Method and apparatus for deflecting liquid from a foundation wall

Abstract

Rain water is deflected from the foundation wall of a building structure by a flashing of non-ferrous metal that is fastened to the foundation below the grade level of the soil. Soil is trenched and exposed about the foundation, and the flashing is installed in the trench around the perimeter of the foundation wall. After installation, the trench is backfilled with soil thereby covering the flashing and restoring grade. During heavy rains or floods, water seeping into the soil is deflected away from the foundation by the flashing. This prevents water from pooling at the bottom of the foundation and seeping up into the structure through the joint where the foundation meets the basement floor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for deflecting liquid from a foundation wall. Specifically, the present invention is concerned with a flashing fastened to a foundation wall that deflects liquids from the wall and a method for installing the flashing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Any structure having a basement or a floor located below ground level, such as a residential dwelling, has the potential of having liquids or groundwater seep up through the joint between the foundation wall and the basement floor should the ground water level rise above the elevation of the basement floor. [0003] Typically, the cause of the rise of ground water level is due to excessive rains saturating the soil surrounding the foundation. Aggravating factors such as having soil graded toward the foundation, as opposed to being graded away, guide water toward the foundation. If the water is not directed away from the foundation, it will ofte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Each subsequent length of flashing is similarly positioned and attached to the foundation wall adjacent to the previously installed length until flashing has been installed along the entire perimeter of the structure. The flashing may come in varying lengths although 10-foot lengths are convenient to handle and provide adequate coverage around a structure with a minimal number of joints. Preferably, each length of flashing is positioned such that it overlaps with the previously installed length of flashing. An overlap of 12 inches to 24 inches is preferable. For additional effectiveness, a pliable sealant, such as silicone caulking, roofing tar or other suitable material, may be applied to the mounting flange prior to being fastened to the foundation wall to ensure a waterproof seal between the mounting flange and the foundation wall.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, liquid is deflected from a foundation wall of a structure by exposing at least a portion of the perimeter of a foundation wall that is below ground level thereby creating a trench of a depth that is suitable for installing a foundation flashing; fastening a length of foundation flashing along the exposed portion of the foundation wall; and backfilling the exposed portion of the foundation wall with soil thereby covering the installed foundation flashing.

Problems solved by technology

Typically, the cause of the rise of ground water level is due to excessive rains saturating the soil surrounding the foundation.

This is not desirable as water will often spoil or damage any material sitting or laying on the basement floor.

While the cost of installing weeping tile is not great when the structure is first being built and prior to any landscaping being done around the structure, the cost of installing weeping tile around a structure after being built and landscaped can be excessive.

The cost is further increased by the repair and restoration of the landscaping surrounding the structure required after the weeping tile has been installed.

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