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. Multiple sections of foundation flashing are installed in the trench around the perimeter of the foundation wall. Adjacent flashing sections overlap in a continuous manner. 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.

1 . A method for deflecting liquid from a foundation wall of a structure, the method comprising the steps: 
 a) 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 length of foundation flashing;    b) fastening a length of foundation flashing along an exposed portion of the foundation wall; and    c) backfilling the exposed portion of the foundation wall with soil, thereby covering the installed foundation flashing.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flashing is formed from a single piece of sheet material that is bent along a fold line traversing the sheet material whereby a portion of the sheet material on one side of the fold line forms a mounting flange and a portion of the sheet material on the other side of the fold line forms a deflector that projects transversely relative to the mounting flange, further comprising the step: 
 attaching the mounting flange onto the foundation wall so that the deflector projects outwardly away from and slopes downwardly relative to the foundation wall.    
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exposing step is performed until the trench depth is in the range of 6 inches to 24 inches below ground level.  
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the foundation flashing includes a mounting flange portion adapted for attachment to a foundation wall and a deflector portion integrally formed with the mounting flange portion, further including the step: 
 bending the reflector portion relative to the mounting flange portion along a fold line so that the deflector portion projects transversely relative the mounting flange portion at an angle in the range of 90° to 180°.    
   
   
       5 . The method as set out in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a pliable sealant to the mounting flange prior to fastening the mounting flange to a foundation wall.  
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising repeating steps a) through c) until multiple sections of foundation flashing have been installed on the foundation wall in a continuous manner.  
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , including the step of overlapping end portions of adjacent lengths of foundation flashing.  
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of fastening a length of foundation flashing to a foundation wall is performed by using powder-actuated fasteners.