When it comes to construction and infrastructure development, the stability of soil is paramount. Property owners, managers, and builders must ensure that the ground beneath structures is solid and dependable. In situ soil stabilization with polyurethane foam offers an innovative solution to this challenge.

Understanding In Situ Soil Stabilization

In the context of soil stabilization, "in situ" refers to the process of stabilizing soil directly at the site where it is found, without excavating or removing it. This method is particularly effective when dealing with unstable, eroded, or loose soil around infrastructure. By permeating the soil with ultra-low viscosity polyurethane foam, contractors can fill voids, consolidate soil, and halt water migration.

Polyurethane Foam: A Versatile Solution

One of the key advantages of polyurethane foam is its ability to significantly improve load-bearing capacity. Whether it's a residential driveway or a massive commercial structure, this foam offers a dependable way to reinforce the ground. Moreover, polyurethane foam's versatility extends beyond soil. It can also stabilize rock and gravel substrates, making it a comprehensive solution for various terrains.

Environmentally Friendly Soil Stabilization

In today's environmentally conscious world, sustainability is a top priority. NSF-approved polyurethane foam offers an eco-friendly option for soil stabilization. NSF certification involves rigorous testing and inspection of manufacturing processes. Furthermore, compliance with these standards, aligned with the Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA), helps prevent water contamination.

Selecting a Qualified Contractor

The success of your soil stabilization project largely depends on the contractor you choose. Look for expertise and experience in polyurethane applications. Also, ensure the contractor uses high-grade materials for effective and durable stabilization. Additionally, review client testimonials and request detailed estimates to gauge reliability and work quality.

A Solid Foundation for Your Future

In situ soil stabilization with polyurethane foam offers a durable solution for unstable soil conditions. Whether it's a residential property, commercial building, or critical infrastructure, polyurethane soil stabilization provides a solid foundation for lasting stability.

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Ensuring the stability of your property's slopes is crucial. After all, unstable slopes can cause erosion, damage foundations, and create safety hazards. Fortunately, polyurethane injection is an effective and minimally invasive method for slope stabilization. This article explains how contractors use polyurethane to stabilize slopes.

What Is Polyurethane Slope Stabilization?

Contractors inject expanding polyurethane foam into the soil. As a result, the material fills voids, cracks, and fissures, increasing the soil's density and strength. Once cured, the slope is fortified with a cohesive mass highly resistant to erosion and failure.

Benefits for Homeowners

1. Minimally Invasive: Polyurethane is injected through very narrow holes in the soil. Consequently, this solution causes minimal disruption and allows for quick installation.

2. Versatile Application: Polyurethane can be used to stabilize slopes of different angles and heights, making it suitable for many types of properties and landscapes.

3. Durable and Long-Lasting: Polyurethane resists water and temperature changes. Therefore, once injected and cured, it provides long-lasting stability, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or repairs.

4. Cost-Effective: Polyurethane injection is generally less expensive than other methods like retaining wall construction or extensive excavation. 

Consult with Slope Stabilization Experts

If you're considering polyurethane slope stabilization for your property, Alchatek can connect you with expert soil stabilization contractors. Don't let unstable slopes compromise your home's safety and value. Contact Alchatek today to learn more about polyurethane slope stabilization. 

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Pressure grouting, also known as permeation grouting, stabilizes and strengthens weak or loose soil. This process involves injecting a fluid grout mixture under pressure into the ground. As a result, the grout fills voids, cracks, and spaces between soil particles. While cement grout is often associated with pressure grouting, polyurethane grout offers several advantages.

Understanding the Pressure Grouting Process 

The grout used in this process is typically a low-viscosity, flowable mixture. This allows it to penetrate and fill the void spaces effectively. The injection starts at the lowest elevation, allowing the grout to set before moving to higher elevations. Consequently, this compacts the soil layer by layer.

Essential Tools

Specialized equipment is crucial for effective pressure grouting. For instance, operators use grout pumps, injection pipes, and packers to control the pressure and flow of the grout mixture. This ensures that the grout reaches the targeted areas effectively.

Polyurethane: An Alternative to Cement Grout 

While cement grout is a common choice for pressure grouting, polyurethane grout offers several advantages. Polyurethane is more lightweight than cement, making it less likely to sink after curing. Additionally, polyurethane resists erosion, ensuring long-lasting stability. Furthermore, polyurethane cures faster than cement grout, allowing for quicker project completion.

The Bottom Line

In summary, pressure grouting with polyurethane provides a versatile and effective solution for soil stabilization. While cement grout is often associated with this technique, polyurethane offers several advantages, including lighter weight, reduced erosion susceptibility, and faster curing times. Low-viscosity polyurethane grout under pressure fills voids, consolidates loose soils, and strengthens foundations. With the right equipment and expertise, this method delivers long-lasting solutions for various soil-related challenges.

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Unstable ground conditions can cause significant damage to structures built on sandy soils. However, sand stabilization with permeation grouting offers a solution to this problem by stabilizing loose sandy soils to create a solid base. This article explains the stabilization process.

The Problem with Sandy Soils

Sandy soils are prone to instability. Specifically, rain can easily trigger erosion, causing settlement issues that lead to cracks or uneven surfaces in various structures. Moreover, poor compaction worsens the problem, compromising structural integrity.

Permeation Grouting: How It Works

Permeation grouting involves injecting low-viscosity grout into loose sandy soils. For instance, AP Soil 600 is a single-component, moisture-activated, hydrophobic polyurethane grout. Once it cures, it transforms the sandy soil into a solid mass, thereby providing stability.

Diverse Applications

Furthermore, permeation grouting is useful when traditional solutions are not feasible. Its non-invasive nature suits confined spaces and delicate excavation scenarios. Additionally, this technique applies to a wide variety of project types.

The Installation Process

The installation process for permeation grout is straightforward. First, workers drive injection rods into the ground at the required depth, typically spacing them 18 inches apart. Then, they add a catalyst to the grout and slowly pump it into the soil using a suitable pump system. The amount of grout used depends on the depth of the soil being treated.

Fast and Effective Results

Within 24 hours of injection, permeation grout cures, solidifying the sandy soil and providing support for the structure above. As a result, this quick and effective solution ensures the longevity and stability of buildings and infrastructure.

Find a Sand Stabilization Contractor

Permeation grouting is a powerful tool in the fight against erosion and soil migration. By transforming loose, sandy soils into a solid base, this technique helps secure the stability of structures and protects them from the damaging effects of unstable soils. Understanding how permeation grouting works can help property owners and managers choose a qualified sand stabilization contractor.

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If you're searching for a soil stabilization company, you've probably noticed signs of unstable soil around your property, such as cracks or sinking in your patios, walkways, or pool decks. Unstable soil can lead to serious structural issues, but the right soil stabilization contractor can provide a lasting solution. Understanding the soil remediation process is an essential prerequisite for accurately evaluating soil stabilization companies. 

Common Causes of Unstable Soil

Over time, the soil around your home can become unstable due to several factors. For instance, erosion from poor drainage or leaky pipes can weaken the soil. Additionally, the settling of poorly compacted fill dirt used during construction can cause issues. Furthermore, damage from repeated freeze-thaw cycles can degrade the soil's stability. Finally, the decay of buried organic material like tree stumps or construction debris can create voids and instability.

When soil becomes unstable, it can no longer properly support the weight of concrete slabs, leading to cracks, sinking, and other problems. As a result, it's important to address soil instability promptly.

The Soil Stabilization Solution

Fortunately, unstable soil can be repaired through a process called structural polymer injection. In this method, a contractor injects an eco-friendly polymer into the ground, which fills voids, binds loose soil, and creates a solid, stable base. The polymer material used in this process is designed to be long-lasting and resistant to future soil erosion. Structural polymer injection is a minimally invasive technique that can be completed quickly, allowing you to enjoy a stable foundation without significant disruption to your property. 

What to Look For in Soil Stabilization Companies

Polymer injection requires specialized equipment and expertise, so this isn't a DIY job. When hiring a contractor for soil stabilization, there are several key factors to consider. First, look for proven experience and expertise in soil stabilization. Second, check for positive client testimonials and references. Additionally, they should provide a thorough property evaluation and customized injection plan. Furthermore, they should offer detailed project estimates with clear costs and timelines. Finally, make sure they use soil stabilization polymers that are NSF-certified to meet strict environmental standards.

The right professional will be a partner who understands your specific needs and delivers long-lasting results. By choosing wisely, they will stabilize your soil properly, protecting the structural integrity of your concrete slabs.

Find a Soil Stabilization Contractor Today!

If you suspect soil instability around your home, don't delay. Instead, contact an experienced soil stabilization contractor for an assessment. Their specialized knowledge and quality materials ensure a lasting solution, giving you peace of mind and a safer home for years to come. So, take action today to protect your most important investment - your home.

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If you've noticed cracks or sinking in your patios, walkways, pool decks, or other slabs, the problem may lie beneath the surface. In fact, unstable soil around your home can lead to serious structural issues. But don't panic - there is a lasting solution. Keep reading to learn more about how to stabilize soil.

What Causes Soil Instability?

Several factors can cause the soil around your home to become unstable over time. For example, erosion due to poor drainage or leaky pipes can cause erosion. Additionally, poorly compacted fill dirt from the initial construction may settle unevenly. Furthermore, repeated freezing and thawing cycles can degrade soil over the years. Finally, the decay of buried organic material like tree stumps or construction debris can create voids beneath and around your home. Unstable soil can lead to serious structural issues. Therefore, it's crucial to address soil instability as soon as possible. 

The Solution: Structural Polymer Injection

The good news is that unstable soil can be repaired using a process called polymer injection. This involves injecting a structural polymer into the ground. These advanced polymers fill voids, permeate loose soil, and then bind it together, creating a rock-solid base for your concrete slabs. Moreover, Alchatek's soil stabilization polymers are eco-friendly and NSF-certified to strict environmental standards.

Trust the Pros for Soil Stabilization

While polymer injection is a highly effective solution, it's not a job for amateurs. Successful soil stabilization requires specialized equipment, extensive knowledge of soil conditions and injection techniques, and a careful touch. That's why it's important to hire an experienced contractor who specializes in this type of work.

A qualified professional will follow a thorough process to stabilize your soil. First, they'll evaluate your property's unique soil conditions and needs. Next, they'll design a customized injection plan based on their findings. After that, they'll carefully install injection rods around the problem area. Then, they inject the polymer at specific pressures and volumes for maximum effect. Finally, they'll remove the injection rods and restore the site to its original condition.

Contact a Soil Stabilization Contractor

Contact a reputable contractor who specializes in soil stabilization today. They'll be able to assess your situation, recommend the best course of action, and stabilize the soil beneath your slabs. Stabilizing soil around your residence is an investment in your home's longevity and your family's safety. By trusting this job with a skilled professional, you can rest easy knowing that your biggest asset is protected for years to come.

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Deep Lock® is an innovative process developed by Alchatek that utilizes high-quality structural polymers to address deep soil issues. This powerful, painless, and rapid solution stabilizes soil at all levels, ensuring long-lasting results with minimal disruption to the property. This article profiles the two main types of Deep Lock® soil stabilization work and the specific situations in which each type is most effective.

Jobs Requiring One Component Grouts (AP Fill 700 and AP Fill 720)

One-component grouts, such as AP Fill 700 and AP Fill 720, are used for permeation grouting. Permeation grouting involves injecting a low-viscosity grout to saturate loose soil and, upon curing, create a solid, stable mass. This type of Deep Lock® work is ideal for the following situations:

• Loose Soil: When dealing with loose, unstable soil, permeation grouting can effectively bind the soil particles together, creating a stronger foundation.
  
  
• Curtain Walls: One component grouts are often used to create subsurface barriers, or curtain walls, to prevent water infiltration or contain contaminants.
  
  
• Zero-Point Excavation: In cases where excavation is not feasible or desirable, permeation grouting can be used to stabilize the soil without disturbing the surface.

Jobs Requiring Two Component Structural Polymers (AP Lift 430, AP Lift 440, and AP Lift 475)

Two-component structural polymers, like AP Lift 430, AP Lift 440, and AP Lift 475, are used for compaction grouting. Compaction grouting involves injecting a highly viscous grout under pressure to compact and displace the surrounding soil. This type of Deep Lock® work is best suited for the following situations:

• Hard Clay Soils: Two-component structural polymers are effective in densifying and strengthening hard clay soils, which can be challenging to treat with other methods.
• Non-Sand/Silt Mix: When the soil composition is not primarily sand or silt, compaction grouting with two component polymers is often the most effective solution.
• Lifting Involved: If lifting of the structure or surface is desired, two component structural polymers are the ideal choice. These polymers expand after injection, providing controlled lifting force.

Two-component structural polymers offer more versatility than one-component grouts, as they can address a wider range of soil types and provide the added benefit of controlled lifting.

A Versatile Process for Soil Stabilization Work

The Deep Lock® process, with its range of high-quality structural polymers, provides a powerful and efficient solution for addressing deep soil issues. By understanding the specific characteristics of one-component grouts and two-component structural polymers, contractors can select the most appropriate approach for each unique situation. Whether dealing with loose soil, hard clay, or the need for controlled lifting, Deep Lock® has the tools and expertise to deliver rapid, long-lasting results with minimal disruption to the property. Alchatek's soil stabilization polymers are NSF-certified for contact with potable water. This means they meet the EPA's strict environmental standards as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

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Essential Details

Dates/Pricing

Slab Lifting Masterclass: April 15th & 16th, 2024 – $685.00
Public Works Infrastructure Repair: April 18th & 19th, 2024 – $685.00

Location

Spray Foam Systems
1502 Airport Rd.
Greensboro, GA 30642
Click Here for Directions

Discount

Register for both classes and get a 25% discount

Slab Lifting Masterclass: April 15th & 16th, 2024 – $685.00

The concrete lifting master is an intensive opportunity to learn what it takes to start a concrete lifting business and then take it to the next level. The training you will receive will include Safety, Site Evaluation, Estimating, Product Selection, Sales, Equipment, Concrete Lifting Techniques, and Deep Lift / Deep Lock. You will also learn about taking your concrete lifting business to the next level. You will learn about other tools we have to help you land bigger jobs and how to engage the engineering community to gain access to unique markets. Join the industry’s top team of concrete lifting professionals for training, learning, and fun.

Public Works: April 18th & 19th, 2024 – $685.00

The public works course is two days dedicated to training and teaching Public Works professionals and specialty grouting contractors. You will learn how to utilize polyurethane technology to solve problems that municipalities and public works departments commonly face and how to do it at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. There will be a heavy emphasis on sealing underground infrastructure and stabilizing and lifting roads. We will cover the full spectrum of our product line including Leak Seal, Permeation, Soil Stabilization, and Slab Lifting. Join the industry’s top team of infrastructure specialists for training, learning, and fun.

While Alchatek's Deep Lock® process is primarily used on deep soil stabilization jobs, there are specific situations in which deep soil stabilization may be needed to reinforce soil on slab lifting jobs. In cases where slabs are bearing heavy loads, have significantly loose soil underneath, or are located in areas where access is limited, incorporating the Deep Lock® process can help address the underlying soil stability issues. With the addition of the Deep Lock® soil stabilization process, contractors can achieve effective, minimally invasive slab lifting results while simultaneously improving the long-term stability of the foundation.

Slab Lifting for Heavy-Duty Environments

The Deep Lock® process is particularly well-suited for slabs that regularly bear heavy loads, such as:

• Factory floors
• Forklift ramps
• Loading areas
• Fire stations
• Airport runways
• Launchpads

In these high-traffic, heavy-duty environments, soil erosion, poor compaction, and biological decay can lead to slab settling and instability over time. Traditional methods of soil stabilization often fail to address deeper soil issues and can require extensive excavation, heavy equipment, and prolonged downtime.

Deep Lock®, on the other hand, gets to the root of the problem by stabilizing the soil at all levels beneath the slab. The process involves thorough site evaluation, saw cutting of joints if necessary, and the strategic injection of AP Lift structural polymers through small holes drilled in the slab. The expansive properties of the foam fill voids, compact loose soil, and lift the slab back to its original level position.

Soil Stabilization and Slab Lifting for Loose Soil Conditions

This process is also ideal for slabs with significantly loose soil underneath, where erosion or poor compaction has created unstable conditions. By permeating and densifying the soil with AP Lift polymers, contractors using this Deep Lock® process create a strong, stable substrate that can support the slab for decades to come.

Minimally Invasive Slab Lifting for Sensitive or Inaccessible Areas

Another key advantage of applying the Deep Lock® process is the ability to address slab issues in sensitive or inaccessible areas, such as in historical buildings where drilling from the inside is not possible. Because the process involves minimal drilling and can be performed entirely from the exterior, it offers a non-invasive solution for preserving and rehabilitating delicate structures.

Deep Soil Stabilization on Slab Lifting Jobs

Alchatek's Deep Lock® process provides a comprehensive solution for slab lifting and soil stabilization, with powerful results, painless procedures, and rapid return to service. For any slab that regularly bears heavy loads, has significantly loose soil underneath, or requires a minimally invasive approach, Deep Lock® offers a cutting-edge alternative to traditional repair methods. In addition, most Alchatek polymers are NSF-certified for contact with potable water. This approval verifies that the product complies with the strict environmental regulations established by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

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In Cape Canaveral, Florida, a heavily loaded slap stand structure was planned for construction along a transfer aisle in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This slap stand would be critical in servicing the proposed Space Launch System vehicle (SLS). However, the project faced a significant challenge when it was discovered that the near-surface subsoils consisted of loose fill materials susceptible to further densification and volume loss due to vibrations and water infiltration. With the slap stand tentatively designed to bear directly upon the ground-level floor slab of the VAB, the degree of subsoil support beneath the floor slab section became a critical concern.

Powerful Polymers

To address this issue, the geotechnical engineer of record recommended a ground improvement solution using permeation grout. Helicon, a leading soil stabilization contractor, worked alongside the geotechnical design team to develop a permeation grout program that would meet the building code load criteria. AP Soil 600, a high-strength, hydro-insensitive structural polyurethane foam, was selected as the ideal product for this project due to its exceptional ability to support heavy structures.

Painless Procedure

Helicon’s technicians installed permeation grout injection pipes on a center-to-center spacing of approximately 2 feet across each of the slap stand areas. The injection points were driven to a depth of at least 5 feet below the floor slab grade. Grout was injected at a relatively low pressure (less than 50 psi), and grout needles were slowly withdrawn during pumping to ensure a uniform distribution of grout to about 3 feet below the bottom of the slab level. The amount of grout used was carefully controlled, with less than 15 gallons per foot per injection point.

Rapid Result

The permeation grout project was a resounding success, effectively improving the load-bearing capacity of the existing soils at the site. The precise application of AP Soil 600 ensured that the slap stand structure would have a stable and reliable foundation, allowing for the safe and efficient servicing of the Space Launch System vehicle. Thanks to Helicon’s expertise and the power AP Soil 600, this piece of critical infrastructure in Cape Canaveral was reinforced and readied for countless future space exploration missions.

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