Device and method for keeping water away from a concrete slab sitting on a footing

Abstract

A device and method for keeping water away from a main concrete slab sitting on a concrete footing of a building include a joint covering an intersection of the external side surface of the foundation wall and the top surface of the footing. The joint can include a plurality of wedge blocks positioned adjacent the intersection providing an inclined surface for the water to flow away from the intersection, and typically one water resistant membrane ensuring the impermeability of the joint. Alternatively, the device and method include at least one through hole extending through the footing, and sloping downwardly from the internal side surface to the external side surface, and below the top surface of the footing, to drain water away from the area under the slab. A drain pipe may also be inserted into the hole.

Claims

1. A method for keeping water away from a main concrete slab partially sitting on an inside edge of a top surface of a footing relative to a foundation wall entirely sitting on the top surface of the footing adjacent the slab, the foundation wall having an external side surface facing away from the slab and an internal side surface facing towards the slab, the top surface having an outside edge thereof extending externally away from the external side surface and defining an external ledge of the footing therebetween, the external side surface of the foundation wall and the top surface of the footing defining an intersection therebetween, said method comprising the step of: closing off the intersection to keep water away therefrom and from the concrete slab, including: covering the intersection with a substantially solid joint, the joint being adapted to cover a first portion of the external side surface adjacent the intersection and at least a portion of the external ledge adjacent the intersection, said joint defining a free surface angled relative to both the external side surface and the top surface, in a cross section of the joint, the free surface, the first portion of the external side surface and the at least a portion of the external ledge forming a substantially triangular shape; and before the step of covering the intersection with a substantially solid joint, covering the external ledge, the first portion and a second portion of the external side surface adjacent and above the first portion thereof with an internal water resistant membrane adhering thereto.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of covering the intersection with a substantially solid joint includes: installing at least one wedge block over the intersection to form the joint.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one wedge block includes a plurality of wedge blocks, and wherein the step of covering the intersection with a substantially solid joint includes: installing the plurality of wedge blocks over the intersection in a side-by-side fashion to form the joint.

4. The method of claim 2, further including, after the step of installing at least one wedge block, the step of: covering the free surface and the internal water resistant membrane covering the second portion of the external side surface with an external water resistant membrane adhering thereto.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of covering the intersection with a substantially solid joint includes: pouring settable concrete material over the intersection to form a solid piece of concrete being the joint.

6. The method of claim 5, further including, after the step of pouring settable concrete material, the step of: covering the free surface and the internal water resistant membrane covering the second portion of the external side surface with an external water resistant membrane adhering thereto.

7. A device for keeping water away from a main concrete slab partially sitting on an inside edge of a top surface of a footing and adjacent a foundation wall entirely sitting on the top surface of the footing adjacent the slab, the foundation wall having an external side surface facing away from the slab and an internal side surface facing towards the slab, the top surface having an outside edge thereof extending externally away from the external side surface and defining an external ledge of the footing therebetween, said device comprising: a substantially solid joint adapted to be located adjacent and along an intersection of the external side surface of the foundation wall and the top surface of the footing, the joint entirely and sealably covering the intersection, and adapted to cover a first portion of the external side surface adjacent the intersection and at least a portion of the external ledge adjacent the intersection, said joint defining a free surface angled relative to both the external side surface and the top surface, in a cross section of the joint, the free surface, the first portion of the external side surface and the at least a portion of the external ledge forming a substantially triangular shape; and an internal water resistant membrane adhering to and covering the external ledge, the first portion and a second portion of the external side surface adjacent and above the first portion thereof, said internal water resistant member extending between the solid joint and both the first portion of the foundation wall and the external ledge of the footing; wherein the joint closes off the intersection to keep water away therefrom and from the concrete slab.

8. The device of claim 7, further including an external water resistant membrane adhering to and covering the free surface and a second portion of the external side surface adjacent and above the first portion thereof.

9. The device of claim 7, further including a structural rod adapted to be located adjacent and along the intersection, the structural rod being entirely covered by the joint.

10. The device of claim 9, further including a plurality of spacers for spacing the structural rod from the foundation wall and the footing, said plurality of spacers being entirely covered by the joint.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said plurality of spacers are anchors for anchoring the structural rod to the foundation wall and the footing.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein said joint is made out of settable concrete material.

13. The device of claim 7, wherein said joint includes at least one wedge block.

14. The device of claim 13, further including an attaching member for attaching said at least one wedge block to at least one of the footing and the foundation wall.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said at least one wedge block includes a plurality of wedge blocks positioned in a side-by-side relationship relative to one another.

16. The device of claim 15, further including a fastener member securing adjacent ones of said plurality of wedge blocks to one another.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said fastener member is a staple-type fastener.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the free surface of said at least one wedge block is angled relative to the first portion of the external side surface with an angle being larger than zero degree and smaller than 90 degrees.

19. The device of claim 13, further including an external water resistant membrane adhering to and covering the free surface and the internal water resistant membrane covering the second portion of the external side surface.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein at least one of the internal and external water resistant membranes extending upwardly above a ground level and/or downwardly below the outside edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, in which similar references used in different Figures denote similar components, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of devices for keeping moisture/water away from a main concrete slab of a building sitting on a footing in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged broken perspective view taken along line 2 of FIG. 1 showing a device for keeping water away from a main concrete slab in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4a is an enlarged exploded view of the drain pipe of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 4b is a view similar to FIG. 4a, showing only a check valve installed into the through hole of the footing, without the drain pipe;

(7) FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing device for keeping water away from a main concrete slab in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing another embodiment of a fastener member securing two adjacent wedge blocks to one another;

(9) FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing another embodiment of a staple-type fastener securing two adjacent wedge blocks to one another; and

(10) FIG. 8 is a broken section view illustrating different shapes of the angled free surface of the joints between the foundation wall and the footing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no means as of limitation.

(12) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, there is shown a device 10 for keeping moisture/water away from a main concrete slab 12 partially sitting on a concrete footing 14 of a building 16 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(13) The device 10 is essentially for keeping water/moisture away from the main concrete slab 12 partially sitting on an internal edge 19i of a top surface 18 of the footing 14, and adjacent a foundation wall 20 entirely sitting on the top surface 18 of the footing 14, typically with a key 22 at the interface there between to prevent lateral sliding of the foundation wall 20 relative to the footing 14. The foundation wall 20 has an external side surface 24 facing away from the slab 12 and an internal side surface 26 facing towards the slab 12. The top surface 18 of the footing 14 has an outside edge 19o thereof that extends externally away from the external side surface 24 of the foundation wall 20 and defines an external ledge 28 of the footing 14 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 1, the soil around a portion of the foundation wall 20 has been moved away or dug to leave the foundation wall 20 and a large portion of the footing 14 temporarily exposed to open air during the repairs being done.

(14) The device 10 typically includes substantially solid joint 34 to sealably and entirely cover an intersection 32 of the external side surface 24 of the foundation wall 20 and the top surface 18 of the footing 14. The joint 34 covers a lower first portion 24 of the external side surface 24 adjacent the intersection 32 and at least a portion 28 of the external ledge 28 adjacent the intersection 32, such that it substantially closes off the intersection 32 to keep moisture/water away therefrom and from the concrete slab 12. Typically, the portion 28 is the entire ledge 28. The concrete joint 34 defines a substantially flat free surface 36 angled relative to both the external side surface 24 and the top surface 18, such that, in a cross section of the device 10, the free surface 36, the first portion 24 of the external side surface 24 and the portion 28 of the external ledge 28 form together a substantially triangular shape. The angle A of the triangular shape between the free surface 36 and the first portion 24 is substantially anywhere larger than 0 (zero) and smaller than 90 degrees typically between about 5 and about 85 degrees, and preferably between about 45 and about 80 degrees, and most preferably between about 60 and about 80 degrees.

(15) Typically, the joint 34 also entirely covers a structural rod 30 or the like, such as for example a conventional rebar or metallic cable, located adjacent and along the intersection 32. The joint 34 is preferably made out of settable concrete material that entirely covers the structural rod 30, but could also be made of any other suitable material, preferably relatively light weight but also rigid enough not to be easily crunched, such as, for example, a pre-shaped solid foam material (as expanded polystyrene foam) or any suitable plastic-type material or the like, that could eventually be adapted to receive the structural rod 30 therein, as further described hereinbelow.

(16) Typically, an external water resistant membrane 40 adheres to and covers the free surface 36 and at least a second portion 24 of the external side surface 24 adjacent and above the first portion 24 thereof, and preferably a portion of the footing 14 adjacent the free surface 36, such that the external membrane 40 typically covers entirely the free surface 36 and its intersections with both the external side surface 24 and the top surface 18, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally, for further protection of the intersection 32, the first 24 and second 24 portions of the external side surface 24 and the external ledge 18, along with the intersection 32 there between, could be covered by an internal water resistant membrane 41 (see FIG. 5).

(17) Preferably, at least the external membrane 40, or both the internal 41 and external 40 membranes, such as a pulverized, sprayed or spread rubber type material or the like, extend upward along the external side surface 24 of the foundation wall 20 above the ground or soil level G indicated as a dotted line along the foundation wall 20. Alternatively, each of the internal 41 and/or external 40 membranes could be a plastic or rubber type material bonded or glued onto the underlying surfaces to prevent water and/or moisture infiltration there between. Obviously, especially if the membranes 40, 41 are made out of a plastic or rubber type material, the respective membrane 40, 41 could extend downward down to the external side surface 42 of the footing 14 below the outside edge 19o.

(18) Typically, the structural rod 30 is spaced from both the foundation wall 20 and the footing 14 via a plurality of spacers 44 or the like that could also be used without the rod 30. Typically, the spacers are anchors 44 used to hold the structural rod 30 spaced from at least the foundation wall 20, and preferably also from the footing 14. The plurality of anchors 44 are also entirely covered by the concrete joint 34 and are used to secure the joint 34 adjacent the intersection 32.

(19) Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the device 10 can be made of at least one, but preferably a plurality of wedge blocks 34 positioned in a side-by-side relationship or fashion relative to one another.

(20) Typically, in order to hold, maintain or secure the wedge blocks 34 to at least one of the footing 14 and preferably the foundation wall 20 adjacent the intersection 32, especially when earth or gravel is poured thereon to fill the opening adjacent the foundation wall 20 up to the ground level G after the installation of the device 10 is completed, an attaching member 38 (see FIG. 5), such as a concrete screw or the like is used. Conveniently, depending on the dimensions of each wedge block 34, only some of them would need to be secured with an attaching member 38, such as, for example, every two or three wedge blocks 34.

(21) In order to hold, maintain or secure the adjacent wedge block 34 to one another, the device 10 includes a fastener member 50 such as a staple-type fastener. The fastener member 50 includes at least one, but preferably two tenon members 52 facing one another (see FIG. 6). Each tenon member 52 has a stem member 54 extending longitudinally away from the other tenon member 52 (or protruding away from the wedge block 34see FIG. 5) and has a lateral protrusion or extension member 56 that extends generally perpendicularly from the stem member 54. Alternatively, the extension member 56 could simply be a lateral enlargement (or widening) of the stem member 54 in a direction extending away from the other tenon member 52 or the wedge block 34. Each tenon member 52 is slidably engageable into a corresponding mortise opening 58 extending into the adjacent wedge block 34. The mortise opening 58 includes a stem section 54 and a protrusion section 56 to receive the stem member 54 and the extension member 56 therein, respectively. The extension member 56 laterally protrudes form the stem member 54 to prevent the two adjacent wedge blocks 34 from moving away from each other.

(22) Preferably, as seen in FIG. 7, the staple-type fastener 50 has the overall shape similar of a metallic staple for paper sheets and can be simply punched or forced into the foam material of the two adjacent wedge blocks 34.

(23) Also, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the other surfaces of each wedge block 34 generally facing the external side surface 24 and the external ledge 28 could be generally solid and flat, but could also be only partially filled, such as legs 46 (shown in stippled lines) of the wedge block 34, formed by recesses or cavities extending internally therefrom, supporting the free surface 36.

(24) Also, as illustrated in FIG. 8, although the free surface 36 is generally flat, it could have any curvature between its edges adjacent the external side surface 24 and the external ledge 28 such as being concave 36 or convex 36, as long as there is no hollow in which water could accumulate therein. In other words, the angle A or slope S of the free surface 36, at any point thereof, although it may angularly vary, is always oriented downwardly from the edge adjacent the external side surface 24 to the edge adjacent the external ledge 28.

(25) The above device 10 can be installed either retroactively onto an existing building or during the construction thereof.

(26) A corresponding method for keeping moisture/water away from the main concrete slab 12 partially sitting on an internal edge of the top surface 18 of a concrete footing 14 and adjacent a foundation wall 20 entirely sitting on the top surface 18 of the footing 14 adjacent the slab 12. The method comprises the step of closing off the intersection 32 to keep water away therefrom and from the concrete slab 12, which typically includes covering, preferably entirely, the intersection 32 with a substantially solid joint 34 that defines a free surface 36 angled relative to both the external side surface 24 and the top surface 18. The covering of the intersection 32 typically includes pouring settable concrete material over the intersection 32 to form a solid piece of concrete being the joint 34.

(27) Typically, the method further includes, before covering the intersection, the step of installing a plurality of spacers 44 adjacent and along the intersection 32 at least on one, but preferably both the footing 14 and the foundation wall 20, and the step of covering the intersection 32 further includes entirely covering the spacers 44, with, for example, settable concrete material or pre-shaped foam material or the like.

(28) Typically, the step of installing the plurality of spacers 44 includes installing and securing/anchoring a structural rod 30 onto at least one of the foundation wall 20 and the footing 14 using the plurality of anchors 44 to preferably space the structural rod 30 from the foundation wall 20 and the footing 14.

(29) The method typically further includes the step of covering the free surface 36 and a second portion 24 of the external side surface 24 adjacent and above the first portion 24 thereof with an external water resistant membrane 40 adhering thereto. The second portion 24 and the external water resistant membrane 40 extending upwardly above a ground level G.

(30) Alternatively, the covering the intersection 32 includes installing at least one wedge block 34 over the intersection 32 to form the joint, and preferably a plurality of wedge blocks 34 over the intersection in a side-by-side fashion.

(31) Typically, the installing includes securing adjacent ones of the plurality of wedge blocks 34 to one another using a fastening member 50, as above described.

(32) Typically, the installing includes attaching or securing at least one of the plurality of wedge blocks 34 to at least one of the footing 14 and preferably the foundation wall 20 using an attaching member 38, such as a concrete screw or the like to secure the at least one wedge block 34 adjacent the intersection 32.

(33) Also, the method could include either or both the covering of the external ledge 28, the first portion 24 and the second portion 24 of the external side surface 24 with an internal water resistant membrane 41 adhering thereto, and the covering of the free surface 36 and the internal water resistant membrane 41 or the second portion 24 of the external side surface 24 with an external water resistant membrane 40 adhering thereto. At least the external membrane 40, or both the internal 41 and external 40 membranes preferably extend upward along the external side surface 24 of the foundation wall 20 above the ground or soil level G, and/or downward along the external side surface 42 below the outside edge 19o.

(34) Now referring more specifically to FIGS. 1, 3, 4a and 4b, there is shown a device 110 for keeping moisture/water away from a main concrete slab 12 partially sitting on a concrete footing 14 of a building 16 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(35) The device 110 includes at least one drain pipe 60 adapted to be received within a through hole 62 extending through the footing 14 from an internal side surface 26 thereof facing towards the slab 12 to the external side surface 42, and below the top surface 18. The drain pipe 60 obviously slopes downwardly from the internal side surface 26 to the external side surface 42, to allow water to flow there through, by gravity, from an interior area 66 located adjacent the internal side surface 62 of the footing 14 and below the concrete slab 12 to an exterior area 68 located adjacent the external side surface 42 of the footing 14 to keep moisture/water accumulated just below the concrete slab 12 away therefrom. In some cases, only the through hole 62, being in fluid communication with both the internal 66 and external 68 areas, is enough to drain the water away from the internal area 66.

(36) Typically, the drain pipe 60 is sealably received within the corresponding through hole 62. In order to allow the draining of water, the drain pipe 60 typically includes a plurality of relatively small drain holes 70 extending radially through the wall of the pipe 60, and above a bottom surface 72 of the pipe 60.

(37) In order to ease the insertion of water via the drain pipe 60 into the interior area 66, the drain pipe 60 has a typically pointy or spiky inner end 74, which extends away from the footing 14 into the interior area 66, as the tip of an arrow.

(38) During early heavy draining, the outer end 76 of the drain pipe 60, which extends away from the footing 14 into the exterior area 68, is typically spaced from the footing 14 by a predetermined distance of preferably at least about three feet, to help draining the water away from the footing 14, as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. Just before re-filling the space beside the foundation wall 24, the drain pipe is typically trimmed adjacent the external side surface 42 and closed with a flap/swing-type check valve 78 or the like, in order to prevent any solid and/or fluid from entering into the drain pipe 60 towards the interior area 66. As shown in FIG. 4b, when only the through hole 62 is used (without any drain pipe), or after the drain pipe 30 has been removed, the check valve 78 is located in a short pipe 60 inside the through hole 62 adjacent the external side surface 42 to prevent any solid and/or fluid from entering into the through hole 62 from the exterior area 68.

(39) In order to ease the insertion of the drain pipe 60 into the through hole 62, the drain pipe 60 includes a plurality of longitudinal sections 80 connected to each other into an end-to-end configuration, such as with a thread fastening mechanism 82 in a screw type manner, or the like. In such a case, the drain holes 70 are located in each one of the sections 80.

(40) A corresponding method for keeping moisture/water away from the main concrete slab 12 partially sitting on an edge of the top surface 18 of the concrete footing 14 and adjacent the foundation wall 24 sitting on the top surface 18. The method includes the step of draining water away from the interior area 66 located adjacent the internal side surface 26 of the footing 14 and below the concrete slab 12 to the exterior area 68 located adjacent the external side surface 42 of the footing 14 to keep water away from the concrete slab 12.

(41) The step of draining water typically includes drilling at least one through hole 62 extending through the footing 14 from the internal side surface 26 in fluid communication with the interior area 66 to the external side surface 42 in fluid communication with the exterior area 68 for receiving the at least one drain pipe 60 therein, with the through hole 62 sloping downwardly from the internal side surface 26 to the external side surface 42, is typically performed.

(42) Before the step of installing at least one drain pipe 60, there is typically the step of installing at least one drain pipe 60 along the through hole 62 of the footing 14 from the internal side surface 26 to the external side surface 42, and below the top surface 18, with the at least one drain pipe 60 sloping downwardly from the internal side surface 26 to the external side surface 42.

(43) Preferably, the step of installing at least one drain pipe 60 includes trimming an outer end 76 of the drain pipe 60 extending away from the footing 14 into the exterior area 68 adjacent the external side surface 42; and installing a check valve 78 at the outer end 76 of the drain pipe 60.

(44) Alternatively, after the step of drilling at least one through hole 62, there is typically the step of installing a check valve 78 inside the through hole 62 adjacent the external side surface 42 to prevent any solid and/or fluid from entering into the through hole 62 from the exterior area 68.

(45) When the drain pipe 60 includes a plurality of longitudinal sections 80 connecting to each other into an end-to-end configuration, the step of installing at least one drain pipe 60 includes axially inserting a first one of the plurality of longitudinal sections 80 into the at least one through hole 62; and connecting a successive one of said plurality of longitudinal sections 80 to a previously inserted one said longitudinal section 80 into an end-to-end configuration, and axially inserting the successive section 60 into the through hole 62.

(46) The method may also include the step of installing a vent pipe 88 adapted to vent gas away from the interior area 66. As shown in FIG. 3, the vent pipe 88 typically extends from the interior area 66 through the footing 14 and along the foundation wall 20 adjacent the external side surface 24 to above the ground level G adjacent the foundation wall 20.

(47) As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is always preferably installed along with a bed of small rocks 90 surrounding the footing 14 to improve the flow of water away from the building, and also preferably extending down to either a main water reservoir 92 or the like from which the accumulated water can be drained away or a city drain pipe (not shown). When installed retroactively, it is preferable to temporarily increase the support of the building foundations via hydraulic rams assemblies 84 or the like removably secured all around to the foundation walls 20, since the soil is temporarily weakened around the footing 14. Each ram 84 typically includes a bracket 84a secured to the foundation wall 20. An adjustable hydraulic ram 84b is mounted between the bracket 84a and a rigid plate 84c (of typically about 2 feet square in size) firmly laying on the soil to ensure proper stability of the foundation wall 20 relative to the soil. The hydraulic rams assemblies 84 are usually removed just prior the refill of the cavity adjacent the foundation wall. Obviously, during retrofitting, since the external wall surface 24 of the foundation walls 20 are open to the air, cracks 86 found into the foundation walls 20 can easily be repaired to prevent more damages thereof. Also, once the internal area 66 below the slab 12 has been drained, vent pipes 88 are typically installed at a few locations along the foundation wall 20, and extending through the footing 14 and up above the ground level G, to allow any pressurized gas, such as radon coming from underground and the like, to properly escape the area 66, on a continuous basis.

(48) Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.