Alchatek Infrastructure Repair Blog: Polyurethane Leak Seal Injection, Soil Stabilization, Concrete Leveling

Filling Dangerous Voids Under Slabs

Posted by Andy Powell on Oct 10, 2019 10:00:00 AM

Why Voids Under Your Slabs are Dangerous

If you own or manage a property with concrete slabs, you need to understand the danger posed by voids in the supporting soil. Large gaps in the soil beneath your slabs are a red-alert problem for a couple of key reasons:

Any equipment or vehicles on your slab are at risk. We have linked to this video before, but it is very relevant here: click to view cars falling through a collapsing floor. You definitely do not want this happening in your warehouse, parking area, showroom or garage.
People are more valuable than any vehicle or piece of equipment could ever be. Don't put your employees, tenants, customers, friends or family at risk.

Signs You Might Have a Void Under Your Slab

There are a few key indicators you should look for when trying to determine the stability of soil underneath your garage:

Are there cracks in your slab?
When you gently tap on your slab with a hammer, does it sound "hollow"?
Is your slab sinking?

Filling the Void and Repairing the Slab

The good news is that filling voids with high-strength polyurethane is generally an efficient fix when you're dealing with a qualified contractor. And you can use the slab in as little as 45 minutes after the repair job is done. If you find any of these signs of distress, call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438 or fill out the form linked below for help finding a geotech contractor in your area.

Want to schedule a consultation for assistance finding a contractor?

Topics: All Posts, Lift Slabs, Stabilize Soil, Fill Voids

Alchemy-Spetec Fall 2019 Training SOLD OUT!

Posted by Stephen C. Barton on Sep 27, 2019 9:43:16 AM

Alchemy-Spetec Fall 2019 Training SOLD OUT! (1)

Alchemy-Spetec Fall 2019 Training SOLD OUT!

Alchemy-Spetec's Fall 2019 training event is officially SOLD OUT! If you're still interested in training, we'll be conducting another event in the Spring of 2020. Click the button below and fill out the form. We'll keep you updated on the Spring 2020 event an all other training opportunities!

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

Leak Seal Day

Leak Seal Product Line Overview
Curtain Grouting
Permeation Grouting
Leak-Seal Product Mixing
Pump & Packer Overviews
Leak-Seal Accessories
Municipal Applications
Live Injection Demos
Open Discussions

Geotech Day

Geotech Product Line Overview
Soil Stabilization
Geotech Product Mixing
Rig & Mobile System Overviews
Geotechnical Accessories
Slab Lifting Live Demo
Deep Lift™ Overview
Soil Testing with the GPR & Penetrometer
Maintenance Discussions
Pricing / Estimating / Cost Savings
Open Discussions

Want to be alerted when Spring 2020 training registration is available?

Topics: Repair Seawalls, Equipment & Accessories, All Posts, Lift Slabs, NSF Certification, Seal Leaks, Stabilize Soil, Business Tips, Repair Cracks, Waterstop, Deep Lift, Floor Repair, Fill Voids

The MixMaster Concrete Leveling Gun: A Competitive Advantage

Posted by Michael Binyaminov on Sep 20, 2019 10:16:46 AM

The MixMaster Concrete Leveling Gun: A Competitive Advantage

The MixMaster Concrete Leveling Gun: A Competitive Advantage Exclusively available to customers buying Alchemy-Spetec lifting foam, the MixMaster Pro slab lifting gun provides you with significant advantages over your competition.

Save Time, Hassle and Money

Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight! Sprayfoam insulation guns are made for the simple process of spraying foam at constant pressures. Slab lifting requires a gun that is designed to deal with changing pressures and back pressure without backing up or crossing over. Issues like leaky port connections, constant cleaning, and constant fumbling around with a clamp can drastically reduce production - adding a lot of man hours to each project. Not to mention long nights spent rebuilding and cleaning the gun after EVERY job. Did we mention that feeling in the pit of your stomach every time you have to call in yet another expensive replacement parts order?
- MixMaster Pro Slab Lifting Gun Means Less Hassle and More Production. Read more!

Stainless Steel Gun Block Available

The new stainless-steel block for the MixMaster Pro concrete leveling gun is an option you may want to consider. This stronger, more durable gun block was developed to prevent stripping of injector ports (which can sometimes happen with the aluminum block if the ports are over-tightened).
- Bigger, Better, Stronger - The Stainless Steel MixMaster Gun Block. Read more!

Want more info on the MixMaster Pro concrete leveling gun?

Topics: Equipment & Accessories, All Posts, Lift Slabs

2019 Fall Training on Oct 9th & 10th - Register Before the Sep 25th Deadline!

Posted by Stephen C. Barton on Sep 12, 2019 1:33:09 PM

2019 Fall Training on Oct 9th & 10th - Register Before the Sep 25th Deadline!

Register NOW before the September 25th deadline!

October 9th & 10th, 2019 at Alchemy-Spetec HQ in Tucker, GA

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

Wednesday - Leak Seal

Leak Seal Product Line Overview
Curtain Grouting
Permeation Grouting
Leak-Seal Product Mixing
Pump & Packer Overviews
Leak-Seal Accessories
Municipal Applications
Live Injection Demos
Open Discussions

Thursday - Geotech

Geotech Product Line Overview
Soil Stabilization
Geotech Product Mixing
Rig & Mobile System Overviews
Geotechnical Accessories
Slab Lifting Live Demo
Deep Lift™ Overview
Soil Testing with the
GPR & Penetrometer
Maintenance Discussions
Pricing / Estimating / Cost Savings
Open Discussions

Participants receive a Samsung tablet loaded with training material.

Your Instructors:

Stephen C. Barton (President/CEO), Jim Spiegel (VP Sales & Business Development), Andy Powell (Southeastern Regional Manager), Anthony Sandone (Eastern Regional Manager), Charlie Lerman (Western Regional Manager), and Michael Binyaminov (Western Sales Representative).

Topics: Repair Seawalls, Equipment & Accessories, All Posts, Lift Slabs, NSF Certification, Seal Leaks, Stabilize Soil, Business Tips, Repair Cracks, Waterstop, Deep Lift, Floor Repair, Fill Voids, Engineer Resources

Showroom Floor Slab Repair

Posted by Michael Binyaminov on Aug 30, 2019 1:16:15 PM

Concrete Leveling & Stabilization for Showroom Floors

Do you own or manage a business with concrete showroom floors? Auto dealers, large wholesale stores, convention centers and other businesses need strong and stable floor slabs to function properly. Unstable slabs can put merchandise, customers and even ownership at risk. See our two-part blog series on trip hazards and litigation risks...
Concrete Leveling to Prevent Trip Hazards & Litigation Risks - Part 1
Concrete Leveling to Prevent Trip Hazards & Litigation Risks - Part 2

You should also understand the larger danger of complete slab collapse if the voids underneath your floor are large enough. See this stunning security cam footage from the National Corvette Museum for an example in action. Ownership was completely unaware of the large voids that eventually caused this showroom floor to collapse, taking all those Corvettes with it.

Concrete Leveling & Stabilization Contractors

Alchemy-Spetec can help you find a contractor to detect, level, and stabilize slabs at risk. Even if you aren't noticing any immediate problems, it may be worth getting your slabs tested for dangerous voids lurking beneath. Call us now at 404-618-0438 for help finding a contractor in your area!

Want more info on commercial & industrial slab repair?

Topics: All Posts, Lift Slabs, Stabilize Soil, Fill Voids

Loading Dock Slab Repair

Posted by Andy Powell on Aug 28, 2019 9:37:02 AM

Sunken concrete slabs can be lifted back into place with two-component polyurethane foams 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.

- From the Alchemy-Spetec blog post Polyurethane Slab Lifting Explained. (Read more and watch an animation that explains the slab lifting process in detail.)

If you own or manage a facility with loading docks, it is essential to understand the dangers of unstable concrete. Warning signs include rocking, cracking, and unlevel seams between slabs. If you notice any of these red flags, you need to contact a professional concrete repair contractor immediately. (For assistance on that front, contact Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438.)

This very real risks of ignoring unstable loading dock slabs include:

Damage to vehicles and equipment.
Personal property damage.
Sudden slab collapse.
Trip hazards.
Employee injuries.
Limitless liability issues.

As industry experts consulting with contactors around the world, we've seen all these scenarios play out unfortunately. Here's a photo from a slab collapse that prompted the owners to call in a contractor to inspect and stabilize the rest of their slabs...

Collapsed-Slab

Don't wait for this to happen on your property. Contact Alchemy-Spetec at the first sign of any issue and let us help you find a contractor in your area! Call now at 404-618-0438.

Want more information on warehouse & industrial slab repair?

Topics: All Posts, Lift Slabs, Stabilize Soil

Reminder - 2019 Fall Training on October 9th & 10th

Posted by Stephen C. Barton on Aug 23, 2019 10:30:04 AM

Reminder - 2019 Fall Training on October 9th & 10th

You still have a chance to sign up for Fall 2019 Training while there are still spots left. Don't miss this critical opportunity to turbo-charge your business!