Alchatek Blog

Adam Tracy, of A-1 Foundation Crack Repair, is the guest on Episode 4 of The Injection Connection.  Adam 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.

Host Jim Spiegel is Vice President of Alchemy-Spetec and Board Member at the International Concrete Repair Institute.

Listen to the episode in its entirety below, or check it out on TheInjectionConnection.com and the following platforms:

• Spotify
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts
• SoundCloud
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts
• YouTube

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

This blog post features Episode 2 of Alchemy-Spetec's The Injection Connection podcast.

This is a presentation given to an engineering firm regarding the new patented leak seal QA/QC system The QP Factor: the first patented method to quantify leak seal grouting and leak seal effectiveness.

As mentioned in our previous post on this system...

The method of testing requires additional drill holes to be placed at pre-determined locations along the crack, joint, or substrate being sealed. Prior to injection of chemical grouts such as Spetec PUR F400, Spetec PUR HighFoamer, or Spetec PUR GT500, the test hole is connected to a digital touch-screen device that is calibrated to provide water pressure, flow, and flow/pressure information that is extractable in excel format from a convenient USB port.  Following initial testing, the test port is then plugged during chemical grouting operations to avoid false-positive results after injection. 

The presentation was first unveiled at the International Concrete Repair Institute, National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2019. Due to the context, there may be some points that seem a little abstract to the average viewer. If you have questions or need more details, please call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438.

Want more information on The QP Factor?

In a breaking industry event, Alchemy-Spetec is the first chemical grouting manufacturer to offer the patented Leak Seal quality assurance system, QP Factor™.  Currently, the new system is offered only through the Alchemy-Spetec Leak Seal Division.  The QP Factor™ system offers quantifiable water flow, pressure, and flow/pressure metrics before and after leak seal injection that will provide clients, contractors, and design professionals the industry’s first patented method for proving Leak Seal success. 

The method of testing requires additional drill holes to be placed at pre-determined locations along the crack, joint, or substrate being sealed. Prior to injection of chemical grouts such as Spetec PUR F400, Spetec PUR HighFoamer, or Spetec PUR GT500, the test hole is connected to a digital touch-screen device that is calibrated to provide water pressure, flow, and flow/pressure information that is extractable in excel format from a convenient USB port.   Following initial testing, the test port is then plugged during chemical grouting operations to avoid false-positive results after injection. 

Chemical grouting is then performed per Alchemy-Spetec Field Services Department recommendations.  After grouting is completed, the plug is removed from the test hole, and the water tests are taken again for comparison to the initial test.  The difference in results represent the quantifiable performance increase in leak seal capacity within the substrate. 

For more information on the QP Factor™ system, or for licensing options for use of the patented method in the field, please contact one of our knowledgeable representatives at 404-618-0438. 

Want a list of key features?

Leak Seal & Geotech Products & Procedures

March 18th & 19th, 2020 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

World of Concrete 2020 is scheduled for February 4th - 7th, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV.  Alchemy-Spetec will feature the Leak Seal Division & Product Line in the South Hall at location S11307 and the Geotech Division & Product Line in the Silver Lots at location O40551.

Leak Seal Division Booth - South Hall

The Leak Seal booth features a presentation/demo stage with comfortable chairs for audience members and a separate meeting area for in-depth discussions with knowledgeable experts.  Look for the following educational activities:

• Polyurethane Leak Seal Overview Presentation
• Crack Injection Demos
• Crack Injection Presentations
• Curtain Grouting Demos
• Curtain Grouting Presentations
• Polyurethane Product Mixing Demos
• Acrylic Grout Presentation & Demo
• Leak Seal QA/QC System

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec Leak Seal products?

I just came off my first ever solo field service as a consultant for one of our contractor customers.  The story starts as all good ones do... 

I'm on a parking garage renovation project in Sacramento, California. It’s cold, it’s loud. This is my contractor's first time ever touching polyurethane injection resin.

I arrive with our regional distributor.  We have several pails of Spetec PUR H100 and Spetec PUR F400 (our rigid and flexible foams) in tow.  We begin the process of curatin wall grouting a part of the parking garage that will eventually be converted into an IT server room.

The injection process seemed to be going along just as planned, when suddenly...well...let's just say I’ll never forget the face of one of the crew as some injection resin shot out of the wall and 10 feet through the air!

The fun thing to take from this is that I very quickly remembered a crucial part of my safety training: I need to keep my arms covered. This is not a profession in which you want to walk around a job site with short sleeves. It turned out I had a very expensive wax treatment to go along with my field service!  Aside from this little mishap, the job went well and the customer was extremely happy due to the high-quality tech service provided.  (In addition to my extensive training, I have all the senior Alchemy-Spetec leak seal experts on speed dial).

I said during my Alchemy-Spetec job interview that some day I wanted to be like our Director of Technical Services - Leak Division, Charlie Lerman.  Well here I am, traveling, servicing, succeeding...and occasionallly scraping off the resin afterward.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal products?

Dams Across the U.S. in Dire Need of Repair

On a cold morning last March, Kenny Angel got a frantic knock on his door. Two workers from a utility company in northern Nebraska had come with a stark warning: Get out of your house.

Just a little over a quarter-mile upstream, the 92-year-old Spencer Dam was straining to contain the swollen, ice-covered Niobrara River after an unusually intense snow and rainstorm. The workers had tried but failed to force open the dam's frozen wooden spillway gates. So, fearing the worst, they fled in their truck, stopping to warn Angel before driving away without him.

Minutes later, the dam came crashing down, unleashing a wave of water carrying ice chunks the size of cars. Angel's home was wiped away; his body was never found.

"He had about a 5-minute notice, with no prior warning the day before," Scott Angel, one of Kenny's brothers, said.

State inspectors had given the dam a "fair" rating less than a year earlier. Until it failed, it looked little different from thousands of others across the U.S. — and that could portend a problem.

A more than two-year investigation by The Associated Press has found scores of dams nationwide in even worse condition, and in equally dangerous locations. They loom over homes, businesses, highways or entire communities that could face life-threatening floods if the dams don't hold.

Excerpted from AP: At least 1,680 dams across the US pose potential risk
By David A. Lieb, Michael Casey And Michelle Minkoff

Specialty Grouting of Dams with Polyurethane

The recently released news story excerpted above is bringing major attention to the widespread problem of deteriorating dam infrastructure. In most cases, cementitious grout is used to repair dams at risk. But there are certain types of geologies that cementitious grout cannot penetrate or gets washed out of. This is where specialty grouting with polyurethane (and microfine cement) comes in. The following products can be used alongside cementitious grout for optimal results:

Spetec PUR F400
This is a is a solvent and phthalate free, water reactive, hydrophobic, closed cell, low viscosity, shrink-free, flexible, one-component polyurethane injection resin.  It can be used to seal fine cracks in dams that cementitious grout cannot reach.

Spetec AG200
This is a is a three-component, water-swelling hydrogel based on acrylic that hardens into an elastic product.  It can be used to stablize loose soil around dams.

AP Microfine 10
This is a microfine cement that penetrates very small openings such as soil pores and microscopic rock fissures in order to improve strength and reduce permeability.  It can be used in conjunction with Spetec AG200 to add strength to soil stabilization repairs around dams.

While cemententious grouting is the most common grouting method used to stop water flows and strengthen soils for dams, specialty grouting with polyurethane and/or microfine cements can be used to supplement or even replace standard centmentious grouting in areas it has troubles in.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

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?

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?

Elevator pit water leaks are very common. These pits can be open to flooding and leakage because they are usually at the lowest point of a building below the water table. Water can easily seep from cracks in the walls or through the floor wall detail.

There are many reasons why elevator pits leak.  This can include incorrect application, damage to existing elevators, pits that are very old, changes in the water table, and even shortcuts that have been taken such as non-installation of waterproofing materials. These are just a few of the causes.

So what happens when these elevator pits become consumed with water?

The solution is simple!

You would drill holes through the walls and floor using a grid pattern.  You would then pump water activated polyurethane chemical grout into the soil to create what we call a “curtain wall”.  This wall essentially stops the water from penetrating the area around the pit.  It creates a permanent seal and allows the elevator to function properly again.  (If you're a property owner, we can help you find a contractor to do this.  Just call us at 404-618-0438.)

Alchemy-Spetec products that are used for curtain wall grouting include:

• Spetec PUR H100
• Spetec PUR HighFoamer
• Spetec AG200

Want more information on curtain wall grouting?