Sump pit issue
#1
12-31-13, 02:39 PM
Sump pit issue
Last week, I had water in my basement. My pump was not running and my pit was full. I got the pump to run, but as it emptied out the basin, the basin rose out of the pit and all the gravel from the sides of the pit moved into the bottom of the pit.
I have dug out all the gravel from the bottom of the pit and put the pump in and it is running fine. I put a couple bricks in the basin to weigh it down.
My question now is the gravel--Not sure if I need to somehow get this around the sides of the basin. If the gravel is absolutely necessary, any tips on the best way to get it in there. There is no space when the basin is installed, and if I lift the basin up to get a gap, I'd think the gravel would get to the bottom of the pit--making it impossible to get the basin installed flush with the floor.
Thanks
I have dug out all the gravel from the bottom of the pit and put the pump in and it is running fine. I put a couple bricks in the basin to weigh it down.
My question now is the gravel--Not sure if I need to somehow get this around the sides of the basin. If the gravel is absolutely necessary, any tips on the best way to get it in there. There is no space when the basin is installed, and if I lift the basin up to get a gap, I'd think the gravel would get to the bottom of the pit--making it impossible to get the basin installed flush with the floor.
Thanks
#2
12-31-13, 05:27 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
It sounds like your sump pit has sealed sides and a sealed bottom and floated up. There should be holes in the side and the bottom of the plastic pit so that any ground water can drain into the pit and the rock is to keep the dirt out of the pit and out of the pump.
It sounds like your sump pit has sealed sides and a sealed bottom and floated up. There should be holes in the side and the bottom of the plastic pit so that any ground water can drain into the pit and the rock is to keep the dirt out of the pit and out of the pump.
#3
01-01-14, 09:15 AM
I figured the gravel acts as a filter. There are holes in the basin as you said. So, I need to figure out how to filter out the dirt. Don't see how to re-introduce the gravel along the sides. Thx
#4
01-01-14, 09:47 AM
Group Moderator
I'm trying to figure out how the "basin rose out of the pit."
That would suggest that there was water under it pushing it up.
If you can't get gravel back around the pit you could use the polyester fabric that is used in gardens to keep the weeds from growing. That should allow plenty of water in and keep the dirt out.
That would suggest that there was water under it pushing it up.
If you can't get gravel back around the pit you could use the polyester fabric that is used in gardens to keep the weeds from growing. That should allow plenty of water in and keep the dirt out.
#5
01-01-14, 10:01 AM
Thanks for the suggestion on the landscape fabric. I will definitely try that. Yes, the pit was full of water. The pump was not running. I was away for the day and came back at 1am to that. Pulled the pump out and back in and it emptied the bin, at that point the bin rose from the pit.
I think part of the issue was I had too much hose. I cut it down and was able to drain the water out.
I think part of the issue was I had too much hose. I cut it down and was able to drain the water out.
#6
07-17-14, 08:45 PM
Same issue
The 4" pipe from the outside has some water coming out, but most of the water is from around the pipe. Is it possible my drain tile is just flooded and this is excess water? Regardless, I too need to drill holes in my basic, but I have sand around the basin now. My plan was to drill some holes in the basin, wrap with landscaping fabric and secure it with duct tape :-) Push the basin back in the hole, and put river rock around the basin. Does this seem like a viable solution?
#7
07-19-14, 09:33 AM
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dhipp,
Once you put holes in the basin and wrap with fabric there should be no need put rocks in the basin. The water should flow into the basin and and keep it submerged!
Once you put holes in the basin and wrap with fabric there should be no need put rocks in the basin. The water should flow into the basin and and keep it submerged!
#8
07-20-14, 05:25 AM
With just a trickle coming out of the 4" drain pipe, that drain pipe is doing its job normally provided it does not have a clog upstream and the holes up and down that pipe are not clogged. Additional water below the 4" drain pipe rarely causes a problem and does not need to be collected. Some of that water may end up outside the pit basin and in the dirt or gravel around the basin. (If you did have water coming up onto the basement floor at the far side of the basement then you have a problem with the drain pipe over there or along the way to the pit.)
Rocks in the basin detract from the pump operation because the rocks take up space leaving less volume for water. Then the pump will start and cycle more often which is less desirable.
Rocks in the basin detract from the pump operation because the rocks take up space leaving less volume for water. Then the pump will start and cycle more often which is less desirable.
