7 Tips on Sump Pump Installation

For frequent basement water leak problems, a sump pump installation may be the solution. Houses located on flat terrains are usually prone to basement flooding. Since a flat landscape does not provide that much opportunity for water to run off, basement flooding often occurs. Given that the ground is saturated, there is an increase in ground water pressure. This phenomenon forces the water to leak through the cracks and holes of the basement’s concrete. A “sump” refers to a hole dug through the floor of the basement. The sump drains all water flooding the basement floor and then pumps it out of the structure. Therefore, in order to avoid basement plumbing it is only necessary to install a sump pump. There are several things needed for sump installation.

Tips on Sump Pit Preparation

1. Before digging a sump, it is important to locate the sewer and water lines. This is important to avoid damaging any of the pipes when the sump is prepared.
2. Using a level, find out where is the basement floor’s lowest point. The sump pump should be positioned at this level. A sump’s position most ideal place will have to be near an electrical outlet or an exterior wall.  An electrical outlet is necessary because the pump needs electrical supply from a GFCI protected circuit. The location of the discharge pipe should also be determined. This will help route the sump pump’s pipe outside the house.
3. Prior to the installation a liner and a sump pump should be purchased. The liner of the sump pump will provide the template of the sump to be drilled in the basement floor. Liners are plastic tubs with punctured sides. These holes allow the water to run off outside the basement floor and the house.

Tips on Sump Pump Installation

1. The sump pump (normally a 1 ¼” PVC) and the discharge pipe should be connected together before installing both components into the sump pump pit. Levels should be checked. It is best to have plastic shims close.
2. In order to make room for the discharge pipe, it is necessary to drill a hole through the header joist or the rim. A pipe PVC pipe should be run through the hole. For a good set up, it is best to run about 3 to 4 inches of pipe inside the house while another 6 inches runs outside the house.
3. To make sure that the measures are correct it is important to dry fit the pipes. After dry fitting the pipes, sections can then be cemented.
4. To ensure that the pipe runs are supported, these sections should be connected to the joists or the walls.

These are just some of the tips to make sure that sump pump installation is done properly. It is still best to consult further with experts. Expert technicians can help guarantee that the installation won’t cause problems in the future.