How to Install a Sump Pump

A sump pump is a device used to get rid of water accumulated in the sump pit. A sump pit is a low hole, most often located in the basement of the house, to collect unwanted water. This unwanted water may seep into the basement owing to rain, natural underground source of water, perimeter drains of basement waterproofing, etc. It is noticed that this problem occurs mostly when the basement is below the water table level. Other than to stop basement flooding, basement sump pumps are also used to treat dampness in areas wherein the foundation is below the water table. These pumps facilitate removal of water, and transport it to areas such as municipal drain or dry well. As they are smaller than sewage pumps, and hence easy to install.

Types of Sump Pumps

There are two types of sump pumps:

• A submersible sump pump is set at the bottom of the sump pit. As it is submersed in the water, it is known as submersible pump. The valve which floats on the surface of the water, activates the pump when it detects a rise in the water level.
• In pedestal sump pumps, the motor doesn't come into direct contact with the water as it is mounted at the top of the standpipe. Like the submersible pumps, even pedestal pumps are activated by the float valve on the water surface.

Though less expensive, pedestal pumps are more noisy than submersible pumps, particularly because the motor is located outside the water.

Installing a Sump Pump

In order to install this pump, you need to have a sump pit. The sump pit should be located at the lowest point in the basement, near one of the exterior walls of the house. A location near electrical outlet can be advantageous, as the pump has to be plugged into a GFCI protected unit. While digging a sump pit make sure that you don't damage sewer or water pipes beneath the ground. It is also important to plan the route of the discharge pipe, before installing a sump pump. While digging the sump pit, you will require a sump liner, a tub with holes to facilitate water seeping, which will help you to figure out the size of the sump pit. Mark the area to be dug by placing sump liner on the ground and use a hammer to break the concrete floor. Then dig a hole of about 24 inches, or depth suggested by the manufacturer, and fit the liner inside it.

Use concrete to seal the edges of the liner and cut it to the level of the floor. Before planting the sump pump in the pit, attach the discharge-pipe to the pump. Use a drilling machine to drill a hole through the header or the rim to accommodate the discharge pipe. Approximately, 6 inches of pipe should be left outside, while 4 inches should be left inside. Cut this pipe and attach it to the discharge pipe installed through the wall. After ensuring that the lengths are correct, cement the sections of the pipe. If necessary, support the pipe by fixing it to the wall. On the outer side of the house, caulk the discharge pipe and attach a pipe to take the water at least 10 feet away from the foundation of your house. Follow the directions given by the company to adjust the float valve. You can check whether the sump pump is working properly by pouring a few gallons of water.

Water saturation can create many problems, a prominent one being, making the surroundings damp, especially in flat terrains which do not facilitate water runoff, and thus lead to water saturation. Sump pump installation can help a great deal in getting rid of this nuisance, and therefore is a must-have for all the households.