Plug and plate for waterproofing and method for using same

Abstract

An open vent plug minimizes blockage within a second hole drilled in a basement wall to minimize back pressure within the wall and insure ventilation through cells within the wall to drive water into a bleeder hole. The open vent port has a hole therethrough that forms an opening joining the cells and atmosphere. The vent port preferably has a screened opening at one or both ends to prevent debris from blocking the second hole, and sidewalls of the open vent port prevent the wall from crumbling into the hole and blocking airflow therethrough.

1 . A method for waterproofing a below- or at-grade room comprising installing an open vent port for insertion comprising:
 an elongated body having an open channel extending longitudinally therethrough that joins two open ends;   a screen spanning the open channel;   a convex annular first lip extending from the end with the screen towards the end without the screen; and   a convex annular second lip extending from the body located between the two open ends, the second lip having a first end with a first diameter and a second end with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the first end being arranged closer to the convex first lip than the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the screen is located proximate to at least one of the two open ends. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a convex third lip extending from the body located between the convex first lip and the convex second lip. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lips are convex in opposite directions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a second screen spanning the open channel. 
     
     
         7 . The open vent port of  claim 6  wherein the second screen is located at the end of the body opposite the end with the screen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an end proximate the screen has a larger circumference than the other end. 
     
     
         9 . The open vent port of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is 1.25 inches long. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body, convex annular first lip, and convex annular second lip are comprised of a single piece of polyethylene, and wherein the convex annular first lip and convex annular second lip are convex in opposite directions from one another 
     
     
         11 . A method of waterproofing a below- or at-grade room having a floor and walls having an open cell therein, the method comprising the following steps:
 forming a trench through the floor adjacent to the wall;   drilling at least one bleeder hole into the wall into the open cell;   drilling at least one second hole into the wall into the open cell;   installing an open vent port comprising
 an elongated body having an open channel extending longitudinally therethrough that joins two open ends; 
 a screen spanning the open channel; 
 a convex annular first lip extending from the end with the screen towards the end without the screen; and 
 a convex annular second lip extending from the body located between the two open ends, the second lip having a first end with a first diameter and a second end with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the first end being arranged closer to the convex first lip than the second end into the wall; 
   wherein the second hole relieves back pressure through the bleeder hole when water flows from the open cell through the bleeder hole;   wherein the second hole provides ventilation to the open cell.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bleeder hole is drilled into the wall in an area within the trench. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wall comprises multiple stacked blocks, each having the open cell, wherein adjacent blocks' cells form at least one larger open cell within the wall, and wherein the bleeder hole and the second hole both communicate with the larger open cell. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising multiple bleeder holes, second holes, and open vent ports. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of installing stone into the trench. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of installing a perforated pipe within the trench, and wherein the stone covers the perforated pipe. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the perforated pipe directs water from within the trench outside of the room. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of installing a vapor barrier material that covers the trench. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of covering the trench is covered with a cement mixture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the open vent port further comprises a first lip extending from at least one of the two open ends away from the body, and the lip extends outside of the wall.