Alchatek Blog

Sinking slabs and soil issues can cause both safety and property value problems. Alchemy-Spetec offers solutions for unlevel concrete and unstable soil.

Concrete Leveling

A structure is only as good as the foundation it’s built on. And regardless of how well-constructed a structure may be, most foundations settle. That’s just a fact of life. Erosion, shifting soil, compaction, and many other environmental conditions tend to cause settling. Sometimes structures settle gradually, and in other cases they’re swallowed up in minutes. These situations create problems for property owners and opportunities for the contractors who know how to fix them.

Alchemy-Spetec manufactures high-strength polyurethane lifting foams for slab jacking. Among the most dependable products for jacking and leveling concrete slabs, these two-component, high-strength, hydro-insensitive structural foams serve as an extremely effective solution for contractors.

Deep Lift™ Structure Leveling

Poor compaction, water erosion, broken pipes, and organic material in the soil can all lead to
settling of a foundation or a roadway. Traditional slab lifting can bring concrete and structures
back into place but it doesn’t necessarily address the underlying issue or guarantee a long
term fix. Other methods of addressing deep soil issues require heavy equipment, extended
down time, and collateral property damage. These situations create problems for property
owners as well as opportunities for the elite contractors that know how to fix them.

Alchemy-Spetec offers a unique combination of high-strength polyurethane structural lifting foams along with the equipment and training needed to address deep soil issues. Now you can achieve soil densification and lifting on large projects with the smallest footprint and least amount of heavy equipment required.  The Deep Lift™ process is powerful, painless, and rapid. Deep Lift™ gets to the root of the problems in the soil, it brings the structure back to level, and accomplishes this with minimal imposition or downtime to the property owner.

Soil Stabilization

Unstable soil can be defined as soil that will not stay in place on its own, and therefore requires
extra support. It should be noted that unstable soil can threaten the stability, security,
and safety of infrastructure and can damage, degrade, and even destroy a number of structures,
such as buildings, bridges, and roads. There are a variety of factors that can cause unstable
soil including erosion, poor compaction, freeze/thaw cycles and decomposition.

Soil can be stabilized high strength polyurethane stabilization foams.  Once the bearing capacity of the
soil has been increased with this process, then the structure can be lifted if necessary.

Want more geotech resources?

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?

Alchemy-Spetec is excited to announce the hiring of Michael Binyaminov as Western Sales Representative. Michael is a U.S. Army veteran and an active member of the National Guard. He continuously received top 25% Excel Accolades when training for officer status in the Army. He was an aviation platoon leader in the Missouri National Guard and a cavalry platoon leader in the Vermont National Guard. In every position he was a leader of his fellow soldiers. He was also given the critically important responsibility of flag bearing during military funeral honors. It was his duty to fold the flag and hand it to the next of kin at military funerals. He is still an active member of the National Guard.

As a salesman, and in life, Michael’s motto is “Never Give Up, Never Give In”.  He looks forward to bringing his brand of professional persistence to helping Alchemy-Spetec customers succeed despite any and all obstacles.  He credits his “true grit” approach to problem solving to his training in the Army.  He was thoroughly trained in thinking outside of the box to get results.  As long as the means are ethical, it’s the results that matter. Michael explains, “Regardless of the industry I am in, I have always focused on the bigger picture for the client in order to provide a full suite of solutions that best serve them in the long run. This means putting the client’s overall needs ahead of any short-term sales goals.”

Michael has been training under respected industry expert and Western Regional Manager Charlie Lerman.  After Michael’s first week on the job, he told us, “My ultimate goal is to eventually be able to provide the exact same level of excellent technical assistance to our clients that Charlie Lerman currently does”.

Alchemy-Spetec V.P. of Sales and Business Development Jim Spiegel has this to say about our new recruit, "We are confident that Michael's get-it-done attitude and customer-first approach will add value for customers from day 1.  He exhibits very high sales and business development acumen for someone in the initial stages of his journey.  Backed by our strong senior leadership and field services team, we're excited to see Michael make strides in the industry and in his career."

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec 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.

Want more leak seal resources?

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation recently conducted a study in which they evaluated methods for sealing contraction joints in dams. They tested 8 methods. Spetec PUR F400 was used in one of only two methods that reduced water flow 100%. We'll share some excerpts from their report in today's blog post...

The U.S. Department of the Interior protects America’s natural resources and heritage, honors our cultures and tribal communities, and supplies the energy to power our future. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. 

All Reclamation concrete dams have joints which experience pressure caused by the reservoir water elevation. These joints have waterstops between the formed drain and the upstream face of the dam to prevent water leakage through the joint. Over time, the waterstops can begin to leak which can become a significant maintenance issue. These leaks can lead to millions of dollars of increased maintenance costs across numerous facilities, since they corrode metalwork, increase operation costs through increased pumping to remove excess water, and reduce worker productivity as they work around the leaks, etc. In some cases, the water leaks can threaten or damage expensive equipment.

Conventional leaking contraction joint repair methods are either very expensive or do not last long. Based on work from previous years looking into cheaper repair options, where we developed an inexpensive method to deliver repair materials to a specific location deep under water, several prototype repair methods were developed. To test those methods, we built a laboratory fixture to simulate a leaking contraction joint in a dam under pressures as high as 35 psi. With this fixture we tested different repair options. These options included sawdust, hydrophilic waterstop chips, chemical grouts used for sealing water leakage through concrete, and combinations of the chips and grouts.

In this testing we found that sawdust didn’t slow the water flowing through the test fixture joint. Hydrophilic chips slowed the water by as much as 65%, and Hydrophilic chips combined with some chemical grouts completely stopped the water flow through the test fixture joint. These results could have substantial implications at Reclamation facilities with leaking contraction joints. These methods can be implemented to significantly reduce or completely stop the infiltration of water and are much cheaper than many alternatives.

Here is the product comparison table excerpted from the report...

You can read more about the report here and download the entire report here.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal products?

We've blogged about this before, but it's worth repeating. Twin streaming is a technique in which you use a high pressure 3,000 psi F-valve to inject resin AND water at the same time. As you can see in the photo, the F-valve has two supply connections - one for water and one for resin. The water and resin come into contact before they exit the coupler.

Advantages:

1. Ensures there is enough water for the resin to react with.
2. Starts the reaction immediately.
3. Promotes faster reaction in cold water.

Filling Voids Above the Water Table

When working on jobs that require void filling behind walls, also known as curtain grouting, it is imperative that you are prepared for any obstacles that may occur. If the voids are large and dry, resin may not have enough water to react with when injected in the conventional manner. In this case injecting water behind the wall prior to injection might not be sufficient (especially if the void is open or filled with gravel, giving the water an easy path to escape). With twin streaming you are guaranteed there is enough water for the resin to fully react and fill the voids.

Injecting Resin Into Cold Water

Twin streaming also works well if you find yourself having to inject into a cold, underwater environment. You can inject warm water along with the resin to jump start the reaction process before the cold water gets a chance to slow down the process. The ratio of water to resin can be controlled by opening the valves at different angles. Some products such as Spetec PUR H100, Spetec PUR H200 and AP Fill 700 only need a little water to react with (10:1 resin to water is plenty). In this case, you would crack the water valve slightly, then open the resin valve all the way. Other products such as Spetec PUR GT500 and Spetec PUR GT350 need more water. A 2:1 or 1:1 ratio of resin to water both work well. In this case, you may want to open both valves all the way.

Want more info on Leak Seal products?

 

In a structure that holds water, you need something flexible to inject into cracks or joints. These types of structures are usually above ground and exposed to changing temperatures. As concrete heats up during the day it expands; joints and cracks squeeze together. As it cools, the concrete shrinks and joints and cracks open up. Thus, you need an injection foam that has flexibility to handle the movement.  You also need to do the injection work in the early hours of the day. Some contractors have injected cracks in the afternoon; stopping leaks, only to find them leaking again in the morning. 

For these scenarios, we recommend the Spetec PUR GT500 or Spetec PUR F400.  The GT500 is hydrophilic and absorbs some water during the reaction. In a tight crack or joint it's great and has minimal shrinkage if it dries out.  It has lower expansion, maybe 4-6x by volume, so for wide joints it may take more product and will likely require oakum to retain the resin in the joint. It does not have an adjustable set time. 

The F400 is a flexible hydrophobic. It combines higher expansion properties with flexibility. It also has a catalyst which allows you to adjust the set time. The F400 is excellent for crack injection, joint injection (especially larger joints), and infrastructure injection as well.  It does not shrink because it's hydrophobic and unaffected if no moisture is present. 

Now let’s talk a little about hydrostatic pressure. Most injection work is done less than 40' below the water level and head pressure is less than 20 psi. Considering we recommend injecting with pumps capable of 3000+ psi, getting the product in the crack is not the problem. The challenge is keeping the polyurethane in the crack or joint long enough for it to set up. That's where experience comes into play. The contractor must know how to adjust the set time, how to drill the injection holes properly, how to use oakum, and how long to inject on a single packer/port.   

We have not seen failures on dams or locks where pressure blew out the polyurethane. Dams across the globe have been injected this way. Where we do see failures (continued leaks, not blowouts) is when the wrong material is selected, or the injections are done during the hotter hours of the day. In fact, some water authorities only inject during the cold months of the year.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal products?

The Never-Ending Story

Over the last few years I have heard different versions of this story over and over again. It is usually shared at our weekly company-wide meeting. "So and so switched from the competition because they couldn't get the technical support they needed. A contractor I am working with had too many call-backs on his jobs because the foam from their previous supplier wasn't holding up after installation. My new customer said the equipment they bought from Company X is unreliable and frustrating to use." The list goes on.

Investment Brings Profit

The one thing all these new Alchemy-Spetec customers tend to have in common is that they started out trying to cut corners on material and equipment costs. They initially tried buying from the low price leaders in the industry, only to discover the hard way that you get what you pay for. Finally motivated to pay for quality, they are now enjoying maximum efficiency on the job with reliable equipment and durable high-strength polyurethane foam. Many new customers also express appreciation for the continued tech support and marketing assistance they recieve from Alchemy-Spetec. It's a big contrast from the "thanks for the check, we'll see ya' later" approach that many manufacturers have. The irony in all this is that the added value of top quality foam, equipment, tech support and marketing assistance more than makes up for the price difference. These new customers are turbo-charging their business with a new level of efficiency and productivity. It's actually fun to watch and gratifying to hear the feedback.

If you're one of those reformed bargain seekers checking out our site because you initially "got what you paid for", call us today at 404-618-0438 and let's discuss turbo-charging YOUR business!

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec slab lifting products?

Pursuing the dream of starting your own polyurethane slab lifting business is a big leap. But it's not nearly so intimidating when you're armed with the right information. In this post I'll cover available slab lifting markets, marketing strategies for your lifting business, and estimating materials for a job.

Polyurethane Slab Lifting Markets

Residential Slab Jacking

The residential market offers tremendous opportunities for the slab lifting contractor. Obviously there are driveways, foundations, patios, pools, and porches. Don’t think residential only includes houses. There are countless opportunities in the apartment and condo sectors as well.

Commercial-Industrial Slab Jacking

Because scenarios for slab lifting are infinite in the non-residential category, we list commercial and industrial together. Concrete parking lots, showroom floors, industrial park walkways and an endless supply of huge warehouse floors are just the tip of the iceberg in this potentially lucrative market.

Slab Jacking for the Transportation Sector

Last but not least, there's the transportation sector. The world is covered with miles and miles of concrete roads, highways, bridge approach slabs, and railroad support slabs.  A large percentage of them have settled in one spot or another (and the rest are vulnerable to future settling). Read more in the post Identifying Common Markets for Slab Jacking with Polyurethane.

There will NEVER be enough slab lifting contractors out there to address ALL of these current and future slab lifting needs.  Your fortune awaits...(IF you know what you’re doing).

Marketing Your Slab Lifting Business

Maintaining A Well Designed, Search Engine Optimized Website

Professional design, photography and content will help you stay competitive and either depict you as a confident, articulate leader in your field or just the opposite (if it's not well designed). It is also imperative to make sure that your website is Search Engine Optimized. Designing a search friendly site for your industry niche and market location will make a world of difference in the amount of leads you capture via your online presence.

Attracting Leads with a Blog

Posting blog articles regularly allows you to cast a wide net with lots of SEO friendly post pages. It's also a great way to share your knowledge and build trust in the market as an industry expert. If you offer more value (such as an info-packed brochure) in exchange for contact info, you can increase your leads dramatically. Blogs are a gift that keeps on giving, because the posts stay up and attract new leads forever. Read all about this extremely effective marketing technique in our blog post How to Promote Your Contracting Business with a Blog.

Targeted Local Advertisements

Setting up a Google Ads account to target your market and placing ads in local publications are effective ways of getting the word out in your local market. If you’re aware of a specific problem occurring in your area, such as sinkholes, you can even highlight that issue in your advertising. Read more marketing tips in the post Marketing Your Slab Lifting Business.

Advertising on Contractor Referral Sites

Because you’re putting yourself in front of customers who are actively seeking your services, you can increase your marketing ROI compared to other methods such as cold calling, print advertising, etc. In addition, referred customers are typically less price sensitive than cold call prospects. Referral sites are also a great way to build your reputation by accumulating positive reviews from customers. Read more about this approach in our blog post How to Market Your Contracting Business with Referral Sites.

Exhibiting at Home Shows

Home shows are a great place to meet potential customers and even affiliate partners. Contractors tell us over and over again that home shows are a GREAT source for leads. Take a look at our blog post on marketing at home shows. 

Presenting at Professional Associations

Giving presentations at local chapters of professional associations is a great way to network, meet potential customers and lead sources. Look into organizations serving property maintenance professionals, building managers, property owners, real estate professionals, etc. Establish yourself as a local expert and people will come to you when they have slab settlement problems. 

Estimating Materials for Jobs

Material Calculation

Through a combination of easy calculations, product information, and some site considerations, you should be able to estimate your slab lifting materials without too much trouble. Fortunately, Alchemy-Spetec has a simple estimating app that allows you to calculate the lifting material you'll need in a few easy steps. Read the blog post on our estimating app for more info.

Specific Considerations

Beyond the geometry required to estimate lifting the slab, you must take into account some job specific considerations. This is where it becomes critical to qualify the volume of material included in your proposal. And just as important, this is where you need to make sure you have included enough so you get the job done right and don’t have to go back to the customer asking for more money. Sometimes that’s unavoidable if you encounter surprises; but by keeping a few considerations in mind this can often be avoided. For help on specific considerations, contact your tech support rep at 404-618-0438 today.

Include Contingency Material

Typically for a lifting job without other considerations besides the lifting volume, we recommend adding an additional 10- 15% onto your material estimate to cover yourself. Just make sure you do a thorough evaluation of the conditions and possibilities so you don’t underestimate the job and have to go back to the property owner with your hand out. Read more in the post Estimating Materials for Slab Jacking.

Want more information on slab lifting?

 

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?