Early warning leak detector

• US 6,167,666 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kelly, Thomas L.
• Original Assignee: Kelly, Thomas L.
• Inventors: Kelly, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, KEVIN DOUGLAS
• Application Number:
  US09/132,805
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 523/021, 523/026, 527/411, 527/413, 527/414, 52D/IG.12
• US Class Current: 52/302.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/006 Provisions for detecting water leakage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/12 Temporary protective expedient

Abstract

An early warning leak detector. The early warning leak detector is placed in a hole is formed in the sealed deck of a roof. The early warning leak detector has an exterior shell having a nipple for connecting the early warning leak detector to a hose. Located within the exterior shell is a one way valve. The one way valve allows water to pass through the early warning leak detector while maintaining any negative pressure between the roof deck and the roof membrane.

Claims

1. A roofing system comprising:

a sealed substrate having a hole formed therein;

a waterproof membrane positioned above said sealed substrate;

an early warning leak detector having an exterior shell and a flange extending radially outwardly from said shell, said flange having an adhesive placed on a planar surface thereof and attaching said flange to said sealed substrate within said hole, said leak detector further including a one way valve positioned within said shell.

2. A roofing system of claim 1 wherein the sealed substrate is a water resistant layer above a roof deck.

3. The roofing system of claim 1 wherein said exterior shell comprises a nipple for connecting the early warning leak detector to a hose.

4. The roofing system of claim 1 wherein said one way valve is connected to said exterior shell.

5. A commercial roof early warning leak detector comprising:

an external shell having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface defining a water passage conduit;

a flange attached to said exterior surface of said shell proximate said first end and extending radially outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from said exterior surface;

a one way valve lacking an external closure bias mounted to said interior surface proximate said second end allowing easy fluid movement in a direction from said first end through said second end and preventing movement in a direction from said second end through said first end;

a nipple adapted for connection to a hose formed in said shell at said second end of said shell.

6. A commercial roof early warning leak detector as claimed in claim 5 wherein said flange includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface said second planar surface being closer to said second end of said shell than said first planar surface, said second surface having an adhesive thereon.

7. A commercial roof early warning leak detector as claimed in claim 6 wherein said adhesive is waterproof adhesive.

8. A method for clearing ponding water from a roof comprising:

applying a sealant to a water displacement structure;

urging said structure against said roof and displacing water from an area corresponding to said structure;

accessing said roof through said structure; and

installing a draining structure within said water displacement structure and through said roof.