Hello,

I just have a question regarding sump pump holes.

I have a 72 year old house with an unfinished basement. There is this big square hole in the middle of it with the sump pump sticking out. Now we have been getting a lot of rain latley and the rats are coming out of the sub stations. I was wondering what is to stop them from coming up this big hole in my floor?? Should I cover it up some how???


Please tell me how this sump pump works?? Where is the water coming from?? Why is it only in that hole?? If I knew any thing about this hole I might sleep better at night.

Thank you.
Dawn.

 

The hole, or sump, collects water from small trenches or perforated pipes buried in gravel around the perimeter of a basement or crawlspace by gravity flow.
The buried drain pipes could be inside, but are most likely outside. The sump is usually located at the lowest point in the basement or crawlspace. If the basement or crawlspace is level, it can be located anywhere.
A sump pump has a float switch to automatically turn it on to pump the collected water out when it reaches a certain level in the sump.
The rats live in holes in the ground, and when the ground is saturated, they will be forced out.
If you don't have any small children, or dogs or cats or other aniumals that might eat it, you can put rat bait poison out, or rat traps, in the basement.
Be very careful using poison bait. It attracts rats, but it also is very attractive to little pets, and will kil them just as quickly.
Your sump pump system must be working fine, if your basement isn't flooding. Don't worry about it, until it stops working properly.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

It would be unusual for the rate to be entering thru the sump pump hole. More than likely, they are entering thru a regular drain somewhere or thru an opening around the house.

The lines to the sump pump hole are just buried under and around the house. They do not connect to anything. A rat would need to burrow to a depth below your basement floor to get into the sump pump lines.

 

Hi, Guys,

Thank you very much for your info. I do not have any rats yet but I am very worried about them getting in. I think I will still cover that hole up with a big heavy board. Just to make me feel better.

Thank you again.

Dawn.

 

You can cover your sump pump hole.
Just make sure that it's sturdy enough to hold a person stepping on it.
Don't worry about rats. If you had a problem, you would already know it.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

The sump pump hole is not, repeat NOT connected to the sub-stations. The water entering the sump pump hole is from pipes buried under the house and just outside the foundation. These pipes form a closed loop - not connected to anything else.

The pump itself has a check valve in it. ie) water can only go one way. Otherwise the water pumped out would flow back into the hole.

 

Unless you have an open drain to the outside where wildlife can enter, then there should be no concerns. If it makes you paranoid thinking about creatures that may go bump in the night, cover the sump pump hole. I have lived in houses with sump pumps and have never had a problem.

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