By J.R. Crowell
April 6, 2020
Would you believe that our process has been compared to “magic”? On occasion after
explaining the chemical grouting process, we have in fact heard some variation of “So you’re expecting
me to believe this stuff just goes into the ground and creates… well… magic?!” Yes, that’s precisely what
we expect you to believe… Kidding. Helms Polyfoam likes to be an educator in the polyurethane and
chemical grouting world so we will always do our best to explain the “magic”.
We like to refer to the “magic” as a chemical reaction caused by the combination of a
polyurethane resin, a catalyst, moisture, and soil properties. When these world’s combine, several
results could take place in the injected environment. These outcomes could be:
- Densification of soil
- Encapsulation of soil properties to consolidate and combine weak areas
- Moisture displacement in saturated soils
- Compaction of underlying, deep soil layers
- Leak mitigation in sub grade structures
- Pressurization of subsoil to provide positive pressure and support of a structure
Though it may seem like “magic”, the process of stabilizing weak soil or sealing leaks with
polyurethane resins is extremely methodical and quite technical when you break it down. At any given
point, there could be a combination of 12 – 15 different raw and natural materials working together
below the surface to produce a designed result. Did we mention the producer of the aforementioned
process is highly trained and is certainly not using any sleight of hand tricks?
To the unknowing eye, our process may look a lot like magic. But a highly trained technician solving
high level innovative problems with extremely sophisticated materials is anything but.
Want to see some magic tricks? Check out our projects.
