Alchatek Blog

In the world of polyurethane geotech and leak seal repair applications, the quality of the products used is undeniably crucial. However, at Alchatek, we firmly believe that the success of your projects is not solely reliant on the products alone. It is the combination of superior products and comprehensive training and support that truly drives success.

Phone Support: Expert Assistance at Your Fingertips

Have you ever found yourself preparing for a project (or even in the middle of one), and needing immediate technical assistance? Our technical support is designed to address such situations. With Alchatek, you have access to a team of experts, ready to provide immediate, reliable phone support to navigate any challenges that may arise during your concrete repair projects.

On-Site Support: Expertise Right Where You Need It

In certain situations, phone support may not suffice. You may require hands-on assistance, on-site, to guide you through the process. That's where our nationwide field support comes into play. With Alchatek you could be eligible for assistance from a team of experienced professionals providing on-site support, ensuring your project's success.

Online Training: A Wealth of Knowledge at Your Disposal

In today's digital age, the importance of accessible, flexible learning cannot be overstated. Alchatek's online training is a testament to our commitment to this principle. Our online training center is a comprehensive resource, available 24/7 to qualified customers. This resource, rich with presentations, demos, and instructional videos, is available at your convenience, allowing you to enhance your knowledge at your own pace.

Training Events: In-Person Technical Education

Alchatek’s Spring and Fall training events provide in-depth education on slab lifting, soil stabilization, crack injection, and curtain grouting. These 2-to-3-day programs are designed to help experienced contractors round out their knowledge and get new contractors up and running quickly. In addition, half-day Alchatek grout labs at your local leak seal distributor offer a chance for a good overview of crack injection and curtain grouting products and procedures. These events provide a platform for hands-on training from our technical staff, offering a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and insights. Join an immersive learning experience that equips you with practical skills! Join our mailing list if you’d like to be notified when the next event is announced.

Expert Consultants – The Most Experienced Technical Services Team in the Industry

Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman, Director of Technical Services – Leak Seal Division, has been providing technical support and training for polyurethane grouts for over fifteen years and has been involved with the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) for a decade. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy’s submarine and recruiting services. Charlie is known in the industry by his nickname “The Grout Geek.”

Colt Hullander, Director of Technical Services – Geotech Division, has spent a decade on the contractor side of the industry as a project manager and installer. Colt brings many years of invaluable field experience with expertise in a wide range of equipment, products, and techniques. His field experience and technical acumen offer geotech customers an industry-leading support and consulting resource.

Jacob Bryant, Geotech Services Technician, has worked in various forms of construction for the last 8 years. He spent several years working as a technician applying chemical grouts, servicing and maintaining equipment, training new hires, and managing rigs/warehouse stock. He has worked across the United States with a wide variety of polymers and soil types.

At Alchatek, we're committed to providing comprehensive training and support to ensure your success in the field of concrete repair. Whether you need phone support, on-site assistance, online training, or expert consultations, we're here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Want more information on geotech and leak seal products and equipment?

Kyle Wrobleski brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise to benefit Alchatek customers in the Northeastern United States. With a background in business development and sales, combined with hands-on knowledge of concrete and construction, Kyle is uniquely qualified to assist contractors and engineers with a wide variety of projects.

Prior to joining Alchatek, Kyle served as a sales representative for Keystone Cement, where he excelled in providing exceptional customer service and building strong relationships. Kyle’s expertise includes working closely with engineers and architects, thanks to his tenure as a Territory Sales Manager at Handi-Lift. Additionally, as the owner of Andover Concrete and Masonry, Kyle gained valuable insights into the intricacies of running a contracting business, specifically in residential concrete and masonry. Outside of work, Kyle enjoys spending time with his family on his farm in Blairstown, NJ.

Want more information on geotech products?

Looking for polyurethane concrete repair product Tech Data Sheets, Safety Data Sheets, Case Studies, or Application Procedures?  All of these documents are available on one convenient page at Alchatek's Comprehensive Download Resource Center.

Simply click the red down-arrow button at the top right of the website or select the Resources/Downloads menu option to access this page at any time.

Technical Data Sheets for Polyurethane Concrete Repair Products

Technical Data Sheets are available for the following product categories:

• Leak Seal
• Soil Stabilization
• Slab Lifting
• Water Stop
• Structural Repair
• Equipment and Accessories

Safety Data Sheets for Polyurethane Concrete Repair Products

Safety Data Sheets are available for the following product categories:

• Sealing Leaks
• Stabilizing Soil
• Lifting Slabs
• Structural Repair
• Accessories

Case Studies for Polyurethane Concrete Repair Projects

The following Case Studies are available:

Leak Seal Case Studies

• Sealing Pipe Joints for a Culvert Restoration Project
• Sealing Residential Basement Leaks in Alaska
• Curtain Grouting in a Repurposed Power Plant Intake Well
• Curtain Grouting a Complex Crack in a Basement Floor
• Specialty Waterproofing at Hydroelectric Dam
• Repairing a Leaky Pipe & Sinkhole on a Residential Property
• Leak Seal in Water Treatment Plant Pump Station
• Contractor Seals Leaks in Quenching Tanks for Aluminum Manufacturer
• Saving a Luxury Penthouse Suite from Costly Water Damage
• Protecting Drinking Water from Potential Flood Contamination
• Leaks in Wastewater Treatment Plant Sealed to Prevent Environmental Contamination
• Sealing Leaks in a Church Wall to Stop Costly Flooding of Elevator Pit
• Leak Seal at Water Treatment Plant
• Massive Underground Leak in Aquifer Shut Down
• Sealing Hairline Concrete Cracks with Acrylic Injection Resin

Geotech Case Studies

• Deep Lock Soil Stabilization for New Construction
• Undersealing a Leaking Man-Made Waterfall
• Pool House Foundation Void Fill
• Stabilizing a Failing Pond Spillway
• Strengthening Deep Soil Underneath a House
• Stabilizing Deep Soil to Prevent a Garage from Breaking Away
• Stabilizing Student Housing
• Repairing a Footing in a Detention Pond
• Repairing a Leak in a Retention Pond
• Deep Soil Stabilization at Residential Property
• Repairing a Leaky Pipe & Sinkhole on a Residential Property
• Deep Soil Stabilization at Shopping Center
• Void Fill to Save Retaining Wall at Luxury Residence
• Gravel Wall Stabilization
• Slab Lifting at a High School in Buffalo, New York
• Contractor Successfully Completes Unique & Challenging Driveway Lift
• Deep Soil Stabilization with Polyurethane
• Protecting a Building Foundation Next to an Excavation Site
• Stabilizing a Foundation to Save a Valuable Two Story House
• Leveling Sunken Slabs in a Pole Barn
• Slab Lift for Chinese Railway
• Slab Lift at Seed Sorting Plant
• Soil Stabilization at Busy Intersection

Procedures for Polyurethane Concrete Repair Applications

Procedures are available for the following applications:

• Slab Lift Process
• Deep Lock Process
• Standard Application for Injecting Cracks and Joints
• Stabilizing Curled Slabs
• Targeting Pipe Leaks with Point Grouting
• Manhole Infiltration Control
• Railroad Ballast Rock Repair & Stabilization
• Concrete Pipe and Corrugated Metal Pipe Joint Repair

Want more information on polyurethane concrete repair products and equipment?

We recently announced our new name - Alchatek. To celebrate this milestone, we are running a promotional contest. Whether you are a customer or a friend, we invite you to participate!

Alchatek Contest Prizes

• One (1) grand prize of a $1000 VISA gift card
• Two (2) second prizes of $500 VISA gift cards
• Ten (10) third prizes of $100 VISA gift cards

How to Enter the Alchatek Promo Contest

1. Entering the contest is easy. All you have to do is visit our contest page or scroll to the bottom of this page, and fill out the entry form. Once you have entered, you will be eligible to win any of the three prizes. 
   
   
2. To increase your chances of winning, you can also earn additional entries by following us on social media. After filling out the form, you'll be presented with links to our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages. You will earn extra entries for each social media account you follow.
   
   
3. We want to make sure that as many people as possible get a chance to win. You can share the contest link via email or social media. Anyone who enters using your unique referral link will earn you additional entries into the contest. It's that simple.

We are excited to celebrate the launch of Alchatek with all of you. Thanks in advance for your participation in this contest!

Alchatek offers a series of short educational videos covering a variety of polyurethane concrete repair applications. Each video is described below, followed by a viewing link.

Slab Lifting with Polyurethane Foam

This live-action video depicts a typical residential driveway slab lifting job, including a simple overview of the causes of settled slabs, the alternatives to polyurethane slab lifting, and the polyurethane slab lifting process itself. The slab lifting sequence features added 3D animation to show the foam expansion process underground during the slab lifting process. Click here to watch the video.

The Polyurethane Slab Lift Process Explained

This animated video explains the polyurethane slab lift process in detail, primarily in the context of commercial/industrial applications. Sunken concrete slabs can be lifted back into place with two-component polymer foam designed to work in wet or dry conditions. The expansion force of the concrete leveling foam coupled with the pressure of a specialized pump generate enough controlled force to lift virtually any structure back into position with 1/8” precision.  Click here to watch the video.

The Polyurethane Soil Stabilization Process Explained

This animated video explains the most common infrastructure and concrete issues requiring polyurethane soil stabilization, as well as the application process itself. Unstable, eroded, or loose soil around infrastructure can result in settlement and damage to the structure. Voids can be filled, soil consolidated, and water migration halted by permeating the soil with one of the AP Soil series of polyurethane resins. Click here to watch the video.

The Deep Lock® Process Explained

This animated video explains deep soil stabilization in great detail. Alchatek offers a unique combination of high-quality structural polymers along with the equipment and training needed to address deep soil issues. Contractors trained in The Deep Lock® process can stabilize soil at all levels and accomplish this with minimal imposition to or downtime for the property owner. Click here to watch the video.

The Polyurethane Leak Seal Process Explained

This animated video explains the most common infrastructure and concrete issues requiring polyurethane leak seal solutions, as well as the various application processes. Leaking concrete can be detrimental to safety and property values. Leaks in concrete structures can be permanently repaired with water-activated polyurethane and a few assorted leak seal accessories. Click here to watch the video.

Alchatek - A Supplier You Can Trust

This video provides a quick overview of Alchatek, an international leader in the manufacture and supply of chemical grouts and construction products for Geotechnical, Leak Seal, and Seawall Repair applications. Providing solutions from its headquarters in Tucker, Georgia, and its manufacturing facility in Reno, Nevada, Alchatek specializes in advanced construction technologies for sealing leaks, stabilizing soils, lifting concrete, and protecting infrastructure and seawall structures. Click here to watch the video.

Want more information on geotech and leak seal products and equipment?

Chris Allen brings years of sales and leadership experience in the construction industry to his current position at Alchatek. He has worked with Oldcastle Infrastructure’s storm water division as a Team Lead and Water Sales Engineer, and with James Hardie Building Products as a Regional Sales Representative.

Chris has a B.S. in Business Management from Radford University and has served on several industry committees, including the ASCE, HRUHCA, SAME, and NUCA. He is skilled in collaborating with R&D teams and working with city planners and regulators. Mr. Allen's extensive industry experience, coupled with his project management and customer service skills, are valuable assets for Alchatek customers.

Want more information on geotech products?

Deep Lock® Overview

Solid soil is crucial for the long-term stability of concrete structures. Unfortunately, erosion often puts this stability at risk. When erosion occurs just underneath the structure, standard polyurethane soil stabilization methods are often the perfect solution.

Sometimes, however, erosion occurs deep within the soil. Alchatek's Deep Lock® polyurethane soil stabilization process is a unique and powerful solution for deep soil instability issues. This process involves the deep injection of high-quality structural polymers to address the problem with minimal heavy equipment and downtime. The Deep Lock® process addresses the root cause of deep soil problems. 

Deep Lock® Products

AP Deep Lift 420

AP Lift 430

AP Lift 440

AP Lift 475

Deep Look GPR

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

Alchatek's industry-leading technical support team is thoroughly versed in the art and science of stabilizing soil. Call us today at 404-618-0438 for assistance with your next deep soil stabilization project.

Want more information on geotech products and equipment?

This post is part of the Alchemy-Spetec Contractor Lens series, featuring views, news & case studies written by our customers. This article was written by Casey Messer of Camrock Foundations. If you're an Alchemy-Spetec customer and you'd like to discuss writing content for our blog, please send an email to marketing@alchemy-spetec.com today!

Swimming pools are great additions to any property. However, the installation process must be done correctly to ensure the longevity and stability of the pool. One problem that commonly arises is soil settlement around the pool area. In this blog post, we will discuss why soil settles around swimming pools and what can be done to prevent it.

Improper Compaction

When constructing a house, proper compaction of soil is necessary to prevent settling issues in the future. The same principle applies to swimming pools. Unfortunately, some pool installers neglect this important step. They dig a big hole, build the pool, and mound up all the loose soil around the shell before adding a deck on top. If the soil is not properly compacted, settling will eventually occur.

Pool Leaks

Another cause of soil settlement around swimming pools is leaking pipes. Continuous water seepage can cause soil to erode. In some cases, water leaks can lead to sinkholes. Therefore, it is crucial to address water leaks promptly. Our technicians are thoroughly trained in Alchatek’s Deep Lock® process, a highly effective way to stabilize the affected soil.

Insufficient Footings

When constructing a pool deck, it is essential to have proper footings to support the load. However, we have found that many pools do not have footers at all, and the load is sitting on just a 4-inch-thick slab, causing settlement issues. Additionally, if the yard pitches downward behind the pool, a deeper footing is necessary to prevent stem wall rotation.

Improper Drainage

If the pool is installed at a lower elevation than the surrounding land, proper drainage must be implemented. When water builds up around the pool, it can undermine the foundation and cause settling issues.

Pavers Settling

When pavers around the pool deck begin to settle, it is likely due to one of the soil issues mentioned above. Depending on whether the pavers have a concrete or crushed concrete base, different stabilization methods may be necessary. Our team will diagnose the issue and provide the best solution, whether it be through the Deep Lock® process or standard slab lifting.

Prevention and Repair

Soil settlement around swimming pools is a common issue that can be prevented. Proper compaction, addressing water leaks promptly, installing proper footings, ensuring proper drainage, and utilizing effective stabilization methods are all essential steps in preventing soil settlement. If you're looking for a soil stabilization or concrete leveling contractor near Tampa / St. Petersburg, Florida - click here to contact us today for a free inspection!

Want more information on the stabilization process?

We recently announced our new name - Alchatek. To celebrate this milestone, we are running a promotional contest. Whether you are a customer or a friend, we invite you to participate!

Alchatek Contest Prizes

• One (1) grand prize of a $1000 VISA gift card
• Two (2) second prizes of $500 VISA gift cards
• Ten (10) third prizes of $100 VISA gift cards

How to Enter the Alchatek Promo Contest

1. Entering the contest is easy. All you have to do is visit our contest page or scroll to the bottom of this page, and fill out the entry form. Once you have entered, you will be eligible to win any of the three prizes. 
   
   
2. To increase your chances of winning, you can also earn additional entries by following us on social media. After filling out the form, you'll be presented with links to our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages. You will earn extra entries for each social media account you follow.
   
   
3. We want to make sure that as many people as possible get a chance to win. You can share the contest link via email or social media. Anyone who enters using your unique referral link will earn you additional entries into the contest. It's that simple.

We are excited to celebrate the launch of Alchatek with all of you. Thanks in advance for your participation in this contest!

Alchatek offers world-class custom-built pump systems for both slab lifting and soil stabilization applications. If you're looking for a full-sized trailer rig system, click here to read more on that subject. In this blog post, we'll take a look at two propriety systems designed by the professionals at Alchatek. 

The PolyBadger: Compact Lifting System on Wheels

The wheel-mounted PolyBadger two-component pump system is an extremely valuable addition to any slab lifter's arsenal. It is perfect for new contractors looking to make an initial investment and for experienced contractors looking to add a portable option for those hard-to-reach locations. Small enough to fit in the back of a pickup truck, this simple system requires minimal equipment.

• Lower Initial Investment
• Less Equipment Needed
• Easily Fitted to a Truck, Trailer, or Cart

The PolyShark: Skid-Mounted Soil Stabilization System

The skid-mounted PolyShark single-component pump system is essential for large-scale soil stabilization and void-fill projects. The PolyShark system includes a gas-powered high-pressure injection pump, two hose reels, and flow meters. The entire skid-mounted system can easily be fitted to a flatbed truck for efficient transport.

• Ideal for Large-Scale Jobs
• Complete System (Pump, Hose Reels, Flow Meters)
• Easily Fitted to Flatbed Truck

Want more info on Alchatek geotech products and equipment?