Recently, we have had some customers asking about our grout sleeves. This product has been around for years, and it saves labor and enhances safety. But it never really gained traction in wind project construction until recently.

Grout sleeves replace foam rings that are typically installed on the rods at the bottom of the grout trough. Their purpose is to protect the rod from exposure to grout which can interfere with the proper and accurate tensioning of the foundation anchor bolts. 

To install foam rings, foam pipe insulation is cut with a sharp knife into approximately 2-inch slices. They are placed on the rod and wrapped with duct tape.  

On the other hand, grout sleeves are slipped down on the rod and that is it. Additionally, grout sleeves have a flange at the bottom to prevent grout from going down into the bolt sleeve. Best of all, grout sleeves take up very little space, displacing almost no grout.  Foam rings that are 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick take up a large amount of space in the foundation when multiplied by the number of bolts in the foundation.  These are essentially voids that weaken the foundation.    

The main reason that grout sleeves have been slow to be accepted in construction is one of process. Years ago, we set the base after the grout was placed in the grout trough. This required that grout sleeves fit tight so they would not float. Unfortunately, the sleeves often cracked due to the tight fit. However, the process has changed. Now, the base is set first, and grout is applied under the base. The grout sleeves are held down by the base and therefor do not have to fit as tight. We also started using a new compound that is softer and not as apt to crack.

We hope you will give this product a try. Just let us know if you would like some free samples and we would be very pleased to send them to you.