Beyond Concrete Lifting: How Contractors Are Expanding Their Services with Geotechnical Polyurethanes

In the construction and repair industry, many services intersect, and sometimes those intersections may surprise you. Even in the geotechnical field, materials are often used to support and complement other repair methods. Polyurethane injection, for example, can help improve long-term soil stability, making it useful in a wide range of situations. Continue reading to learn how geotechnical polyurethane can support a variety of services and create opportunities for more effective project outcomes.

How Using Geotechnical Polyurethane Injection Works in Conjunction with Other Contractor Services

Polyurethane injection is an excellent way to manage soil conditions. It can address void development, increase soil density and load bearing capacity, and help mitigate ongoing soil movement or erosion. Some formulas can even be used in wet or saturated conditions, making polyurethane injection adaptable to a wide range of underground challenges contractors may face. Because soil conditions directly impact surrounding structures, polyurethane injection is often used to support and enhance other construction and repair services rather than replace them. Because of the effects soil conditions can have on other structures, using this product can complement a multitude of other repair methods, including:

graphic showing many applications of NCFI Geotechnical Polyurethanes

Basement Services

Because basements are underground, they have their fair share of challenges to cope with, like groundwater presence and the pressure of soil against walls. When used as part of a broader basement repair strategy, polyurethane injection for basement sealing and soil stabilization can complement:

Carbon fiber wraps for basement wall repair
Crack sealing
Drainage improvements and water management systems

Foundation Repair Services

Foundation repair can offer structural support that homes need. Due to the variety of soil conditions in differing geological areas, polyurethane injection works well with foundation repair service offerings. Polyurethane injection may be used on its own for foundation lifting in some cases, but it can also support foundation pier installation by stabilizing surrounding soils and increasing load-bearing capacity. Additional ways polyurethane injection can support foundation repair services include:

Addressing voids or loose soils beneath slabs or footings
Helping reduce the risk of future soil settlement
Offering a minimally invasive method to lift interior floors

image of polyurethane with a foundation pier

Infrastructure Services

Polyurethane injection works very well as a method of infrastructure repair, especially for essential structures tucked underground, such as culverts, tunnels, lateral lines, manholes, and more. Because infrastructure repair often requires multifaceted solutions, polyurethane injection is frequently used alongside other services to stabilize soils, fill voids, or control water intrusion. Polyurethane for infrastructure pairs well with these services:

Epoxy or cement manhole lining
Storm and sanitary system cleaning
CCTV camera inspections of infrastructure
Crack sealing
Pipe replacement
Leak mitigation and water cutoff services

image of culvert during polyurethane injection

Excavation Services

Polyurethane is typically known for its minimally invasive nature, requiring no excavation during its application. However, polyurethane can work well in conjunction with excavation services. During projects where excavation is required and the soil continues to fall, impeding the progress of the project, polyurethane can be used to stop soil movement. In situations where excavation exposes unstable or migrating soils that impede progress or compromise safety, polyurethane injection can be used to stabilize conditions and keep work moving forward. It can be used to assist in:

Utility trenching
Excavation for utility access
New construction excavation
Please note, the use of polyurethane CANNOT take the place of other shoring methods such as trench boxes or sheet piles when it comes to protecting human life. Be mindful of OSHA regulations and the limitations of polyurethane during excavation.

image of workers in hard hats with polyurethane injected to stabilize loose gravel fill, allowing them to excavate

Ground Improvement Services

Ground improvement services focus on enhancing weak or unstable soils to increase strength, load-bearing capacity, and overall stability prior to or during construction. These services are commonly used to reduce settlement, improve soil performance, and address challenging subsurface conditions in a cost-effective manner. In practice, ground improvement efforts are often aimed at increasing soil density, improving load transfer, mitigating long-term settlement or differential movement, stabilizing soft or loose soils, and addressing issues related to voids, erosion, or groundwater influence. Here's how geotechnical polyurethane injection can support ground improvement efforts:

Filling localized voids not addressed by broader ground improvement methods
Stabilizing surrounding soils before or after ground improvement installation
Supporting areas where access or disruption limits the use of traditional techniques
Helping control water movement in targeted zones
Slope stabilization
Retention wall support

Polyurethane injection can play a valuable supporting role across a wide range of construction and repair services, often enhancing project outcomes when used alongside other methods. For contractors who already offer polyurethane injection, this versatility may present opportunities to expand how the material is applied within their existing services. For those who do not, it may be worth considering polyurethane injection as an additional tool, or as a complementary service through collaboration with other contractors. In many cases, working together not only supports successful project completion, but also creates opportunities for shared learning, stronger professional networks, and continued growth within the industry.

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P.O. Box 1528  1515 Carter Street  Mount Airy, NC 27030

Phone

(800) 346 8229

Fax

(336) 673 3131

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