Has anyone use the polyuathane can spray foam around your water line that comes through a 3 inch pvc sleeve to stop rain from coming through. I really don't favor digging two feet down and disturbing the waterline. Don't want to hit water line and make more work. It comes into the crawlspace so all I have to do is shoot a little foam and let it expand. I think it will work but I was wondering if anyone else has tried this.
spray foam
- Thread starter mechanic
- Start date
- Views: 1121
RNeumann
Elite Member
You can but it isn’t the best choice. They make a putty for that issue. It’s more commonly used around electrical wires in conduit but it is the same concept for your situation.
RNeumann
Elite Member
Rustyiron
Super Member
I would think that depending on the hydrostatic pressure outside that the can foam may not work but you did say it was only down 2 feet. I'd go with the "thumb gum" that RN mentioned. If that does not work it will be easy remove where the foam will not and make your next try that much harder.I was thinking "Rocktite" an expanding Hydraulic cement that's available at most h/w stores and for sure at HD & Lowes and it can be done with the pipe(s) being wet. Cheaper than a can of foam also.
/pine
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
- Messages
- 12,450
If you go with a spray foam be sure it is "closed cell" type...otherwise it will absorb water...
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Get the green can that's called Pestblock. I've tried every type that they have and the Pestblock is by far the best that they have out there in my opinion. The cleaner the opening, the better it will work. Blast it with an air hose if you can, or use a shop vac to get everything out of there before using the foam. You probably wont use very much of it, so think of where else you can use up the rest of the can. Once used, it doesn't work very well in a week or two.
PILOON
Super Star Member
How about using the foam and then topping it with silicone or some other sealer? should do the trick!
If he were to do that, I would feel more comfortable having the silicone on the side of the foam that faces water and dirt, not on the inside surface he can reach. I don't know if he could jam a piece of hose on the end of a caulking gun long enough to get most/all of the way back. Whole point of the foam is it would expand where it needs to go without having to get super crazy.
If it is rain running across the ground or off the roof that is pooling up next to the house before it soaks down and runs in, it can help a lot to add enough dirt next to the house to create a slope out for several feet (ideally, slope until it runs away somewhere else but a few feet is better than nothing). If you can dig a swale (shallow ditch) along the house and "daylight" it further away, that also works (great tractor project!). I am amazed at the number of people who complain about leaky basements have yards that slope down toward the house. Sometimes it is even "Oh, there use to be a ditch there but I filled it in to make the yard even..."
If you have gutters, extended downspouts and splash blocks help. 3 of my 4 downspouts have horizontal extensions at least 2 feet long. The 4th ends in a drain tile and goes out to a dry well.
If it is rain running across the ground or off the roof that is pooling up next to the house before it soaks down and runs in, it can help a lot to add enough dirt next to the house to create a slope out for several feet (ideally, slope until it runs away somewhere else but a few feet is better than nothing). If you can dig a swale (shallow ditch) along the house and "daylight" it further away, that also works (great tractor project!). I am amazed at the number of people who complain about leaky basements have yards that slope down toward the house. Sometimes it is even "Oh, there use to be a ditch there but I filled it in to make the yard even..."
If you have gutters, extended downspouts and splash blocks help. 3 of my 4 downspouts have horizontal extensions at least 2 feet long. The 4th ends in a drain tile and goes out to a dry well.
