Sealing pipe penetration

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Just bought a new to me house and have this gap around the sewage main. I can watch water seep in when it rains and it is collecting on top of vapor barrier. This is below grade, along a wall that faces the direction of weather.

I'd like to get a more permanent repair than spray foam but also don't want to be cutting the pvc as it's the far end of the crawlspace and only about 4 feet high. I intend to eventually clean it up down there and get new vapor barrier put down, and don't want to have it leak again

Any suggestions? Originally I was going to spray foam it or use hysrualic cement but everything I've researched seems to tell me water eventually breaks the foam down, and hydrualic cement cracks. Thought about digging outside and sealing it there somehow and maybe painting that liquid tar on it?

 

[BillK]

How big is the gap ? And how far below grade ?

 

[P0234]

If its a small gap, plumbers putty but there shouldn't be enough water against the foundation to push water in. How is the grading next to the house?

 

[kbs2244]

I agree that it sounds like too much water on the outside

the first thing to check is the downspouts
are they routed far enough away from the house

then the grading under any bushes next to the foundation
does it slope way from the house

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

The grading around the house needs worked and it does pool up in this area prev owner had 2 chunks of concrete pads there to put a garden hose reel.

I intend to build it back up but I also would still like to fill this gap

 

[TurnipTruck]

Dig it out and patch on the outside with hydraulic cement then black mastic. I then sloped some xps foam to add insulation and help direct ground water away from the foundation. Is the sewer main sleeved where it passes through the wall? There should be a Fernco sealing the main to the larger (grouted in) sleeve.

 

[67CarGuy]

If you can access the penetration on the exterior, that's your best bet for getting a permanent water-tight seal. There are various tapes available, depending on the substrate you're trying to adhere to. I'd look at a Zip tape or something similar. Here's a brief article that may be helpful: https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/ex...sealing-wall-penetrations-and-preventing-mold
I see that Zip also offers a flexible liquid flashing in a caulk tube, which may be easier to apply than a tape. Depends how large of a gap you're trying to seal up.

 

[jack stand]

Everyone above is saying;
Your problem is coming from outside! Fix the outside.
I agree.

 

[thammel]

I had a similar problem when I moved into my house 19 years ago. Here are my notes from 2005...not a drop since then! "Dug out under deck at rear where well line enters house. Did this because noticed small leak of rain water into house where well line penetrated wall. Dug hole down 36 inches large enough to stand in. Dug under well line enough so that I could clean cement wall and pack a mound of hydraulic cement around pipe (dry-loc brand). Noticed that a large chunk of original cement had fallen off the bottom side. Then loaded up roofing black tar cement on top of this cement. Put 60 pounds of sand under this area then filled hole back. August, 2005"

 

[housewolf]

If it just has to be water tight, link seal is the only solution I know of. Of course the hole or sleeve needs to be the correct size.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Is there a reason you chose sand over something like #57 gravel?

Did you dig down to the footer and back fill with sand and dirt or just a little under the intrusion.

I'm asking becuase pipe penetration is not much higher than the footer so I don't want to cuase settlement issues.

Sounds like way I might go pack with hydrualic cement paint some tar over it once it dries up back fill it.

 

[kbs2244]

"Sounds like way I might go pack with hydrualic cement paint some tar over it once it dries up back fill it"

if you hired it out, this is what you would get

 

[thammel]

Is there a reason you chose sand over something like #57 gravel?

Did you dig down to the footer and back fill with sand and dirt or just a little under the intrusion.

I'm asking becuase pipe penetration is not much higher than the footer so I don't want to cuase settlement issues.

Sounds like way I might go pack with hydrualic cement paint some tar over it once it dries up back fill it.

I used sand at the bottom of the hole I dug just to promote better drainage. Gravel would work also. If you are close to the footer, then I would dig a little outside the footer and put some gravel or sand.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

I used sand at the bottom of the hole I dug just to promote better drainage. Gravel would work also. If you are close to the footer, then I would dig a little outside the footer and put some gravel or sand.

Thanks for the info.

I may be over thinking it but what kind of sand did you use? I was thinking of just getting some all purpose sand sakrete/quickrete. Similar to this

https://www.lowes.com/pd/QUIKRETE-50-lb-All-Purpose-Sand/3048145

I don't think I should need much, how thick did you lay the sand down ?