Elevator Pit Waterproofing

Elevator Pits Should ALWAYS Be Dry

Much like basements, elevator pits – those concrete boxes at the bottom of the shaft below the elevator cars – are prone to water intrusion. But sitting water or even moisture in your elevator pit can cause rust and corrosion, and potentially damage the mechanics of your elevator.

Whether the elevator in your commercial building is a simple three-story hydraulic lift, a standard cable hoist, or a new carbon-fiber rope system, the elevator pit must be kept dry to ensure smooth operation.

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Faulty Waterproofing

If your elevator is showing signs of water intrusion, you need to determine where the leaks are.

Over time, joints around the elevator pit can develop cracks or the concrete may have imperfections that aren’t watertight. Without proper repairs, the problem will only get worse.

Water in your elevator pit can come from several sources:

• Groundwater – The elevator pit is beneath ground level where the soil is saturated. Depending on the season and weather, the water table can rise and lead to flooding.
• Perched water – Water that hasn’t been absorbed because the soil is saturated or impermeable can travel laterally into the elevator pit.
• Rain water – Rain can flow down through the soil and enter through cracks from a below-grade wall or the floor.

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Possible Solutions for Existing and New Pits

There are several different approaches to resolve or prevent water infiltration, depending on the local Building Department requirements.

For existing elevator pits:

• Hydrophobic grout injection – Waterproofing injected under the slab and behind the foundation wall.
• Crystalline coating – Install a crystalline coating to walls and floor that will penetrate into the concrete.
• Sump pump – Install a sump pump and core drainage

For new elevator pit construction:

• Waterproof the blind-side wall
• Waterproof the ground below the slab and over the footing

For either method, we follow all architectural specifications as described in the construction plan.

Dry Building Solutions can identify any potential problem areas in or around your elevator pit and provide you with recommendations based on our many years of experience.