow up again afterwards.  After watching my hockey team kick some butt (yes, we won), I was back home settling in when I heard a knock at the door.  It was, of course, the police.  To be honest, I was relieved to finally be able to explain everything directly to them.  I invited them in and started showing them product samples, etc.  They seemed to believe me at this point, but still asked me to come down to the department and do some mixing demos to show them exactly how the products work.  So, I did!  And that, my friends, is how I ended up giving product demos at a police station.  I can now rest assured that, if they ever have any concrete slab, soil or waterproofing issues - I will be the first person they call!  Who said working is chemical grouts wasn't exciting?

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Why Voids Under Your Slabs are Dangerous

If you own or manage a property with concrete slabs, you need to understand the danger posed by voids in the supporting soil. Large gaps in the soil beneath your slabs are a red-alert problem for a couple of key reasons:

• Any equipment or vehicles on your slab are at risk. We have linked to this video before, but it is very relevant here: click to view cars falling through a collapsing floor. You definitely do not want this happening in your warehouse, parking area, showroom or garage.
• People are more valuable than any vehicle or piece of equipment could ever be. Don't put your employees, tenants, customers, friends or family at risk.

Signs You Might Have a Void Under Your Slab

There are a few key indicators you should look for when trying to determine the stability of soil underneath your garage:

• Are there cracks in your slab?
• When you gently tap on your slab with a hammer, does it sound "hollow"?
• Is your slab sinking?

Filling the Void and Repairing the Slab

The good news is that filling voids with high-strength polyurethane is generally an efficient fix when you're dealing with a qualified contractor. And you can use the slab in as little as 45 minutes after the repair job is done. If you find any of these signs of distress, call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438 or fill out the form linked below for help finding a geotech contractor in your area. 

Want to schedule a consultation for assistance finding a contractor?

Signs of Seawall Distress

Do you own or manage waterfront property?  If so, you may have issues with your seawalls.  Check for the following signs of distress:

• Settled soil near the wall (a sign of water leaking through the wall and eroding the soil on the land side).
• Soil deposits near the seams on the water side of the wall (a sign of water leaks bringing soil through the seams into the lake).
• Visible rust colored cracks or stains in the wall (a sign of water leaking through cracks in the wall and rusting the rebar inside).

Polyurethane Seawall Repair

High-strength polyurethane foam can be injected through pipes directly into voids and loose soil around your distressed seawall. Concrete repair contractors use semi-rigid hydrophobic material that reacts with moisture in the ground and expands to fill voids while also permeating the soil to form a solid, strong, watertight mass.

Since this polyurethane is impermeable to water once in place, the likelihood of future erosion is vastly diminished versus refilling the void with soil or other material.  Originally developed over 30 years ago, and continuously improved since, this technology has one of the longest histories of success in the field.  

Efficient seawall repair with this material prevents the need for remediation processes that can be harmful to the environment, such as a complete wall replacement or the excavating of all loose soil.  If the contractor is using the appropriate Alchemy-Spetec products, they will be Phthalate free AND approved for contact with drinking water once cured in place.  So you don't have to worry any long-term averse environmental impact.

Alchemy-Spetec Can Help You Find a Seawall Repair Contractor

Would you like assistance finding a seawall repair contractor in your area?  Professionals everywhere rely on Alchemy-Spetec's industry leading products for reliable and lasting results.  We can very likely put you in touch with an Alchemy-Spetec approved installer nearby.  Call us at 404-618-0438 or fill consultation request form linked below.

Want to schedule a consultation for assistance finding a contractor?

Alchemy-Spetec waterstop products prevent leaks from occurring and are most often applied during construction. In this post, we discuss the following waterstop products: 

• Spetec WT400
• Spetec ITS Kit
• Spetec R-ITS
• Spetec SST500

Spetec WT400

Spetec WT400 is a caulk designed to swell and/or expand in the presence of water creating a water tight seal around pipe penetrations, cold joints and other water-stop locations. Read more about Spetec WT400 here.

Spetec ITS Kit

The Spetec Injection Tube System Kit is used in conjunction with the Spetec PUR F400 or Spetec PUR H100 as a primary waterstop in cold joints and pipe joints. This system can also be used in retrofit applications for expansion joints and other wide cracks or joints measuring over 3/8 of an inch. It includes four parts:

• 100 lf of injection tube.
• 20 lf of 3/8" reinforced PVC tube.
• 1/4" clips (100).
• 12 3/8" elbow hose barbs.

Read more about the Spetec ITS Kit here.

Spetec R-ITS

The Spetec Re-Injectable Tube System is a primary waterstop in cold joints and pipe joints. When used with acrylates like Spetec AG200, it can be flushed with water at a pre-determined set time, creating a clean tube ready for subsequent use. It can also function as a standard single-use injection tube system with polyurethane injection resins like Spetec PUR H100 and Spetec PUR F400. The Spetec R-ITS is compatible with combination grouting techniques involving microfine cement. Read more about the Spetec R-ITS here.

Spetec SST500

Spetec SST500 is a black hydrophilic synthetic waterproofing strip. It is simply fastened onto an existing joint. When in contact with water in a confined space, SST500 will swell and stop the infiltration. SST500 remains consistent in its performance throughout its life cycle and the flexibility allows it to fill voids and cracks in the immediate surrounding area. Read more about Spetec SST500 here.

For ultimate waterstop protection, call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438 for instructions on how to use all three of these products together.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec waterstop solutions?

The Custom Animation Process

Attention Alchemy-Spetec customers!  While we still offer you the use of our Leak Seal, Soil Stabilization, Slab Lift and Deep Lift animations, we are now also offering custom animation services in order to assist you with your marketing efforts.  Work with us to create a new and original animation in a similar style to those linked above, but specifically created for YOUR company.  For the sake of clarity, here's a thorough explanation of the process...

Part 1 - Get a Price Quote

1. We will send you a questionnaire about the services you want to advertise.
2. Our animation team will review your answers to come up with a visual concept and estimated running time.
3. We'll then schedule a strategy call with you to work out the remaining details.
4. After the call, we'll create a price quote for you.
5. You would pay 50% down with 50% due prior to delivery of final video.

Part 2 - Approve Each Stage of the Production

Our Production Process is carefully designed and well defined to deliver a high-quality animation.  Once we complete a step to your satisfaction, you give us written approval to move to the next step. This will maximize quality and complete your video within the agreed budget.

Scripting: 

A professional writer produces a script for feedback, and revisions are made until you approve final version of the script.

Storyboard:

1. Our animation team will use the approved script and visual concept to produce a scene-by-scene black and white storyboard. We will review with you and make revisions until you are satisfied.
2. After storyboard approval, we will provide color illustrations for final approval.
3. We record your script with professional voiceover talent. You can make up to two minor revisions of the voiceover track.

It is critically important to understand and agree that all major revisions must be made before animation begins in order to avoid additional charges.

Animation:

1. Our team creates the animation using your approved storyboard and voiceover.
2. Only minimal changes are allowed at this stage (and only if absolutely necessary).
3. We deliver a preview and can provide up to 3 revisions of the following:
   • Adjust where animation action isn’t matched to the voiceover
   • Adjust animation effects and timing
   • Sound revisions to audio quality, volume, sound effects
4. Any revisions to the actual animation or voiceover at this point will incur additional costs. We will estimate these costs based on the amount of content that needs to be changed.

Project Timeline:

Developing and creating a professionally produced video takes time. Plan on eight to twelve weeks from our questionnaire phase to delivery. Of course, staying on schedule depends timely feedback from you. It’s critical that all decision makers agree and provide written authorization at every stage.

Please Note:

Animations will feature this “Powered by Alchemy-Spetec” logo.

How to Get Started

If you already have an account with Alchemy-Spetec or one of our distributors, the next step is to click the button below and sign up for a brief phone consultation. We’ll provide more info on pricing rates and answer any other questions you have. (If you have not already signed a Marketing Materials Agreement, please be prepared to discuss that as well.)

Want to schedule a brief phone consultation?

Alchemy-Spetec's Fall 2019 training event is officially SOLD OUT!  If you're still interested in training, we'll be conducting another event in the Spring of 2020.  Click the button below and fill out the form.  We'll keep you updated on the Spring 2020 event an all other training opportunities!

Alchemy-Spetec two-day training events typically consist of the following...

Leak Seal Day

• 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

Geotech Day

• 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

Want to be alerted when Spring 2020 training registration is available?