For collapsing soils and concrete stabilization, we are the exclusive provider of the highly-rated Uretek® Methods, and over 75,000 successful installations have been completed nationwide.
For expansive soils we are exclusive providers of the scientifically-proven expansive soil treatment, EcSS 3000™. Over 30 million square feet of projects have been completed!Expansive Soils
Now, you can solve the challenges you face with new construction or with remedial projects when it comes to clays and expansive soil conditions.
The Problem
Expansive clay soils have been an ongoing challenge for anyone in the building and construction industries as well as for building and home owners. The problem goes deeper than just dirt. It lies in the molecular structure of the clay itself. A clay particle attracts water and expands for two reasons. The net negative charge of the clay attracts positively charged water molecules. Also, the clay lattice has a weak interlayer bond. When more water is introduced and is adsorbed, the lattice expands. The result can cause heaving and cracking in roadways, foundatons, slabs, pools, and other structures. It is a costly and inconvenient problem.
Clay Internal Structure
The Typical Attempts
People have been trying to deal with in several ways. A few are mentioned here.
Lime treatment: This can be costly, impermanent and can lead to sulfate induced heave.
Potassium treatment: Although this can have some effect on the negative charge on the surface of the clay particle, the potassium molecule is too large to enter the clay lattice effectively. It can be a temporary and ineffective fix.
Over-excavating: This is a time consuming process that can lead to many “hidden” costs, and it can be ineffective. Disturbing the soil may lead to future problems associated with poor compaction / settlement.
Pre-swelling: This can be a messy and time consuming process. It is not permanent and can also lead to future settlement issues.
Concrete cut off walls and aprons: These can be costly, are highly intrusive and can be ineffective.
The “SOLUTION”
EcSS 3000™ is the only solution that addresses both swelling mechanisms associated with expansive clay soils. Ample scientific research has been done to prove its effectiveness. The treatment uses an ionization process that not only reduces the negative charge of clay particles but also permanently changes the molecular structure so that swelling is reduced or eliminated. EcSS 3000™ is diluted 300:1 with water to carry the ions into the soil, but this process does not pre-swell the soil.
As the ions quickly move through the expansive clay, they not only greatly reduce the negative charge of the clay particles, but they allow a change in the internal structure of the clay from a crystalline lattice to an amorphous one. The Silica sheets disintegrate. The Alumina sheets are detached from them and migrate out as salt or are absorbed by the organic matter in the soil. In this irreversible state, the expansive clay soil no longer behaves as an expansive soil. Research reports from Texas A & M University and from Penn State University that confirm field results are available through CST.