Self-Install a Sump Pump
Posted: Thursday, March 02, 2006
by Kelli Miguez
http://blog.hellokelli.com
Many homes with basements have a moisture problem. In its worst form, flooding of the basement can occur. The good news is that basement flooding is easily remedied with he installation of a sump pump in the basement. A sump pump will suction away water that collects in a sump pit via a motorized pump.
Sump pumps are easy to install and any do-it-yourselfer with a little motivation can install a sump pump on their own.
First choose a location in the basement where water tends to collect (especially if the floor has a slope). It is also important the location is close to a GFVI (ground fault interrupter outlet). Once content with a location, dig a hole 6 inches deeper and 10 inches wider than the sump tank, which sometimes come with the sump pump. If not, simply buy a 20 or 30 gallon tank from the home improvement store. If the basement floor is cement, a jackhammer will be needed to dig the hole. Put 6 inches of gravel into the bottom of the hole and place the tank into the hole, on top of the gravel. Pour more gravel around the edges of the hole between the wall of the sump tank and the wall of the hole so that the tank is level. Make sure the lip of the tank is about 2 inches between the level of the floor.
Step 2- Attach the Pump
The next step involves attaching the pipes from the pump to the drainage system. Make sure to install a check valve that specifically for vertical operation.
Step 3- Finishing Off
Once all the pipes are connected, finish off the sump pit with cement where the jackhammer tore into the cement. Then place a sump cover over the tank and plug the sump pump into the GFCI outlet. Test it out by dumping a bucket of water into the pit to verify it is working properly.
For more sump pump resources, like how to maintain or fix a sump pump, check out Sump Pumps Information.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)A little more info on picking a location would be helpful. How close is too close to a load bearing wall? Also, should the drain pipe exit the basement wall through the wood siding above ground or through the concrete block below ground? Assuming the pipe exits above ground, I'm guessing that the check valve should be placed at the bottom of the vertical pipe to keep the water from running back down, correct?
Some illustrations would be helpful. Plus hints on picking the correct location and how to channel the water into the sump.
If your basement floods infrequently due to sepage from high water tables, the location of the sump pit is not a big factor. The sepage will continue, but the damage will be much less.
Decent article, but not enough detail. This "solution" will still leave you with a damp wet basement since there is no drain tile installed.
the basement has a dirt floor but still needs a sump pump because the furnace is down there, how deep below the dirt should the tank be installed
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