Sump pit
#1
03-01-16, 01:50 PM
Sump pit
We just moved into a new old house that has a sump pump. The pump is dead so I am replacing it. When I removed the old pump I noticed the pit is filled with dirt/clay ect. Right through the middle of the pit is our main drain pipe which was completely covered with this dirt. The pump actaully sat on a small piece of flat concrete balanced on top of the pipe. I dug out about half of a 5 gallon bucket of dirt and there seems to be no end in sight. I have uncovered the pipe as well. The pit seems walled with plastic pipe about 2 feet but then it ends and seems like the bottom is dirt.
Is there anything to put in the pip to help my pump? I was thinking of putting drainage rixk a few inches and then resting the pump on top of that.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated! Thank you#
Is there anything to put in the pip to help my pump? I was thinking of putting drainage rixk a few inches and then resting the pump on top of that.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated! Thank you#
#4
03-01-16, 04:44 PM
Hey, I understood that 
. My thumbs spell like that all the time.
What you haven't determined is, are there any other pipes feeding that pit from below. Having just a dirt bottom would be strange, either it goes deeper or there there are pipes feeding from the sides.
Since this is new to you you don't know whether that pit is active when it rains, but restoring it is still good. If filling with gravel up to just above that pipe positions the pump deep enough then probably the best you can do. If the basement has water issues then a second pit may be needed.
You would think that when they built the pit they would have moved it, still an option.
Bud
. My thumbs spell like that all the time.What you haven't determined is, are there any other pipes feeding that pit from below. Having just a dirt bottom would be strange, either it goes deeper or there there are pipes feeding from the sides.
Since this is new to you you don't know whether that pit is active when it rains, but restoring it is still good. If filling with gravel up to just above that pipe positions the pump deep enough then probably the best you can do. If the basement has water issues then a second pit may be needed.
You would think that when they built the pit they would have moved it, still an option.
Bud
#5
03-01-16, 05:33 PM
Should've proof read it!
Thanks for the info.
The pump originally sat about 18 inches down in the pit and numerous times there has been water in there, anywhere from a couple to several inches. The basement does have water issues. The house was built in 1927 and has the original stone walls which seep in a few areas. At the end of the pre-fab pit it seems to just sit on dirt.
I guess I'll attempt to keep digging to see what feeds the pit, if anything.
Thanks again for the info.
Thanks for the info.
The pump originally sat about 18 inches down in the pit and numerous times there has been water in there, anywhere from a couple to several inches. The basement does have water issues. The house was built in 1927 and has the original stone walls which seep in a few areas. At the end of the pre-fab pit it seems to just sit on dirt.
I guess I'll attempt to keep digging to see what feeds the pit, if anything.
Thanks again for the info.
#6
03-01-16, 06:33 PM
A gravel bottom will help to keep the silt out of the pump. It doesn't sound like you have flood problems, but you will still want to address as much of the water problem from the outside as possible. Enjoy your new home,
Bud
Bud
#7
03-02-16, 05:20 AM
You need to clean out the drain pipe in the middle of the pit. A high power vacuum cleaner rigged with a thin tube at the end of its hose may help.
A sump pump pit all by itself only protects the basement floor for a few feet around it. Perimeter drain pipes are needed to extend the protection all around the basement. If the single drain pipe at the bottom of your pit is the termination of your perimeter drain system then it won't work as long as it is clogged.
Don't dig down below the plastic lining of the pit since all that will happen is the dirt sides will cave in. Add a layer of gravel and put the pump back.
Meanwhile up above, you need to fix things so that rain water does not collect against the foundation.
A sump pump pit all by itself only protects the basement floor for a few feet around it. Perimeter drain pipes are needed to extend the protection all around the basement. If the single drain pipe at the bottom of your pit is the termination of your perimeter drain system then it won't work as long as it is clogged.
Don't dig down below the plastic lining of the pit since all that will happen is the dirt sides will cave in. Add a layer of gravel and put the pump back.
Meanwhile up above, you need to fix things so that rain water does not collect against the foundation.
