Email Newsletter
- March 2007
Dear Friend and Associate,
March is upon us and with it comes many changes. The days
are getting longer and temperatures are more cyclical, alternating
between warm and cool. Spring is definitely in the air. With
these seasonal changes come certain fluctuations in concrete
structures as they experience freezing and thawing temperature
cycles. Water that penetrates capillaries within a concrete
surface freeze during colder spells and swell, causing tension
within the concrete. As a result of this tension, some surface
deterioration may occur.
Freeze-thaw deterioration usually occurs on horizontal surfaces
that are exposed to water and vertical surfaces that are at
the water line in submerged portions of structures. The freezing
water contained in the pore structure expands as it is converted
into ice. The expansion causes localized tension forces that
fracture the concrete matrix. The fracturing occurs in small
pieces, working from the outer surfaces inward. (Source:
Peter H. Emmons / Concrete Repair and Maintenance ©
R. S. Means Company, Kingston, MA)
If you notice freeze-thaw deterioration in a concrete structure,
call us. Our Technical Support Specialists can help you determine
what steps to take and what material to use to successfully
repair concrete that has experienced deterioration due to
spring's temperature fluctuations.
Best Regards,
Michelle Robinson
Marketing Manager
Visit us at NASTT's 2007 No-Dig Show, April 15-20
In mid-April, we'll be heading to sunny San Diego,
California for the North American Society for Trenchless
Technology's (NASTT) 2007 No-Dig Show. You'll find us at
booth number 124 at the Town & Country Resort &
Convention Center. If you think you may attend, let us know
and we'll send you a pass that will get you access to the
exhibit hall for 3 days, free of charge. Call us at 800-321-7212
or email Michelle Robinson at mrobinson@primeresins.com
to receive your 3-Day Exhibition Pass.
For more information about NASTT's 2007 No-Dig Show, visit
www.nastt.org/NoDig.
Case-Study-of-the-Month: Manhole Rehabilitation
Project in Annandale, MN
During a street replacement project, the City of Annandale,
Minnesota’s Public Works Department encountered several
problems - seventeen of them to be exact. Infiltration and
Inflow caused by 17 leaking manholes was delaying the project.
The manholes had been leaking for over 25 years, currently
at a rate of 20-30 gallons of water per minute. City officials
needed a solution fast, so they called on Key Contracting,
Inc. of Fargo, North Dakota to rehabilitate the leaking
manholes.
Key Contracting Project Superintendent, Randy Berggren
II, accepted the job. Having used Prime-Flex Hydro Gel SX
for several years in many manhole rehabilitation projects,
Berggren assured city officials that this rehabilitation
project could be done using Prime Resins chemical grout.
To continue reading this case study, visit http://www.primeresins.com/casestudies/Key_manholerehab.php.
Have you recently used Prime Resins chemical grouts
or epoxies in a repair? Submit details of your
repair and you may see your story as the next Case-Study-of-the-Month!
Email your details and contact information to mrobinson@primeresins.com
or call 800-321-7212 and ask for Michelle Robinson in the
marketing department.
From Our Engineer's Corner: Non-Structural Manhole
Restoration
The term “non-structural” restoration is used
here to differentiate between
manholes that have definite structural problems from those
that are simply
leaking. Often is the case where the manhole is leaking
due to failed joints or
pipe seals. In these instances, chemically grouting the
leaks with Prime-Flex
polyurethanes is all that is required. However, there are
cases where the
manhole is or on the verge of collapsing due to true structural
deterioration. If
this is the case, a true structural repair may be necessary.
This may entail lining
the manhole with a cementatious, epoxy, polyurea, or fiberglass
liner. Even
these “structural” repair methods usually require
chemical grouting to stop the
leaks first.
To view this technical document as a PDF file, visit: http://www.primeresins.com/pdffiles/Manhole%20Grouting%203_03.PDF
For
detailed technical information and prewritten specifications
about our products, visit our Engineer's
Corner. The Engineer's Corner is a section of our website
specifically developed to inform engineers and specifiers
of technical updates and to provide assistance in accessing
technical and test information, service education and documentation
for the specification of our products.
Tech Tip: Ports & Zerks - A Matched Set
By Michael Vargo, Technical Support
Prime
Resins offers two different styles and three sizes of high-pressure
injection ports for injecting epoxies and polyurethanes.
Our 3/8" Bang-In ports have been an economical favorite
for many years. Our 1/2" and 5/8" mechanical style
ports are popular for deep drilling or working with weak
or "punky" concrete. Thick structures such as
dams, locks, and power plants are where these ports are
the most widely used.
All three of these ports use a grease fitting, commonly
called a "zerk," to connect the injection device
to the port. This zerk acts as a one-way valve or cap to
contain the injection resin, allowing the injection technician
to move from port to port during the injection process.
Follow these simple tips to keep from encountering any port
problems on your next injection project:
• Each style of port has its own type of zerk and not all
zerks are created equal. Using the wrong zerk can create
problems and waste material.
• With the Bang-In ports, use caution not to over-tighten
and strip the threads of the zerk. Stripping the zerk threads
can cause leaks or a blow-out during injection. Our ports
are pre-threaded to make installing the zerk easier. To
use, simply start the zerk by hand, then gently tighten
with a nut drive, socket, or wrench. Most problems arise
from over tightening the zerk or using the wrong zerk size.
• Ports should be hammered in before the zerk is attached.
Attempting to install a port with the zerk attached may
cause the zerk to fail.
• Do not allow too much time to pass between installing
the Bang-In ports and starting injection. Ports are pre-soaked
at the factory. Allowing them to sit for long periods of
time (more than 24 hours) before injecting may allow them
to dry out and shrink, increasing the chance for the ports
to work loose from the hole.
• With any injection port, never try to remove the coupler
(female fitting on end of hose) by pulling straight off
of the zerk. The trick to removing the coupler is to "cock"
the coupler to one side and gently "roll" the coupler off
with a flick of the wrist up or down along the outer edge.
Use Curtain Wall Grouting to Create a Waterproof
Barrier
Curtain wall grouting is a method to create a waterproof
barrier around the perimeter of a below grade structure.
It involves pumping a hydrophobic grout through probe pipes
driven down from the surface. Because water in the soil
will activate the grout, this procedure should be done when
the soil is wet. You will need Prime-Flex 910 or Prime-Flex
920, threaded 3/8", ½" or ¾"
pipe, quick connect fittings, soil probes (3/8" or
¾") or expendable drive points (1/2" or
¾"), a single component pump, and equipment
to drive pipes into the ground and to pull them out.
As close to the wall as possible, drive a pipe tipped with
a soil probe or expendable drive point to the desired depth
(typically eight inches below the foundation or footing).
Avoid allowing the pipe to wallow in the hole. When the
pipe has reached the desired depth, pour water around the
probe to consolidate the soil tightly against the pipe.
To read more about this repair method, visit http://www.primeresins.com/onlineresources/curtainwall_grouting.php.
Another Successful Contractors Training Class!
We
had a successful turn-out for our latest Contractors Training
class, held at our office headquarters in Conyers, GA on
March 5 and 6. Participants learned the science behind our
polyurethane grouts and received hands-on experience repairing
leaks with Prime-Flex 900LVSF and stabilizing soil with
Prime-Flex 910. After completing the two-day training, each
participant received a certificate.
Our next Contractors Training class will be held
in Conyers, GA, in September. If you are interested
in attending our next class, call now to have your name
added to the waiting list. Space is limited; placing your
name on the waiting list guarantees your place in line,
but is not a commitment of your attendance. For more information
or to sign up, call Michelle Robinson at 800-321-7212.
Do You Have Questions or Comments About Our Products?
If the answer is yes, we'd love to hear from you! We
understand that no two jobs are alike and want to know
what our customers are saying about our products. Send
an email to Michelle Robinson, Marketing Manager at mrobinson@primeresins.com,
or you can give us a call at 800-321-7212.
Calendar
http://www.primeresins.com/events.php
MARCH 2007
Mississippi Rural Water Association Conference &
Expo
March 27-29
Jackson, MS
BAMA Association Conference & Expo
March 29
Gardendale, AL
APRIL 2007
No-Dig Show presented by North American Society for
Trenchless Technology (NASTT)
April 15-20, 2007
San Diego, CA
Booth # 124
Complete calendar of events online at: http://www.primeresins.com/events.php
