System for collecting seepage water in buildings

Abstract

Perimeter and transverse troughs, possibly 3-5 inches wide and deep, can be formed in an existing building subterranean concrete floor, with the perimeter trough being immediately adjacent and extended along the foundation wall and the traverse trough connecting the perimeter trough to a nearby sump pit formed in the floor. Each trough can be formed by cutting narrow shallow grooves outlining its desired location, and then breaking away the concrete there between. Water seepage through the wall will collect in the perimeter trough and drain away via the transverse trough to the sump pit, eliminating water pooling on the building floor itself. The troughs can be covered by separate metal or plastic covers, secured by adhesives, sealants and/or nails relative to the floor and/or foundation wall.

1 . A system for collecting water seepage through a concrete foundation wall to minimize or prevent accumulation on an adjacent concrete floor, where a sump pit is formed in the floor spaced from the wall, comprising a perimeter trough formed in the concrete floor immediately adjacent the wall and extended along the wall, a transverse trough formed in the floor and extended between and connecting the perimeter trough and the sump pit, and separate covers mounted over the respective perimeter and transverse troughs. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , further including each separate perimeter trough cover being secured to the adjacent wall by one or more nails or the like being shot or otherwise being driven into the wall. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2 , further including each trough being of the order between 3-5 inches wide and deep. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , further including a sealant and/or adhesive being applied between the transverse trough cover and floor immediately adjacent the transverse trough for securing said cover over the trough. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , further including each trough being formed by cutting one or more narrow shallow groove(s) in the concrete floor outlining its desired location, and then breaking away the concrete next to and up to the groove(s). 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , further including each perimeter trough cover being generally “L” shaped with a horizontal leg and a vertical leg respectively abutting the floor and the adjacent wall, and means securing the vertical leg to the wall. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , further including said means securing the vertical leg to the wall being comprised as one or more nails or the like being shot or otherwise driven through the vertical leg and into the wall. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , further including each trough being of the order between 3-5 inches wide and deep. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 6 , further including a corner trough cover piece suited to fit across an interior 90 degree corner and having a single horizontal leg and two vertical legs angled at 90 degrees and meeting at a closed corner, the horizontal legs being sized to span the trough at an interior corner of the foundation wall and to overlie edge portions of the floor adjacent the trough, and the vertical legs being sized to overlie part of the foundation wall above the trough, and means to secure the corner piece relative to the foundation wall. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , further including the corner piece horizontal leg having openings therein overlying the trough, effective to allow a water hose or the like to be fitted through the opening for flushing out the trough with water discharged from the hose. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9 , further including the corner piece being secured to the adjacent wall by one or more nails or the like being shot or otherwise being driven through the vertical legs and into the wall.