Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

[TowerTalk] Tower base drainage problem

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower base drainage problem
From: K7LXC@aol.com (K7LXC@aol.com)
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 22:09:14 EDT
In a message dated 99-04-14 20:55:04 EDT, ko4mr@arrl.net writes:

> I recently installed a 30' Universal tower. Before pouring the concrete 
>  into the appropriately sized hole, I added several inches of crushed rock 
>  to the bottom of the hole for drainage of the base legs. Sometime after 
>  pouring the concrete, I noticed that two of the three bases legs (which 
are 
>  largely embedded in the concrete) were not draining. I could see water in 
>  the legs nearly up to the top, just below where the hinged base attaches 
to 
>  the bottom tower section..
>  
>  I'm assuming that in pouring the concrete, the contractor and I somehow 
>  managed to get some of it under the legs, even with the several inches of 
>  drainage rock, thus preventing adequate water drainage.
>  
>  My question is whether anyone has a feeling of how serious a problem this 
>  lack of water drainage is. Will this prolonged exposure of the steel legs 
>  to water likely cause any structural integrity problems?

      Bummer. About the only thing you can do now is to drill a small weep 
hole for water egress at the botoom of each leg. And pray you don't get any 
hard frosts. 

Cheers,   Steve    K7LXC

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>