news | blog

How To Podcast | Leak Sealing Polyurethane Crack Injection | Concrete / Shotcrete

Technical Podcast for the Infrastructure Repair Industry

How To Podcast | Leak Sealing Polyurethane Crack Injection | Concrete / Shotcrete

Polyurethane Crack Injection from Start to Finish

“…They don’t know Chemical Grout…”

Our guest:
John Elder
President
Surfside Restoration & Waterproofing, Inc.

A Conversation Between Two Industry Professionals | Episode 5

Your host:
Chris Coderre
SealBoss Corp.

How To Podcast:
Leak Sealing Polyurethane Crack Injection in Concrete and Shotcrete Structures

“… They don’t know Chemical Grout…”

A conversation with John Elder, a passionate concrete restoration professional with 30 years of polymer crack injection and concrete restoration experience….

In this episode, John shares his experience with chemical grout leak sealing injection from start to finish.

John provides insight into specific injection techniques, product characteristics and shares with you his personal preference for packers. He has some tips on how to deal with rebar when drilling packer holes and how to set packers strategically in adverse circumstances.

Learn about polyurethane foam resin viscosity and how it may affect your injection success.

Epoxy vs Polyurethane Chemical Grout

“… They don’t know Chemical Grout…”

Not all specifying engineers are familiar with the multitude of chemical grout products and injection techniques and how to use them correctly. As a contractor you should always voice your concerns. Occasionally the engineers need to be educated to specify the correct product for the job on hand.

John touches on the specific differences between epoxy injection and polyurethane chemical grout injection and when to use which product.

Thank you John for being a guest on our show!

About

Surfside Restoration & Waterproofing, Inc.

“Our past projects include both new construction and repairs/restorations. Occupied and fully operational job sites are never a problem. We offer an end-to-end client experience that includes seamless communication, budgeting, staffing, on-site organization, with quality workmanship every time.”

“As the owner of Surfside Restoration, I take pride in the fact that I am out there working with my crew on a daily basis. Not only does this help the morale of our crew, it is an added benefit to the contractors who hire us. They will get the answers they need instantly. No waiting for a return call with a guess of what issues may need to be resolved.” – John Elder

A Concrete Solutions Network / Sealboss ® Production Podcast ©

SealBoss ® Grout Injection

Click Here

Injection

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

Residential Polyurethane Foam Void Fill & Slab Stabilization

Residential Polyurethane Foam Void Fill
& Slab Stabilization

Structure prior to injection

Is Polyurethane Foam Void Fill Quick and Affordable?

Time-Sensitive, Cost Effective, Minimal Invasive

Erosion caused by the movement of water can lead to many structural issues on a residential property. Water can wash away improper fill and undermine the substrate below a slab. This can cause cracking on the slab or on a masonry exterior and lead to structural and cosmetic issues.

The back patio and three season room addition had begun to sink due to improper dirt work and erosion. The goal of the repair was to fill the voids under the structure with a high strength polyurethane void fill foam to reduce or eliminate further water ingress and to provide structural support for the sinking slab and structure.

The project required a quick, time-sensitive , minimal invasive and comparatively low cost solution.

After the injection cured foam was observed as it had emerged from fissures in the surrounding soil during the injection process. Although not a primary objective in this comparatively low cost repair, a slight lift of the structure was achieved.

Structure after injection - Voids are filled and lift of structure observed

System Used

SealBoss 1640 polyurethane void fill and polyjacking foam was pumped through the SLP-2C pneumatic dual component pump, and injected through 5/8 button head Packers for maximum material flow.

Powered by a 4 CFM air compressor, the SLP-2C was able to successfully deliver the 1640 foam below the slab and successfully fill the void and stabilize the slab.

SealBoss’s 1640 is a 4 pound density Cold Foam specially formulated for maximum expansion at ambient temperatures eliminating the need to heat the material or injection lines in many environments. For minimum temperature requirements please consult your SealBoss technician.

The expanding and compressive strength qualities of SealBoss ® 1640 Structural Strength Foam make it a price competitive alternative for the filling of large voids and ‘pockets’. SealBoss ® 1640 Structural Strength Foam can be applied in dry and wet areas. Additional moisture may increase the expansion. The standard mixture expands approximately six times in volume. Job site testing is recommended to determine product suitability.

For best results with Cold Foam Lift & Under Slab Void Fill
Depending on ambient and substrate conditions foam may need to be temperature conditioned prior to use. Please consult with your SealBoss technician for details.

'As we injected under the slab of the corner of the three season room, the decorative masonry column began to creak and pop as the void under the slab was filled with 1640 polyjacking foam.

In addition to the void fill and erosion control application the expansion of the foam achieved a lift of the structure which helped to straighten the bent window frame. Water that was trapped in the windowsill began to run out. We could see the cracks in the masonry visibly shrink as the corner began to lift.

With such a compact and efficient void fill and slab lifting system, we can provide new business opportunities for smaller residential general contractors who want to expand their scope for sidewalk, driveway, patio, pool deck repair.'

Technical Sales Team

Visit Our Void Fill Page

Click Here

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

SealBoss Training Midwest

Training Midwest

Product Applications & Equipment Maintenance

PUMP SERVICE & MAINTENANCE TRAINING

SealBoss offers full systems solutions and training including pump service & maintenance training for the daily up keep & in the field servicing to provide minimal down time and longevity for your equipment. Our regional technical representative was on site with Kansas City contractors to provide proper servicing & maintenance practices including training and assistance on a seal set change.

If you have any questions on how to properly maintain & service your SealBoss pump or about any of SealBoss’s full system solutions, please call and one of our representatives will happily provide you with the support you need (714) 662-4445.

SYSTEMS TRAINING WITH LOCAL DISTRIBUTION

SealBoss works with a network of distributors nationwide to provide our end users with local availability and knowledgeable support. Training and product demos are just one of the many ways SealBoss provides quality customer service to our end users.

Technical Sales Team

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

Injectable Waterstop Hose Injection System

Injectable Waterstop Hose
Injection System

Superior Hose Injection System

SealBoss Injection Hose Advantage
The Inject Tube 2 Hose System is installed in concrete joints to waterproof and seal the cold joint and any cracks or voids in connection with the joint area. The SealBoss Inject Tube System seals joints watertight. The SealBoss Injection Tube Hose System is improving waterstop technology towards a zero leak tolerance. SealBoss Injection Tube is easy to install and priced with a competitive advantage in mind.

Injection Hose Design
The SealBoss Inject Tube System 2 is high quality competitively priced injection hose system with a proven track record. Inject Tube 2 is specially designed with a solid perforated PVC core and covered by two woven membranes to prevent any contamination and clogging of the inner core and to provide for an even distribution of sealant along the cold joint during the injection process.

Injectable Waterstop for Cold Joints & Construction Joints
Cold joints and construction joints in concrete structures are vulnerable areas for leaking and cracking due to water penetration. Water ingress can lead to reduced structural integrity and other issues including rebar corrosion and expansion cracks, frost and thaw cycle damages and adverse health effects cause by mold and fungus growth.

What is a Cold Joint?
A cold joint is the area that is created during the concrete pouring process when fresh and existing concrete meet. A cold joint is caused by a lack of bonding / cohesion between the old and new concrete. The cold joint is created when the original batch of concrete has begun to set (or is fully cured) before the next fresh batch is added. The two batches do not form a strong bond and create a passageway for water to migrate.

Injection Hose Applications

Water Stop and Leak-Seal Caulk for Cold Joints / Construction Joints
Retaining walls
Foundations
Slabs on Grade
Tunnels and culverts
Dams, Canals
Pipe penetrations

Injection Hose Application Advantages

Works on Smooth, Rough, Irregular Concrete Substrates
Horizontal & Vertical poured-in-place Concrete Joints
Reliable and Durable
Retro-fit and New Construction
Can withstand high Hydrostatic Pressures
Back-up Solution for Combination with Conventional Waterstops
Easy to Secure and Install
InjectTube 1 – Re-Injectable with SealBoss injection acrylate resins

SealBoss Training

Sealboss on-site training is available to ensure your job gets done right and is successful.

Popular Cold Joint / Construction Joint Water Stop Systems Links

SealBoss Joint Seal Systems

Click Here

inject Tube

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

Freezer Floor Crack Repair

Freezer Floor Repair

The addage ‘time is money and money is time’ is no mystery to warehouse operators and owners.

When valuable foods such as meats, seafoods or produce are stored in areas with cold temperatures, floor repairs needs can start to present themselves, especially when ice becomes an issue.

In the freezer department of a food handling facility, the transition threshold between the freezer area and the cold prep area was in jeopardy due to spalling.

Warehouse operators and owners understand how important it is to keep the floors in smooth and navigable condition.

Besides the obvious concerns of safety, hygiene, and aesthetics, pallet jacks may get stuck and damaged, and warehouse forklift wheels take a constant pounding.

Safety is the always the number one concern for the responsible and liable business operators. Pallet jacks and forklifts need to run as smoothly as possible over floors, ramps, and transitions — for the security and safety of the operators and the merchandise.

Forklift tires and other impact related repairs or equipment replacement can be very expensive. When the equipment is rattled and chewed up by damaged concrete floors and ramps the costs add up quickly.

Last, but not least, good hygiene and manageable, clean surfaces are an expected standard in a food product environment.

Something Needed To Be Done

Freezer Floor Crack and Spall Repair with SealBoss QuickFix

SealBoss 6060 QuickFix has the ability to cure in temperatures as low as -20° F / -29° C making it an incredibly resilient and reliable product to repair damaged floors in the harshest conditions.

With a set time of less than 5 minutes at room temperature, a good repair team can return a warehouse floor back to service in the same day, keeping business flowing and the revenue stream healthy.

Warehouse owners do not have the luxury of waiting full shifts to allow for products to cure over the span of several hours but rather need something that can get the job done within half of a working day.

Prior to the repair, SealBoss 6060 QuickFix has to be thoroughly mixed and, when used in colder ambient temperatures, conditioned to room temperature in order to achieve the best results. Properly prepped material is key to ensuring the job goes smoothly, as the final curing of the material happens only within minutes after applying the mixed material.

The spall has to be dry, debris free and uniform in depth, with a minimum of ¾ of an inch. Taking these steps will ensure good adhesion and prevent delamination.

As an example, with this job where the material was used to great success, a blowtorch was applied briefly to the substrate in order to melt and remove any ice, to get rid of excessive moisture and to warm up the general area for good bond and quick cure.

Important: Application should not leave any gaps between substrate and repair. Any entry points for water must be sealed to prevent water from entering. Joints and gaps can be filled with flexible SealBoss 6500 Polyurea Joint Filler.

When used in conjunction with the SealBoss 6500 Polyurea Joint Filler, these two SealBoss QuickFix Line floor repair products provide a 1-2 punch that allows for fast back to service operations.

Mission Accomplished

SealBoss Floor Crack Repair & Joint Filler System

Video – Floor Crack Repair SealBoss 6060
Floor Spall Repair and Concrete Crack Mender

Links to SealBoss Floor Repair System Applications

SealBoss Freezer Floor Crack & Spall Repair

Click Here

QuickFix

Texas Floor Repair | Joint Fill

Texas Joint Fill Floor Repair

SealBoss JointMaster Pump Rushed to El Paso

Another High School Floor Repaired & Concrete Joints Filled in Texas

A SealBoss Technical Rep drove down to El Paso, TX in timely support of local contractor who upgraded from an old outdated pump with polyethylene tanks, that was difficult to use and clean, to the stainless steel tank equipped new Jointmaster Pro 2 G3i polymer joint filler pump.

How to Operate and Clean a Joint Filler Pump

“On-site training consists of an overview of the machine and it’s features. This is followed by hands on training with actual dispensing of material into the joints until the applicator has gotten comfortable with the application techniques and nuances of the material used. Finally we focus on the correct cleaning procedure of the equipment.

We won’t leave a jobsite till I know everyone is comfortable with the systems and can reteach the next person in line.

Instead of breaking out the tools and hoping you can find parts for your old bulk dispensing pump, maybe it is time to upgrade to the SealBoss Jointmaster 2 and schedule your on-site training to get you comfortable with your new machine.

With a knowledgeable technical support team, we are here to help with any questions you may have.”

Technical Sales Team

JointMaster Pro 2 Machine Advantages

Over 8 hour working time with 12V Marine Deep Cycle Battery
Lightweight with a Powder Coated Frame & Stainless Steel Hoppers
Works with any 1:1 Self Leveling Jointfill | Polyurea | Epoxy
Optional accessories for conditioning material
4000 – 6000 linear feet average of material dispensed per battery cycle

In Person and Video training is available upon request, contact SealBoss today to speak to your regional technical representative on our SealBoss full system solutions and offerings.

SealBoss Floor Repair Systems

Click Here

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

Hollow Core Concrete Slab Water Leak Repair

Hollow Core Concrete Slab Injection

What is a Hollow Core Slab ?

A hollow core concrete slab, also known as a hollow core slab, is a precast slab of prestressed concrete, typically used in the construction of floors in multi-story buildings and parking structures

Parking Garage Repair with SealBoss 1510 Foam Injection

The Problem

The client was experiencing water intrusion through hollow core concrete slabs and along exterior wall and sill plate cold joints in below parking garage causing water to drip onto cars and creating unsightly watermarks on the walls.

A waterproofing contractor was asked to seal the cold joints and cracks in the affected hollow core concrete slabs, and to determine and stop the source of leakage.

The Solution

To address the issue of the leaking hollow core slab, the contractor reached out to the SealBoss Regional Sales Manager to advise on the injection of the hollow core slab.

With a quick walk around the exterior, it was made clear that there were drainage issues where the downspouts fed the run-off onto a grassy area with no sloping to direct the water away from the building.

Once the source of the leak had been determined, a two-step injection strategy was adopted as the best solution. The initial injection was to inject cracks in the hollow core slab where water was leaking out and dripping onto vehicles. The subsequent injection would be to seal off the end caps of the hollow core cells where the leak originated.

Once the contractor began to drill holes for the injection packers, water poured out and it was obvious that the hollow core was completely filled with water. After the water was drained the crack was injected and sealed.

To verify that water had not traveled between cells, weep holes were drilled into the adjacent cells. Water was found to have also filled another cell of the hollow core and had to be drained.

Using a borescope, it was confirmed that there was water intrusion where the hollow core had been capped off with a plastic cap (see video below).

The weep holes were left open to prove that the leak had subsided.

The client was advised to add drainage boxes to help direct flow away from the building in areas where water pooled and to notify contractor of any new leaks this upcoming spring when the ground will thaw.

SealBoss 1510 NSF/ANSI 61 Water Stop Foam was injected into the exterior cold joint along the areas where water intrusion was visible from efflorescence or rust stains. All visible leaks were addressed using the 1, 2, 3, 45 Degree method via injection packers that were placed roughly 12” from the joint where ½” holes were drilled at a 45-degree angle back into the joint. 1510 was injected until positive refusal of the hydro-active resin was visible along the cold joint.

All affected cells of the hollow core concrete slabs were injected approximately 6” from the end cap and sealed off using SealBoss 1510 NSF/ANSI 61 Water Stop Injection Foam System.

Products Used:

Injection Resin: SealBoss 1510 Hydrophobic Water Stop / Leak-Seal Foam w/ 15x Accelerator

Injection Packers: SealBoss 1/2” 13-100 Evolution Aluminum Packers

High Pressure Pump: SealBoss P2002 Single Component Injection Pump

Cleaning Materials: R70 Pump Flush, Xylene, rags, bucket

Additional Tools: 18” x 1/2″ drill bit — 3/8” Crescent Wrench — Dead Blow Hammer
Hammer Drill — Access 110v Power — Vacuum

SealBoss ® 1510 NSF Hollow Core Slab Water Stop Foam:

Hollow Core Slab Leak-Seal Repair, Crack & Joint Leak Sealer

SealBoss ® 1510 Hollow Core Concrete Slab Seal Foam Advantages:

Low Viscosity
Fast Cure Time
Advanced and Proven SealBoss ® Product-Pump-Packer System

Bestselling SealBoss ® Brand P2002 Injection Pump Advantages

Light Weight Injection Pump
High Quality Components for Durability
Proven Design – Thousands of Units Sold
Easy To Clean
Easy To Maintain
Heavy Duty For Daily Use
Pressure Gauge, Hose Set, Hopper Included
Recommended For Beginners & Injection Pros
> 5000 PSI Injection Pressure Possible

In Person and Video training is available upon request, contact SealBoss today to speak to your regional technical representative on our SealBoss full system solutions and offerings.

“While providing jobsite assistance, support and training, we create a positive learning environment where confidence and a level of comfort can be achieved in a short period of time allowing for successful repairs to be continued after the training.

From training new companies to new employees, SealBoss has continued to provide support to our users for 36 years.

With a knowledgeable technical support team, we are here to help with any questions you may have”

Technical Sales Team

SealBoss Water Stop Systems

Click Here

Leak-Seal

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

Meet Your SealBoss Rep at World of Concrete 2022

Meet Your
SealBoss Technical Rep
World of Concrete 2022

Meet your SealBoss Technical Rep in the Central Hall at Booth C5929

World of Concrete is scheduled for January 18th – 20th, 2022 in Las Vegas. The SealBoss booth features a selection of pumps and equipment. Our knowledgeable experts and reps are ready to meet with you for in-depth discussions covering all product lines.

Our products, pumps and equipment cover applications including:

Polyurethane Leak Seal
Water Stop Crack Injection
Structural Repair Crack Injection
Curtain Grouting
Bladder Grouting & Soil Stabilization
Acrylic Grout Applications
Slab Lifting Applications with SealBoss Structural Lift Foam and Pumps
SealBoss Mechanical Packers, Lances, Injection Tube Systems
Hot Shot Cartridges
Swellable Joint Sealants in Sausages & Cartridges
SwellCaul and SwellTape

If you have any questions, please contact our team of qualified SealBoss representatives to schedule an on site consultation & full systems overview.

Meet Your SealBoss ® Technician

Blanket Injection – Horizontal Waterproofing

Blanket Injection

Horizontal Waterproofing Injection Technique

What is Blanket Injection?

The process of Blanket Injection or Horizontal Curtain Injection involves injecting a water activated, single component polyurethane foam or gel resin into the space between a slab and the supporting soil substrate for the purpose of providing a waterproofing barrier. The objective is to prevent erosion and water seepage from below the slab through any cracks and joints.

Blanket Injection and Curtain Injection are considered primarily waterproofing injection methods and should be performed using chemical grout resins with excellent penetration and moderate gel time properties. With accelerator controlled systems, gel times are adjustable to suit the individual conditions on the jobsite.

If left untreated, cracks and joints in concrete slabs permit water migration into the structure driven by hydrostatic pressure — leading to rebar corrosion, mold, and further destruction of other infrastructure, including damages to walls, doors, furniture, equipment and more.

Void Fill and Blanket Injection with SealBoss 1510 Polyurethane Chemical Grout

Scope

A mixed-use, commercial and agricultural building in Oklahoma had a water pipe burst under substantial hydrostatic pressure, causing significant erosion under the concrete floor with the potential for subsequent water ingress through cracks and joints throughout the whole mixed-use building.

Solution

The proposed solution was to fill the voids and to create a waterproof barrier und the slab using the Blanket Injection Method.

Filling of the voids and creating waterproof barrier underneath the slab was achieved by using an expandable, water-activated, single component hydrophobic chemical injection grout with excellent void filling, penetration, and waterproofing properties.

The gel time needed to be adjustable for shorter and longer gel times. The product had to react on contact with moisture, and the expansion pressure had to be controllable, to avoid any lifting of the slab.

SealBoss 1510 with SealBoss 15X Accelerator were the products of choice.

Overview of Repair

Injection packers were set in a grid pattern, roughly a three foot on center grid with an expected travel of one and a half feet in all directions from the point of injection. The expected travel would be accomplished by varying the SealBoss 15x accelerator/catalyst percentage between 5% and 20% by volume based on real time behavior of substrate.

Monitoring

Since this application was performed during a contractor training, travel of foam was monitored in three separate ways to visualize the effectiveness of the repair.

Firstly, the removal of an adjacent packer creates a control hole for the successful spread of injection grout, and an immediate path of least resistance, allowing for some displaced substrate and water to escape from the open hole rather than building up and creating blockages.

In addition, a Borescope and a Thermo-Imaging Camera were used to visually enhance the training. However, neither a borescope, nor a thermographic camera are essential tools for successful blanket and curtain injection procedures.

The borescope was used to get a visual of the void prior to injection and to observe the travel of foam during the injection process. The thermo-imaging camera was utilized during the injection process to visualize the spread of the expanding exothermic injection grout.

Find more information on the use of thermography for injection process monitoring here.

Injection Process

During the blanket injection process, the resin was injected into each packer in up to one-half gallon intervals with varied Sealboss 15X catalyst percentages added.

During the Injection it was determined that all perimeter packers in the injection grid would be injected with 15% to 20% SealBoss 15X catalyst added. This percentage results in a more aggressively reacting foam, creating a dam like structure between the slab and substrate, specifically along the perimeter of the injection area. While injecting the perimeter packers the adjacent interior packer was removed to monitor volume of resin needed to make real time adjustments to injected resin volume.

Once all perimeter packers had been injected, interior packers were injected working towards the center of the room injecting in intervals and monitoring resin flow.

The interior packers of the grid were injected with a slower, less reactive foam, catalyzed at a ratio of only five to ten per cent, resulting in a longer gel time, decreased expansion speed and reduced expansion rate — allowing the chemical injection grout to travel much further during injection.

With a varying void depth of up to one inch in an 18’ x 20’ area, 20 gallons of SealBoss 1510 and 2 gallons of 15x Catalyst were used.

Materials and Tools Used

Learn More

Please don’t hesitate to call us at 714-662-4445 with any questions, or request to be contacted here, we look forward to helping you find a solution. On-site support from knowledgeable and experienced technical reps is available upon request. Check out our Crack Injection Kits.

Note: For slablifting and structural void filling applications please cross-reference dry-reactive, moisture independent, fast reactive two component lifting and void fill foam SealBoss 1640

Curtain Injection Links

Contact Your SealBoss ® Technician

Aluminum Injection Packers – Aluminium Injection Packers

Aluminum Injection Packers by SealBoss

Aluminium Packer Advantages

Aluminum | Aluminium Packers for Our Customers Worldwide
Quality Aluminum Construction for Secure Fit During Injection
Very Affordable Injection Packer
The Most Economical Way to Perform Crack Injection
Anti Return Valve in Zerk
A SealBoss Prime Economic Packer – The Aluminum Evolution Packer

Why should I use SealBoss Aluminum Injection Packers | Aluminium Injection Packers ?

SealBoss Evolution aluminum mechanical injection packers save you money.

Modeled after the mighty, tested and proven, SealBoss S-Type steel packer, the aluminum injection packer is an economic alternative and considered an adequate and good choice for many standard injection applications. The aluminum packer is not quite as strong at the limit as a SealBoss S-Type steel packer and does not come in a many variants as the SealBoss B-Type brass packers available.

In conclusion, SealBoss aluminum injection packers are the economic alternative for most standard injection scenarios. They are less expansive and much lighter to carry around, and more affordable to ship.

What is the Limitation of the Evolution Aluminum Injection Packer ?

We recommend to try new packers next to established packers on the jobsite.

It is always a good idea for the injection professional to have a variety of packers on hand. Crack injection applications can be challenging. Badly deteriorated substrates and very tight cracks and cold joints should always be injected with an injection packer of suitable dimensions and design.

SealBoss AL-Type Aluminum Injection Packers -- Aluminium for our non-American Friends

The AL-Type Packers work very well for typical every day injection needs and standard situations. However, for more challenging situations it would be recommended to keep some of the very high quality packers on hand. I would suggest that you give the aluminum packers a try and find out for yourself, if they are suited for your injection requirements.

The aluminum packer is the most economic alternative among the metal type packers and can save you a substantial amount of money an larger jobs.

Please don't hesitate to contact us here at Sealboss for more information about our extensive packer selection. Your representative will be happy to assist.

We provide on-site support and training in eight Southern States for all SealBoss System Solutions.

SealBoss Technical Sales Team