Like with most issues, there is no one final answer, but let’s weigh the pros and cons. An easy one is cost: two-component urethanes are significantly more cost-effective than a single component IF you already have a rig to properly handle them. Keep in mind, not many leak seal contractors typically have a rig.

Speed: let’s talk reaction time. While the single component products can have their set time field adjusted, two-component products will almost always react faster. This is helpful when you have gushing leaks, but often you want to give your grout a longer time to migrate and permeate before they react to ensure you get the whole leak. Remember, 99% waterproofed is 100% leaking.

Both types of grouts are isocyanate-based and are closed celled. They both are highly resistant to chemicals, and neither are UV stable. The two-component grouts are always hydrophobic whereas the single component can be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In general, most two-component urethane grouts are rigid or semi-rigid. On the other end of the spectrum, single component polyurethanes can be a gel, a flexible foam, a semi-rigid foam, or even a rigid foam.

So, with all that said, single component foams are the traditional choice for leak seal. When it comes to crack and joint water mitigation, flexibility is key and that rules out most of the two-component foams. When we look at curtain grouting, both can be very effective and there can be a substantial cost saving when it comes to two components. But a downside of using two-component is the shorter set time and thus less travel.

In summation, for leak seal, single component grouts can do everything that is needed and are the typical grout of choice.

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Alchemy-Spetec's Spring 2022 training event is officially SOLD OUT!  If you're still interested in training, we'll be conducting another event in the Fall of 2022.  Click the button below and fill out the form.  We'll keep you updated on the next event and all other training opportunities!

Alchemy-Spetec two-day geotech training events typically consist of the following...

• Geotech Product Line Overview
• Geotech Applications & Case Studies
• PolyBadger® Demo & Training
• Estimating & Quoting Jobs
• PMC Pump Demo & Training
• Leak Seal Issues on Geotech Jobs
• Ground Penetrating Radar Demo & Training
• Slab Lift Rig Demo & Training
• Competing Geotech Techniques
• PolyShark® / Soil Stabilization Demo & Training (On-Site)
• Deep Lift® Demo & Training (On-Site)

Want to be alerted when Fall 2022 training registration is available?

Andrew has over 10 years of experience in Manufacturing Operations and Quality Assurance. With a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, he has a successful track record of evaluating complex manufacturing operations, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing process improvements.

Before joining Alchemy-Spetec, Andrew was Operations Manager at Beaver Paper Group, Production Supervisor at WinCup, and Production Manager at Pursuant Health. Additional skills include Lean Management, Lean Manufacturing, and Kaizen.

Andrew attended Georgia State University and lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia with his wife and son.

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Alchemy-Spetec is pleased to welcome Jacob Bryant to our technical support team. Jacob joins the company as Geotech Services Technician. He'll be working with Cult Hullander (Director of Technical Services - Geotech).

Jacob 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.

Before entering the geotech industry, Jacob worked in roofing, managing crews, installing product, and making repairs. Effective communication was essential in this position. He has extensive experience working with customers and addressing their needs throughout his career.

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Newcomers to urethane grouts often cut their teeth on these two terms, but the industry in general struggles with the understanding of what they are, and when to use hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic polyurethane grouts. So, I will cover the differences and then point out what I feel is a much more important conversation about polyurethane chemical grouts.

Hydrophobic

• Cured States: Rigid, Semi-Rigid, Flexible Foam
• Reaction: Requires Water
• Requires Accelerator: Yes
• Elongation: None to 100%
• Wet/Dry Cycling: Unaffected
• Adhesive Bond: Good
• Pumped and Handles as: Single Component

Hydrophilic

• Cured States: Flexible Foam or Gel
• Reaction: Requires Water
• Requires Accelerator: No
• Elongation: None to 300%
• Wet/Dry Cycling: Can Dry Out
• Adhesive Bond: Superior
• Pumped and Handles as: Single Component

Somehow, the industry has erroneously assumed hydrophobic means: "fears water and pushes it away". While at the same time assuming hydrophilic means: "loves water and draws it in". There are some truths in these statements but they are only the core and are wrapped in misconceptions.

Misconception One: Water Loving and Water Fearing

Both grouts require water to activate and yes, the hydrophilic grout can incorporate more of the water into its cell structure, but both grouts will push water away when they have reacted with enough water to polymerize.

Misconception Two: Hydrophilic Grouts Dry Out and Shrink Without Water

A more accurate statement would be that cured hydrophilic urethane grouts can dry out and shrink in an arid environment. Concrete normally has a relative humidity of around 60% which will keep a hydrophilic foam hydrated. Soils can vary in their relative humidity but most often have enough moisture not only to keep a hydrophilic grout hydrated but also enough to polymerize a hydrophobic grout without the need for added water.

Misconception Three: Hydrophilic Grouts Have Better Adhesion

It is 100% true hydrophilic grouts have better adhesion in ASTM lab testing, and I did just list them as having superior adhesion. But, in my twenty-plus years in construction, I have never seen a grout job performed under laboratory conditions. Adhesion requires a clean surface for bonding. During crack injection, surface prep is a water flush in a crack we cannot see. So clearly it would be silly to believe we have a pristine surface inside the crack to adhere to. So yes, in a lab, hydrophilic grouts adhere to concrete better than hydrophobic grouts. In situ, both have a weak adhesive bond and both rely on their compressive and mechanical bonds much more than on an adhesive bond.

So, it's important to understand there is much more to grout selection than just hydrophilic and hydrophobic. I would estimate around 60% of chemical grouters only chemical grout a few times year. This can make product and methodology selection very difficult. That is why I am here with the Alchemy-Spetec team to help navigate you through these critical nuances. Call us at 404-618-0438 for technical assistance!

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A retaining wall at a Georgia-based luxury residence was failing due to the pressure of the surrounding soil. A general contractor excavated the site around the wall and planned to install lightweight foam blocks as a replacement for the heavy soil that was removed. After doing a little more research, the contractor discovered that, due to the cost of shipping the blocks, liquid polyurethane foam installation by a local specialized contractor was a lot less expensive. Liquid polyurethane foam takes the shape of the void before curing to form a high-strength solid mass.

Powerful Polymer

The contactor used AP Fill 420 to fill the void. AP Fill 420 is a two-component, high expansion, hydro-insensitive polyurethane foam. It’s the top slab solution for polyurethane void fill. AP Fill 420 weighs 1.8 to 2.2 pounds per cubic foot.

Painless Procedure

The contractor filled the entire void with AP Fill 420 foam. This material was faster to install, less expensive, and provided a more waterproof solution than the foam blocks.

Rapid Result

The entire void was filled with lightweight and extremely durable polyurethane foam. This material placed minimal pressure on the retaining wall, eliminating the danger of future damage. The property owner was extremely pleased with the results.

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Alchemy-Spetec HQ in Tucker, GA
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 1st

$695 Registration Fee
$615 for each additional participant from
the same company.

Get ready for a thorough education in Slab Lifting, Soil Stabilization, the Alchemy-Spetec Deep Lift® process, equipment, and applications. You’ll get hands-on training from a technical staff with decades of on-the-job experience.

Tuesday, March 29th

• Geotech Product Line Overview
• Geotech Applications & Case Studies
• PolyBadger® Demo & Training
• Estimating & Quoting Jobs

Wednesday, March 30th

• PMC Pump Demo & Training
• Leak Seal Issues on Geotech Jobs
• Ground Penetrating Radar Demo & Training
• Slab Lift Rig Demo & Training
• Competing Geotech Techniques

Thursday, March 31st

• PolyShark® / Soil Stabilization Demo & Training (On-Site)
• Deep Lift® Demo & Training (On-Site)

Your Instructors:

Andy Powell (Southeastern Regional Manager), Erik Prinzing (Midwest Regional Manager), Colt Hullander (Director of Technical Services - Geotech), Patrick Zito (Eastern Regional Manager), Joel Bryant (Western Regional Manager).

Sometimes lifting concrete slabs with polyurethane is about more than just making something structurally sound and level again. In every town, there are buildings sitting empty because the floors are not in sufficient shape for use by a business. Imagine the service a concrete leveling contractor can provide by bringing slabs back into tolerance and allowing an empty space to become a revenue stream for the building owner. This is what one of our contractors in Omaha, Nebraska did.

In downtown Omaha, there are a lot of historic buildings. Located on an old stockyard site, there is a building that was constructed in 1911. It had been used as a parts depot for many years; including parts for World War II-era Jeeps. The owners of the building have converted some of it into a commercial laundry equipment distribution facility, but there was a section with sagging floors that really couldn’t be used effectively.

Some research on the internet led them to one of our contractors. This particular lift was a little tricky because the concrete literally had a belly, or sag, down the center. The owner’s idea was to create an office space with partitions/cubicles for small businesses. However, the current floor condition would have everyone’s office chair rolling to the center of the building. Not good! How would the floor react as they tried to bring it up a couple of inches? I was onsite as a consultant to help them find out!

We gave ourselves a reward to shoot for if the lift was successful; a big slab of Omaha prime rib. With that as motivation, we slowly worked our way across the floor and back. Using zip levels, dial indicators, and instinct developed from other jobs, we gradually brought the old floor back into tolerance. The product we selected for this project was AP Lift 430 and it worked beautifully. The MixMaster Pro injection gun performed as advertised and allowed for an efficient installation of the lifting foam. Although we had to drill multiple holes for the targeted injections, we only used three total injection ports.

Now the final touches are being added to this soon-to-be office space. The owners will have multiple tenants paying rent and a once unusable space as a revenue-generating property. If you’re a property owner with a similar issue, call us to get hooked up with a contractor who can help. If you’re a contractor, keep your eyes peeled for similar opportunities. They are all over the place. Now, about that prime rib…

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Many of the contractors I’ve worked with over the years have had to give a presentation at one time or another. In some cases, they need to make a pitch to a potential client (for example at municipality or state agency contract meetings). In other cases, they have the opportunity to market their services by giving presentations at trade shows, “lunch and learn” seminars, webinars, homeowner association meetings, professional association events, etc.

Presentation opportunities can sometimes arise on short notice. This is why you can benefit from creating presentations ahead of time. If you’d like, you can ask our marketing team to critique your presentation. You can also inquire about getting a member of our sales team to co-present when an opportunity does come along.

Incorporate the following tips to create a powerful presentation for your contracting business. Some of these suggestions may seem contrary to everyday conventional practice, but who wants a run-of-the-mill presentation? We’ve tested this approach time and time again, with consistently positive results. It will be worth your while to at least give it a shot.

Fewer Words

As a detail-oriented professional, you may be inclined to pack your presentation slides with lots of text in order to get all your important points across. This is not the most effective way to give a presentation. It can lead to information overload and a drowsy, impatient audience. When creating a presentation, you want to condense the information and only include text that is absolutely essential.

Powerful Images

Now that you have seriously scaled back your text use, the next step is to make the presentation lively. The audience needs to be actively engaged rather than bombarded with data. If you associate a powerful image with each essential point, the audience is better able to visualize and remember the concept.

Engaging Stories

Once you have simplified your text and added visually striking images, you can add extra punch by incorporating stories to get your points across. As a contractor, you probably have many stories from the trenches. Telling a story is a surefire way to make sure a message sticks.

White Paper Instead of Note-Taking

One thing that dilutes the impact of even the most powerful presentations is audience note-taking. This habit guarantees that half their time is spent looking down at their desk rather than paying attention to you. That’s why it’s helpful to prepare a whitepaper (basically an essay with any essential graphics) that summarizes all the key points from your presentation. Inform the audience upfront that there is no need to take notes, as they will receive a written summary afterward. Explain to them that they’ll get a lot more out of the presentation if they provide their full attention.

Conclusion

Since I believe in giving credit where credit is due, I'd like to acknowledge that most of these ideas came from the book Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds.

For more tips on how to create a powerful presentation for your contracting business, or to inquire about co-presenting with one of our specialists, give us a call at 404-618-0438.

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Municipalities across North America have widespread problems with Inflow and infiltration (I&I). Inflow is in reference to stormwater that invades sewer systems. Infiltration is in reference to groundwater infiltrating manholes, lift stations, pipes, and other sanitary system components. While there are a few solutions on the market for mitigating inflow, this article is primarily focused on mitigating infiltration with polyurethane grout.

What are Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)?

According to EPA.gov, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) can be found all over the country and pose many dangers to public health. They estimate there are at least 23,000 - 75,000 SSOs per year in the United States alone. Because SSOs contain raw sewage they carry bacteria, viruses, protozoa (parasitic organisms), helminths (intestinal worms), and inhaled molds and fungi. Because of this, they may cause diseases ranging in severity from mild gastroenteritis (causing stomach cramps and diarrhea) to life-threatening ailments such as cholera, dysentery, infections hepatitis, and severe gastroenteritis.

Massive Amount of Funds in Place for Sewer & Stormwater Infrastructure Repair

Thankfully, hundreds of billions of dollars are budgeted for addressing these issues according to EPA.gov. The CWSRF (Clean Water State Revolving Fund) was created by the 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA) as a financial assistance program for a wide range of water infrastructure projects. This program is a key relationship between the EPA and states that replaced EPA's Construction Grants program. States now have the ability to fund a range of projects that address their urgent water quality issues.

A Simple Plan for Mitigating Sanitary/Stormwater System Infiltration

The grouting plan shown below provides the highest return on investment:

1. Inspect lift stations and manholes.
2. Identify obvious and large leaks.
3. Point repair with polyurethane grout.

Typically, a two-person crew can quickly mitigate 10-30 gallons per hour in less than a day. Just this one day’s work will usually equate to $30,000 a year in savings depending on local treatment costs. For more information on mitigating infiltration with polyurethane grouts, call the Alchemy-Spetec technical support team at 404-618-0438 today.

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