Installing a basment sump pump |
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Installing a sump pump is something the average home owner can do. The hardest part is making the hole in the concrete floor. First I think it's better if you understand why you're going to install a pump. Most basements have a 4 inch concrete floor with another 4 inches of stone under that. Before your basement floods the water will flood the stone, now that's a lot of water and way before you see a drop.
Step one. Make a approx 18 inch round hole in floor. It really doesnt matter where, but I always look for a corner where running the discharge line will be the shortage. Cleaning the hole. Now that you have the hole you may see a plastic vapor barrier, This has no effect on water but is there for natural gas's like radon. Remove this plastic, now the fun part. Dig the stone and dirt out at least 20 inches deep. Installing the pump. OK, now is not the time to be cheap. Buy a good pump, buy at least 1/2 horse power pump. They make a few different automatic switches, you want one that slides up and down. Don't buy the ones that have a wire attached to it that just float around. It will get stuck and not work. With your hole cleaned and somewhat level on the bottom lay a flat block or paver down so that pump wont be setting right on top of the loose dirt. Connecting the discharge line. What ever you do don't use any clamps, flexible hose's. or cheap connections. These things will only break when you don't want them to. Making all your connections with 1 1/2 PVC pipes and connections is the way to go. Using a one way check valve is not necessary but it's not a bad idea either. Now of course not every installation is the same so I really can't explain every discharge run but for the most part, from the pump go straight up the basement ceiling, to a elbow to more pipe to the out side. Once you have this line coming out of the house make sure you have it so the water is just not going to come back in. Connection the electric When I install a pump for my home owners I like to run it's own dedicated line, this may not be a option for you and that's ok. Always a good idea to mark in the breaker panel what circuit you have this on in case you have to reset it quickly.
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