Restoring Great Customer Experiences at Pennsylvania Market
Problem
Founded in 1912, Weis Markets is a food retailer based in Pennsylvania that strives to minimize environmental impact, bring the very best in nutrition and healthy food to their markets, and deliver the highest level of customer experience and satisfaction. At one Weis location in Linglestown, Pennsylvania, a major trip hazard developed along the sidewalks and curbing on both sides of the store entrance. This settlement posed a hazard to the public and Weis’ customers, so Weis decided to take action to repair the sidewalks.
Analysis
The settled sidewalks outside the Weis store were built above a culvert, and this caused about 70 sections of the sidewalk (210 linear feet) to settle as much as 3.5 inches over time. Weis needed a solution that could raise each sidewalk panel to be even with the curb, align each panel to adjacent panels, not disturb the metal safety railing embedded in the sidewalks, minimize disruption to their customers, and not compromise their commitment to the environment. Weis hired URETEK because they were the only company able to meet all of these job criteria.
Solution
The URETEK Deep Injection® (UDI) process was used to cost-effectively and quickly lift and align all 70+ sidewalk panels. In some areas, multiple injections were needed due to the degree of settlement. Upon completion of the sidewalk lifting, all injection points and gaps between panels were sealed.
Result
In just one business day, URETEK technicians lifted and aligned the sidewalk to curb height for all 70+ settled panels. The project was completed without disturbing Weis’ operations, and the work was done in sections to minimize disruptions to customer traffic. The embedded metal railing was not disturbed in any way, thereby keeping the visual appeal and safety of the railing intact. In addition, the environmentally friendly materials used in the repair kept Weis Markets’ commitment to the environment intact. In the end, the project restored the aesthetics and safety of the sidewalk while also reducing the amount of future maintenance required. URETEK not only restored a sidewalk, but also Weis Markets’ mission of excellent customer service and commitment to the environment.
URETEK Deep Injection® (UDI)
Widely referenced throughout our industry, UDI involves the injection of structural polymer into base and subgrade soils to increase the load bearing capacity. This is achieved by injecting the polymer through small holes drilled directly through the pavement structure to depths determined by site-specific analysis. Our URETEK 486 Star® material flows easily into voids and weak zones within the soil mass below. Through a controlled chemical reaction, the expanding polymer compacts surrounding soils and applies a controlled pressure on targeted areas of the affected pavement above. If needed, a multi-injection design plan is utilized to gently return the pavement to its original grade. The composite material quickly cures into a strong, dimensionally stable, and water-resistant geo-material, providing years of reliable service.
URETEK 486 Star®
URETEK 486 Star® polymer is a two-component, high-density, expanding thermoset polyurethane system. It was developed to be the ideal solution for under-sealing, void filling, lifting of settled pavement, stabilization and stiffening of weak soils, and for encapsulating and sealing buried infrastructure. URETEK 486 Star® is environmentally inert, non-toxic, and resists underground water erosion or weakening due to its industry-leading hydrophobic properties.
