Our sump pump is discharging into the sanitary sewer line. We have now been informed that is illegal and we need to have the water go outside. How do we do this? Do we just cut a hole in the foundation and route a pipe to the outside? Is this something we can do ourselves or do we need to hire someone to do this? Is it an expensive process? We are clueless! Thanks for your help!!

 

They're all routed outside where I live, that's pretty standard now.

I have a sump pit next to an outside wall and the pipe goes out about 2' below ground level and exits to a waterway along the back line of my property (actually, since I have good grading and drainage to the extent I've never had water in the pit nor put a pump in it, I just buried the other end of the pipe so I could quit looking at it).

 

It's a pretty straightforward task and it sounds like you (helpthishomeown) have the gist of it. It is a DIY type job if you are willing and have the tools.

If you will be doing any digging make sure to have your utility lines marked. It's a free service and it could save accidentally cutting a power, gas or water line.

First you need to figure out where you want to dump the water. Basically you want to dump the water outside, and downhill from your house with the ground sloping to carry the water further away. If your property is rather flat it may be more difficult finding a good spot.

Next you need to figure out how to get through the basement/foundation wall. You can dig down and connect to where your sump discharge pipe already goes through. Or, you can knock a new hole and run a new discharge pipe. In the south it's often done above grade where it's easy to work and you don't have to worry about water leaking in the hole through the wall. Up north freezing in winter can be an issue (hopefully a northerner will chime in with advice if needed).

 

We live in Minnesota. I think we would make a new hole through the foundation (as I have looked around my town/neighborhood that is what most people have been doing). What tools would you need to make this hole in the concrete block foundation? Would you just caulk around the hole to make sure no critters come in the basement? It looks like most people are using a black hose from teh sump pump to the street. Is there something you put on the end of the hose that discharges in the street so you don't get critters coming in the hose? Does the force of the water from the sump pump make the water go up the hose and outside? Thanks for all your help!