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Case Study: LINK-SEAL® Prevents Groundwater Intrusion in School Facility
INDUSTRY
Education / Institutional – K–12 Facility Infrastructure
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Size: 4" and 6" Pipe PenetrationsTemperature: Ambient
Application: Pipe penetration sealing through poured foundation wall
Media: Tap water and groundwater
Pressure: 10 PSI
BACKGROUND
A K–12 school in New York faced persistent groundwater intrusion through pipe penetrations in its foundation wall. These penetrations were originally cast in place without proper sealing systems. Over time, seasonal temperature changes and pipe movement caused leaks, leading to water infiltration in the facility’s basement. A post-incident inspection resulted in fines and citations for building code violations, prompting the need for a permanent fix.
CHALLENGES FACED
The school had repeatedly attempted to mitigate the issue with grout, but the material cracked and failed under typical conditions. Continued leakage posed risks to infrastructure, including potential mold growth, structural damage, and further non-compliance penalties. Ongoing maintenance demands added cost and complexity, and the facility needed a solution that could perform under long-term exposure to subsurface moisture and thermal cycling.
SOLUTION AND BENEFITS
To solve the problem, the project team specified LINK-SEAL® Model S316 with Stainless Steel Hardware and Black EPDM, paired with on-the-face wall sleeves. This combination formed a long-lasting, watertight seal around the 4” and 6” pipe penetrations. The modular LINK-SEAL® design mitigated the previous pipe movement while maintaining a secure seal, even in environments with frequent temperature fluctuation.
Unlike grout, LINK-SEAL® is resistant to cracking and deterioration over time. Its proven performance in subsurface conditions helped the school prevent future leaks, avoid additional code violations, relieve pipe movement, and eliminate costly maintenance cycles. The upgrade restored confidence in the building’s infrastructure and created a safer, compliant environment for students and staff.
