Water Main coming in through foundation help...

Hello:

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I did not see any foundation forums...

I have an issue with my water main piping coming through the foundation wall in my home (About 6 feet below grade).

Since we bought the home (over 20 years ago) the wall has been cracked and the piece connected to the pipe. It never really bothered me (out of sight out of mind) but I am trying to control the cricket population in my basement now. As you can see in the photo, one happened to photo-bomb me...

The pipe has looked like this since day one. Not sure about the oxidation being there when we bought it but I assume it was. The piping has been supported just past this since I think that was the main problem to begin with. Just have the issue with the hole.

My question is how to seal the hole. I was thinking of the following 3 options:
1- spray foam
2 - caulk
3 - concrete or mortar

Are any of these options better over the other? Or any alternative that is best?

I should add that the pipe looks wet where I rubbed it with my finger. Just rubbed off some oxidation, it is not wet...

Also, is it okay to just leave that piece of stone attached to the pipe. No way I want to try to knock it off. Afraid of rupturing the pipe...

 

I would get a piece of flexible tubing with an ID a little larger than the OD of the pipe, slit it lengthwise and slide it over the pipe and as far out (the hole) as you can get it to go.

Then clean and dampen the area and use hydraulic cement to patch the opening. The sleeve will help protect the pipe. The hydraulic cement expands a bit as it sets to tightly seal the opening. You have to work quickly or do it in small batches as once you mix it, it sets quickly.

It will be a lot easier if you remove that chunk of block first, but I understand your hesitance. Try breaking off small pieces with a pair of channelocks or similar. The pipe should be hard copper, it will tolerate some abuse.

 

not sure how much that flexible tubing will fit into this hole. It looks big on the wall side but shrinks right down when in. Probably only an inch or two ill slide in around it. If that...

 

just got the cement that was on the pipe off. Looks like the pipe is damp/wet deep in the wall. Must be from the ground water. Never seen any water coming down the wall or on the floor...
Looks like I can get the tubing around the pipe pretty deep but how does that stop water from coming between the pipe and the tubing?

 

The cement will compress the tubing when it expands and should seal quite well (certainly better than you have now!). You want the isolation between the pipe and masonry as direct contact can lead to corrosion over time.

There are purpose made pipe sleeves that actually have a compression seal; there's a nut you tighten after installation that squeezes an o-ring tight to the pipe. But they have to be slipped over the pipe during installation so it wouldn't work for you.

 

thanks for all the help!

There's no way to get a sleeve all the way down the hole. Is this going to be a problem? I don't want to dig up the soil outside.
Can I just use some flex tubing cut down the side and wrap it around the pipe as far as it can go and then fill with hydraulic cement?
I assume some cement will contact the tubing deep in the hole...

maybe something like this at my local HD...

 

Many, many houses were built with no sleeve at all the way yours was and most of the time it is not problem. The sleeve is just best practice now. I wouldn't worry about it not reaching all the way, just insert as far as you can. I'd be inclined to use something more like soft smooth tubing that you can buy by the foot at the box stores, and just cut a slit in it lengthwise. It will seal better against the pipe.

 

Thanks!
so something like a PVC Braided Vinyl Tube? That is the only thing I saw at my local HD with a 1" ID...

 

Yes, that would be fine .