Waterproofing and moisture control insulation

Abstract

Described is moisture-controlling insulation apparatus that allows water and moisture to move from the space between an interior and exterior wall of a building to a drainage system. The water moves along a series of interconnecting channels in the apparatus. The channels are configured such that water will not settle in the channels before reaching the drainage system.

1 .  1 . A moisture-controlling insulation apparatus for a building comprising:
 a series of rectangular foam boards and a drainage system;   wherein the rectangular foam boards are primarily composed of extruded polystyrene and include two oppositely facing surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, each surface being configured to abut a wall surface, and four edges that form four sides of the rectangular shape of each board;   wherein the front surface of the rectangular foam boards include a series of channels where each channel is configured to begin at an edge of each foam board and end at a different edge of each foam board such that each channel begins at a point where a channel on another board begins, allowing water to flow from one foam board to another.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the series of channels is configured to form a diamond-shaped lattice on the front surface of the foam boards. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channels have a square-shaped cross-section such that each side of the square-shaped cross-section has a length of about one inch. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the foam boards further include a channel along each of the four edges of each foam board. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a second series of rectangular foam boards;
 wherein the second series of rectangular foam boards are primarily composed of extruded polystyrene and include two oppositely facing surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, each surface being configured to abut a wall surface, and four edges that form four sides of the rectangular shape of each board;   wherein the front surface of the second series of rectangular foam boards include a series of channels where each channel is configured to begin at an edge of each foam board and end at a different edge of each foam board such that each channel begins at a point where a channel on another board begins, allowing water to flow from the one foam board to another; and   wherein the front surface of each of the foam boards of the second series of rectangular foam boards is secured to the rear surface of the foam boards of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a second series of rectangular foam boards
 wherein the second series of rectangular foam boards are primarily composed of extruded polystyrene and include two oppositely facing surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, each surface being configured to abut a wall surface, and four edges that form four sides of the rectangular shape of each board;   wherein the front surface of the second series of rectangular foam boards include a series of channels where each channel is configured to begin at an edge of each foam board and end at a different edge of each foam board such that each channel begins at a point where a channel on another board begins, allowing water to flow from the one foam board to another; and   wherein the rear surface of each of the foam boards of the second series of rectangular foam boards is secured to the rear surface of the foam boards of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a drainage system, wherein the drainage system includes at least one pipe located underground, proximal to a building's foundation and also proximal to the series of foam insulation boards,
 where each pipe is configured such that water flows from the series of foam insulation boards into each pipe and then away from a building.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a drainage system, wherein the drainage system includes gravel located underground, proximal to a building's foundation and also proximal to the series of foam insulation boards,
 where the gravel is configured such that water flows from the series of foam insulation boards into the gravel and then away from a building.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a drainage system, wherein the drainage system includes a pumping system configured to pump water that has flowed through the series of foam insulation boards from a building. 
     
     
         10 . A moisture-controlling insulation apparatus for a building comprising:
 at least one rectangular foam board primarily composed of extruded polystyrene that includes two oppositely facing surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, each surface being configured to abut a wall surface, and four edges that form the sides of the rectangular shape of the board;   wherein the front surface of the rectangular foam board includes a series of channels where each channel is configured to begin at an edge of the rectangular foam board and end at a different edge of the rectangular foam board.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the series of channels is configured to form a diamond-shaped lattice on the front surface of the rectangular foam board. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each channel has a square-shaped cross-section such that each side of the square-shaped cross-section has a length of about one inch. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the rectangular foam board further include a channel along each of the four edges of the rectangular foam board. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including at least a second rectangular foam board;
 wherein the second rectangular foam board is primarily composed of extruded polystyrene and include two oppositely facing surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, each surface being configured to abut a wall surface, and four edges that form four sides of the rectangular shape of each board;   wherein the front surface of the second rectangular foam board includes a series of channels where each channel is configured to begin at an edge of the rectangular foam board and end at a different edge of the second rectangular foam board; and   wherein the front surface of the second rectangular foam board is secured to the rear surface of the rectangular foam board of  claim 10 .   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including at least a second rectangular foam board;
 wherein the second rectangular foam board is primarily composed of extruded polystyrene and include two oppositely facing surfaces, a front surface and a rear surface, each surface being configured to abut a wall surface, and four edges that form four sides of the rectangular shape of each board;   wherein the front surface of the second rectangular foam board includes a series of channels where each channel is configured to begin at an edge of the rectangular foam board and end at a different edge of the second rectangular foam board; and   wherein the rear surface of the second rectangular foam board is secured to the rear surface of the rectangular foam board of  claim 10 .   
     
     
         16 . (canceled)