Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Wall – ceiling – floor – or roof designed for ventilation or...
Utility Patent
1998-08-13
2001-01-02
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Wall, ceiling, floor, or roof designed for ventilation or...
C052S741400, C052SDIG001
Utility Patent
active
06167666
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to roof leak detection systems and in particular to an early warning leak detector that indicates the presence of a leak before substantial roof damage occurs.
2. Prior Art
Leaks in a roof are typically not detected until a significant amount of damage has occurred.
FIG. 1
is a cross-sectional view of a conventional roofing system. A substrate comprising of a sealed deck or substrate
10
or existing roof membrane. An insulation board
12
and a waterproof membrane
14
are positioned above the sealed substrate
10
. If a leak develops in the roof, water gathers above the sealed substrate
10
. Because the substrate
10
is sealed and water does not readily migrate therethrough, a building occupant will not be afforded an opportunity to apprehend that a roof failure has occurred. More particularly, the water leaking through the upper roof structure will be caught atop the sealed substrate and could puddle or even pond thereon for a long period of time. When failure of the substrate finally (and inevitably) occurs, a significant volume of water is available to do damage inside the building. Significant damage will also have been done to the roof material and structure during the time water was trapped above the sealed substrate. At this point a simple re-roofing job is not adequate; wet insulation is heavy and has virtually no insulative value. The existing roof must be torn off and the damage repaired. This takes place at large expense and could have been avoided if the building occupant were provided with a means to become aware of the roof failure earlier and before the destruction has magnified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the early warning leak detector of the invention. The early warning leak detector provides a simple and effective means by which a building occupant will become aware of a leak situation rapidly and before extensive, possibly irreparable damage results. The leak detector provides a through substrate pathway for water to migrate should water work its way through the upper roof structure. The pathway is connectable to a one way valve or a drain hose. While the valve is connected, a leak (generally small initially) will cause a drip that will no doubt be noticeable by someone within the building. Once notice is taken of the problem further drippage can be avoided simply and easily by detaching the one-way valve from the water pathway and attaching in its place a hose having an outlet directed to a suitable drain site. In another embodiment of the invention, the valve remains in place and a hose is provided a connection site independent of the position of the valve. Knowledge being had of the leak, a repair may be effected.
It is important to understand for purposes of this disclosure that the term sealed substrate may be a new structure that has been air sealed in some way or a new structure inherently air sealed or an existing roof being re-roofed where the existing roof will act as the sealed substrate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3710942 (1973-01-01), Rosenberg
patent: 3941149 (1976-03-01), Mittleman
patent: 3967197 (1976-06-01), Anderson
patent: 4110945 (1978-09-01), Sheahan
patent: 4317996 (1982-03-01), Davis
patent: 4535819 (1985-08-01), Atkinson et al.
patent: 4633899 (1987-01-01), Lord
patent: 5117597 (1992-06-01), Feller
patent: 5212927 (1993-05-01), Sheahan
patent: 5317852 (1994-06-01), Howland
patent: 5735091 (1998-04-01), Hawkins et al.
Cantor & Colburn LLP
Friedman Carl D.
Wilkens Kevin D.
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