Flood-resistant weep hole apparatus, systems, and methods

Abstract

This disclosure provides for a valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid through a weep hole, including a flow regulator positioned within the weep hole. The flow regulator has an open position where fluid is allowed to flow through the weep hole, and a closed position where fluid is prevented from flowing through the weep hole. Also provided is a building having a plurality of flow regulators positioned relative to external sheathing of the building to regulate flow between a wall cavity of the building and an external environment. Additionally, a method for regulating the ingress and egress of fluid through external sheathing of a building is provided. The method includes positioning a plurality of flow regulators relative to external sheathing, and regulating flow between the wall cavity and an external environment using the flow regulators.

1 . A valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid through a weep hole, the valve assembly comprising:
 a flow regulator fluidically coupled with a weep hole to regulate flow of fluid through the weep hole, wherein the flow regulator has an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position fluid is allowed to flow through the weep hole, and wherein in the closed position fluid is prevented from flowing through the weep hole.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly includes a conduit positioned through the weep hole and a valve fluidically coupled with the conduit, wherein the valve has an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position fluid is allowed to flow through the weep hole, and wherein in the closed position fluid is prevented from flowing through the weep hole. 
     
     
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         6 . The valve assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the valve is a ball valve, a fill valve, a check valve, a gate valve, or a cylinder valve. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fill valve includes a chamber fluidically coupled with the conduit and with the external environment, and a fill valve member positioned within the chamber, wherein, when a sufficient volume of water enters the chamber the water buoyantly lifts the fill valve member until the fill valve member fluidically isolates the chamber from the conduit. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fill valve member includes a float having a cavity and a sealing member positioned on the float, wherein when the sufficient volume of water enters the chamber the water buoyantly lifts the float until the seal member fluidically isolates the chamber from the conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The valve assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the fill valve has cracking pressure ranging from 0 to 0.5 psi. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The valve assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the check valve includes a valve seat and a valve member, wherein the valve member is biased to the open position, and wherein the valve member is responsive to pressure in the external environment such that sufficient pressure results in the valve member engaging with the valve seat to close the check valve. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The valve assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the check valve includes a swellable member positioned within the conduit or within a chamber fluidically coupled with the conduit, wherein the swellable member swells in the presence of water and shrinks upon drying, wherein when the swellable member is swollen the conduit is fluidically isolated from the external environment, and wherein when the swellable member is shrunk the conduit is fluidically coupled with the external environment. 
     
     
         16 . The valve assembly of  claim 15 , wherein, in the shrunken state, gaps are present between the swellable member and the chamber or conduit facilitating the flow of water thereabout. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         20 . The valve assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the check valve has a cracking pressure ranging from 0 to 0.5 psi. 
     
     
         21 . The valve assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an electrical controller coupled with the valve and positioned to open and close the valve, wherein the valve is electronically actuable; and   a sensor in data and electrical communication with the controller, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of water transmit data signals to the controller indicating the presence of water, and wherein the controller is configured to open or close the valve in response to the data signals from the sensor.   
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         24 . The valve assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the valve is remotely actuable to open and close. 
     
     
         25 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly includes a swellable member positioned within the weep hole, wherein the swellable member swells in the presence of water and shrinks upon drying, wherein when the swellable member is swollen the weep hole is sealed, and wherein when the swellable member is shrunk the weep hole is fluidically coupled with the external environment. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         29 . The valve assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the swellable member is positioned within a permeable pocket or bag that is positioned within the weep holes. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A building comprising:
 an internal wall at least partially defining an interior environment of the building;   an external sheathing;   a cavity positioned between the external sheathing and the internal wall; and   a plurality of flow regulators positioned relative to the external sheathing to regulate flow between the cavity and an external environment.   
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         35 . The building of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 weep holes through the sheathing, wherein the weep holes are positioned at a height on the building that is above the flow regulators;   a water-proofing material coated onto the external sheathing; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
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         48 . A method for regulating the ingress and egress of fluid through an external sheathing of a building, the method comprising, in a building including an internal wall at least partially defining an interior environment of the building, an external sheathing, and a cavity positioned between the external sheathing and the internal wall:
 positioning a plurality of flow regulators relative to external sheathing of a building; and   regulating flow between the cavity and an external environment using the flow regulators.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein positioning each flow regulator includes positioning a conduit through the external sheathing and fluidically coupling a valve with the conduit. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein regulating the flow between the cavity and the external environment includes opening the valves to allow fluid to flow through the valves and exit the cavity into the external environment, and closing the valves to prevent fluid from flowing through the valves and entering the cavity from the external environment. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the valves are closed during the occurrence of flooding. 
     
     
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