Looking for a Contractor?
Looking for a Contractor?

Alchatek Blog

Crack Injection and Curtain Wall Grouting - Part 2

Posted by Charlie "The Grout Geek" Lerman on Mar 15, 2017 11:41:14 AM

Crack Injection

Crack injection has many advantages over other methods.  For example, if you’re sealing a leak in a water tank, you can inject from the outside of the tank. So the tank can remain in service while you repair it. Having to dry a crack, like you do with epoxy resin, is not needed as this material reacts with water. The material also remains flexible at all times.

Steps to (1).pngCrack injections can be applied in both vertical cracks and in horizontal cracks. With vertical cracks, it is imperative to start at the bottom of the crack and work your way up the crack until it is filled. This forces the material up and through the crack and will simultaneously push the water up and out as well. With horizontal cracks, injection can be started at either the left or right end.

The crack injection process is rather simple, but some mis-steps can prove quite costly. For best results, follow the steps below after discussing them in detail with a trained professional...

Step 1. Identify crack locations.

Step 6. Insert injection ports on both sides of crack.

Step 2. Estimate the amount of resin you’ll need. (One gallon per 25 linear feet of cracks.)

Step 7. Inject water into each port.

Step 3. Prepare surface of crack.

Step 8. Start injection of material.

Step 4. Drill injection holes at a 45 degree angle.

Step 9. Always grout twice

Step 5. Flush out all injection holes with water. 

Step 10. Add water again


A Few Words on Acrylate Grouts

Customers who joined us in the Alchemy Polymers era may not be familiar with the acrylate grouts we’re now offering after the merger with with Resiplast US.  Acrylates offer a very wide range of set time control, which makes them good for everything from very tight cracks to gushing leaks (not to mention soil stabilization). One thing to be aware of: all wetted metal equipment parts that acrylates come into contact with must be stainless steel.

Crack Injection Products

If you’re not completely familiar with all or our products, talk to a tech support rep to determine which one is the best for your project. Alchemy-Spetec offers the following crack injection solutions…

Acrylates

AG100, AG200 and AG300

Polyurethanes

PU F400, PU F1000 and AP Seal 500

Want more information on leak seal technologies?

Download an Info-Packed Leak Seal Brochure!

Topics: All Posts, Seal Leaks