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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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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We round out this year with a look back at some of the best blog articles from 2017.  Today's post is part two of a two-part series.  Enjoy!

It is much more convenient to buy from a distributor that can deliver product directly to your job site, as opposed to depending on a freight company to deliver it from the manufacturer.

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The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) gives the EPA latitude to impose criminal and civil penalties on industries not in compliance. In 2014 enforcement efforts policing clean water netted $163 million in penalties and fines, 155 combined years of incarceration for sentenced defendants, and $16 million in court-ordered project clean-ups.

Having products that may come into contact with drinking water certified to NSF 61-5 (approved for contact with drinking water), ensures compliance with the SDWA and guarantees peace of mind for stakeholders on construction projects where this could be an issue. 

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One of our regional managers recently had the opportunity to train a crew on a very interesting job inside an underwater utility tunnel beneath a lock and dam in the St. Lawrence Seaway. This seaway connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. This tunnel is underneath a giant concrete deck, so the walls have taken a lot of pressure over time. 

The soil also shifts and settles underneath the tunnel as the years go by. Those factors, in addition to freeze/thaw cycles have caused cracks to appear in the walls. 

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While similar in function, there is a difference between leak seal products and waterstop products. Waterstop products are designed to prevent water leaks from occurring, while leak seal products are designed to repair existing leaks.  

This article contains an overview of the following Alchemy-Spetec waterstop products:

• Spetec WT400
• Spetec ITS Kit
• Spetec SST500

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We round out this year with a look back at some of the best blog articles from 2017.  Today's post is part one of a two-part best of series.  Enjoy!

Let’s take a look at a few advantages of pursuing large industrial seawall projects over small residential projects.

These advantages include:

• Projects with Higher Budgets
• Owners with More Properties
• More Bang for Your Marketing Buck

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This series of articles takes an in-depth look at crack injection and curtain wall grouting.  

Click here to read Part 1

Click here to read Part 2

Click here to read Part 3

Click here to read Part 4

In case you missed it, we're pleased to announce that we've made significant improvements to our MixMaster slab lifting gun. Our new model, the MixMaster Pro, is now available! A large part of the market is still using old sprayfoam insulation guns to do heavy concrete lifting work. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of using a gun that's custom designed for slab lifting...

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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 we cover:

• Available Slab Lifting Markets
• Marketing Your Slab Lifting Business
• Estimating Materials for a Job

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We are excited to welcome Jim Spiegel as the newest member of our team.  Jim comes on as the V.P. of Sales and Business Development for the growing Atlanta-based company.  Jim brings 12 years of chemical injection and concrete repair experience.

Alchemy-Spetec offers the industry a unique combination of technical support and products for geotechnical, waterproofing, and concrete repair applications.  With much of his experience coming from domestic sales management and international distribution, Jim offers a valuable piece in both Sales and Business Development across all product segments.

When asked about the outlook for the company, Jim said, “Looking closely at the Alchemy-Spetec team, you find many decades of collaborative experience representing the most well-known brands in the chemical grout industry.  We have relevant and professional experience in ownership, management, business intelligence, marketing, production, and sales.  It’s very clear that this company is committed to building a quality team, product line, and industry name.” 

Alchemy-Spetec President and CEO Stephen C. Barton added, "I am thrilled to welcome Jim Spiegel to the team as our V.P. of Sales and Business Development.  Jim's high energy and determined focus will help us as we continue to innovate and change the geotechnical and waterproofing landscapes.  Our strategic partners will benefit from Jim's ability to identify and promote new opportunities."

Please look for Alchemy-Spetec at the World of Concrete in the Silver Lot directly across from the entrance to the South Hall where we will be performing live slab lifting demos and showcasing both the geotechnical and waterproofing product lines.

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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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