A sump pump is critical to every home’s water drainage system, and this is because, in case of water intrusion, the sump pump helps flush water from your basement. A sump pump expels water along the discharge lines, and empty’s it away from your home.
A sump is a constructed pit or a hole curved below your basement floor into a kind of basin. The pump is then installed containing valves that sense pressure and escalating water levels. When the water levels get too high, the sump pump automatically pumps the water out of and away from the basement using a discharge line called the affluent.
Factors One Must Consider When Choosing A Home Sump Pump.
When selecting and thinking of how to install a sump pump at home, it’s important to consider
Battery backup: Many scenarios that require a sump pump, like flooding and severe storms, also happen to be the biggest causes of power failures. Selecting a sump pump with a battery backup will ensure that you can use your sump pump- even when the power grid is down.
Suitable size: It’s important to note that a sump pump’s strength is expressed in horsepower. A residential building with no underlying water issues requires a sump pump with a 1/3 horsepower rating. If the house has issues like a natural water table underneath, then you may be required to choose one with a ½ horsepower.
Submersible or pedestal: A submersible pump is considered efficient and most reliable compared to the pedestal one.
Where Should A Sump Pump Be Placed?
A sump pump can either be submerged inside the sump or mounted on the floor above the sump basin. But for maximum workability, a sump pump should be submersible. Its whole system is submerged in the sump basin and this makes its suction more efficient, it runs longer and way cooler and has potentially minimal malfunctions.
Tools and Materials Required to Install A Residential Sump Pump
When installing a sump pump, it’s important to double-check your toolbox and materials to ensure that you have all you need for the project. Here are some of the tools you may require, a black marker, hole saw, demolition hammer, pipe cutter, shovel, and a bucket. Here are some of the materials you will require, Pipefitting, pressurized fitting, check valve, silicon sealant, trowel, PVC pipes, corrugated pipe, filter fabric, sump basin, wire ties, and a sump basin.
Steps to Take When Installing A Sump Pump?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install a sump pump:
- Select the area you wish to install the sump pump.
- Mark a whole size of the basin
- Dig the hole
- Using filter fabric, wrap the sump basin to prevent mud and sediment from clogging
- Place the sump basin
- Pour gravel,
- Place the sump pump
- Connect the check valve
- Run the PVC line to the nearest wall
- Drill a hole
- Run the PVC outside
- Put silicone around the pipe
- Cover the sump basin
- Fill the area around the sump basin top
- Plug in the sump pump and test if it works
Maintaining the Sump Pump
It’s critical to keep testing the sump pump from time to time to ensure that it does not have any mechanical issues or is worn out. According to ‘58 Foundations, installing a sump pump may look like a daunting task, but by following the discussed steps, you will have your sump pump in place within no time.
