How to Make a Sump Pump Pit

A sump pump pit is a crucial part of your sump pump. It will be able to get rid of any unwanted excess water that may gather in the crawl space or even in your basement. This water can cause a lot of problems with the interior of your home. You may find that you may over time have mold issues which can be very hazardous to your health. A sump pump pit installed with your sump pump will help to prevent this from becoming an issue.

Step 1 – Find the Problem Spot

You will need to have your sump pump pit in the location where the water tends to build up the most. This will help the sump pump pit to properly do its job. Even after you have picked the spot, you will still need to be sure that you have no drain lines or utility lines that are nearby. If the water tends to build up around this area, then you should get as close to the area as you can while still steering clear of the lines. If you are unsure about if the area has these lines then you can proceed, but do so slowly and very carefully.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to location is to make sure that the sump pump pit is not near any outside openings. The reason for this is because the temperature is going to be a lot colder and could end up resulting in freezing either the pit or the pump.

Step 2 – Digging

When you are digging for the pit, you will need to do it about 2 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet deep. Be sure that there are not large rocks or roots or any other types of obstructions in the way. If need be, you may taper the walls of your pit somewhat.

In order to get an exact idea of what the actual size of the hole needs to be, you will need to base it on the size of the liner that you are going to be installing.

Step 3 – Liner Insertion

When you are inserting the liner, you will need to look to be sure that the liner fits smooth and that it is level. All of the voids that surround the pit will need to be filled with dirt. Do this as needed until it is all completely filled. This will help to secure the liner in its place. It is very important that the liner is kept level throughout this entire process. If done correctly, this liner will allow water to pass but will block all forms of debris and dirt. This is what keeps your sump pump working well over time. Dirt and other debris can do quite a bit of damage to your sump pump.

Step 4 – Additional Tips

It is important that if you already have the pump installed that the liner fits it properly. You will want to have at least 1 inch clearance on every possible side of the sump pump.