How Truck Mods Can Prevent Property Damage

So Southern California is getting some badly needed rainfall - 3 days in a row - wow! For reference I grew up in the North East where we got a lot of rain so it's not anything new for me, but down here I don't think it's rained this much all at once in years. It gave me a surprise project tonight while I was sitting around trying to relax lol.



There was a bracket bolted to the basement wall at some point in the house where I live (rented basement apartment). I get a good deal on rent, but being in a basement I get to handle a fair share of plumbing and other issues (four brothers up stairs are on the high school wrestling team so it can get rowdy up there on my ceiling lol). Anyway this bracket wasn't installed very well and cracked the basement wall and punctured a hole that started to leak tonight. By the time I noticed it there was a little waterfall coming down the wall from the bolt hole that had caused the leak at over a gallon an hour. This room is where I have my home recording studio that I used to use for work and all of my school supplies.

I did the usual thing and got something to catch the water, but it was coming in so fast it was going to be a chore to keep replacing the receptacle. Out came the Gorilla Glue that I used for something on the truck (can't remember exactly). I squeezed a bunch into the hole and it stopped for awhile until the water pressure overcame the viscosity of the glue and poured through a cavity it formed.

Next came out the duct tape (I'm sure I've used this at least once on my truck) to hold the glue in place while it cured. This only held it temporarily.

Finally I busted out the 3M window sealer that I had left over from the old BHLM and shoved a bunch into the crack between the bracket and the wall.



The water kept pouring out so I thought maybe some heat would help the window seal smoosh (technical term) into the space. Out came the heat gun I just bought for heat shrink (going to be doing some fixin' on the cabin fan resistor). Water continued to pour out through the bottom and eventually even through the top of where I had sealed it. I hit it with the high setting on the heat gun and started to cook it on the outside. Got a nice aroma goin'.



Water was still coming in so I gave up and got a 5 gallon bucket. At least now the water was dripping far away enough from the wall it would go in the bucket instead of become a waterfall down the side of the wall.

Then something curious happened. The water stopped flowing out - it was barely even dripping. I guess maybe the Gorilla glue had finally cured enough to match the water pressure from outside! So far it's been almost an hour and no more leaking into my studio / school room. Yes! Obviously once it dries up that bracket's gotta come off and the concrete needs to be repaired, but tonight was victorious.

Thanks to stuff I had around the house from modding my truck the water is staying outside and I am nice and dry in here posting this lol.

 

Nice repair on the fly, but wtf was the bracket there for? How is it held to the concrete? I like repair puzzles, but this one has me scratching my head.

Ralph

 

Looks like an old sink mount.

 

Next time use some hydraulic cement (I think that's what its called) sold at home depot and similar stores.
You can put it on when there is still a leak
The stuff gets hot when mixed need gloves and cheap putty knife
I used it when I had water shooting out of my basement wall during a storm. Yup I live in N east
Works great about$10 permanent fix
I do like your quick fix

 

Thank you so much for the tip - I bought some in anticipation of my fix not lasting in the next big storm. Today I got to play with that stuff - good times. lol. I owe you.



We had two big storms - Friday and today (Sunday). Here's a pic from Friday at the high school where I work. Looks like our drought problems are being relieved a little this year. lol

 

You.....live down there?

 

I've been putting myself through school for 8 years. Finishing a master's degree this year... Family charges me only $200 to share a 2 bedroom apartment in their basement with their son. This is the only unfinished room - it's my "garage/workroom/music studio" That said it's actually where I spend 90% of my time at home when I'm not sleeping lol.

Man next time there's a leak I'll be working smarter not harder with all of these awesome products to use.

 

Aint looking for a tascam 8 track are ya?

 

I actually had one for about three years new in the box and never opened it (got it in a trade). Having a computer I can hook up to 1/4" and xlr with spoiled me lol. Good thing too because recording on tape is a lot harder than digital. I'm always really impressed when I listen to albums recorded on tape with analog mixers etc. Like putting a man on the moon back in the 60's and 70's - some smart people out there lol. Do you record music?

 

Sometimes.
This spare room is ever changing. A couple months out of the year its setup when I get in that mood to play again. Other times it setup for gaming and my racing sim stuff.

I still have my 1st 4 track tape recorder. Fostex X-28. Made many crappy demos with it and i recently found 2 12 pack corona boxes filled with all my stuff. (All recorded in 91-92). So that should be fun to go thru because most was never mixed down.

Never messed with the portastudio much.
Tascam dp02-cf. I like the cd quality of it. But kinda a hastle to transfer to computer and mix down stuff.

 

My X-28

 

Don't owe me anything, glad I could help
Getting pounded by rain here in Jerzey, think its the same storm that just flooded you