Apparatus and methods for diverting water from a building

Abstract

A water diverting shield diverts water away from the foundation of a building and protects the foundation from water damage and leakage. The water diverting shield can be formed from a rigid or flexible material, and it can be substantially impermeable to water. The water diverting shield can include first and second planar portions which form an angle or bend. The water diverting shield reduces or eliminates infiltration of water to the foundation by shielding all or a portion of the foundation wall and foundation footing. The outward bend diverts water away from the foundation wall and foundation footing.

1 . A water diverting shield for diverting water away from a building, said water diverting shield comprising a substantially rigid, water resistant material, wherein the water diverting shield has a first planar portion and a second planar portion, and wherein the first planar portion and the second planar portion form an angle in the range of greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.  
   
   
       2 . The water diverting shield of  claim 1  wherein the water resistant material is substantially impermeable to water.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said water resistant material is polyvinylchloride.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water resistant material comprises a third planar portion adapted for attachment to a building.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water resistant material comprises a fourth planar portion that forms an angle with the second planar portion in the range of greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second planar portion form an angle between about 112 and about 135 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The water diverting shield of  claim 1 , wherein the shield comprises at least one panel and at least one corner, wherein the corner is connected to the panel by a water resistant bond.  
   
   
       8 . A water diversion system for a building, the system comprising: 
 a foundation for a building, wherein the foundation is at least partially underground; and    a water diverting shield connected to the foundation so as to provide a water resistant barrier.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first planar portion is substantially parallel with the foundation, and the second planar portion forms an angle between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees with the foundation.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the water diverting shield is connected to the top of the foundation.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the water diverting shield is connected to the top of the foundation by an anchor bolt that connects a foundation wall and a building wall.  
   
   
       12 . A method of shielding a foundation of a building from water, the method comprising: 
 connecting a water diverting shield to a building, wherein said water diverting shield is resistant to water and has a first planar portion and a second planar portion, and said second planar portion is at an angle from said first planar portion;    extending the first planar portion along at least part of a wall of the foundation; and    extending the second planar portion out from the foundation wall, wherein the second planar portion is below the first.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising covering the second planar portion with particulate matter.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising covering said particulate matter with landscaping.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising excavating around the foundation before connecting the water diverting shield to the building.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising disposing backfill under said second planar portion.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the water diverting shield is essentially impermeable to water.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the water diverting shield is connected to the foundation at a location between a foundation wall and a structural wall of the building.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said water diverting shield is attached to an anchor bolt that connects the foundation to a wall of the building.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising connecting a plurality of panels and corners to form the water diverting shield.