Alchatek Blog

Georgia led the nation with nearly 200 high-hazard dams in unsatisfactory or poor condition, according to the AP's analysis.

Among them is Reservoir No. 1 in Atlanta, a 180 million-gallon water supply dating to the late 1800s that has been out of service much of the past few decades. The city made repairs and brought it back online in 2017, only to shut it down again after leaks were noticed.

If the dam were to catastrophically fail, the water could inundate more than 1,000 homes, dozens of businesses, a railroad and a portion of Interstate 75, according to an emergency action plan.

Excerpted from AP: At least 1,680 dams across the US pose potential risk
By David A. Lieb, Michael Casey And Michelle Minkoff

Warnings and stories similar in tone can be found in countless articles all over the web.  Just Google "infrastructure problems North America" and see for yourself.  This excerpt above describes a situation in Georgia - the home state of our headquarters and main office.  Needless to say, we can relate to communities everywhere who take this issue very personally.  The good news is that countless repair professionals across the land are tirelessly working to improve the condition of our infrastructure.

In the tradition of Thanksgiving, we would like to express our profound gratitude toward the hardworking crews on job sites all over this continent.  If you are one of those repair professionals, THANK YOU!  You consistently put yourself on the front lines of the infrastructure battle - repairing roads, railway beds, bridges, tunnels, water treatment plants, sewer systems, and countless other essential concrete structures.  Our deep belief in this cause is what motivates us to work so hard in support of your efforts.

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The Alchemy-Spetec PolyBadger mobile slab lifting system (named in honor of the mighty honey badger) is tough and compact. 

The Polybadger is Tough

The PolyBadger slab lifting system is built to last:

• The cabinet is constructed from powder coated carbon steel and the frame is constructed from carbon steel box tubing. 
• The durable hose is constructed with a Teflon core and a stainless-steel braid. (The system can operate with up to 200 feet of hose.)
• Essential elements (heaters, electronics, auto calibrator) are self-contained and protected in a metal cabinet.

The PolyBadger is Compact

The PolyBadger slab lifting system is durably built and designed to go where other lifting systems simply cannot venture:

• The PolyBadger is smaller in size than most of the competition, at 30" wide and 48" long. Now that's what you call portable!
• This is one of the few systems powered through a common 120-volt wall outlet (vs the usual 240-volt requirement). Compatibility with common wall outlets exponentially increases your location possibilities.
• The entire system is very maneuverable, resting on two swivel and two fixed 6-inch pneumatic castor wheels.  The wheels are are filled with light weight polyurethane instead of air, so they don't go flat. 

The Auto Calibrator

Another essential feature is the auto calibrator. It keeps the flow of A-side and B-side slab lifting material on ratio, eliminating the possibility of crossover clogging in the gun or the whip hose. The two low-pressure transfer pumps and auto calibrator are literally the only moving parts in the whole system. That means less downtime, less maintenance, and more productivity on the job. This system is easier to use and a more affordable than many options on the market.

Want more info on the PolyBadger?

World of Concrete 2020 is right around the corner - February 4th through 7th, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Alchemy-Spetec is going the extra mile to make sure your Leak Seal and Geotech interests are served to the fullest extent possible.  We'll be dedicating an entire booth to the Leak Seal Division & Product Line in the South Hall at location S11307 while retaining our usual outside exhibit area for the Geotech Division & Product Line in the Silver Lots at location O40551.  Each booth will be staffed by experts in each respective product line.

Leak Seal Division Booth - South Hall

The Leak Seal booth features a presentation/demo stage with comfortable chairs for audience members and a separate meeting area for in-depth discussions with knowledgeable experts.  You can look forward to the following educational activities:

• Polyurethane Leak Seal Overview Presentation
• Crack Injection Demos
• Crack Injection Presentations
• Curtain Grouting Demos
• Curtain Grouting Presentations
• Polyurethane Product Mixing Demos
• Acrylic Grout Presentation & Demo

Geotech Division Booth - Silver Lots

The Geotech exhibit area features a fully equipped 20-foot lifting rig, a Polybadger compact slab lifting system, and a row of concrete slabs for live lifting.  You can look forward to the following educational activities:

• Slab Lifting Demos
• Lifting Foam Product Mixing Demos
• MixMaster Gun Cleaning Demos
• Fully Equipped Rig Tours
• Polybadger Demos

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dams Across the U.S. in Dire Need of Repair

On a cold morning last March, Kenny Angel got a frantic knock on his door. Two workers from a utility company in northern Nebraska had come with a stark warning: Get out of your house.

Just a little over a quarter-mile upstream, the 92-year-old Spencer Dam was straining to contain the swollen, ice-covered Niobrara River after an unusually intense snow and rainstorm. The workers had tried but failed to force open the dam's frozen wooden spillway gates. So, fearing the worst, they fled in their truck, stopping to warn Angel before driving away without him.

Minutes later, the dam came crashing down, unleashing a wave of water carrying ice chunks the size of cars. Angel's home was wiped away; his body was never found.

"He had about a 5-minute notice, with no prior warning the day before," Scott Angel, one of Kenny's brothers, said.

State inspectors had given the dam a "fair" rating less than a year earlier. Until it failed, it looked little different from thousands of others across the U.S. — and that could portend a problem.

A more than two-year investigation by The Associated Press has found scores of dams nationwide in even worse condition, and in equally dangerous locations. They loom over homes, businesses, highways or entire communities that could face life-threatening floods if the dams don't hold.

Excerpted from AP: At least 1,680 dams across the US pose potential risk
By David A. Lieb, Michael Casey And Michelle Minkoff

Specialty Grouting of Dams with Polyurethane

The recently released news story excerpted above is bringing major attention to the widespread problem of deteriorating dam infrastructure. In most cases, cementitious grout is used to repair dams at risk. But there are certain types of geologies that cementitious grout cannot penetrate or gets washed out of. This is where specialty grouting with polyurethane (and microfine cement) comes in. The following products can be used alongside cementitious grout for optimal results:

Spetec PUR F400
This is a is a solvent and phthalate free, water reactive, hydrophobic, closed cell, low viscosity, shrink-free, flexible, one-component polyurethane injection resin.  It can be used to seal fine cracks in dams that cementitious grout cannot reach.

Spetec AG200
This is a is a three-component, water-swelling hydrogel based on acrylic that hardens into an elastic product.  It can be used to stablize loose soil around dams.

AP Microfine 10
This is a microfine cement that penetrates very small openings such as soil pores and microscopic rock fissures in order to improve strength and reduce permeability.  It can be used in conjunction with Spetec AG200 to add strength to soil stabilization repairs around dams.

While cemententious grouting is the most common grouting method used to stop water flows and strengthen soils for dams, specialty grouting with polyurethane and/or microfine cements can be used to supplement or even replace standard centmentious grouting in areas it has troubles in.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Most people come to realize at some point in their lives is that nothing is free.  Least of all the precious freedoms we enjoy here in the United States of America.  The rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not free.  They have been purchased with the blood of patriots.  The brave men and women of the United States armed forces work very hard and consistently put their lives on the line to protect these freedoms for the rest of their fellow Americans.

Appreciation for our military is an important part of the Alchemy-Spetec company culture.  For that reason, we are proud supporters of The Wounded Warrior Project.  We take pride in every courageous individual who puts on the uniform and risks their own safety to defend the American way of life.  Here at Alchemy-Spetec we have four out of five military branches covered by our employees, plus the National Guard.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank our own heroes and all US Veterans for their service to this great country.

Michael Binyaminov - Western Sales Representative - United States Army & National Guard

Tevin Campbell - Shipping & Receiving - United States Army

Charlie Lerman - Director of Technical Services Leak Seal Division - United States Navy

Austin Stedman - Production Technician - United States Air Force

Che-Pria Williams - Administrative Assistant - United States Marines (Spouse)

Happy Veterans Day!  Please be sure to thank a veteran today for protecting your life and your liberty.

Alchemy-Spetec is pleased to offer a customized version of the popular Estimate Rocket invoicing, client management and CRM tool for contractors.  The custom version includes material estimating calculators for Alchemy-Spetec geotech polyurethanes.  These calculators make it easy to figure out the amount of material you'll need for any given job.  Sign up now via this Alchemy-Spetec link to get the customized version!  (Visiting the Estimate Rocket site in any manner aside from the links we provide will get you the generic, non-customized version.)

Paperless Workflow

Creating impressive proposals has never been easier with Estimate Rocket’s easy-to-use business templates. Leave a lasting impression with professional paperless estimates and invoices you can create and deliver to clients in seconds. 

Job & Client Management

Keep your clients most important information organized and at your fingertips 24/7. The system automatically saves and organizes current and previous jobs, contact information, notes, and more.

Powerful CRM Tools

Stay connected with customer relationship management tools that keep you more responsive than ever before. Automated reminders and appointment scheduling let you know when to take action. Automated Follow-Ups stay in touch with your customers automatically.

Team Collaboration

Bring your entire team with an easy to use web-portal where crews can view appointments, field estimators can build estimates, and accountants can send out invoices.

Financial Reports

View up to the minute reports and know exactly where every job stands. Advanced reporting gives greater depth with detailed job statistics. Easily export to QuickBooks or other accounting software that imports CSV files.

Access on Any Device

Whether you’re on site with a customer or back in the office, you always have complete access to all features. Estimate Rocket works on Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Blackberry and any other web-enabled device.

AS Material Estimation Calculators

As mentioned previously, the Alchemy-Spetec customized version of Estimate Rocket features AS geotech material estimation calculators built in!

Erik Prinzing is a driven sales professional with over 20 years’ experience in the construction sector. Beginning his career with ABC Supply Company, he’s worked in many parts of the industry, from new construction to remodeling both residential and commercial buildings. Over the years Erik has become well rounded in construction practices, with experience ranging from working in the field as a contractor for A.B. Edward Enterprises to assisting customers as a regional sales manager in the water, vapor and air barrier industry. He has developed a great many strong relationships within the industry. Through his drive, experience, and leadership, Erik has proven himself a valuable asset to countless professionals in the field. He is excited to bring his enthusiasm and experience to Alchemy-Spetec and support our customers in the Midwest region. With an early professional stint as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, Erik has the temperament to handle any and all customer support challenges that come his way. He’s also an avid outdoorsman, a certified chef, and volunteer at the Illinois Food Bank.

Jim Spiegel, VP Sales and Business Development, adds, “Erik brings many years of proven experience in the construction industry with an undeniable joy for being in the field with contractors. We're extremely confident that Erik's sales management acumen, coupled with his field support and work ethic capabilities, will offer customers and the Alchemy-Spetec team a reliable business partner and teammate.”

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Slab Lifting in Cold Weather

Contrary to popular opinion, as a contractor, you don’t have to put up your equipment and rigs due to cold weather. There are many jobs to be done and many ways to keep your material conditioned. Use this season to your advantage and gain valuable business.

Seasonal attractions such as theme parks, for example, are a great place to start looking for winter work. Many of these parks (the ones that aren’t in Orlando) shut down for the winter and this is the time they do maintenance and repairs. Think of all the concrete lifting and leveling that can be done.

Read all about cold weather slab lifting markets, conditioning materials and more in our blog post Slab Lifting in Cold Weather.

Leak Sealing in Cold Weather

You have a variety of options for seeking leak seal jobs that are inside, out of the elements, during the winter months. (See the linked article below for a list of ideas.) If you’re still up for working outside during the winter months, you’re in luck because concrete contracts during colder weather. The contraction makes cracks open wider (thus easier to seal). One important point to understand is that cold weather requires you to make an extra effort to keep your materials and equipment warm.

Read all about cold weather leak seal markets, conditioning materials and more in our blog post Polyurethane Leak Seal in Cold Weather.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

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.