A sump pump is an important component of any basement or crawl space drainage system. They prevent flooding in your home by pushing water out of your basement, away from the foundation or into your main sewer system.
Plumbing specialists recommend sump pump installations to help keep your basement and foundation dry from heavy rains and storms. They also prevent humidity in these areas.
Find the Right Location
If you want to protect your basement from water damage, you need a sump pump. It’s a two-part system consisting of a hole in the ground and a pump that removes water from the pit and discharges it outside.
Ideally, the sump pit should be located at the lowest point in your basement so water naturally flows to it. It should also be near an outside wall for easier placement of discharge pipes and close to a GFCI electrical outlet so you can plug the pump in.
The discharge pipe should be routed from the pump to a drain outside of your home, and it should not run directly into your foundation or be near any other buildings or landscaping. If you plan to discharge the water into your storm sewer, check with your city’s zoning or permitting office to make sure you’re allowed.
If you have a lot of gallons-per-hour to be removed by your sump pump, consider installing a backup battery-operated pump in case the primary one fails during a storm. Our inspectors will recommend the best back-up for your needs.
Dig the Hole
A sump pump is a great way to keep your basement dry and safe. Using special valves that sense water levels, the sump pumps away the excess water so it doesn’t re-inflate and pool around your home.
You need to dig a hole for the sump pit, so start by measuring the area where you want to put your pump. If you’re digging a hole on sloping ground, use a stake and string level to help you stay level.
Once you’ve dug the hole, place some coarse gravel in the bottom of it to promote good drainage and help water move into the sump liner rather than flowing into your basement. This will also make it easier to get the sump liner in and out of the hole.
You can also try drilling numerous holes in the sump liner to allow water to get in and out of the system. However, it’s important to note that the drilled holes should be smaller than the size of the gravel used.
Install the Pump
If you want to keep water from flooding your basement or crawl space, you need to install a sump pump. These pumps work to remove excess water from basements and crawl spaces and can help prevent leaks in the foundation.
Ideally, a sump pump will only run when a water level rises to a certain point. This is a great way to keep your home dry, especially if you live in an area that regularly rains or deals with flooding at high rates.
Once your new sump pump is installed, it’s a good idea to test it to make sure it works as it should. You can do this by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit until the float switch triggers.
Run the Pipe
A sump pump is an essential part of a basement’s drainage system. If yours isn’t working as it should, it can quickly overflow and cause serious damage to your home.
Once you’ve installed your pump, the next step is to run a pipe from the pit to the float valve and check valve. The float valve moves up and down with the water level in your sump, and the check valve channels water away from the pump and into a hose or discharge pipe.
Before you start running the pipe, be sure to test your float valve and make sure it’s free from obstructions. You may also want to install a weep hole, which drains excess water back into the sump.
