Alchatek Blog

Think you can use a spray foam insulation gun for slab lifting? Well think again. If you've tried it, you know insulation guns become an expensive proposition with the constant need for replacement parts. They're also tedious to use, which can slow down production. And they often leak foam at the port when used for slab lifting. This is why we designed a gun specifically for the slab lifting industry. 

The MixMaster Pro slab lifting gun is built to last. It easily handles back pressure and has a leak proof port connection. It boasts an efficient design with minimal replacement parts. With an average cleaning time of 10 minutes, this gun is designed for ease of use. Spend less time repairing and cleaning your gun, and more time pumping foam!

Want more information on this reliable slab lifting gun?

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the basic costs of buying a polyurethane slab lifting rig and the packages that we offer. These configurations usually fit the bill for many of our interested customers. However, we also have the ability to put together a custom rig package for you.

Investment

Slab lifting trailer rigs usually start in the upper 40K range and go up from there. We have many configurations but have found that three different packages generally cover the needs of most contractors. Each rig is packed with unmatched quality and a plethora of features. These include but are not limited to; insulated walls and ceilings, AC/Heat, diamond plated floors, breaker panels, ramp doors, and a work bench.

Entry-Level Rig

This rig features an air powered PA-25 proportioner. Don't get me wrong, entry level is not the best choice of words because this setup is also good for residential and commercial projects. It's in a 16' v-nose trailer and has a gas powered air compressor and generator. We have many contractors with this set up doing everything from residential to D.O.T work.

Mid-Level Rig

This rig can either be a 18' or 20' trailer that happens to be built around the best selling PH-25 proportioner. This setup is made for the contractor who wants stellar result in an affordable range that features a hydraulically powered proportioner. This is also the best selling machine package, it boasts a 22 KW diesel powered generator and electric air compressor.

Advanced Level Rig

This rig is similar to the mid-level rig with larger PH-25 and PH-40 proportioners. These rigs come in 20' and larger trailers and are powered by 35 KW Stateline Diesel (John Deere) generator sets and also include electric air compressors. This setup is suitable for huge insulations jobs or larger buildings.

Optional Hands-On Quality Training

The best way to get “real world” scenario training is for one of our guys to come out to locations where you have potential jobs and train on site. This is a fool proof way to learn your new equipment and get paid while doing it. This is a good way to learn useful evaluation and estimating skills for the next job ahead.

Want more information on polyurethane slab lifting equipment?

In this post I'll provide an overview of AP Lift 430, 440, and 475. Each product in the AP Lift series has its own distinguishing attributes.

What are AP Lift Foams?

AP Lift Foams are two component, high strength, high density, and hydro insensitive polyurethane foams designed for concrete leveling. AP Lift Foams are among the most resilient and dependable slab jacking foams available.

What are the applications and advantages?

AP Lift polyurethane foams are able to lift concrete slabs, stabilize soil, fill abandoned pipes, fill voids, and also supplement sinkhole remediation. These polyurethane resins exhibit very high strengths. In addition, they work in wet environments by displacing water. Also an advantage, AP Lift foams can be traffic ready in as little as 15 minutes.

Specific descriptions of each foam in the AP Lift series:

AP Lift 430

Two component, high strength, high density, hydro insensitive structural polyurethane foam.  2.75 to 3.25 pounds per cubic foot.

AP Lift 440

Two component, high strength, high density, hydro insensitive structural polyurethane foam.  3.75 to 4.25 pounds per cubic foot.

AP Lift 475

Two component, high strength, high density, hydro insensitive structural polyurethane foam.  4.5 to 5.0 pounds per cubic foot.  Also available in a slow version.  Certified to NSF 61-5 (Approved for contact with drinking water).

Want more information on concrete leveling?

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 our contractor in Omaha Nebraska,The Rite Touch, did recently.

In downtown Omaha there are a lot of historic buildings.  Located on the site of the old stockyards, there is a building constructed in 1911 that had been used as a parts depot for many years; including parts for World War II era Jeeps.  Some of those are still there.  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 our customer in Omaha, The Rite Touch.  They have been doing concrete lifting and leveling for a few years now (in addition to spray foam and polyurea flooring systems).  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 a motivation we got to work slowly working our way across the floor and back.  Using zip levels, dial indicators, and instinct developed from other jobs, we slowly brought the old floor back into tolerance.  The product we selected for this project was AP Lift 430 and it worked beautifully.  The new MixMaster Pro injection gun performed as advertised and allowed for an efficient installation of the poly 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….

Want more info on polyurethane slab lifting?

While consulting with a customer on a recent job, I happened to capture a great video clip of the MixMaster Pro slab lifting gun in action. I've included the footage at the bottom of this blog post. It's important to note that this video was NOT sped up. You'll see a slab lifted in real time by the MixMaster Pro.

This two-component resin injection gun is manufactured specifically for lifting concrete slabs, and is designed to handle back-pressure. 

Want more info on the MixMaster Pro?

Since we haven’t discussed it very much in our blog posts, you may be surprised to learn how much we have to offer on large scale and international projects. In this post I’ll share a list of recent examples to provide a sense of how we can assist in these types of situations.

New York City, New York - Metropolitan Transit Authority

AP Seal 500 leak seal resin was used to repair thousands of feet of cracks through­out new subway tunnels.

Toquepala, Peru - Southern Peru Copper Mine

On this job, we provided the crew with AP Lift 440 rigid polyurethane foam to stabilize loose soil beneath a concrete building. We also provided on-site consulting services.

Guangzhou, China - Guangzhou Highway

We provided AP Lift 475 foam and on-site consultation for soil stabilization and the lifting of a bridge approach slab.

Saskatchewan, Canada – MGM Seed and Grain

AP Lift 440 was used to level 900,000 lbs of interior sunken concrete slabs. We also provided on-site technical consulting. Later, 24” thick slabs supporting grain silos were raised and stabilized.

Tijuana, Mexico – Federal Courthouse

On this project, AP Soil 600 stabilization foam was used to shore up the foundation beneath a sinking multi-story concrete building.

Cincinnati, Ohio – Cincinnati Zoo

In the African Lion Exhibit there was a leak in the concrete moat that surrounds the enclosure. AP Seal 500 was applied to the problem areas to stop the water flow and prevent the unnecessary loss of water.

Conclusion

Regardless of the location or size of your job, we’re here to help. We have extensive experience consulting on locations all over the globe and our products are proven performers on the largest, most challenging projects.

Want more in-depth info on AP products?

As the end of the year approaches, it feels appropriate to take a look back at some the most popular Alchemy Polymers blog posts.  A quick look at the stats on the day I write this article reveals the top posts to be Slab Jacking with Polyurethane Foam – How Strong is Strong Enough?, Stop Erosion Through Your Seawall with Polyurethane and Permeation vs. Compaction Grouting in Sandy Soils.

Slab Jacking with Polyurethane Foam – How Strong is Strong Enough?

This is one of our earlier posts and it still proves to be immensely popular. It's not hard to figure why so many people look into an article on this particular subject. One of the first questions to come to mind for anyone new to this "foam" technology is - will it hold up? The answer, of course, is a resounding YES! In this post I explain why that is the case. If you're interested in the strengths of our various lifting foams, how they hold up compared to clay and bedrock, and what types of jobs you can do with them - you need to read Slab Jacking with Polyurethane Foam – How Strong is Strong Enough?

Stop Erosion Through Your Seawall with Polyurethane

This post lays out the causes of seawall erosion, the costs of replacement, and the case for repair with polyurethane resin. More and more people are repairing seawalls with our environmentally safe polymers. We have a great deal of literature and information regarding this process if you're interested. In the meantime, for a basic overview, check out Stop Erosion Through Your Seawall with Polyurethane.

Permeation vs. Compaction Grouting in Sandy Soils

This article compares two different types of soil stabilization techniques for sandy soils: permeation grouting and compaction grouting (aka fracture grouting). Permeation grouting is done using a one component, low viscosity resin that slowly soaks into the soils with minimal disruption. Compaction/fracture grouting is done using a plural component, high viscosity resin that pushes the soil together in a more forceful manner. For more on this subject, read Permeation vs. Compaction Grouting in Sandy Soils.

Want more in-depth info on slab jacking, seawall repair and soil stabilization?

Among the leading high density polyurethane foam products available, AP Lift 475 offers a powerful solution that is traffic ready in 15 minutes. This two-component, high-strength, high-density, hydro-insensitive structural polyurethane foam supports 14,000 lbs per square foot. Also see our AP Soil 600 for Permeation Grouting. 

Applications

• Lifting and filling voids under concrete slabs.
  
• Stabilizing soil.
• Compaction grouting and fracture grouting.
• Sinkhole remediation.
• Wet compaction grouting and void filling.

Advantages

• High strength.
• Low viscosity.
• Works in wet environments - displaces water.
• Bonds with soil and concrete.
• Traffic ready in 15 minutes.
• Closed cell compaction grout.
• Certified To NSF 61-5 (approved for contact with drinking water).

Check out the AP Lift 475 sample demo!

Want in-depth info on slab lifting?