GB2573551A

GB2573551A - Sealing kit and method of installation

Info

Publication number: GB2573551A
Application number: GB1807596.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hester Paul; Hester Maria
Original assignee: Seal A Pipe Uk Ltd
Current assignee: Seal A Pipe Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-10
Filing date: 2018-05-10
Publication date: 2019-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-10
Also published as: GB2573551B; GB201807596D0

Abstract

A kit 100 for sealing a gap between a surface 20 and a member 10 extending therethrough is provided. The kit 100 includes: a membrane 1, 1’, 1’’; an adhesive seal 2; an elastomeric seal 3, wherein the elastomeric seal 3 includes a hole 3’ therethrough configured to stretch over the member 10 forming a vertical cylindrical seal 31 and a horizontal flexible flange 32; and an expansion foam shroud 4 which may comprise a vertical sleeve 41, and a horizontal foam cover 42. A method of sealing a gap between a surface 20 and a member 10 using such a sealing kit 100 is also disclosed.

Description

SEALING KIT AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often necessary to provide a seal between a surface (such as a wall, or flooring) and a member (such as a pipe or stanchion) that passes through the surface. These seals may be required to prevent the passing of moisture, as well as required to prevent gasses such as radon, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons from moving through the seal.

Typically, a membrane is placed on the surface. However, it is difficult to provide a hole through the membrane that exactly collocates with the location of the member passing through the surface. The membrane must be placed with the hole over the member, which can lead to voids and bubbles where the membrane has been manipulated to accommodate this colocation, which in turn can hold pockets of gasses and hydrocarbons. This can damage any material that is laid on top of the membrane, for example concrete or screed.

Further, there are several issues that arise around traditional methods for sealing a joint between a surface and a structural member protruding therethrough. One such method consists of using a sealant tape to try and form a seal between the membrane on the surface and the member protruding therethrough. In order to form a tight seal between the protruding member (which can incorporate collars) and the membrane requires the build up of sealant tape in multiple layers which can be time consuming. Traditional sealing tape material can lose flexibility, and is prone to cracking at low temperatures. The material can become too sticky, and therefore difficult to work with. Further, such tape can also blister and expand at high temperatures.

Alternatively, a “top-hat” arrangement may be utilised to provide sealing around service pipes and the like. These consist of a prefabricated cylindrical upstand connected to a preformed square base, with a hole cut out for the pipe to pass through. Such top-hats are typically made of a rigid polymer type plastic material with the cylindrical upstand and the square base being hot welded together. As top-hats are constructed from rigid polymers, often there is a mismatch between the

-2diameter of the pipe and the diameter of the hole provided through the top hat. The square base is then joined to the membrane using double sided sealing tape, and the upstand is secured to the pipe using butile sealing tape. A jubilee clip is then attached to the upstand to hold it in place.

Due to the way in which a jubilee clip is tightened, they are not always a true circle. Further, the inner element of the jubilee clip tends to be sharp and can protrude inwards whilst tightening, which can result in a penetration of the cylindrical upstand of the top hat, and if the jubilee clip is overtightened, it can also penetrate the butile seal as well as the pipe intended to be sealed. Such issues can result in serious consequences, such as the leakage of dangerous gasses.

In light of the above issues, there is a need for a device that provides an effective, robust and durable seal, whilst being easy to install as well as allowing for possible contraction, expansion and movement within buildings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit for sealing a gap between a surface and a member extending therethrough. The kit includes a membrane, an adhesive seal, an elastomeric seal, wherein the elastomeric seal includes a hole therethrough configured to stretch over the member, and an expansion foam shroud.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric seal may comprise a nitrile material.

The elastomeric seal may also form a horizontal flange over the membrane and a vertical seal along the member. The hole in the elastomeric seal may also be circular.

Preferably, the hole in the elastomeric seal is the same shape as the cross section of the member.

More preferably, the outer perimeter of the elastomeric seal may extend beyond the cross section of the member.

- 3The adhesive seal may be a butile material.

Preferably, the expansion foam shroud may comprise two sections.

The membrane may also comprise a pre-cut hole corresponding to the cross section of the member to be sealed.

Preferably, the outer perimeter of the membrane does not extend beyond the area of the surface.

The kit may also comprise one or more jubilee clips or zip ties.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of sealing a gap between a surface and a member extending therethrough. The method includes providing a membrane over the member and onto the surface, providing an adhesive seal on the membrane, stretching a hole of an elastomeric seal over the member and onto the adhesive seal, and providing an expansion foam shroud over the elastomeric seal.

Preferably, the stretching of the hole of the elastomeric material over the member may provide a vertical seal along the member and a horizontal flange over the membrane.

The method may also include cutting a hole in the membrane corresponding to the cross section of the member.

The expansion foam shroud may be provided in two separate pieces.

The method may also include placing a jubilee clip or a zip tie around the member and over the expansion foam and/or over the elastomeric seal.

The method may also include laying additional membranes adjacent to the membrane to cover the entire area of the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

-4Figure 1 shows a sealing kit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a membrane in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows an elastomeric seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, there is described a kit and a method for providing a seal between a surface and a member passing therethrough. Whilst herein the kit is described with reference to existing methods of solid ground construction and relating to the seal between a pipe and a floor through which the pipe extends, it is envisaged that the kit may also be applied to other surfaces, such as a wall, as well as other members, such as a stanchion with any cross sectional shape.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a kit 100 used for sealing a pipe 10 passing through a surface 20. The kit comprises a pre-cut membrane 1, an adhesive seal 2, an elastomeric seal 3 and expansion foam shroud 4.

An example membrane provided with the kit may be seen in more detail in figure 2. The membrane 1 may have a pre-cut hole T extending therethrough according to the exact cross section of the pipe 10 (or other member to be sealed). Alternatively, the membrane may be provided as a single sheet wherein a shape corresponding to the cross section of the pipe 10 may be cut out. The cut membrane 1 is then provided over the pipe 10, and laid on the surface 20. The cut membrane 1 may have a square outer perimeter 1” that extends beyond the cross sectional area of the pipe to be sealed. The cut membrane 1 may be provided in any shape and size such that, when placed over the pipe to be sealed 10, the outer perimeter 1” of the cut membrane 1 does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the surface 20. Membrane 1 may be made out of any suitable material as known in the art, such as standard polyethylene. Other materials of membranes are also envisaged.

- 5An example elastomeric seal 3 is shown in more detail in figure 3. The elastomeric seal 3 is provided with a hole 3’ therethrough that has been designed to stretch over the pipe 10, which, when applied over the pipe 10 creates and forms a flexible flange 32 to the membrane in the horizontal plane, and a vertical, cylindrical seal 31 to the pipe 10. The hole 3’ may be provided through the elastomeric seal 3 such that it is smaller than the diameter of the pipe 10 in order to provide both a horizontal flexible flange 32 and a vertical, cylindrical seal 31. For example, for a 40mm diameter pipe, a hole 3’ with a diameter of 13.3mm may be provided through the elastomeric seal 3. The size of the hole 3’ through the elastomeric seal 3 may be calculated based on the size of the pipe 10, the material of the elastomeric seal 3, the material of the pipe 10, the potential for expansion and contraction of the surface 20, the material of the surface 20 and the thickness of the surface 20. The outer perimeter 3” of the elastomeric seal 3 extends beyond the cross section of the pipe 10.

Alternatively, in the case where the member extending through the surface is not cylindrical, a hole may be provided through the elastomeric material that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the member, but smaller in order to provide the same effect with a vertical and a horizontal seal. For example, if a square member is to be sealed, a smaller square hole T may be provided through the elastomeric material.

The elastomeric seal 3 may be made from a high specification nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). Other materials are also envisaged.

An adhesive seal 2 may be provided between the pre-cut membrane 1 and the elastomeric seal 3, and may comprise any suitable material, such as a butile adhesive. Other adhesive materials are also envisaged.

The adhesive seal 2 may be provided in an easy to install “sausage” shape and can be laid in any shape between the pre-cut membrane 1 and the elastomeric seal 3. In this regard, the adhesive seal 2 may be provided in different diameter tubes depending on the overall size of the pipe 10 to be sealed. The adhesive seal 2 prevents any leakage in a radial direction between the horizontal, flexible flange 32

-6elastomeric seal 3 and the pre-cut membrane 1. The tight, elastic, vertical seal 31 formed between the elastomeric seal 3 and the pipe 10 when the elastomeric material is stretched over the pipe 10 prevents any leakage in the vertical direction. Additionally, an adhesive sealant may be provided between the vertical seal 31 and the pipe 10.

An expansion foam shroud 4 may be placed on top of the elastomeric seal 2. Expansion foam shroud 4 may consist of two separate pieces of expansion foam, a horizontal foam cover 42 to lie in the horizontal plane over the horizontal flexible flange 32 of the elastomeric seal 3, and a vertical sleeve to cover the vertical seal 31 of the elastomeric seal 3. The horizontal foam cover 42 may be disc shaped, and may have an internal profile that matches that of the vertical seal 31 of the elastomeric seal 3, and extend horizontally to cover the horizontal flexible flange 32 of the elastomeric seal 3. Similarly, the vertical sleeve 41 may be shaped with an internal profile to match that of the vertical seal 31 of the elastomeric seal 3, and extend to cover the extent of the vertical seal 31. The vertical sleeve 41 may be configured to slide over the pipe, and rest on the horizontal foam cover 42.

The expansion foam shroud 4 may be made of any suitable foam, such as polyethylene. The expansion foam shroud 4 may encapsulate and protect the elastomeric seal 3 from any external factors. This is particularly apparent when the kit 100 is provided for use in existing methods of solid ground construction, wherein heavy volumes of concrete and/or screeds are poured over the membrane and around the sealed pipe in order to comply with legislation requirements. In addition, the expansion foam allows for any expansion and/or contraction that will occur during the drying out of the concrete and/or screeds, thereby preventing any cracking that can otherwise occur in the concrete/screed, or in the pipe. Further, should the pipe 10 be damaged after installation of the seal, and after the concrete/screed has been installed, the expansion foam may easily be dug out allowing for easier access to the pipe for repairs.

The kit 100 may also be provided with one or more jubilee clips (not shown) or heavy duty cable ties (not shown) to attach around the vertical sleeve 41 of the expansion foam shroud 4, providing an overall joint compression. Alternatively or additionally, a jubilee clip or heavy duty cable tie may be provided around the

- 7vertical seal 31 to provide additional joint compression. In such a case, a slip ring collar (not shown) may be placed between the vertical seal 31 and the expansion foam shroud 4.

The kit may also comprise a label indicating details such as the contractor/installer who performed the seal, as well as indications of the date and plot number, and/or the building reference.

A method for installing the kit 100 described above to seal the gap between a surface 10 and a member 10 extending therethrough comprises firstly, if not already cut, cutting a hole T in the membrane 1 corresponding to the cross section of the member 10. The cut membrane 1 is then provided over the member 10, and rests on the surface 20. The member 10 is then provided through the hole in the elastomeric seal 3, such that the elastomeric seal 3 provides a horizontal flange 31 extending over the membrane 1, and a vertical seal 31 extending along the member 10. The area of the membrane 1 over which horizontal flange 31 of the elastomeric seal 3 extends may then be marked out on the membrane 1, and the elastomeric seal 3 may then be rolled up the member 10 in order to provide access to the membrane 1. The adhesive seal 2 may then be provided (in the form of a sausageshaped tube, or otherwise) within the marked area of the membrane 1 corresponding to the extent of the horizontal flange 32. The elastomeric seal 3 may then be moved down such that the horizontal flange 32 contacts the adhesive seal

2, and is thereby sealed to the membrane 1. A roller may be used to apply pressure to the horizontal flange 32 to ensure a compete seal between the horizontal flange 32 of the elastomeric seal 3 and the membrane 1. The tight, elastic constraint of the vertical seal 31 of the elastomeric seal 3 on the member 10 provides sealing in the vertical direction along the member 10. The horizontal expansion foam cover 42 may then be provided over the member 10 to rest on the elastomeric seal 3, and then the vertical expansion foam sleeve 41 may be provided over the member 10 to protect the vertical portion of the elastomeric seal

3. At this time, if desired a jubilee clip and/or a heavy duty cable tie may be placed around the vertical expansion foam sleeve 41 to provide additional joint compression.

- 8Once the seal has been constructed, other membranes may be laid adjacent to the outer perimeter 1” of the pre-cut membrane 1, and taped and sealed across the remaining surface area. By providing a small area of membrane 1 with a pre-cut hole 1” corresponding to the cross section of the exact member that is to be sealed, other membranes may then be laid across the remainder of the surface area. Using this method, it is possible to prevent the formation of bubbles and voids beneath the membrane that may otherwise be present when laying a large membrane over the whole floor that must be fitted around a hole that has been cut in the membrane. A self adhesive label may then be attached to the member 10 for quality control, stating the date on which the kit was installed, as well as the name of the company that installed the seal kit items. If required, concrete/screed may then be laid on the surface 20, providing a finished surface and covering the seal.

The seal provided by the apparatus and the method described above results in a high degree of flexibility at the base junction between substructure and the member, resulting in a robust seal that can cope with relative movements between the two items. The kit is easy to install at low or high temperatures utilising materials that are suitable for use over a wide range of temperatures. The robust seal prevents water ingress in both the downward mode and the upward mode from the underlying substructure, as well as prevents leakage of a wide range of gasses. The flexible seal allows for a degree of movement within the main structure, as well as expansion/contraction of any screed or concrete laid on top of the seal. Further, the seal prevents any water from a concrete/screed mix that is laid on top of the membrane from passing through the seal. The sealing kit is also easy to install compared to known methods.

Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only and that the claims are not limited to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and alternatives in view of the disclosure which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A kit for sealing a gap between a surface and a member extending therethrough, the kit comprising:

a membrane;

an adhesive seal;

an elastomeric seal, the elastomeric seal comprising a hole therethrough configured to stretch over the member; and an expansion foam shroud.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric seal comprises a nitrile material.

3. The kit of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in use, the elastomeric seal forms a horizontal flange over the membrane and a vertical seal along the member.

4. The kit of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hole in the elastomeric seal is circular.

5. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the hole in the elastomeric seal is the same shape as the cross section of the member.

6. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the outer perimeter of the elastomeric seal extends beyond the cross section of the member.

7. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive seal is a butile material.

8. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the expansion foam shroud comprises two sections.

9. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the membrane comprises a pre-cut hole corresponding to the cross section of the member to be sealed.

10. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the outer perimeter of the membrane does not extend beyond the area of the surface.

- ΙΟΙ 1. The kit of any preceding claim further comprising one or more jubilee clips or zip ties.

12. A method of sealing a gap between a surface and a member extending therethrough, the method comprising:

providing a membrane over the member and onto the surface; providing an adhesive seal on the membrane;

stretching a hole of an elastomeric seal over the member and onto the adhesive seal; and providing an expansion foam shroud over the elastomeric seal.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the stretching of the hole of the elastomeric material over the member provides a vertical seal along the member and a horizontal flange over the membrane.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising cutting a hole in the membrane corresponding to the cross section of the member.

15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the expansion foam shroud is provided in two separate pieces.

16. The method of any of claims 12 to 15, further comprising placing a jubilee clip or a zip tie around the member and over the expansion foam and/or over the elastomeric seal.

17. The method of any of claims 12 to 16, further comprising laying additional membranes adjacent to the membrane to cover the entire area of the surface.