On Solid Ground

Hosted by Helicon

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to "On Solid Ground"! We are your go-to podcast for everything geotech construction. We discuss various topics surrounding our services, such as soil stabilization, foundation repair, concrete lifting and leveling, seawall repair, sinkhole repair, and more. We hope it helps you better understand these critical processes and provides you with more knowledge on making informed decisions regarding ground-related issues affecting your home or business. Thank you for taking the time to listen, and we hope you enjoy!

Listen to episodes

16 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 1525 min

Ep. 15 | The Science Behind Chemical Grouting

Chemical grouting uses expanding polyurethane to lift settled concrete, fill underground voids, stabilize unstable soils, and address certain water-infiltration problems. But when is polyurethane chemical grout the right solution, and how does it compare with traditional mudjacking or cementitious grout? In Episode 15 of On Solid Ground, Helicon CEO Jay Silver and Colt Hullander of Alchatek break down the science behind chemical grouting and explain what polyurethane grout can and cannot do. Whether you're dealing with a sinking driveway, settled concrete slab, void beneath a pool deck, unstable soil, rocking warehouse slabs, or water intrusion, this conversation explains the factors professionals evaluate before choosing a grouting system. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes! Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com to schedule a FREE inspection with us.

June 11, 2026Episode 1427 min

Ep. 14 | Grout Pumping Technology - Past, Present, & Future

Grout pumping technology has evolved significantly over the years and continues to do so. In Episode 14 of On Solid Ground, we dive into a range of topics, including the most common failure reasons in the past, how to choose the right pump type for a job, what the next big leap in this technology will be, and much more. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes! Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com to schedule a FREE inspection with us.

April 16, 2026Episode 1332 min

Ep. 13 | Operator Skill: The Invisible Variable

In Episode 13, Colt Hullander of Alchatek breaks down why the operator behind chemical grouting can determine the success of an entire job. The conversation covers how to tell when a foreman is ready to lead a crew independently, which skill is hardest to train consistently across teams, why operator ability is often the invisible variable on a project, and more. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a chemical grout team capable of executing with precision, and why pumping this material correctly is both a science and an art, this episode is for you. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes! Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com to schedule a FREE inspection with us.

March 19, 2026Episode 1233 min

Ep. 12 | When to Use Which Ground-Improvement Method

In Episode 12, we welcomed back Colt Hullander of Alchatek for a discussion on how to determine the right ground-improvement method for different project conditions. The conversation explored how these decisions are made, when slab lifting is the best solution, instances where the most obvious method underperformed, and much more. It was an insightful episode for anyone interested in the factors that shape the selection of the most effective ground-improvement approach for a given project. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes! Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com/ to schedule a FREE inspection with us.

March 6, 2025Episode 1132 min

Ep. 11 | Lift or Rebuild? Choosing the Best Path for Your Home’s Future

In Episode 11, we had Terrance Sterett on as our guest, the Owner and Chief Operations Officer of Dauntless Contracting. Jay and Terrance provided our audience with a better understanding of the FEMA 50% rule so people can be better equipped in making a decision that is right for them when it comes to rebuilding or lifting a home based on the cost, time, and benefits of each. Other topics discussed included the consequences a city or county can face by not following these guidelines, how homeowners should assess whether their property is better suited for rebuilding or lifting, the advantages and disadvantages of using steel framing versus wood framing, along with much more. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for future episodes! Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com/ to schedule a FREE inspection with us.

October 4, 2024Episode 1042 min

Ep. 10 | Navigating Insurance Claims for Homeowners Before and After a Hurricane

In Episode 10, we welcomed back Grant Krapf from Krapf Legal for another insightful discussion. This time, we delved into various topics related to insurance claims for homeowners, both before and after a hurricane. We covered the most common reasons insurance companies deny hurricane claims, homeowners' rights when an insurance company delays payment, how wind vs. water damage can affect claims, among other key topics. We hope this episode proves valuable, especially if you're facing damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. If you need legal assistance relating to insurance claims, contact Krapf Legal at 727-777-7450 or through their website here: https://krapflegal.com/ Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com/ to schedule a FREE inspection after the storm!

May 2, 2024Episode 928 min

Ep. 09 (Part 2) | What Are Milestone Inspections and Why Are They Important?

In Episode 9 Part 2, we discussed with Leo Cannyn from Beryl Engineering about the importance of milestone inspections. He provided a lot of valuable insight regarding this topic that we weren’t aware of before. This discussion included what makes milestone inspections different from regular inspections, who typically receives milestone inspections, how to vet milestone inspectors, what the cost of these inspections is, and much more. We hope the information in this podcast was beneficial to you, primarily if you are a condominium that is at least 3 stories tall and has dealt with this type of inspection in the past or will in the near future. If you or someone you know needs their foundation evaluated, tell them to contact Helicon at their earliest convenience. Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com/ to schedule a FREE inspection!

April 11, 2024Episode 935 min

Ep. 09 (Part 1) | How Crucial Are Foundation Inspections for Homes?

In Episode 9 Part 1, we welcomed Leo Cannyn from Beryl Engineering onto the podcast. He provided a wealth of knowledge regarding home foundation inspections. This discussion included what a home inspection entails, if a foundation check is part of the inspection process, warning signs that an inspector should look for during a foundation inspection, how foundation issues affect the overall value of a property, along with much more. We hope this information was valuable to you, especially if you recently had a home inspection done or will have one in the near future. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode on milestone inspections coming on May 3rd! If you or someone you know needs their foundation evaluated, tell them to contact Helicon at their earliest convenience. Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com/ to schedule a FREE inspection! *PE means Professional Engineer

March 18, 2024Episode 841 min

Ep. 08 | The Significance of Sinkhole Law and How It Impacts Homeowners

In Episode 8 of our podcast, we welcomed Grant Krapf as our guest, an attorney who specializes in property insurance claims. We discussed topics such as the laws surrounding sinkholes, what’s covered and what’s not, how coverage can differ for businesses versus residential, how homeowners should navigate the legal process, along with much more. We hope you learned just as much as we did on this topic and that it will prove beneficial in case you or someone you know faces a similar situation. If you or someone you know is facing settlement around their home or even a possible sinkhole, tell them to contact Helicon at their earliest convenience. Call 844-Helicon or visit our site: https://www.heliconusa.com/ to schedule a FREE inspection!

February 15, 2024Episode 739 min

Ep. 07 | Can You Sell a Home That Had a Sinkhole? Does It Affect the Home Value?

In Episode 7, we brought on Rich Kay from Keller Williams Realty as our guest. Rich used to work at Helicon as a Senior Project Manager, specifically regarding sinkholes. He brought this knowledge to the realty field and has assisted numerous clients in this space over the years. During our discussion, we touched on various topics including the key factors that potential homebuyers should consider when looking at properties with possible sinkhole conditions, the impact sinkholes have on peoples’ insurance and their homes for resale value, how sinkhole conditions affect the appraisal process, as well as much more. If you or someone you know is facing settlement around their home or even a possible sinkhole, tell them to contact Helicon at their earliest convenience! Call 844-Helicon.