US3332185A - Method and apparatus for waterproofing basements - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1967 M. c. ADAMS 3,332,185

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WATERPROOFING BASEME NTS Filed Oct. 28. 1963 I m.l4.'ll.4lllAV/lj v ATTORNEY United States Patent sota Filed Oct. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 319,397 5 Claims. (Cl. 52-287) This invention rel-ates to a method and apparatus for waterproofing basements of buildings and similar subsurface structures.

Considerable difficulty is experienced in maintaining basements dry in wet Weather. Much of this difiiculty is created by the seepage of water beneath the outside Wall of the basement and upwardly between the floor and the inner surface of the Wall. In other instances, the water actually drains into the cement blocks forming the wall from window wells and other such locations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective means of eliminating free moisture on the floor of the basement.

Cracks located in the juncture between the basement wall and the floor are extremely difficult to avoid, and also very difficult to correct once they occur. In the present invention, instead of attempting to fill up the crack and prevent the leakage, means are provided for accommodating the moisture which does seep into the basement and to convey the moisture to a suitable drain.

An object of the present invention resides in the formation of a drain duct at the juncture of the outside basement wall and the basement floor which is sealed relative to the floor and relative to the Wall and through which water seepage into the basement at this point may be contained. Means is provided for communicating this duct to a floor drain leading to the sewer system. As a result, any water which seeps through the joint between the wall and the floor is confined to the interior of the duct leading to the sewer drain.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that in the preferred form of construction of the invention, the pressure of the liquid tending to seep through cracks and joints is relieved by forming openings through the floor adjoining the wall and terminating within the duct which permits the flow of liquid to the duct through which it is conveyed to the sewer drain. By relieving the liquid pressure, the flow of the liquid through cracks is minimized, tending to prevent enlargement of the cracks andrinjury to the building due to the seepage of water.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that in the event water leaks into the cells of the concrete blocks as often takes place at a window well or the like, this moisture may also be drained by providing drain passages through the interior walls of the blocks communicating with the interior of the duct. As a result, any water draining into the blocks will be directed through the drain duct to the sewer drain.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a ductstructure which may easily be applied to the juncture between each outer basement wall and the basement fioor. In preferred form, the duct comprises a flexible strip which is anchored to the wall along a line spaced above the floor and which is anchored to the floor along a line spaced from the wall thereby providing a I generally triangular duct at the juncture between the wall and the floor. When anchored in place, a durable water impervious plastic coating is applied to the surface of the strip. The plastic covering, when cured, is lightly sanded and a second top coating is applied. The plastic is of a 7 type which seals securely to the wall and to the floor, and

3,332,185 Patented July 25, 1967 when completed the duct forming member is usually about one-quarter of an inch in thickness. As a result, the duct in effect, forms an integral part of the basement and has the appearance of a covering about the periphery of the floor.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that removable plugs are provided in the duct forming member in alignment with the holes through the fioor. By removing these plugs periodically, the holes may be cleaned out so as to remain open at all times.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of one or more normally closed couplings to which a flexible hose, such as a garden hose, may be attached. Water may be introduced into the duct from time to time from the building water system so as to flush out the duct and keep it clean.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a tubular connection leading from the interior of the duct to the sewer drain. This duct is preferably recessed into a groove in the basement floor and covered with the plastic material to a level flush with the surface of the floor. An aperture is drilled in the sewer drain communicating with the tubular connection to permit effective drainage of the water.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view on a horizontal section through a basement wall and looking at the basement floor.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on a vertical plane through the juncture of the wall and basement, the position of the section being indicated by the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is another sectional view through the duct, the position of the section being indicated by the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is another sectional view through the duct, the position of the section being indicated by the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is another vertical section through the duct, the position of the section being indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE '6 is a sectional view through the duct and drain tube, the position of the section being indicated by line 66 of FIGURE 1.

It should be recognized at the outset that the illustrations are to some extent diagrammatic, as basements vary in many ways. For example, in some instances, no problem is found with leakage of moisture into the interior of the blocks so that certain of the drain openings disclosed in the drawings may not be required. In other instances, no leakage occurs at the juncture between the wall and the floor, but considerable difiiculty is experienced because of leakage into the interiors of the blocks. In such an instance, the aperture drilled through the floor may be eliminated. It should'further be recognized that in some instances all of the difliculty may occur adjoining one or two of the basement walls. In such a case, it may not be necessary to provide the duct adjoining all of the walls.

The basement wall is indicated in general by the numeral 10 While the floor is indicated in general by the numeral 11. It seems to be most common practice, in building basements, to pour a footing and build a wall, usually of concrete blocks having open cores 12 therethrough. The floor 11 is usually poured after the wall is in place. In view of the fact that most of the weight of the house or building rests upon the footings, any settling of the house tends to form a crack at the juncture between the wall 10 and flooring 11. During a rainstorm, the water tends to drain into the ground, and creates a pressure which forces the water up through the crack thus formed. This action has a tendency to widen the crack and to thereby increase hte difficulty. As the basement floor 11 usually slopes toward one or more sewer drains 13, the floors of many basements are covered with water after the rain.

Where the major portion of the basement wall 10 is below the ground level, it is common practice to provide window wells in the ground exterior of the wall and to provide windows through the wall at these points. If the window wells are not provided with suitable drains, or if the drains become clogged with leaves or other such material, water has a tendency to build up in the window wells. In many instances, the water drains through cracks surrounding the window frames and into the interior of the blocks forming the wall or into the interior of the cores 12 of the individual blocks 14. This water has a tendency to gradually soak through the blocks or at least work its way through any apertures in the mortar between the blocks causing the basement walls to be wet. Paints have been provided designed for use in sealing such walls, but such paints do not actually solve the problem as the walls still contain the moisture. If the moisture cannot escape, and the portions of the block are exposed to the elements, there is a possibility that the water will freeze and crack the wall.

With this in mind, the duct 15 has been provided at the juncture between the wall 10 and the basement floor 11. This duct includes an inner flexible layer 16 which may be of plastic sheeting or may even be a woven fabric material impregnated with plastic. As indicated in FIG- URE 3, a strip or band of adhesive plastic material is applied to the wall 10 at a point spaced above the surface of the floor 11 as indicated in exaggerated thickness at 17. The flexible duct liner 16 is adhered to the inner surface 19 of the wall 10 by this adhesive 17. Care is taken to seal the upper edge of the liner 16 with respect to the wall, and the cracks between the blocks are preferably filled with the plastic adhesive material. The material used is preferably one of those types of materials in which two chemical compositions are mixed just prior to application, one composition reacting with the other to form a cured plastic after a predetermined time.

A second strip or band 18 is applied to the surface of the floor 11 at a point spaced from the inner surface 19 of the wall 10. The lower edge of the duct liner 16 is adhered to the fioor by the adhesive 18 which is shown in exaggerated thickness in FIGURE 3. Prior to attaching the duct liner in place, certain other operations take place, the nature of which depends upon the individual problem if the homes have been occupied for some time and problems have been experienced. In new homes, the

duct is preferably laced to connect each outside wall and an adjoining area of the floor. As indicated in FIGURE of the drawings, holes such as 20 may be drilled through the floor closely adjoining the inner surface of the wall 10, these holes being of sufficient diameter to permit a free flow of fiuid. In practice, the holes have usually been a half inch in diameter. The holes 20 may be drilled at desired intervals throughout the length of the area being enclosed by the duct 15. The holes 20 eliminate or at least modify the fluid pressure of the water draining down outwardly of the wall by permitting water to flow upwardly through the holes 20 and into the interior of the finished duct. Apertures are formed in the liner 16 above each aperture 20 in the floor, and plugs 21 are supported in the apertures. These plugs 21 are preferably molded into the duct as the duct is completed, and may be removed after the plastic has set. The purpose of the plugs 21 is to provide apertures 22 through the Wall forming the duct 15 in alignment with the apertures 20 so that dirt and other material may be cleaned out of the holes 20 at desired intervals.

If any problem exists or is contemplated due to the leakage of water into the interior of the wall, drain openings 23 may be formed through the inner portions of the block, the main passages communicating with certain of the hollow cores 12. If desired, opening 24 may be provided in the liner 16 opposite each aperture 23 to accommodate a removable plug 25. However, in usual practice the plugs 25 are omitted as the water draining through the holes 23 normally keeps them open.

Also as a preparatory step, a channel-shaped groove 24 is formed in the upper surface 28 of the floor to provide a channel leading to the drain 13. An aperture 26 is preferably drilled through the wall of the drain. A drain tube 27 may be placed in the groove 24, or a strip of material 29 such as that used to form the liner 16 may be placed forming an inverted U-shaped trough or channel within the groove 24. The liner strip 29 terminates slightly below the level of the upper surface 28 of the floor 11.

As a further step of the operation, a nipple 30 may be applied to the liner 16, preferably at a point on the duct substantially spaced from the drain groove or channel 24. This nipple 30 is designed to accommodate a hose fitting such as that of a garden hose. The nipple 30 is normally closed by a plug 31.

A plastic coating is then applied to the exposed surface of the liner 16, the edges of the coating extending beyond the liner 16 and coming in contact with the wall and floor, respectively. After the resin is cured, usually the surface is sanded and a second layer is applied, the plastic being built up to perhaps one-quarter of an inch in thickness so as to form a solid duct which has the appearance of a coved strip.

It has been found that the construction described is extremely effective in preventing wet basement floors, as the water is drained away through the duct 15 as quickly as it enters through the floor or wall, The drain holes may be cleaned after intervals and from time to time the plug 31 may be removed and the nipple 30 attached to a hose connected to the water supply. A slow stream of water is permitted to flow through the duct for perhaps fifteen minutes to completely flush out the foreign material.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in method and apparatus for waterproofing basements, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for confining the leakage of moisture from the junctures between a Wall and the floor of a subsurface building, the apparatus including a waterproof duct formed by adjoining areas of the Wall and floor and a diagonally extending waterproof connecting member sealed to the wall at a point above the floor and sealed to the floor at a point spaced from the wall,

and a drain connection communicating with the interior of said duct, the floor being provided with apertures therethrough between the wall and the area of connection of said connecting member and said fioor, said connecting member including openings aligned with said apertures through the floor and removable means normally closing said openings.

2. An apparatus for confining the leakage of moisture from the junctures between a wall and the floor of a subsurface building, the apparatus including a Waterproof duct formed by adjoining areas of the wall and floor and a diagonally extending waterproof connecting member sealed to the wall at a point above the floor and sealed to the floor at a point spaced from the wall,

and a drain connection communicating with the interior of said duct, said wall including hollow cavities normally not communicating with the wall surfaces, and in which the wall includes an aperture directly connecting the interior of said duct with one of said cavities, and in which said connecting means includes an opening aligned with said aperture, and removable means normally closing said aperture.

3. The method of controlling the seepage of liquid at the juncture between the wall and floor of a sub-surface basement and the like, the method consisting in applying a band of adhesive to the wall along an area parallel to, and spaced above the floor, applying a band of adhesive to the floor along an area parallel to and spaced from the wall, applying a strip of flexible material between the bands of adhesive to extend generally diagonally there between, coating said strip with a waterproof plastic material capable of setting to form a tough resilient waterproof covering on said strip to form a Waterproof duct at the juncture between the wall and floor and with which said aperture communicates, and providing a drain passage communicating with the interior of the duct.

4. The method of controlling the seepage of liquid at the juncture between the wall and floor of a sub-surface basement and the like, the method consisting in forming at least one aperture in the wall closely adjacent to the floor, applying a band of adhesive to the wall along an area parallel to, and spaced above the floor and above the aperture, applying ,a band of adhesive to the floor along an area parallel to and spaced from the wall, applying a strip of flexible material between the bands of adhesive to extend generally diagonally therebetween, coating said strip with a waterproof plastic material capable of setting to form a tough resilient waterproof covering on said strip to form a waterproof duet at the juncture between the wall and floor and with which said aperture communicates and providing a drain passage communicating with the interior of the duct.

5. The method of controlling the seepage of liquid at the juncture between the wall and floor of a sub-surface basement and the like, the method consisting in forming at least one aperture in the floor, closely adjoining the wall, applying a band of adhesive to the wall along an area parallel to, and spaced above, the floor, applying a band of adhesive to the floor along an area parallel to, and spaced from, the wall, applying a strip of flexible material between the bands of adhesive to extend generally diagonally therebetween, coating said strip with a waterproof plastic material capable of setting to form a tough resilient waterproof covering on said strip to form a waterproof duct at the juncture between the wall and floor and with which said aperture communicates and providing a drain passage in said floor communicating with the interior of the duct.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,734,777 11/1929 Pike 52-3()3 X 2,147,035 2/1939 Henderson 52303 X 2,717,513 9/1955 Smart 52303 X 2,948,993 8/1960 Marchi 52-169 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CONFINING THE LEAKAGE OF MOISTURE FROM THE JUNCTURES BETWEEN A WALL AND THE FLOOR OF A SUBSURFACE BUILDING, THE APPARATUS INCLUDING A WATERPROOF DUCT FORMED BY ADJOINING AREAS OF THE WALL AND FLOOR AND A DIAGONALLY EXTENDING WATERPROOF CONNECTING MEMBER SEALED TO THE WALL AT A POINT ABOVE THE FLOOR AND SEALED TO THE FLOOR AT A POINT SPACED FROM THE WALL, AND A DRAIN CONNECTION COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID DUCT, THE FLOOR BEING PROVIDED WITH APERTURES THERETHROUGH BETWEEN THE WALL AND THE AREA OF CONNECTION OF SAID CONNECTING MEMBER AND SAID FLOOR, SAID CONNECTING MEMBER INCLUDING OPENINGS ALIGNED WITH SAID APERTURES THROUGH THE FLOOR AND REMOVABLE MEANS NORMALLY CLOSING SAID OPENINGS.

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