Alchatek Blog

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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Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products mentioned above?

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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Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products mentioned above?

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.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

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

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal products?

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.  

Crack Injection	Curtain Wall Grouting
Spetec PUR F400	Spetec PUR H100
AP Seal 500	AP Fill 700

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.

Want more information on leak seal products?

Pursuing the Dream

You can make a lot of money in the slab lifting business. There are many markets to take advantage of, including Residential, Commercial-Industrial and Transportation. Let’s take a quick look at all three...

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, let’s lump 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 extremely lucrative field of opportunity.

Slab Jacking for the Transportation Sector

Last but not least, take a look in 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). 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.

Avoiding the Nightmares

It would be irresponsible to paint a completely rosy picture of the business and neglect to warn you of the pitfalls. Risk is an underlying factor in any new endeavor, and slab lifting is no different. Threats of failure can arise from problems with your Equipment, your Lifting Material and your Technical Knowldege.

Equipment Problems

You don’t want to wing it when you put your lifting rig together. Seek the advice of an experienced technician to make sure you have all the equipment you need, reliable machinery, and a trailer rig that was built to haul it all around. The last thing you need is a hose bursting, a generator failing or (and this has happened) a trailer axle breaking on the day of your first job!

Lifting Material Problems

How would you like to spend your time working on jobs that actually pay? Using reliable polymers will cut way back on the chances you’ll have to load up your rig and waste a day re-doing a job you were paid for long ago.

Technical Problems

Here’s where it’s critical to partner with a knowledgable polymer supplier that cares about your success. Some who have gone before you failed at their new venture because they weren’t prepared to overcome common challenges that arise on slab lifting jobs. How do you deal with a slab that has fused to a wall or another slab and stubbornly refuses to lift? What about very small structures that easily leak polymer from underneath all sides without raising an inch? Then there’s the fun surprise of realizing the wrong side of your slab is lifting. You can also accidentally crack slabs, damage your customer’s proprty and - in the the biggest nightmare of them all - permanently overlift the slab.

A Realistic Guide to Slab Lifting Success

We can start you on the journey of total preparation for success in slab lifting. Our experienced technical consultants can educate you on the causes of settled slabs, the process of repairing them, and critical facts about the polymer material on which your jobs will rely. You'll learn about trailer rig options, the MixMaster slab lifting gun, pump options and accessory equipment. We also offer tips on markering your business, estimating materials for jobs, and essential techniques for avoiding on-the-job problems. To get started, call us today at 404-618-0438.

Want info Alchemy-Spetec slab lifting products?

Many distributors and contractors are familiar with the Alchemy-Spetec brand.  One thing we are well known for is consistency of our products.  Let’s take a look behind the scenes at how we make this happen.

In House QC

Alchemy-Spetec manufactures all of our polyurethane products as well as pump flush and parts cleaning solvents. Extensive quality control is in place to insure that we achieve the same results in spec every time.  QC is monitored from the moment we receive raw materials, continued throughout the production of finished goods, and completed when our finished products leave our dock.

Raw Materials – Receiving, Testing, and Storage

Incoming raw materials are checked against the open purchase order to make sure we are receiving what we ordered and in the right quantity.

Visual inspection is performed to make sure that raw materials are undamaged.  Once steps 1 and 2 are completed, the goods are signed for and the open purchase order is considered received.

All raw materials are weighed and compared against the stated net and gross weights.  All scales within our facility are certified per the required basis and duly recorded.

Certificates of Analysis (C of A) are checked to make sure material is stated to be in spec from the chemical manufacturer, then the C of A is filed in the C of A log book.

Certain raw materials have specifications for minimum allowable water content.  There are typically microscopic quantities of water in almost all chemicals, usually measurable in parts per million (PPM).  The C of A is checked and then we do an in-house titration of those specific chemicals to determine the amount of water present.  This is important because some of our polyurethanes are water activated and other polyurethanes we manufacture (slab lifting polys) use water as a blowing agent.  Once the materials pass this incoming QC titration they are put into storage for manufacturing.

Other raw materials we use are temperature sensitive.  Alchemy-Spetec has warm rooms and hot rooms for storing those specific raw materials to prevent them from crystallization.

Production of Finished Goods

Written Systems

There are written systems in place for the production of each finished product that we manufacture.  Production employees are all cross trained and tested on a monthly basis to ensure they understand the systems in place and can follow them accordingly.  A production manager is always on the floor supervising the batching of materials.  Raw material inventories are checked daily on the manufacturing computer system and also physically checked every Monday.  Any discrepancy in raw material weight can be back tracked to determine where it went into a batch. There are allowable tolerances for each ingredient in our finished products but we track it and record it accordingly. Our entire manufacturing process is recorded at all times by up to 12 high definition cameras.  Packaging is done on certified scales; materials are package accordingly into different containers depending on the product, including: Quart Cans,1 Gallon Cans, 5 Gallon Pails, 55 Gallon drums, and 250 Gallon totes.

QC Procedures for Finished Goods

It is the written policy of Alchemy-Spetec that no finished goods will leave our facility unless they pass stringent QC testing.

Testing

Samples are drawn from every batch of material and tested in a controlled 77° F environment.  There can be as many as 12 tests done depending on the product; here are a few of them:

1. Rheology – materials tested for viscosity in centipoises at different temperatures
2. Titration – finished goods tested for water content
3. Reaction profile – materials reacted in the lab and tested for crème time, rise time, tack-free time
4. Reacted materials are tested for compression strength, expansion, density, and permeation in sand for certain polymers

Documentation

A material testing worksheet is created for each finished goods batch.  That worksheet is filled out by hand during the testing, given a serial number, and then entered into our database.  The finished goods are given a Batch # which is printed on every label affixed to the packaged finished goods.

Retained Samples

A retained sample is collected from every batch of finished goods we produce.  That retained sample will be labeled with the corresponding batch number and then placed into controlled storage.  If there is ever a problem in the field, the contractor can read us the batch number from the package and we can look that up in our database, pull the retained sample, and test the sample in the lab again through the full QC process.

Conclusion

We also have to be experts on how our products are used in the field.  Preparing grouting plans and consulting on projects is part of our daily routine.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Elevator pit water leaks are very common. These pits can be open to flooding and leakage because they are usually at the lowest point of a building below the water table. Water can easily seep from cracks in the walls or through the floor wall detail.

There are many reasons why elevator pits leak.  This can include incorrect application, damage to existing elevators, pits that are very old, changes in the water table, and even shortcuts that have been taken such as non-installation of waterproofing materials. These are just a few of the causes.

So what happens when these elvator pits become consumed with water?

The solution is simple!

You would drill holes through the walls and floor using a grid pattern.  You would then pump water activated polyurethane chemical grout into the soil to create what we call a “curtain wall”.  This wall essentially stops the water from penetrating the area around the pit.  It creates a permanent seal and allows the elevator to function properly again.  (If you're a property owner, we can help you find a contractor to do this.  Just call us at 404-618-0438.)

Alchemy-Spetec products that are used for curtain wall grouting include:

Spetec PUR H100

AP Fill 700

Spetec AG200

If you are unfamiliar with the term "curtain wall" and what it includes, be sure to check out our previous blog series on Curtain Wall Grouting to gain a deeper understanding of the process.

Want more information on curtain wall grouting?

When you are in the window business, you walk down the street looking at windows in different buildings. When you are in the concrete repair business, you walk down the street noticing all the defects (cracks, spalls, etc.) in the concrete on the surrounding concrete structures. Being in the chemical grout business one tends to notice applications for chemical grout.

Walking in a parking lot to my car the other day I noticed something unique. At first, I thought it was some type of mushroom or fungus growing from a tree trunk. But as I looked closer I found that it was a chemical grout. I took some photos and then did some brief research on it.  I found that chemical foam grout can be used to help stop or slow down dry rot in tree trunks. It keeps water away from the rotting areas and gives the tree a chance to live on.

We make some of the finest polyurethane chemical grouts available. Most of our grouts are environmentally safe and carry NSF/ANSI 61-5 approval for contact with drinking water. Always consult an experienced arborist before proceeding with any trees on your property (and one of our Technical Consultants if you plan to use our foam).

And, as always, if you need material for leaking concrete, soil stabilization, or concrete leveling...we are the people to talk to. Powerful polymers, painless procedures and rapid results. We’ve got your back!

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec Products?