Alchatek Blog

The Alchemy-Spetec PolyBadger mobile slab lifting system (named in honor of the mighty honey badger) is tough and compact. 

The Polybadger is Tough

The PolyBadger slab lifting system is built to last:

• The cabinet is constructed from powder coated carbon steel and the frame is constructed from carbon steel box tubing. 
• The durable hose is constructed with a Teflon core and a stainless-steel braid. (The system can operate with up to 200 feet of hose.)
• Essential elements (heaters, electronics, auto calibrator) are self-contained and protected in a metal cabinet.

The PolyBadger is Compact

The PolyBadger slab lifting system is durably built and designed to go where other lifting systems simply cannot venture:

• The PolyBadger is smaller in size than most of the competition, at 30" wide and 48" long. Now that's what you call portable!
• This is one of the few systems powered through a common 120-volt wall outlet (vs the usual 240-volt requirement). Compatibility with common wall outlets exponentially increases your location possibilities.
• The entire system is very maneuverable, resting on two swivel and two fixed 6-inch pneumatic castor wheels.  The wheels are are filled with light weight polyurethane instead of air, so they don't go flat. 

The Auto Calibrator

Another essential feature is the auto calibrator. It keeps the flow of A-side and B-side slab lifting material on ratio, eliminating the possibility of crossover clogging in the gun or the whip hose. The two low-pressure transfer pumps and auto calibrator are literally the only moving parts in the whole system. That means less downtime, less maintenance, and more productivity on the job. This system is easier to use and a more affordable than many options on the market.

Want more info on the PolyBadger?

Slab Lifting in Cold Weather

Contrary to popular opinion, as a contractor, you don’t have to put up your equipment and rigs due to cold weather. There are many jobs to be done and many ways to keep your material conditioned. Use this season to your advantage and gain valuable business.

Seasonal attractions such as theme parks, for example, are a great place to start looking for winter work. Many of these parks (the ones that aren’t in Orlando) shut down for the winter and this is the time they do maintenance and repairs. Think of all the concrete lifting and leveling that can be done.

Read all about cold weather slab lifting markets, conditioning materials and more in our blog post Slab Lifting in Cold Weather.

Leak Sealing in Cold Weather

You have a variety of options for seeking leak seal jobs that are inside, out of the elements, during the winter months. (See the linked article below for a list of ideas.) If you’re still up for working outside during the winter months, you’re in luck because concrete contracts during colder weather. The contraction makes cracks open wider (thus easier to seal). One important point to understand is that cold weather requires you to make an extra effort to keep your materials and equipment warm.

Read all about cold weather leak seal markets, conditioning materials and more in our blog post Polyurethane Leak Seal in Cold Weather.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Safety is the number one priority for factory and warehouse managers across the country.  Emphasis is most often placed on training employees to wear the right personal protective equipment and observe safety procedures when operating machinery - and rightly so!  In addition, it's also important for management to consider the state of the concrete slab floors.  Sunken or rocking slabs can cause trip hazards and damage equipment.  Undetected voids underneath seemingly solid slabs create the risk of sudden collapse.

Alchemy-Spetec sells high-strength polyurethane resin to slab repair contractors all over North America.  We can help you find a well-trained contactor to inspect the concrete in your warehouse or factory. 

Call Alchemy-Spetec now at 404-618-0438 or...

Click below, fill out a form for a slab lift brochure & we'll contact you ASAP.

Maintenance managers at schools and universities should be keenly aware of the dangers posed by sunken concrete slabs.  Campus walkway slabs can settle and create trip hazards for students and teachers.  Sunken concrete parking lot slabs can create trip hazards and damage vehicles.

Alchemy-Spetec provides high-strength polyurethane concrete leveling foam to contractors all over North America.  These highly trained professionals can spot danger areas during a routine inspection and lift concrete back into place if the slab is still intact and the conditions allow.  Given our extensive customer base, we can very likely help you find a contractor.

Wherever your campus is located, we'll do our best to connect you with a contractor in your area who can perform an inspection and provide you with a repair estimate.

Call Alchemy-Spetec now at 404-618-0438 or...

Click below, fill out a form for a slab lift brochure & we'll contact you ASAP.

Are you in the market for a tough and compact slab lifting system?  The PolyBadger is a reliable entry-level choice for new lifting companies focusing on small jobs.  It's also a great system for larger companies facing out-of-the-way jobs that may prohibit the use of a large rig. 

Benefits of the PolyBadger over a standard rig:

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

In addition, the PolyBadger has considerable advantages over competing mobile cart systems.  Talk to an Alchemy-Spetec rep for comparisons to any other cart system you are considering.

Want more info on the PolyBadger?

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?

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?

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?

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). 

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?