Abstract: Abnormal flow of liquid in a non-pressurized conduit such as a drain line of a building is detected by a liquid level sensor unit connected at a conduit location not anticipated to fill with liquid during normal flow, so that liquid backing up at such location will enter a sensor chamber of the unit to cause a liquid level sensor to signal an indicator. A monitoring system uses at least one such sensor to signal at least one local or remote indicator that indicates which sensor has detected abnormal flow. The system can monitor for short times particular drain lines suspected of experiencing abnormal flow, or can serve on a long-term basis to provide an early warning of clogging and blockage in lines selected for monitoring.

Abstract: A method for alleviating seepage of water through the foundation and/or into the basement of a building includes procedures for digging a trench along an exterior wall of the building's foundation, treating the exposed exterior wall surface to diminish its water permeability, providing a properly configured footer drain tile system for ducting water away from the footer of the foundation wall, and carefully filling the trench with an arrangement of selected materials that perform in a synergistic manner to achieve a desired combination of objectives. The footer drain tile system is positioned in the trench at a level below the top of the basement floor of the building. The materials used to fill the trench include a tiered arrangement of gradated stones, clay and topsoil. The stones define a porous reservoir and are arranged in a gradation of sizes, with the largest stones in lower portions of the trench and adjacent the footer drain tile.

Abstract: An auxiliary drain line is laid in a trench which extends about lower foundation portions of an existing building but at locations preferably spaced several feet from the foundation. The newly laid auxiliary drain line is formed of perforate material which admits surrounding ground water, and is connected to a storm drain line that serves the building so that water which enters the auxiliary drain line is discharged into the storm drain line. A porous reservoir is formed in the trench to (1) duct ground water to the auxiliary drain line, (2) eliminate ground water pressure buildup in the vicinity of the foundation wall, and (3) provide a ground water reservoir during an excessively heavy rainfall when the storm drain line may be incapable of carrying away all of the accumulated waterfall. The auxiliary drain line is laid in the trench at a level below the top of the basement floor of the building.

Abstract: A method of overcoming the problem of water seeping into the basement of a dwelling or other structure includes procedures for treating a hollow basement wall and for treating the footer drainage tile system which extends perimetrically around the basement wall footer. Wall treatment is effected by pumping a hardenable filler material, in fluid form, into the hollow wall to fill and seal the hollow wall portions as the filler material hardens. The filler material also operates to fill and seal cracks formed in the outer surface of the wall.