About Alchemy-Spetec and the Geotechnical Division

Alchemy-Spetec is an international leader in the manufacture and supply of chemical grouts for Geotechnical, Seawall Repair, and Leak Seal applications. Geotech is the largest division of Alchemy-Spetec. Our focus: Controlling water movement through permeable soils and improving soil-bearing capacity for construction and remediation projects.

About the Opportunity

Permanent full-time positions are available in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and South-Central United States.

We are expanding the Geotechnical Division. The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic/South Central regions are critical to our successful expansion. We are searching for a leader to facilitate this growth opportunity. You will report to the Geotech Division Manager and take responsibility for locating and converting selected prospective clients, expanding existing clients, and networking with established Regional Managers to grow the Geotech Business in your region.

Responsibilities

• Generating new sales opportunities by finding and developing new customers in key markets.
• Contacting prospective customers who have sent inquiries and converting them into customers.
• Establishing relationships with local governments and engineering firms to develop new opportunities.
• Delivering rapid growth and business revenue in the region through proactive sales activities.
• Working with existing Regional Managers and Technical Support to meet territory goals.
• Building Regional Networks of Referral Partners in support of our customers.
• Working closely with the marketing team to provide content and leverage existing opportunities.

Location & commitments

• Remote-based office with Travel throughout your region.
• Periodic Training and organizational meetings in Tucker, GA, and Reno, Nevada.
• Estimated travel: 50-70%

Candidate requirements

• Proven experience in business development and networking.
• Experience in this industry sector (Environmental, Geology, Civil, Foundations, Engineering).
• Strong business, communication, and budgeting skills.
• Professional, engaging, technical, and determined personality that is also comfortable learning geotech equipment.
• Goal-oriented self-starter who requires little supervision.
• The ability to track and achieve KPIs.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Contact us to apply

If you have a passion for business development and the geotechnical and environmental industry, then we would like to meet you. Consider becoming an important teammate of a growing organization that is dedicated to saving and developing property and infrastructure. Send your resume and cover letter to Andy Powell at apowell@alchemy-spetec.com.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

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 Morgan Helms of Helms Polyfoam.  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!

Railroads are an integral part of our nation’s infrastructure, and Helms knows how important it is to maintain their structural integrity and operability. Unfortunately, soils beneath railroads and railbeds are subject to settling from water intrusion.

With our structural polyurethane resins that support over 14,000 lbs. per square foot, Helms Polyfoam can stabilize and lift railbeds back to their normal and safe levels. In fact, Helms recently succeeded in solving a railroad repair problem for one of our clients, Gulf Coast Sand, in Picayune, Mississippi.

For this client, a 75-foot section of railway approaching their railcar scale had settled 5-6 inches. This settling was causing inaccurate scale readings due to uneven weight distribution along the scale. When there’s a soil stabilization or settling problem, Helms has the solution!

In order to ensure an even distribution of lift and stabilization, it was determined that varying depths of injections should be made. These injections were spaced on 4-foot centers, at a span of 4 injections wide per track (one injection point on each outer rail and two injections inside of the rail track) for an approximate injection total of 80 injection points.

At each of the 80 total injection points, ½-inch galvanized tubes were probed to a depth of 6 feet and 4 feet, alternating at each injection point. Expanding resins were then injected into the shell mixture at each injection point for stabilization without adding additional lift to the track.

The result? Our injection pattern for Gulf Coast Sand created a soil squeeze where each injection point compressed against the adjacent points to create a solid, rock-hard mass below the surface!

If you need concrete lifting or soil stabilization work done in the Mississippi area, click here to contact Helms Polyfoam today!

Want more information about soil stabilization with polyurethane?

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 Brian Dalinghaus of Dalinghaus Construction. 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!

Why Do Concrete Slabs Become Uneven?

Concrete slabs such as sidewalks, driveways, and patios, usually become uneven for one of the following reasons:

• Expansive soil – Expansive soil is clay-rich and for this reason expands as it soaks up moisture, and then shrinks as it loses moisture and dries out. This swelling/shrinking – which can be caused by drought/non-drought periods – causes movement in the soil under the slab, and will often cause a slab to become uneven over time.
• Erosion under the slab – Some types of soil are prone to erosion and if there’s poor drainage under the slab, this could cause voids to form and an uneven slab eventually.
• Soil not tamped down – Soil always needs to be properly compacted before anything gets placed or built on top of it, including concrete slabs. If this isn’t done, the slab could settle into the soil and end up uneven.
• Tree roots – We’ve all seen examples of tree roots pushing up on a slab and causing it to become unlevel.
• Dead leaves decaying leave voids – Leaves and other organic matter should be removed from the soil before a concrete slab is poured. If this isn’t done, voids could form under the slab. If the slab sinks into the voids, it will become uneven.

Uneven Concrete Slab Repairs Using Polyurethane Foam Injection

Fortunately, an uneven concrete slab can be repaired (i.e, leveled) in just a few hours using polyurethane foam injection, a waterproof material that’s injected under the slab in order to level it. Polyurethane foam injection can lift and level sidewalks, driveways, patios, pool decks, and more.

The general polyurethane foam injection procedure to perform concrete slab repairs is as follows:

• Dime-sized holes are drilled into the affected slab.
• A nozzle is inserted through the holes and the polyurethane foam is injected under the slab.
• The foam immediately begins to expand, fill any voids, and raise the slab.
• The holes are patched using a compound that matches the color of the concrete.
• Fifteen minutes after the repair is complete, the slab is ready for use.

Is Polyurethane Foam Better Than Mudjacking?

Yes, we believe polyurethane foam injection is better than mudjacking. Mudjacking is an older method for leveling an uneven concrete slab. Today, most concrete leveling jobs are done using polyurethane foam injection for the following reasons:

• The mudjacking slurry used to raise the slab is heavy because it contains cement, sand, soil, etc. Because of this, it has the potential to make the problem even worse because the slab might have become uneven due to weak soil that is unable to support it. If so, adding more weight to the soil in the form of a cement slurry isn’t going to help.
• The mudjacking slurry is prone to erosion if there’s poor drainage under the slab.
• The holes used to inject the mudjacking slurry under the slab are at least 2 inches wide. Compare this to the dime-sized holes used with polyurethane foam injection.
• Mudjacking is a messy process that takes 2-3 to dry and harden. This means downtime.

Yes, mudjacking is still being done today. However, we view it as a temporary fix, at best.

Are Concrete Slab Repairs Better Than Replacing The Slab?

Unless the concrete slab is severely damaged, yes, lifting the slab via polyurethane foam injection is better than digging up and replacing the slab. Concrete leveling using polyurethane foam is a quick procedure taking usually no more than a few hours and then the slab is ready for use. Pouring a new slab and then waiting for it to dry and harden takes time. Replacing a slab is also more expensive. Therefore, severely damaged slabs are typically the only cases that are not a good fit for leveling with polyurethane.

How Much Do Uneven Concrete Slab Repairs Cost?

The cost to fix an uneven concrete slab using polyurethane foam injection depends on where you live and the size of the affected area (this determines how much lifting foam is needed).

How To Help Prevent Concrete Slabs From Becoming Uneven

You can help prevent a concrete slab – such as a sidewalk or driveway – from becoming uneven, by doing the following:

• Make sure the soil is adequately tamped down before the slab gets poured on top of it.
• Ensure that any organic material (such as leaves) is removed from the soil before the slab gets poured.
• Make sure there’s good drainage under and around the slab.
• Keep trees with invasive root systems away from the slab.

If you have an uneven concrete slab that needs to be lifted and leveled (and you’re in the Dalinghaus Southern California and Arizona service area) click here to contact Dalinghaus today and schedule an evaluation.

Want more information on uneven concrete slab repair?

It’s January. Football is about done, ice fishing is getting boring, it’s so cold that hunting is out, and you’re starting to think about part one of this blog series. It would be nice to be prepared to make money every winter, but you don’t know where to start. So what needs to be done to plan ahead for next year’s winter work?

Engineer and Consultant Outreach

If you have spent any time with me, you will have heard me say that engineer outreach is the key to having a pipeline of projects. Whether it is a geotechnical or a waterproofing opportunity, if it is a significant project there is likely to be an engineer involved. Every factory, every property management company, and every hydroelectric plant has a go-to engineering firm they turn to whenever there is a situation to deal with. It might be a broken water main under a floor that has undermined concrete slabs. Or it could be water getting into a machinery pit or a containment area. Whatever it is, you can be sure an engineering firm will be called.

Alchemy-Spetec has engineering presentations for leak seal, soil stabilization, concrete lifting, and many other polyurethane applications. Most of them are approved for continuing education credits so an engineer can learn something useful and pick up some credit towards their yearly requirements. We like to do these jointly with a local contractor to connect the dots between the supplier, contractor, and engineer.  Help us get them set up and we are happy to present on your behalf.

With proper follow-up, these presentation activities often lead to small project opportunities. A successfully completed small project can lead to a bigger opportunity and so on. Remember, these engineers get called by property owners when something has gone wrong. If you are the contractor they turn to, as long as you are fair, responsive, on time, safe, and get the job done - you will continue to get work that doesn’t go out for bid.

Professional Associations

There are a million professional associations out there for every field and trade you can imagine. Joining an association is a great way to network and find out what opportunities might be out there.

Find out about your local chapter of BOMA. The Building Owners and Managers Association represents one of the largest industries in the world – commercial real estate. Members of BOMA are primarily building owners, property managers, facility managers, and building engineers. Where else could you find a better place to discuss elevator pits, parking garages, tripping hazards, etc. Look for opportunities to present at BOMA events. The very first presentation I ever gave was in front of about 100 building engineers from one chapter of BOMA in Metro Atlanta and I was already looking at a project just an hour after I finished. 

Another good one is IFMA, the International Facility Management Association. As a simple rule of thumb, think of BOMA as the “landlords” and IFMA as the “tenants”. Often it is the tenant that is reporting the issue of concern. Presenting to IFMA gives you the opportunity to let facility managers know about polyurethane technologies that can resolve issues in and around a building.

The ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is a great place to network with professional engineers. You don’t have to be an engineer to participate in meetings and have access to what ASCE offers; they have a category called Organization Partners for non-engineer participation. Look for opportunities to present at ASCE; we can assist you with that.

DOTs and Municipalities

Sometimes there is no substitute for just grinding out phone calls, computer research, or making some stops at the local municipalities and DOTs. You can find out when projects are coming out for bid, you can attend bid meetings and lettings, and you will likely find yourself networking with general contractors and engineers in the process.

Mass transit authorities also need to be researched as well. Any city with trains/subways is going to have a transit authority. They have their own engineering departments and will put projects out for bid on a regular basis. Outreach to these engineers with offers to present on leak seal and geotech applications could very well touch on an issue they have. You can also meet these kinds of engineers at an ASCE meeting.

Winter IS the Time to Grow Your Business

If you are a contractor looking for work to do in the cold months, contact your Alchemy-Spetec Regional Manager for details on how we can help you expand your business. These efforts are great for finding that winter work but you will find that they will transform your business year-round. 

Want more information on Geotech and Leak Seal products?

Wintertime IS the Time for Northern Contractors to Grow a Polyurethane Injection Business

So, you think because it’s cold and the ground is frozen, it’s time to hang it up and winterize all your polyurethane injection equipment? Time to start bowling, shooting pool, ice fishing, hunting, drinking, etc.? Okay, maybe that is not the way to start a blog; a guy who has never lived north of Atlanta, telling contractors in the northern USA what they could be doing in the winter. But I implore you; please read on and consider the other fun stuff you could be doing and getting paid for.

Specialty chemical grouting contractors that operate in the northern USA face a more limited window of time to get outdoor soil stabilization and slab lifting work done. They have earned the right to take it easy in the winter because they typically work twice as hard as everyone else when the weather cooperates. With proper planning though, northern poly contractors can stay busy in the cold months as well. In this two-part blog series, we will cover what those wintertime opportunities are and how to make them happen.

What Geotechnical Work Can Be Done in the Winter?

When I talk about geotechnical work, I am primarily referring to concrete slab lifting and soil stabilization/ground improvement.  Here are some winter targets to consider:

1. Warehouses and Distribution Centers – Interior slab lifting and void filling behind loading dock walls.
2. Office and Retail – Interior slab lifting and tripping hazard mitigation.
3. Infrastructure – Below the frost line, groundwater infiltration into stormwater and sewer pipes causes loss of soil density and settling of pavement. Infiltration can be halted, voids filled, and soil density restored through a chemical grouting program.
4. Agricultural Facilities – Leveling slabs in grain-drying bunkers.
5. Commercial / Industrial – Filling voids and leveling slabs in plants and factories.

What about other polyurethane injection work? Winter is a great time to learn some new skills like crack injection, slab undersealing, and curtain grouting. When it gets cold, concrete shrinks, and cracks and joints open up and can start leaking. They are actually easier to inject when it’s cold. The market for this kind of work is practically unlimited. Consider these areas where waterproofing work needs to be done:

1. Below-grade parking structures – Every underground parking structure leaks through cracks, expansion joints, and cold joints. These can be injected with Alchemy-Spetec leak seal resins. If the concrete is in bad condition, a curtain wall grouting program can be implemented to basically create a membrane between the groundwater and the concrete.
2. Elevator pits – Any below-grade concrete structure can potentially leak. Elevator pits, especially in areas with high water tables, routinely leak. How many elevators do you think are in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago? These are all cities basically at sea level.
3. Tunnels (Pedestrian, Vehicle, Mass Transit) - These all suffer from water intrusion and can be injected with polyurethane resins.
4. Dams – It’s kind of scary to think about huge concrete dams leaking but it is indeed the case. A lot of crack injection work is done in dam galleries during the winter.
5. Residential and Commercial Building Basement Waterproofing – Cracks and joints leak year-round but when it’s cold they are easier to inject.
6. Slab Undersealing – This is the same as curtain wall grouting. The difference is that it’s done through the floor instead of through a wall.

Alchemy-Spetec’s Technical Service Team and Regional Managers provide training to get contractors started with these new skills and opportunities. You’re probably wondering how to find these projects though.  Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog series where I cover the leg work that must be done to line up this wintertime work.  

Want more information on Geotech and Leak Seal products?

Alchemy-Spetec will appear at the following tradeshows in January and February...

6th International Conference on Grouting & Deep Mixing

January 15-18, 2023 – New Orleans, Louisiana

Visit Alchemy-Spetec at Booth #236

Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) and International Conference Organization for Grouting (ICOG) with support from Geo-Institute’s Grouting Committee are presenting the 6th International Conference on Grouting and Deep Mixing, January 2023, at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, Louisiana. Be updated on the latest grouting practices, network with industry professionals, and view the latest technology and services in the Exhibit Hall … all while enjoying the excitement and diversity of the Big Easy!

2023 Sprayfoam Convention & Expo

February 12-15, 2023 - Daytona Beach, Florida

Visit Alchemy-Spetec at Booth #818

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, or the “SPFA”, is an educational and technical resource for the spray polyurethane foam industry. A national 501(c)6 trade association, the SPFA was founded in 1987. The SPFA’s core mission is to support the health of the industry and to serve its participants, promoting best practices and growth through a number of core initiatives, educational resources, events, and much more. The 2023 Sprayfoam Convention & Expo will be held at the Ocean Center located at 101 N. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118. SPFA has all the pieces in place for another successful event!

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Alchemy-Spetec is proud to present The Injection Connection podcast. In-depth discussions with thought leaders and professionals in the infrastructure repair industry. If you've missed any of these episodes, we invite you to review the guide below...

Episode 1- Introduction

Episode 1 is a brief intro about the intended content of the show. The Injection Connection is produced for contractors, distributors, and design professionals in the infrastructure repair segment, or broader construction industry. The podcast aims to provide unique insights through the lens of the chemical grouting industry.

Episode 2 - The QP Factor

This episode is an overview of the patented QP Factor system used to quantify chemical grout leak seal success. The presentation was originally given at the ICRI National Convention by Jim Spiegel and is being reproduced remotely for an engineering firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is the industry's first patented method for leak seal quantification.

Episode 3 - Interview with Kevin Earles

Guest Kevin Earles is a long-time friend of Jim Spiegel, and the National Sales Director for EPMS Supplies based in Nottingham, UK. Topics covered include how they met one another, the future of online distribution, Brexit, and more. Kevin has been in the specialty construction distribution industry for almost 25 years.

Episode 4 - Interview with Adam Tracy

Guest Adam Tracy, of A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, offers a unique perspective into the residential leak seal industry through his Civil Engineering education. Adam and Jim discuss differences in residential vs. commercial projects, as well as finding new talent, learning from contractors, and more.

Episode 5 - Helms Polyfoam

The Injection Connection welcomes two guests from Helms Polyfoam: JR Crowell, VP & COO, and Morgan Helms, President & CEO. In this episode, Jim Spiegel discusses the history of the Helms business, the future of customer support, and the importance of relationships.

Episode 6 - Jack Whitworth

Jim and guest Jack Whitworth, 26-year chemical grouting sales professional, discuss the importance of education, the mutual benefits of competitors working together, and driving our families crazy during the Covid-19 lockdown time.

Episode 7 - Ann Thaxton

In Episode 7 of The Injection Connection, Jim sits down with Ann Thaxton, from Concrete Titans, a marketing and advertising agency offering services to the concrete lifting, and residential foundation repair markets. Ann offers great insights into the most current lead capture strategies, trends in the industry, and how marketing dollars are actually worth more in the current Covid-19 crisis.

Episode 8 - Matt & Travis of Lift It Rite

In Episode 8 of The Injection Connection, Jim sits down with Matt Chittick and Travis Germick, co-owners of Lift It Rite, LLC., a residential slab-lifting business servicing the Greater Atlanta and surrounding markets. Matt and Travis offer valuable insights on how to start a lifting business, production considerations, and the under-appreciated value of showing up with a smile (and perhaps a hamburglar costume!).

Episode 9 - Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman

In this episode, Jim welcomes colleague Charlie Lerman "The Grout Geek".  Charlie and Jim do their best to take off their Alchemy-Spetec hats and to discuss the Leak Seal chemical grouting industry through the eyes of a Field Services Manager.  With over 16 years of field experience representing some of the most well-known brands in the industry, Charlie is a wealth of knowledge for any listener.  

Episode 10 - John Ziebell

In Episode 10, Charlie Lerman takes over as host and welcomes Alchemy-Spetec independent rep John Ziebell. Formerly the Vice President of Operations for Deneef Construction Chemicals, Inc., John has 36 years of experience in the chemical grout industry and is currently a member of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI).

Episode 11 - Paul Layman

Episode 11 of The Injection Connection features a landmark conversation between retired industry legend Captain Grout (aka Paul Layman) and his number one protégé and unofficial successor, The Grout Geek (podcast host Charlie Lerman).  Don't miss this info-packed discussion between these two chemical grouting heavyweights!

Episode 12 - Josh Van Hook

On Episode 12, host Charlie Lerman welcomes the Outside Sales Representative at All-Tex Supply, Inc. Josh Van Hook.  Josh has over 18 years of experience as a distributor in Austin, TX and one of his passions has been chemical grouts.

Episode 13 - Erin Rothman

Episode 13. Who budgets $188 million annually to treat groundwater? The state of Tennessee does, not that they want to. A 2014 study (Kurz I/I Survey) found that roughly 45% of the water treated from their collection system was from inflow. But the treatment costs are just part of the issue. Inflow can and often does wash fines into the collection system. This has many effects. One, reduced system capacity due to these soils sitting in the pipes. Two, potential sinkholes from the loss of soils over time. A third impact is the increased wear and tear on the system, especially lift station pumps. Lastly, and the easiest to see is sanitary overflows and backups that pollute the environment and can damage property. So, with such a clear issue that obviously needs addressing, why isn’t it being addressed?  In this episode, Charlie Lerman discusses these issues with Erin Rothman, the CEO & Founder of StormSensor.

Episode 14 - Murray Heywood

Episode 14 of The Injection Connection features Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman interviewing veteran coatings expert (and punk rock drummer) Murray Heywood. Don't miss this info-packed and entertaining discussion!

Check out the podcast on TheInjectionConnection.com and the following platforms:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• SoundCloud
• Google Podcasts
• YouTube

Want info on Alchemy-Spetec products & applications?

About Alchemy-Spetec and the Geotechnical Division

Alchemy-Spetec is an international leader in the manufacture and supply of chemical grouts for Geotechnical, Seawall Repair, and Leak Seal applications. Geotech is the largest division of Alchemy-Spetec. Our focus: Controlling water movement through permeable soils and improving soil-bearing capacity for construction and remediation projects.

About the Opportunity

Permanent full-time positions are available in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and South-Central United States.

We are expanding the Geotechnical Division. The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic/South Central regions are critical to our successful expansion. We are searching for a leader to facilitate this growth opportunity. You will report to the Geotech Division Manager and take responsibility for locating and converting selected prospective clients, expanding existing clients, and networking with established Regional Managers to grow the Geotech Business in your region.

Responsibilities

• Generating new sales opportunities by finding and developing new customers in key markets.
• Contacting prospective customers who have sent inquiries and converting them into customers.
• Establishing relationships with local governments and engineering firms to develop new opportunities.
• Delivering rapid growth and business revenue in the region through proactive sales activities.
• Working with existing Regional Managers and Technical Support to meet territory goals.
• Building Regional Networks of Referral Partners in support of our customers.
• Working closely with the marketing team to provide content and leverage existing opportunities.

Location & commitments

• Remote-based office with Travel throughout your region.
• Periodic Training and organizational meetings in Tucker, GA, and Reno, Nevada.
• Estimated travel: 50-70%

Candidate requirements

• Proven experience in business development and networking.
• Experience in this industry sector (Environmental, Geology, Civil, Foundations, Engineering).
• Strong business, communication, and budgeting skills.
• Professional, engaging, technical, and determined personality that is also comfortable learning geotech equipment.
• Goal-oriented self-starter who requires little supervision.
• The ability to track and achieve KPIs.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Contact us to apply

If you have a passion for business development and the geotechnical and environmental industry, then we would like to meet you. Consider becoming an important teammate of a growing organization that is dedicated to saving and developing property and infrastructure. Send your resume and cover letter to Andy Powell at apowell@alchemy-spetec.com.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

We are excited to welcome Jonathan Waite as V.P. of Operations, overseeing manufacturing and production in both Tucker, GA, and Reno, NV. Jonathan has been a leader in specialty chemical production for over 25 years. He has led sites and manufacturing networks for multinational companies such as Henkel/Loctite and Akzonobel, producing adhesives, coatings, and sealants for the consumer and industrial markets. He is a Georgia Tech alumni with a degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Hartford.

Using lean manufacturing tools, he has led continual improvement efforts, increasing capacity and throughput.  He has guided his sites to safely create high levels of customer and employee satisfaction by building world-class teams and implementing processes to ensure high standards and high levels of customer satisfaction. 

Alchemy-Spetec President and C.E.O. Stephen Barton adds, "We are proud to announce that Jonathan Waite is joining our executive team as Vice President of Operations.  Jonathan has the experience, organizational, and leadership skills to help us in our continued journey to safely create high levels of customer and employee satisfaction."

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

A homeowner in Alaska reached out to contractor Ace Dragon about leaks in their basement. The basement was built with insulated concrete form walls that are typically installed in colder climates. Despite being an excellent solution, problems can arise if not installed properly during construction and the home was suffering from leaks due to poorly consolidated concrete within the walls. During construction, these specially designed walls provide insulation with concrete filling the hollow cavities. However, whenever concrete is poured it requires vibration to ensure it is properly consolidated. The walls in this home did not contain properly consolidated concrete and thus were leaking.

Powerful Polymer

After conducting a thorough inspection, the crew from Ace Dragon found issues with the membrane around the perimeter of the house and proposed injecting Alchemy-Spetec’s Spetec PUR Highfoamer into the walls to make up for the weakly consolidated concrete and seal the leaks. This durable polyurethane was perfect for this job due to its low cost and high expansion rate.

Painless Procedure

The job only required a small three-man crew and some light equipment. Starting their injection procedure from the bottom, the crew worked all the way around and up the entire basement wall to ensure all affected areas were sealed. The homeowner’s only other effective alternative would have been to excavate around the entire perimeter of the home and completely redo the membrane (something they wanted to avoid due to the high costs).

Rapid Result

The injection process took a fraction of the time a full membrane replacement would have taken. The homeowner was thrilled to have the leaks sealed and the basement walls fortified.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal products and equipment?