Extend Culvert Service Life
Aging culverts often suffer from joint separation, soil washout, and infiltration—especially in high water table or flood-prone environments. These issues compromise surrounding soils, increase hydraulic inefficiencies, and pose long-term risks to overlying roads or rail lines. Our culvert sealing and stabilization service uses structural polyurethane injection to seal active leaks, fill voids, and restore subgrade support without excavation or traffic disruption.
What Is Culvert Sealing & Stabilization?
Culvert sealing and stabilization is a trenchless rehabilitation method that addresses infiltration, joint failure, and void formation around existing culvert structures. Hydrophobic polyurethane is injected through ports near leaking joints or eroded bedding zones, sealing cracks and reestablishing soil contact.
In some cases, a polyurethane lining system may also be applied to protect the interior surface—but injection remains the primary approach when stabilizing soils and sealing external leak paths.
Where Might Culvert Sealing & Stabilization Be Needed?
- Roadway or railway culverts
- Stormwater discharge pipes
- Corrugated metal or concrete culverts
- Culverts below embankments
- Undersized culverts in flood zones
- Culverts with sinkholes at the outlet
- Structures showing evidence of undermining
- Pipes crossing unstable or saturated soils
We Recommend Culvert Sealing If You See:
- Infiltration through culvert joints or seams
- Voids or soil loss at the culvert outlet
- Standing water above or around the structure
- Pipe misalignment or deflection
- Road or surface settlement above culvert
- Vegetation growth or erosion channels
- Seepage from the pipe barrel into bedding
- Surface cracking near headwalls or approaches
- Pipe invert deterioration from water infiltration
- Repetitive erosion repairs at same location
Is Culvert Sealing Really Needed?
Yes—especially when aging culverts compromise overlying roadways, embankments, or rail lines. Joint separation and bedding erosion allow water to escape into surrounding soils, creating voids and triggering progressive structural failure.
Injection-based sealing and stabilization offer a cost-effective, trenchless alternative to full culvert replacement. They stop active leaks, preserve existing structures, and prevent further erosion—all without traffic detours or excavation.
What Are the Advantages of Culvert Sealing?
Our solution helps municipalities and DOTs protect assets and delay replacement.
Compatible with Most Culvert Types: Works on CMP, RCP, HDPE, and more.
Seals Active Infiltration: Hydrophobic polyurethane stops leaks at joints and seams.
Restores Soil Support: Expanding foam reestablishes contact with surrounding bedding.
No Excavation Required: Installed from the surface or culvert interior.
Prevents Future Undermining: Eliminates leak paths that lead to erosion and collapse.
Common Problem Areas
- Undersized or overburdened culverts
- Culverts near rivers or streams
- Roadway or railway crossings
- Aging CMP and RCP installations
- Flood-prone zones with high hydraulic loading
- Culverts in sandy or unconsolidated soils
Restore Your Culverts with Fast, Effective Polyurethane Sealing from Groundworks.
How Does Culvert Sealing Work?
Our process stabilizes the structure and surrounding soils without removing the culvert.
- Initial inspection via camera or manned entry
- Map leaking joints and erosion-prone bedding
- Drill small injection ports through roadway or access trench
- Inject hydrophobic polyurethane at depth
- Material expands, sealing voids and compacting surrounding soils
- Monitor for alignment and seal integrity
- Optional: apply internal polyurethane lining if corrosion or abrasion is present
- Close ports and restore surface
- Final documentation and report provided
Why This Is the Best Choice
- No need for culvert removal or bypass
- Effective even in wet or flowing conditions
- Minimal impact to traffic or nearby utilities
- Addresses both leaks and structural voids
- Prevents sinkholes and collapse
- Works on culverts of various shapes and sizes
- Complements lining or slip-lining when required
- Rapid installation for emergency or planned work
Contact Groundworks for Culvert Sealing
Culvert Sealing & Stabilization
Groundworks offers trenchless culvert sealing solutions that eliminate leaks, stabilize surrounding soils, and protect the long-term performance of roadway and stormwater systems. We also offer polyurethane lining for interior surface protection when needed. Schedule an evaluation today.
Names You Know Trust Groundworks with Their Toughest Foundation Issues
We want to learn about your project.
FAQs
No. Injection can be performed from shoulders or access points without surface disruption.
Slip-lining reduces pipe diameter and requires excavation. Our method seals and stabilizes without structural modification.
Yes. Hydrophobic polyurethane performs well even in active seepage zones.
We treat corrugated metal, reinforced concrete, PVC, HDPE, and more.
Yes, if internal abrasion or corrosion is present. Lining can complement injection for full restoration.
Disclaimer / Terminology
Culvert Sealing: Injection-based method to stop groundwater infiltration around culverts.
Hydrophobic Polyurethane: Expanding resin that displaces water and stabilizes soils.
Void Formation: Erosion or washout of soil surrounding a structure.
Polyurethane Lining: Internal protective coating applied to the culvert barrel if surface degradation exists.
Slip-lining: Structural rehabilitation technique involving insertion of a new pipe inside an existing one (not used here).