Installing Sump Pump without Perimeter Drain??

As part of my basement rehab project I've been considering installing a sump pump. Our basement does not have water problems (anymore). I installed gutters, re-graded the soil against the house, and installed window wells. The basement is now dry as a bone, or as dry as a 1900 fieldstone basement is going to be.

The only time we have even a minor issue now is when we get some serious spring rains combined with a big snow melt. It has only happened once but two years ago we had a big snow melt with warm temperatures and 10+ inches of rain over two weeks. No water made it into the basement but there were two spots that were starting to look wet because the water was wicking to the surface. I could also see standing water about 6" below the surface through a hole intentionally left in the corner of the basement to let the water drain to.

There is no perimeter drain, internal or external to speak of. That said, would it still be worth it to install a sump pump? In the event of a high water table will the water be able to make it to the sump pump? Or will the sump pump just pump the water out of the hole and thats about it?

Thanks!

 

I had an older house (1920s construction, also fieldstone foundation), and during times of heavy, long lasting rain,as the water table rose, water would come up through the seams in the concrete floor, never getting deep, and usually staying in small puddles at and around the seams. I dug a 3.5' deep pit, lined it with a perforated metal "sump pit liner", added a pump, and ran the discharge pipe out to the street, where the water could drain/run downhill towards a culvert. I watched, during the next prolonged heavy rain, as the pit filled halfway, and the pump emptied it out-an ongoing cycle- but the water never came up through the floor seams.

 

My house was built in 1963 and has a stone base(p-gravel) for the floor slab, I know because I installed a sump. If you have stone under the slab, there is someplce for water to run, and a sump might work. If not, I doubt it will do much.

 

Bigold -

To install a sump pump without drain tile, cut a hole in the slab about 12" wider than the sump you buy. Drill 1/4" holes in the sides of the sump to admit water.

If possible line the hole with filter fabric, set the sump in with the top 3-4" below the floor and then fill the gap between the sump and the fabric with a mixture of pea rock(3/8") and coarse sand. Then, mix up a bag or so of concrete mix and top off the rock/sand fill and OVER the top of the sump, but inside the lid that may be supplied. It finishes it off and prevents the sump from floating if the holes may get clogged (I tend to over-do things). Then install a pump with a check valve above floor level, but as close to the floor as possible. - Run it out to wherever is acceptable.

Dick

 

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'm still in Sump-Pump 101 but let me know if I have this right.

I need some way to get the water to the sump pump. Ideally some sort of drainage system would be best, but even the stone underneath the concrete will work.

Only once have I seen the water table get high enough to reach the bottom of the concrete slab, so unless there is an epic storm/melting situation then the crushed rock (if any) won't do much for drainage.

I guess I am asking....does having a sump pump in the ground with no drainage whatsoever sound like a waste of money? Will the pump be able to lower the water table at all?

Thanks!

 

A sump pump alone in the basement will not eliminate\drastically reduce your high water table issue by itself. However, a sump pump in the basement with(at lowest point-use a marble in the basement to figure out where the low point is) and with crushed stone underneath WILL HELP reduce the water presure under your foundation, and will help alleviate some of the high water table around your house perimeter.

I live in a high-water table area. I have a sump pump that is active year round, but mostly during spring rain season. Yes, it pumps out alot of water, without any drainage pipes. However, during the last Irene storm. I still got about 4" of water in basement. I'm currently planning to effectively reduce the water table height by installing a perforated pipe (externally around most of the house)and directing the water to an external sump pump. This will reduce the high water table.

good luck with your project.