Where to install a sump pump basin

Sump pumps, whether submersible or pedestal sump pumps, need to be resistant to corrosion and water damage. Manufacturers usually create sump pumps out of one of these materials:. At Zoeller at Home, we prioritize the quality of our pump equipment, offering cast-iron submersible and pedestal sump pumps to ensure that your home stays protected. The float switch is what tells the sump pump to turn on or off.

While both of these mechanisms detect water and activate the functionality of the sump pump, one may be better for your home than the other.

A sump pump's horsepower determines how quickly it can move water. One important consideration of how to determine the right horsepower for your sump pump is the depth of your sump pump basin. When replacing a residential or home sump pump, replace it with the same or higher horsepower of the existing unit.

When in doubt, selecting higher horsepower is advised. The purpose of a sump pump is to remove water from your basement or crawl space, especially during a flood. Your power may go out when a harsh storm hits. If your sump pump only relies on AC electrical power, it could stop working during a time when flooding is most likely to happen. Choose a battery backup sump pump so you have protection from water damage when you need it.

For ultimate peace of mind, view our line of Basement Sentry Backup Sump Pumps to protect your home and valuables with a sump pump replacement. A sump pump should go inside a basin or pit, which you should install in your basement or crawl space. Put a replacement sump pump where you had installed the old one. You should place a new one on the bottom floor of your house, where you've had the highest water accumulation.

Besides the sump pump itself, you need the following products to accomplish your sump pump installation:. Check out this easy way to install a sump pump so you can add the unit to your house all by yourself. You can also follow our step-by-step sump pump installation guide:.

Zoeller at Home provides high-quality sump pumps and accessories for your home's basement or crawl space. Protect your investment with a sump pump that can drain water away from your living space and prevent water and electrical damage.

You can have peace of mind knowing that your home is still protected when your primary pump fails with a backup sump pump from Zoeller at Home. Look for a retailer near you to find where to buy a sump pump near you, or browse through our selection of sump pumps online. For more information about how to install a sump pump, you can contact us online to speak with a representative via live chat.

Sump Pump Installation Guide. What Is a Sump Pump? If you're wondering whether you need this pump in your house, here are some of the reasons to buy a sump pump: Reduce the risk of flooding: During heavy rainstorms, flooding could occur if water leaks into your basement or crawl space. Since a sump pump controls the flow of water away from the foundation of your home, your property won't suffer from short-term or long-term water damage.

As a result, a sump pump also improves the indoor air quality in your living space by getting rid of excess humidity. Prevent the growth of mold and mildew: Stagnant water in your basement encourages mold and mildew to grow. These fungi could cause structural damage in the wooden features of your home, along with allergies and respiratory problems in your family members.

When sump pumps remove standing water in your basement, mildew and mold are less likely to form in your living space. Keep away insects and other pests: Excess moisture wears out the wooden joists and walls within the frame of your property. When wood rots, it attracts termites, ants and rodents, which all bring contaminants and unpleasant odors into your living space.

Removing the standing water with a sump pump will reduce your risk of pest infestations. Limits the chance of fire or electrical damage: Water and electrical appliances don't mix. Now, while digging, you have to keep the width of the hole according to the addition of these two measurements. So, cheer yourself up and keep digging. Continue the process till you think that you have reached the adequate measurement. Now, you have to layer it up! Yes, we are talking about the basin.

Before that, you have to get some filter fabric for this work. Now, take the basin exterior and then try to wrap around it with the filter fabric. You have to go for one layer only. This process is done for preventing slit and sludge from any sort of clogs on the basin. If your basin is clogged, you already know what happened. So, you better be safe than sorry! Wrap the layer to ensure safety. Now that you are ready with the basin, your work is to add a little gravel.

Look at the bottom of the hole that you have created. And there, you have to add more gravel. Put more or less inches of gravel to make the place perfect for the basin. For more security and perfection, you might take advantage of the fieldstone or a paver. Place it over the pebbles for making the platform established and stable. Now that you are done with making the dug hole perfect for the sump pump to stay, you have to take the sump pump basin and place it into the hole. As your hole is completely stable, you do not need to worry anymore.

The basin of the sump pump will easily settle in that place. And after that, you are also free to add the sump pump on the basin and make the whole process work fine!

All you need to do is have a little patience and put effort into placing the sump pump properly and in the right place! Secured any loose wiring on the outside of your home around the sump pit area before closing up the hole. Hope this helps! Ideally, the hole goes directly back to a pipe that leads back underground.

The sump pump must then drain both water and air from the basin. It should be deep enough to take in the water flow from the sump pump. Without a sump pump basin, the pump will only be able to do so much and eventually raises pH levels within your pipes by pushing acidic water at high speeds through them. Only one side of the basin should have perforations. No, you do not need a plumber to install a sump pump. It is relatively simple and straightforward. I am not a plumber, so my answer is that it depends on the condition of your home, but generally, if you have a sump pump then you are familiar with installing plumbing.

You are ready for installing the sump pump already. The sump pump basin installation process is not too tough. But keep in mind that installing a sump pump will not address the source of your water problem; that is, it won't stop water from coming in. And if your basement is seriously flooded on a regular basis, a sump pump may not be the best solution. To be entirely effective, a sump pump is best installed in conjunction with a drain tile system.

This system features an in-ground trench dug around the perimeter of the basement, which is covered over with concrete after construction. Containing gravel and a porous plastic pipe known as drain tile, this invisible trench funnels water from the edges of the foundation to the sump pit, where the sump pump can then eject the water out of the basement.

Without a drain tile system, a sump pit and pump is most effective if it can be positioned in the precise low spot in the basement where water naturally collects. There are two types of sump pumps commonly installed in houses.

Submersible pumps are fully concealed in the sump pit, while pedestal pumps are only partially concealed, with the motor resting above the water.

Pedestal sump pumps tend to cost a bit less than submersible models, and they are easier to repair and maintain. But submersible pumps are quieter and therefore are a better choice for living areas. Sump pumps usually come with long cords, allowing you to plug them into a receptacle protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter GFCI. Do not use an extension cord with a sump pump unless it matches the recommendations of the pump manufacturer.

Plumbers usually install sump pumps, but a motivated DIYer can also handle the job. Sump pumps typically last about 10 years, but better models with more powerful motors often have a longer life expectancy. Look for a model with a good warranty. If power outages are a problem in your area, you may want to invest in a backup battery system that will keep your pump operating even if the power goes out.

After all, a heavy storm is precisely when sump pumps are most necessary. To be effective, a sump pit needs to be at the precise location where water normally collects on the basement floor. Carefully observe where you have water collecting after heavy rains, and mark this area on the floor.

You will need a jackhammer to break through the concrete. Electric jackhammers are usually available at rental stores or in the tool rental department at home centers. They are easy to use and can be plugged into regular household outlets. Be sure to get a flat spade bit to use with the jackhammer. Set your sump basin upside down on the floor, then draw a circle about 4 to 6 inches outside the perimeter of the basin. Be sure to stay at least 10 inches from the walls to avoid the foundation footing.

Use the jackhammer to break through the slab along the outline. Make sure to wear hearing protection and a particle mask while doing this work—it is a very loud and messy job. With the concrete out of the way, dig the hole to the required depth.