Alchatek Blog

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?

National Sanitation Foundation develops public health standards and certification programs that help protect the world’s food, water, consumer products and environment.

On some jobs, it can be very important for you to make sure the products you use meet NSF/ANSI 61-5 standards for contact with drinking water. This testing covers all products that will be used in or around drinking water from source to tap. We have eight products that are NSF approved. These products are used for crack injection, curtain wall grouting and slab lifting.

The products are as follows:

AP Fill 700	AP Seal 600
AP Lift 430	Spetec H100
AP Lift 475	Spetec F400
AP Seal 500	Spetec F1000

A few years back I received a call from a large tunnel contractor asking me if we had NSF approval on our products.  They were using a competitors product and were having problems with what they were using. This particular tunnel was tasked with bringing all of the drinking water from upstate New York into New York City.  I set up a meeting with the contractor and the DEP to go over our products.  As it turned out, they accepted our product and are still using it to this day in potable water applications for this tunnel and many more. 

It can also be important to have NSF approval on products that don't come into contact with drinking water, in order to be sure they're safe for the environment in general.  Having NSF approval on your products is important and a market differentiator. 

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

One thing we pride ourselves in here at Alchemy-Spetec is offering full, four wheel drive marketing support. We don't make money unless YOU do, so we're happy to help you get the word out about your concrete repair services. When talking to customers, I often hear the following question: "What's the best way to get leads for my business?" Obviously, there are many ways. One of the most effective, however, is creating content that your potential customers will find helpful. One of the best ways to do that is to start a blog. Very often I sense hesitation after I make that suggestion. Sounds like a lot of work, right? We can tell you from experience that it's worth it. Here are a few reasons why...

A blog is a great way to increase your leads. Especially if you update it frequently and use search friendly terms in your article titles. Search engines prefer websites that are consitently updated with useful content. The more articles you publish, the more you increase your chances of being found by someone searching those subjects you write about. You will also establish yourself as an authority on in your area, which makes the selling process that much easier. Make sure you request your reader’s contact info at the end of each blog post in exchange for a brochore or some other valuable download.

If you'd like tips on setting up a blog, establishing a posting schedule and getting ideas for content; give us a call at 404-618-0438.

Want more tips on marketing your contracting business?

Winter is coming fast and it is already the time of year when winter storms are a possibility. High winds, heavy rain, high tidal changes and large waves have already begun in some of the coastal areas of the country. Winter weather plays havoc with our beaches and shorelines and our seawalls really take a beating.

Alchemy-Spetec can help. We make soil stabilization resins that can stop erosion of unstable soils and sand. We can help stabilize the areas behind seawalls suffering from soil erosion and settling. AP Fill 700, AP Soil 600, Spetec PUR H40 and Spetec PUR H100 are just a few of the resins we have to address soil stabilization, erosion and water leak issues. We also have the AP Lift 430, AP Lift 440 and AP Lift 475 lifting resins to raise areas like concrete structures that have sink due to erosion.

Don’t wait for potential problems to become worse or serious. Let us offer you solutions with our powerful polymers and painless procedures that will give you rapid results. A lasting repair and peace of mind for your soil stabilization problems are only part of what we do.

At Alchemy-Spetec, we’ve got your back!

Want more information on soil stabilization?

It’s the end of the year and soon there will be all kinds of awards being given out for the best this and most valuable that, etc etc.   In that spirit I want to nominate AP Lift 430 as Product of the Year for the polyurethane industry.

Now some of you may think that’s kind of a bold move; but it’s also my blog post and I didn’t hear any other nominations.  Let me make the case:

Why a 3 Pound Density Foam?

We didn’t randomly make a decision to manufacture a 3 lb density slab lifting foam.  This was a calculated decision based on what we were hearing from contractors in the field and what we were able to do in the lab. 

Early in the history of Alchemy Polymers (one of the predecessors to Alchemy-Spetec), we manufactured only heavier density lifting foams to go along with our lines of leak sealing and soil stabilization resins.  The reason being that our focus was on the commercial, industrial, and transportation segments of the market. 

More Lifting Power Than Higher Density Foams

As we became more aware of the potential in the residential market, we decided to make a superior lifting foam for that sector as well.  Feedback from contractors using 2 lb and 2.5 lb density lifting foams seemed to indicate that they experienced too many callbacks - lifting jobs that resettled.  We also found out that some contractors were using foams that were not designed to work in wet conditions.  If they wanted something to work when it was wet; they had to pay a premium.   

Contractors were also told that these lighter density foams would increase in density as they pumped more under the slab, and that is true.  But it also means having to put a lot more material under the slab to ultimately get it to a density strong enough for the job.

From this information we developed AP Lift 430.  Working with our chemist, we were able to create a 3 lb density foam that had higher lifting pressures than even our 4.75 lb workhorse, AP Lift 475.  Clearly, this is not a product for snowflakes or wimps.

We also designed it to meet DOT specifications: Hydrophobic (displaces water and works in wet environments), 90% Strength in 15 Minutes, traffic ready in 45 minutes, and NO shrinkage.  One other thing… we don’t cut corners or put recycled materials in products to save cost.  Our green statement is that you only have to do the job once. 

NSF / ANSI 61 Approved for Contact with Drinking Water

In 2017, AP Lift 430 really shined for us.  Easily our number one product for residential slab lifting, its combination of excellent expansion rate for filling voids and high lifting power has made it the go to product for contractors.  Once you try it; you won’t go back.  It literally gets more done with less material required. 

And now...AP Lift 430 is officially NSF / ANSI 61 approved.  This means it is approved for contact with drinking water and that it is also the SAFEST slab lifting polyurethane to have installed around your family and pets.  Ask your current supplier if their product is NSF approved and I think you’ll find that it’s not.

Tired of callbacks? Tired of foams that shrink and fail in wet environments? Tired of foams made by insulation experts rather than geotechnical experts?  Make the move to something safer and more powerful - AP Lift 430 and the rest of our Lift series foams.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec slab lifting products?

Polyurethane chemical grouts fall into two categories when it comes to how they relate with water: hydrophilic and hydrophobic. 

Hydrophilic grouts are ideal for areas that are constantly wet, because they bond better to wet concrete.  They are water loving grouts which means they thrive in moist environments.  They perform very well when they are subjected to water 24 hours a day. 

However, if that water goes away, hydrophilic grouts are not ideal because they could shrink and crack when the area dries out.  Now you take that chance it will leak all over again on the next rain event.  We call this a wet/dry situation.  What does wet/dry situation mean?  This means that water can be present in a crack or void after a hard rain and then a few days later that water is no longer present in the crack and void.  The water table drops or the weather dries out and now you have a crack or void with no moisture present.  In situations like these, you want to use a hydrophobic grout.

This leads me to a call I received a few months back.  The owner of a storage building in Virginia was upset because he had hired a grouter to come to his storage facility and fix leaking cracks inside the storage bins. While the leaks remained sealed initially, they eventually started leaking again after a few rainy day/sunny day cycles.  They were very worried that water was going to leak and damage the items that customers had in the storage units.  It turned out the contractor had used a hydrophilic grout in this wet/dry situation, which was not the best choice for the reasons explained above.

The solution was simple.  The owner went with my grouter, who used a hydrophobic grout to permanently seal the leaks.  Knowledge is power, folks!

Want more information on sealing leaks with chemical grouts?

Most of you are probably familiar with our most popular product offerings: polyurethanes for sealing leaks, lifting slabs, and stabilizing soil.  But it's important to be fully aware of all the tools at your disposal.  We also offer water stop, crack repair, and soil stabilizing acrylate products.  Let's take a closer look:

Water Stop

The Spetec Injection Tube System kit is used in conjunction with our leak seal resins 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.

SST500 strips are simply fastened onto an existing joint.  When in contact with water in a confined space, SST500 will swell and stop water infiltration.

WT400 is a caulk designed to swell and/or expand in the presence of water, creating a watertight seal around pipe penetrations, cold joints and other problem areas.

Crack Repair

Epicol T is a putty with a simple mixing ratio suitable for filling and moulding.  It can be applied underwater and it sticks to wood, stone, concrete and metal.

Epicol INJ is a low-viscosity epoxy resin for structural bonding of cracks and micro cracks in dry or wet concrete.  It can also be used as glue for bonding and anchoring.

Acrylates for Soil Stabilization

These are three-component, water-swelling hydrogels based on acrylate that harden to an elastic form.  They are especially noted for their low blending viscosity that is almost equivalent to the viscosity of water.

AG100 has a 20 cps mixed viscosity.  It can be used for curtain grouting and ground stabilization.

AG200 has a 40 cps mixed viscosity.  It can be used for ground stabilizion, preventing erosion around floors, walls, etc.  In adddition it can be used for curtain grouting and crack injection.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec Products?