Basement Guides

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Sump Pump

A sump pump is a drainage system used to keep basements from flooding. They remove water that comes in through drains or from the ground water swelling up beneath it. The sump pump itself is located in a pit where water collects and it automatically pumps that water out of the home and away from the foundation, protecting it from water damage.

Sump pumps are often confused with a sewage pumps. The difference is that a sewage pump removes solid and liquid waste from a home and leads it into the sewage system, whereas a sump pump can only handle clean ground water so its main function is to protect the foundation from excess water and basement flooding. Any solid debris can lead to blockage and cause a sump pump to malfunction.

Parts of a Sump Pump

Here are the main parts of a sump pump:

  • Motor

  • Discharge pipe

  • Switch

  • Check valve

  • Sump pit and liner

  • Sump cover

  • Impeller

  • Alarm

  • Housing

  • Power source

  • Motor

    The motor attached to the sump pump is what powers the pump. They come in many different horsepowers. Key features to consider when selecting one are the number of gallons it can pump per hour and its head pressure. Head pressure describes how high a pump can raise water, so be sure that the motor you purchase can accommodate the height of your sump pit and the full discharge pipe so that water can safely exit your home.

  • Switch

    When the water in the pit surrounding the sump pump reaches a specific level, the switch is what automatically turns it on. There are three different types:

    Tethered float switch: A tethered float has an attached bulb that floats on the water to signal when the pump should start and stop pumping. This is a good option for wider sump pumps.

    Vertical float switch: A vertical float switch has an attached rod that does the on and off signalling to the motor. This kind is better suited for narrower sump pumps.

    Electronic: This type of switch has a sensor that detects water levels electronically. This is a good fit for narrow sump pumps.

  • Sump Pit and liner

    A sump pit is a pit dug into your basement floor that the sump pump fits into.

    A sump liner, otherwise known as a sump basin, is a plastic container with holes in it that collects the water for the sump pump while sifting out debris.

  • Impeller

    This is the fanlike component in a centrifugal pump that spins to push water out of the sump pit and into the discharge pipes.

  • Housing

    The motor needs a protective housing to prevent it from getting wet. These often come in plastic, cast metal, and stainless steel.

  • Discharge Pipe

    The discharge pipe connects to the sump pump and leads the water away from the home’s foundation to protect it from water damage.

  • Check Valve

    This is located along the discharge tube and it prevents the water from flowing back into the sump pump when it stops or malfunctions.

  • Sump Cover

    An airtight cover on your sump pump will protect it from gathering debris that can cause blockage as well as prevent it from releasing radon into your home.

  • AlarM

    A sump pump alarm with notify you if water is overflowing out of the sump pit or if battery is low. This is very helpful since you may not discover the issue until much later without it, which can lead to more damage and expensive repairs for you.

  • Power Source

    The ideal power source for a sump pump is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet that is connected through a cord to its own specific circuit breaker. It is also smart to install a battery backup system in case you lose power to ensure that the sump pump continues doing its job.

How Sump Pumps Work

Wet basements are extremely common and if you have ever experienced any form of basement flooding, you know that it can lead to very costly repairs. One basement waterproofing method used to protect the structure of a basement as well as the belongings inside of it is to install a sump pump. Here is how a sump pump actually works to prevent water-related basement damage in a home:

  • 1.

    Water collects around a sump pump and into the sump pit it is located in.

  • 2.

    When water levels reach a certain point, the sump pump’s built-in switch automatically turns on the motor.

  • 3.

    The motor powers the pump that removes water out of the pit and pushes it through discharge pipes to a place away from your home and its foundation that can handle the excess water.

Types of Sump Pumps

The two main types of sump pumps are pedestal and submersible pumps. If you have had one type for a long period of time with no problems then you should continue with that style when you purchase your next one. Here is the difference between the two:

Submersible

A submersible pump is larger and sits down in the pit. It is protected by a waterproof housing.

Pedestal

A pedestal pump is tall and skinny with the motor high out of the pit. These tend to be less expensive than the submersible kind, but it can more easily overheat when it is overworked. They also tend to be louder due to the fact that the motor and pump are outside of the pit.

Sump Pump Installation

Sump pumps can be extremely useful in a home, especially if you have a wet basement problem. The easy way to handle installing a sump pump is to call in professionals to do it for you. If you want to attempt it yourself, here is how to install a sump pump:

  • Step 1:

    Find the proper location. Your sump pump should be located at the lowest point of your basement so that it is in a space that water will naturally drain toward. It should be 8 inches or more away from any foundation walls and near a GFCI outlet. Be aware of the location of your home’s sewer line and waterline so you do not accidentally drill into those.

  • Step 2:

    Purchase your sump pump and liner. The hole that you eventually dig should be 3 inches wider and 6 inches deeper than your sump pump liner.

  • Step 3:

    Dig the hole for your sump pump. The sump pump manufacturer will have a recommendation for how deep to dig your hole. Follow those instructions. One way to start is by jackhammering through the concrete and using a shovel to remove the chunks left behind. Then continue shoveling through the soil until you have a hole of the appropriate size.

  • Step 4:

    Add gravel. Add the liner to the hole you dug and put in several inches of gravel around it and at the bottom of it. You want the top of the liner to be level with your basement floor. Then cover the soil with more gravel, but make sure this still remains a few inches below the top of the floor. Then level it out.

  • Step 5:

    Cover the area with cement. Cover the gravel area surrounding the sump pump liner with concrete to seal the area and smooth it out.

  • Step 6:

    Install the sump pump. Attach a PVC adapter and PVC pipe (usually between 1.5 and 2 inches) to the pump so it is high enough to reach out of the sump pump liner. Then place the pump into the pit liner and install the cover.

  • Step 7:

    Install the check valve. This is an important step that will save your basement from back flowing water every time the sump pump turns off. This can mess with the switch and overwork your pump and actually ruin it before too long.

  • Step 8:

    Attach a discharge pipe line to the pump. You cannot connect a sump pump to your home’s plumbing system so you must lead the water outside away from your foundation. To do this, first add another PVC pipe above the check valve. Then drill a quarter inch hole through the rim joist from the outside of your home drilling in to avoid damage. On the indoor side, slide a PVC pipe horizontally through this hole and connect to the vertical PVC pipe that is connected to the sump pump. On the outdoor side, connect PVC pipes so the water travels to a good drainage area down and away from your home (at least 20 feet away). Use caulk to seal the space around the pipe on the indoor and outdoor openings.

  • Step 9:

    Plug it in. Plug the electrical cords leading from the pump into a GFCI outlet.

Sump Pump Cost

The price of a sump pump can range between $50 and $400. This can vary depending on the horsepower of the motor as well as the type of sump pump you choose. Pedestal sump pumps are usually the less expensive option over submersible sump pumps.

Sump pump installation on average costs around $1,100. There are a wide variety of factors that can affect this price including the type of floor you are working with (cement floor requires much more work than open dirt floors), if the location of your home’s plumbing creates more work/issues, where you live as prices fluctuate around the country, and if you are choosing the professional or DIY route.

If you hire professionals you will have to cover extra labor costs, but their experience may save you from future issues that could arise if not installed properly, so it is all up to personal opinion and confidence in your handiness. If you attempt to do it yourself, you will need to cover the costs of the materials as well as rental for any tools that you do not have, such as a jackhammer if you need to dig up concrete floors.

Sump Pump Maintenance

Sump pump maintenance is extremely important because a malfunctioning sump pump can lead to water flowing out of the pit and into your basement, causing problems like water damage and mold infestation. Here are some tips for making your sump pump as effective as possible for as long as possible:

  • 1.

    Sump pumps are only equipped to handle clean groundwater, so do not turn it into a drainage system for your washing machine water or any other appliances that discharge water.

  • 2.

    Regularly check to make sure there is no debris caught in the sump pit area. Do this by removing the pump and cleaning the bottom grate.

  • 3.

    Make sure the GFCI outlet and cord are working properly. If either of these are malfunctioning, you will need to replace them as soon as possible.

  • 4.

    Check to be sure that the pump is upright and level. After some use, it can start to tilt and prevent the switch from activating the pump.

  • 5.

    Check for any leaks in the pipes connecting the pump to the drainage outlet.

  • 6.

    Every so often pour some water into the pit to make sure that the pump automatically turns out to remove the water.

  • 7.

    Make sure your backup battery is still viable and fully charged so that you are covered in an emergency.

  • 8.

    Check for loud noises coming from your sump pump that were not there before. This could be a sign that parts are wearing down and need replacement.