Hairline cracks in concrete are usually the main causes of water leakage problems at home and in commercial buildings.
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One common waterproofing technique used is the PU injection (a.k.a Polyurethane Injection), a conventional hacking method. Contractors using PU Injections usually drill a hole into the problem area, where the PU is then pumped into the hole. The chemical composition in the injection is then triggered to expand and fill up the walls or ceiling, blindly covering the whole area in hopes of filling in these hairline cracks.
Think of it like this: PU is made of the same spongy material found in chair cushions. The chemicals used in PU injections are broken up into two separate solutions to be mixed together before pouring the material into a pump machine. Then, it is pumped into the ceiling as the PU begins to react and expand.
Websites and social media like to advertise this method misleadingly- with claims that their in-house method requires no hacking, is fast-drying and has a clean operation throughout!
X company is advertising a promise for a toxic-free, hack-free, and fast PU Injection service. But our experience as waterproofing experts tells us that X might be stretching the truth!
Here’s a quick comparison of conventional PU Injection methods and Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing. However, when looking into common practices done by most contractors- their claims just don’t match.
Despite not being a hacking method, PU Injections still require holes or scrapes to be made to the wall or ceiling. Drilling creates as much, if not more, noise and fine dust than hammering and hacking. Just for your understanding, the first thing a contractor learns when working on PU Injections is how to drill a hole into the affected area. More specifically, it’s to learn how to drill in a 45° angled hole through the suspected crack area to be filled in with PU later on.
We should also mention that the method in question we’re talking about isn’t the PU materials you can get in your local DIY shop. The chemicals used in this process have to be handled using heavy duty machines that mix up the chemicals before filling up the hole, where it should expand into.
Nano-G strongly believes that hacking methods should only be used as the last resort by any home or business owner for their premises. That’s why Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing is done without the need for any hacking or drilling! Instead, we developed our solution to be able to seep into the thinnest of hairline cracks on any surface, filling up and protecting the layer from any further damage.
The thing about the PU Injection method is that it is a long process of drilling, grouting, sealing and cleaning. Add in some unforeseen issues and the entire process will take some time and patching up to complete. After the drilling, the contractor will use a high-pressure injection grouting machine that injects the polyurethane into the hole. This is when you will notice the excessive polyurethane dripping downwards from the hole.
If there are no more leaks, the contractor will proceed to clean up and properly seal the injected area. Our previous clients remarked that the spilled and solidified polyurethane were left there for up to 2 WEEKS before they were properly removed and cleaned up. In between the 2 weeks period, they noticed a recurring wet spot, resulting in them having to drill and inject the problem area again. Unfortunately, the wet spot can be a result of heavy rains or poor workmanship. If you’re unlucky a poorly done PU Injection can lead to a recurring water leakage that lasts for MONTHS even after repeated patching.
As a home or business owner, you need to ask yourself: Do I really want my ceilings looking like this?
Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing solution, however, does not require any drilling and only takes about 24-48 hours to complete. This includes the work area preparation stage, application of the solutions, drying time and cleaning up.
Homeowners have to take note that Polyurethane is a petroleum-based method that can release harmful gas into the air as it is being applied. In fact, exposure to fumes from wet Polyurethane is known to provoke asthma and cause other issues to the throat, eyes, and skin and is definitely not safe around young children.
Four of the harmful chemicals found in PU Injections.
Instead of creating a health hazard for our clients, Nano-G ensures that our work materials are safe for your home, office, or business. This is because our nanotechnology waterproofing solution is a non-toxic material that doesn’t emit strong-smelling and hazardous chemicals. Therefore, you can still be present during our operation to have a look at what we do!
Take a look at what Nano-G’s previous clients have to say about our on-site services, here!
Not only will you be dealing with the harmful fumes, drilling noises, and unsightly drying times, you will also have to deal with the possibility that there will be stains that you can’t clean! PU Injections tend to leave marks on the walls or ceilings that are quite noticeable when you first walk into the room. Imagine after all the hassle you had to go through when dealing with the process and you’re left with specks of paint all over your furniture!
Our clients remarked that the PU Injection method left their premises in a mess, and later had an issue where they were not able to match the ceiling paint of their home! Therefore , we recommend for homeowners to be present as the application is being done and be firm on cleanliness once on-site application is done.
Nano-G’s experts are disciplined when enforcing a special on-site SOP that keeps your premises always clean and tidy, while not causing too much noise when applying our nanotechnology waterproofing solution. This includes cleaning the work area before and after the operation, as well as a final inspection from our supervisor. If your water leakage problems aren’t fixed from our workmanship, our solutions come with a money-back guarantee! If you’re not satisfied, we’re not satisfied.
In homes with plaster ceilings, homeowners should take note that your contractor will have to cut a hole into the plaster ceiling that is big enough for them to reach the concrete ceiling hidden above.
The whole process creates a lot of dust and debris, as well as a wide and long hole in the ceiling. What’s worse, most contractors will only patch up the area they had drilled or hacked open. In older homes, this issue is even more of an eyesore as the plaster around the crack must have already aged into a cream colour, making it very obvious that rectification work has been made.
With Nano-G, our solution doesn’t require us to cut a hole into your ceiling. We’d also like to mention that we were able to solve numerous water leakage issues that conventional waterproofing methods like the PU Injection couldn’t solve. Many of our clients have remarked that both our Nano-G Nanotechnology Waterproofing and on-site SOP were the hassle-free, hack-free, non-toxic and effective solution they have been looking for.
After engaging with Nano-G’s services, I realised Nano-G’s staff were very fast and also very professional and did not disturb the mother’s and their babies’ rest. I am quite satisfied with Nano-G’s service. I give them a thumbs up.”
Mr Edward, Woyo Confinement Center
Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing solution is the satisfaction guaranteed solution you’ve been looking for to solve your water leakage issues in a hack-free, non-toxic and dust-free manner. Nano-G’s Waterproofing Experts are trained to follow a disciplined on-site SOP that keeps your premises clean and tidy, before, during, and after our rectification work. This is because our solution only needs our experts to lay down our water-based nanotechnology solution on your floor to waterproof them, and should be done within 24-48 hours!
Don’t wait too long to get your water leakage problem fixed! Rectify the issue before it causes further damages to your home! If you’re still unsure about why Nano-G is a better choice for your floors, drop us a message to find out what we can do to help you fix your water leakage problems!
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Editor’s Note 14/4/21: This article was originally published on 21/1/21 and have since undergone minor changes to more clearly present our advice to homeowners.
AV-100® Chemical Grout—also known as Acrylamide—is a blend of 95% acrylamide monomer (AM) and 5% methylenebisacrylamide (MBA).
AV-100 is injected as a two-component system, which has the similar viscosity to water (1-2 cP) and changes from a liquid to a solid,firm gel in a controllable time frame ranging from seconds to hours. AV-100 is a true solution grout (has no suspended solids) designed to be injected underground to control or stop the flow of groundwater and stabilize soils. Once cured, it creates an effective, long-lasting water barrier while providing superb soil stabilization.
AV-100 Chemical Grout is unique in that it is available from Avanti and its partners in granular and liquid forms and is available with certification for NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 - Drinking Water System Components. Learn more about AV-100 Chemical Grout (Acrylamide).
The reaction time for AV-100 is controllable and can range from 5 seconds to 10 hours. AV-100 is temperature sensitive, so that must be considered when grouting.
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There are optional additives available to help slow down gel time such as Potassium Ferricyanide (KFe).
Acrylamide grout has been used in the construction and rehabilitation industry since the s. It was first used as a soil stabilization method for dam cutoffs but began being used in the sewer system to seal infiltration in the s.
AV-100 Chemical Grout was Avanti’s first product in . Today, the use of AV-100 is used in a multitude of different water control and soil stabilization applications within the municipal, industrial, and geotechnical industries.
AV-100 Chemical Grout is used around the world by owners and contractors to stop water infiltration into manholes, sanitary and storm sewer mainlines, tunnels, mines, and in various other applications and underground structures by stabilizing external substrate. AV-100 is used everyday across the United States.
The product can be injected via remote packer, tube-a-manchette, probe, hand-held injection wand, or F-Assembly.
Acrylamide grouting is a two-component system that utilizes a Tank A and a Tank B system.
In addition to AV-100® Chemical Grout, there is a required activator, AV-101® Cat T+, (triethanolamine), and initiator, AV-102® Catalyst AP (ammonium persulfate) or AV-103® Catalyst SP (sodium persulfate).
AV-101 is added to the grout side tank (Tank A).
AV-102 or AV-103 is added to the catalyst side tank (Tank B).
Mixing Guidelines are available on our website 24/7.
Over 40 years ago, Avanti collaborated with suppliers, customers, industry partners and associations to develop the Safe Operating Practices Program or SOPP as a training guide for users of acrylamide and acrylic injection grouts.
The SOPP is designed to be the minimum standard for safety, training, and use of personal protective equipment for the grouting industry using acrylic injection grouts. For more information about the SOPP or to complete online 24/7, visit www.avantigrout.com/SOPP.
Acrylamide is in our everyday diet!
According to the Food and Drug Administration, acrylamide is a chemical that can form in some foods during high temperature cooking processes, such as frying, roasting and baking. Acrylamide in food forms from sugars and an amino acid (asparagine) that is naturally present in foods. The major food sources of acrylamide are French fries, potato chips, crackers, bread, and cookies, breakfast cereals, canned black olives, prune juice, and coffee.
Pure acrylamide is considered a neurotoxin. Therefore, when handling AV-100 Chemical Grout (acrylamide), proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn. However, it is important to note that acrylamide has a higher LD50 than some everyday substances such as aspirin and caffeine.
In toxicology, the LD50 or median lethal dose of a substance, is the dose required to fatally affect 50% of a test population after a specified duration. The LD50 for a given substance is expressed as the mass of an administered substance per unit mass of test subject. An LD50 of less than 5,000 is considered toxic; therefore, the lower the LD50 the more lethal the substance.
The table below presents the acute oral LD50 (mg/kg body weight)(rat) of acrylamide in comparison with everyday household substances.
Substance LD50 (mg/kg)Microorganisms in soil and natural waters assimilate unreacted acrylamide molecules. Additionally, dyes are frequently added to track the individual components during the injection process. In the event of a spill, the grout should be cured and disposed of, the site neutralized with potassium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite solutions, and then rinsed with water.
Once AV-100 has cured, the gel is inert, non-toxic, stable, and irreversible.
No, the use of acrylamide has never been banned in the US.
In the early s, the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) proposed a ban on the manufacturing, distribution, and use of acrylamide grouts.
In a notice dated December 2, , the EPA announced the withdrawal of a proposal that would have banned grouts containing acrylamide and the acrylamide derivative N-methyloacrylamide (NMA).
After being educated on the safety and benefits of these products, the EPA withdrew the proposal with the knowledge that specific worker safety training was available. Avanti continues to offer Safe Operating Practices Program (SOPP) training to ensure that those handling the products know how to handle them safely.
Unlike slag or fly ash based grouts, pumice is a naturally non-hazardous product. Safe enough to clean your teeth and scrub your face, pumice is mother nature's safe and natural way to fortify an ultrafine grout for centuries of service. - Pumice induces a pozzolanic reaction proving unsurpassed durability as evidenced by the majestic concrete relics of the Roman Empire still standing after 2,000 years. US Grout's Ultrafine SD and Ultrafine VX products are available exclusively from Avanti and remain the only pumice-based grout in North America.
Particle size is more important than viscosity in determining a grout’s ability to penetrate extremely small openings. Ninety percent (90%) of the particles in Ultrafine are smaller than 8 microns, with an average size of 3 microns. US Grout's Ultrafine grouts have an average particle size of 3 microns, in stark contrast to the typical particle sizes of 60-70 microns found in conventional cement. For reference, a human hair measures around 70 microns. Learn more about Ultrafine Cements.
Yes.
US Grout (Idaho) produces the only American-made Ultrafine cementitious grout available in the world today, ensuring a stable North American supply for your cementitious grouting projects.
For over 20 years, Avanti (Texas) has been the exclusive distributor and the go-to source for technical support of US Grout’s Ultrafine cement grout products worldwide.
Avanti and US Grout are proud to be American-owned and operated companies. Learn more about US Grout and Avanti's partnership.
As a general rule, we do not recommend grouting below 40°F because the cold temperature slows down the reaction times significantly. If using a product with a catalyst, perform cup tests with site water to determine the catalyst amount and result of the cured grout. In actual freezing temperatures, you may not have leaks in cracks to stop if the water is frozen. If injecting below the frost line, the temperature at ground level may not affect the grouting operation.
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