The Bulkhead Repair Advantage
When Pressurized Cement Slurry Injection Is the Better Solution
(Pressure Grout • CLSM • Grout Injection)
1. When Voids Exist Behind the Bulkhead
Voids caused by soil washout, tidal action, erosion, or poor compaction are best addressed with slurry injection because it:
- Completely fills hidden voids
- Bonds to both soil and structural surfaces
- Stops water migration and prevents future washout
2. When the Bulkhead Is Moving, Rotating, Bowing, or Settling
Pressurized grout provides structural soil improvement by:
- Stabilizing the soil mass
- Increasing bearing capacity beneath and behind the wall
- Densifying loose ground to reduce lateral pressure
3. When a Watertight Seal Is Required
Cementitious slurry and microfine grouts are effective for:
- Blocking seepage pathways
- Reducing hydraulic pressure acting on the bulkhead
- Injecting into cracks, joints, and seams for durable waterproofing
4. When Access for Traditional Backfill Is Limited
If excavation is impossible or the backside of the bulkhead is inaccessible, slurry injection becomes the only practical solution.
5. When Traditional Backfill Would Add Excess Lateral Load
Wet soils impose significant lateral pressure. Grout—especially lean slurry or CLSM—adds less load and eliminates problems caused by poorly compacted fill.
Types of Pressurized Slurry Used
1. CLSM (Flowable Fill / Controlled Low Strength Material)
- Self-leveling
- Non-shrink
- Requires no compaction
- Excellent for large voids
2. Microfine Cement Grout
- Penetrates fine or dense soils
- Ideal for stabilizing sand and silt
3. Chemical Grouts (Hydrophobic Urethane)
- Designed for active water leaks
- Expands in the presence of water
4. Soil-Cement Slurry
- Strengthens and densifies soil
- Suitable for deeper stabilization zones
Recommendation
Choose the right system based on your goals:
For stabilization, void filling, and stopping water:
Use cement slurry injection.
For long-term drainage and hydrostatic pressure reduction:
Use engineered gravel backfill and drainage systems.
For the best overall performance:
Combine both — drainage stone plus a grout curtain — to stabilize soil and manage water movement.
Want Help With Your Project?
I can provide:
- A side-by-side cost comparison (typical Denver Front Range pricing)
- A detailed scope of work for slurry injection vs. gravel backfill
- A diagram of the correct backfill layering system
- Recommended PSI, mix design, and injection pressures
Just tell me what type of bulkhead you’re working on (retaining wall, lake bulkhead, pool bulkhead, property-line retaining wall, etc.).
