This last week, HMI gave the World of Concrete a lift!  Over the course of three and a half days HMI completed 77 demonstrations to thousands of attendees at the World of Concrete.   HMI was the first company in the history of the show to successfully demonstrate the process of lifting concrete with polyurethane.

Our crew drove 32 hours out to Las Vegas from Wisconsin and worked hard to show you how fast, clean and easy polyurethane concrete raising is.  In this blog I would like to address some of the common questions we were asked.

How to you know when to stop or how much material to inject? 

HMI’s specially designed polyurethane foam reacts and expands in about 15 seconds.  Incrementally inject the material waiting the 15 seconds for the foam to expand.  As you approach the desired level you want the slab raised to, make the increments smaller to control how the slab is moving.  HMI is the only foam manufacturer with a 15 second foam reaction time.

How much does a system cost?

A complete polyurethane trailer system as used in the demonstration at the World of Concrete is $49,500.  Larger truck and customized systems are available, HMI can quote systems specific to your capacity needs and business plan.

What does the polyurethane system include?

Many people at the World of Concrete asked us, what does the polyurethane system for $49,500 include?  The short answer is – everything you need to pull up and complete your first job!  More specifically, the major components of the system is the generator, compressor, air system, reactor, transfer pumps, trailer, drill, saw, a drum set of material and injection tools including the patented HMI tip, clamp and injection ports that complement the gun.  Purchase of the systems also provides attendance to our HMI Training Seminar for up to 4 crew members.

Why do you use in injection port and clamp?

Pressure from polyurethane foam expanding raises the concrete slab.  This same pressure is looking for the path of least resistance.  The injection port is screwed into the hole with an expansion coupling and has a check ball to keep material from backing up through the injection port into the gun.  The clamp attaches the port to the gun’s patented HMI injection tip.  This allows the material to be injected with ease and between material injections allows the air flow to continue. This air purged hole allows you to inject material, wait and inject material again.  The air is keeping the hole open.  If you need to inject in a hole where material has set up, simply drill through the material and inject under the set up polyurethane to continue lifting.

Can this really be done with a one man crew?

Yes!  The HMI polyurethane system includes lightweight easy to use equipment.  Drilling, pulling out the hose and pumping can all be completed by one person.  After the work is completed, grease is injected in the gun preparing it for the next job and the hose is put away.  Patch the holes and move onto the next job.

Is the polyurethane material certified?

All HMI polyurethane foams are tested and held to the highest standards.  The material is ASTM tested and certified for quality.  HMI meets and commonly exceeds specifications for many DOT projects.  MSDS and Technical Data Sheets are available upon request.  Information required to certify the material for projects are available at any time.

Why do you have different types of foam?

HMI currently manufactures 5 different materials.  These materials vary from 2-4 pound densities with different reaction characteristics.  Soil stabilization, small slabs, highway slabs, void filling or lifting HMI manufactures specific material that will work best for each application.  HMI manufactures specially formulated material that will react aggressively enough to fill voids and raise concrete.  Traditional insulating spray foams are not strong enough to accomplish this.

Below is a video featuring one of the demonstrations presented at the World of Concrete; see for yourself what the thousands of attendees saw at the 2012 World Of Concrete.

If you are interested in seeing for yourself how polyurethane concrete raising works, please register to attend an HMI Training Seminar and try before you buy!  Click here to learn more about the HMI Training Seminar.

This video is of the Live Polyurethane Concrete Raising Demonstrations that were presented at the 2012 World of Concrete in Las Vegas. 77 Demonstrations were given during the 4 day event to thousands of attendees that wanted to look into polyurethane concrete lifting otherwise known as foam jacking. This method of repair is typically half the cost of replacement. HMI is the premier equipment and material manufacture in polyurethane concrete raising industry with experience and knowledge of slabjacking since 1974.

Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Demo’s At
the World Of Concrete in Las Vegas – January 2012”

HMI heard Vegas needed a lift!  HMI plans to do some “Heavy Lifting Of Concrete Slabs” using its new Polyurethane Concrete Lifting System  & Foams while visiting the World Of Concrete in Las Vegas Nevada January 2012!  “SEEING IS BELIEVING!”      

HMI-Pioneers in Concrete Lifting and Leveling today announced the first LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS of CONCRETE LIFTING at the World Of Concrete – using its new Polyurethane Pumping System and Specialty Polyurethane Foams.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin – December  27, 2011

HMI has announced plans to conduct the first of its kind “LIVE” demonstration of the new polyurethane concrete lifting system and formulated foams in Silver Lot 3 across from the South Hall (Booth O40739) at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 24-27, 2012.

The World of Concrete is the industry’s only annual international event and concrete conference dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries showcasing leading industry suppliers featuring innovative products, technologies, tools and equipment and unlimited networking opportunities to give you new ways to sustain and grow your business in today’s changing economy.” (www.WorldOfConcrete.com)

Brian Cvetezar, Executive VP of HMI commented, “We know seeing is believing! Our plans for the world of concrete include not only a display within the convention hall, but also live demonstrations of our new polyurethane concrete lifting system and specially formulated concrete lifting and leveling foams.”

Jeff Cvetezar, President of HMI noted, “despite a sputtering economy concrete repair is growing. We know many people will be coming to the World of Concrete to find a new service they can add to their business or a new business they can start with confidence. We know HMI’s new polyurethane concrete lifting/leveling systems are the answer and we are preparing to show the attendees versus just telling them!”

HMI (www.ConcreteRaisingSystems.com) invented the first hydraulic mudpump and has for nearly 40 years been considered the premier manufacturer of equipment used to repair concrete surfaces.  In addition to manufacturing, HMI also hosts those interested in learning how to raise concrete and operate this type of business successfully for two day seminars at the Manitowoc, Wisconsin campus.

Those interested in attending this year’s World of Concrete should register in advance.  Please click here to complete your registration.  By using this method of registration with the booking code Registration for only $10 to see all the exhibits the World of Concrete has to offer!

www.WorldofConcrete.com

Cut down on lane closures and highway slab repair costs by raising and stabilizing low spots with light weight polyurethane. This repair project completed for the Wisconsin DOT took 2 1/2 hours start to finish. Call 800.626.2464 or Log onto www.ConcreteRaisingSystems.com for more information on HMI Concrete Raising Equipment.

RaiseRite Concrete Lifting Inc.  www.WeRaiseConcrete.com

Oconto, Wisconsin – November 3, 2011

RaiseRite was commissioned to raise a 15X45′ section of Off-Ramp located in Oconto.  There was a low spot across the 45′ of roadway.  Traffic would dip as it traveled across the problem area.

Polyurethane foam was injected under the slab filling voids and stabilizing the slab.  In addition to stabilizing the slab, additional polyurethane was injected to raise the slab back to level.  554 lbs of HMI polyurethane was used to complete this project.

The majority of the lift was 2 1/2″ and took 40 minutes.  The complete project from start to finish took 2 1/2 hours to complete which included the main lift and void filling to stabilize the slabs.

The material required 15 minutes of cure time.  The ramp was closed for 2 1/2 hours while RaiseRite completed the repair. 

Concrete Jack www.ConcreteJack.com

Problem:  Due to poor compaction of fill material of a cell tower site, half of the pad was settling, which caused an equipment building and generator pad to settle.  The installation contractor installed two helical piers under the equipment building to raise it back to level within weeks of original construction in 2008.  During the site visit, ground water was gushing out from under the slab out of a void that was created during the piering process and was accumulating surface water.

Job scope:  Concrete Jack’s crew raised the settled generator pad using polyurethane foam, void filled under the building using polyurethane foam, which pushed the water out from the void during installation.  After void filling, Concrete Jack installed a footer drain around the perimeter of the building, and installed drains for the condensate lines for the AC units.  All repairs were zero down-time; there were no disruptions to any operations during the course of the work, which took a day.

US Leaders In The Manufacturing of Concrete Repair Materials and Hydraulic Pumps Jointly Agree to Co-Market Each Others Product and Services Internationally !”

Pioneers and Premier International Providers in; Specialized/Approved Materials to Repair;  Roadways, Airport Runways, NASCAR Facilities – and – Hydraulic Powered Pumps to Deliver/Distribute Repair Material, today announced alignment to co market products which allow users the optimal solution to quickly, and economically complete large repairs.

Alexandria, Virginia – October  27, 2011

CeraTech, Inc. (www.ceratechinc.com) develops and manufactures high performance, sustainable concrete repair mortars to include CeraTech’s Pavemend™. CeraTech’s products are regarded as the professional’s material of choice and are specified by numerous DOT’s, Turnpike Authorities, the US Military branches, Airfields, Ports, NASCAR facilities and more.  HMI Inc. (www.mudpumps.com) invented the first hydraulic mudpump and has for nearly 40 years been considered the premier manufacturer of equipment used to repair concrete surfaces.

Today these two premier providers announced plans to co-market each other’s services.

Todd Miller, Senior Vice-President, CeraTech shared that “My firm has been searching and testing equipment to find a suitable partner to recommend for the delivery of their packaged, high end performance products such as:  Pavemend™ SL, Dotline™, KemRok™, and FireRok™. We have concluded that HMI’s Versa Pump 1 is ideal. I could not be more pleased since HMI shares our values and orientation for excellence.”

Jeff Cvetezar, President, HMI, volunteered that, “We have observed the CeraTech product line move to the forefront of repair products. We look forward to supplying and supporting their customers with equipment which adds to their efficiency and profitability.”

Todd Miller further shared that CeraTech and HMI will participate in cross marketing efforts to inform contractors of this time-efficient placement solution for high performance repairs. “When speed, ease, sustainability and volume matters, the combination of CeraTech and HMI cannot be outperformed!”

For Release 9 A.M. EDT

October  27, 2011

How to maximize your spray foam equipment investment by raising concrete with polyurethane

All of the equipment commonly used for spray foam applications can be used to raise settled concrete slabs.  At HMI we design and make our own polyurethane foams specifically designed for; concrete raising, under sealing (void filling) and soil stabilization. These foams can be used to raise residential, commercial or municipal concrete slabs and the work is highly profitable. Since it is a repair, contracting this service is not dependent on new construction and it is often not discretionary. Most importantly, it is highly profitable and can utilize your existing spray foam equipment.

What else do I need to raise concrete with polyurethane?

Most spray foam contractors don’t have a concrete drill, saw or injection ports.  So HMI offers a Concrete Raising Conversion Kit that will supply you with all the additional equipment that you need beyond your spray foam equipment.  You will still be using all of your  spray foam equipment, but now applying its functionality to inject foams under concrete slabs.

The final question - “How do I learn how to raise concrete with foam?”

HMI has spent the last severalyears developing a 2 day training program where you will learn how to profitably introduce the service. Beyond learning how to lift concrete slabs with your spray foam equipment you will be trained on how to estimate, price and market the service.

A noted business consultant recently said, “If you have not introduced a new product or service in your business in the last 5 years – check your pulse!” These words reinforce that the economy and the pace of change require us all too continually change the way we think and act. Driving more revenue to our business, from new segments, without increasing overhead is often the difference between thriving vs. surviving in today’s business climate.

Check out HMI on Sprayfoam.com ! Don’t let that expensive set of spray foam equipment sit idle, contact HMI and see how easy it is to become a polyurethane concrete raising contractor.

Posted By: Ernie Cvetezar CEO HMI