Method and Device for Reducing Moisture Access to a Foundation

Abstract

A method and a device for reducing or substantially prevent admission of moisture to a space ( 10 ) of a foundation construction of a building the space being sensitive to moisture. The device is characterized by at least one expandable device ( 20 ) intended to be introduced in the space ( 10 ) of the foundation construction. The expandable device ( 20 ) is in an expanded condition intended to fill at least a substantial part of the space ( 10 ).

1 . Method for reducing or substantially prevent admission of moisture to a space ( 10 ) of a foundation construction of a building being sensitive to moisture, characterized in
 that at least one expandable device ( 20 ) is introduced into said space ( 10 ) of said foundation construction and is brought to expand so that it fills at least a substantial part of said space ( 10 ).   
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is introduced into said space ( 10 ) substantially in a non-expanded condition.   
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is installed in said space ( 10 ) and is expanded so that it abuts at least a substantial part of the upper side ( 12 ) of said space ( 10 ).   
   
   
       4 . Method according to one or more of  claims 1 - 3 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is expanded such that it fills said space ( 10 ) to at least 50%, more preferably at least 75% or most preferably at least 95%.   
   
   
       5 . Method according to one or more of  claims 1 - 4 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is installed in said space ( 10 ) as a substantially continuous unit, which is filled with air, gas, foam and/or the similar.   
   
   
       6 . Method according to one or more of  claims 1 - 4 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is installed in said space ( 10 ) as one or more sections ( 26 ), which each is filled with air, gas, foam and/or the similar.   
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 6 , characterized in
 that said sections ( 26 ) are installed releasably arranged to each other in said space ( 10 )   
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 6 , characterized in
 that said sections ( 26 ) are installed independent from each other in said space ( 10 ).   
   
   
       9 . Method according to one or more of  claims 1 - 4 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is installed in said space ( 10 ) in such a way that an air gap ( 28 ) is obtained between the expandable device ( 20 ) and a bottom ( 14 ) of said space ( 10 ).   
   
   
       10 . Device for carrying out the method according to  claim 1 , characterized by
 at least one expandable device ( 20 ) intended to be introduced in said space ( 10 ) of said foundation construction, whereby said expandable device ( 20 ) in an expanded condition is intended to fill at least a substantial part of said space ( 10 ), said expandable device ( 20 ) being made of a material which is impermeable or very restricted permeable to the filling material.   
   
   
       11 . Device according to  claim 10 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is designed to abut the upper side ( 12 ) of said space ( 10 ).   
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claims 10  or  11 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is a cushion which can be filled with air, gas, foam and/or the similar.   
   
   
       13 . Device according to  claim 12 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is provided with at least one valve ( 22 ).   
   
   
       14 . Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is arranged as a substantially continuous unit, which can be filled with air, gas, foam and/or the similar.   
   
   
       15 . Device according to one or more of  claims 10 - 13 , characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is divided into at least two sections ( 26 ) which each per se can be filled with air, gas, foam and/or the similar.   
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 15 , characterized in
 that said sections ( 26 ) are releasably arranged to each other by means of at least one fastening means.   
   
   
       17 . Device according to  claim 16 , characterized in
 that said fastening means is one of Velcro® tape, zip fastener, button, clips, hook, tape, glue and/or the similar.   
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 15 , characterized in
 that said sections ( 26 ) are permanently arranged to each other.   
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 15 , characterized in
 that said sections ( 26 ) are independently arranged in relation to each other.   
   
   
       20 . Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in
 that said expandable device ( 20 ) is equipped with a sensor monitoring pressure variations in said expandable device ( 20 ) and sends off a signal and/or begins the addition of filling medium to said expandable device if the pressure should be below a predetermined level.