Do you consistently have water in your basement? Are you constantly finding leaks? If so then you may want to consider installing a sump pump, which can be the best defense against water in your basement. Read this article to learn how to properly install a sump pump in your basement.
Preparing For Your Sump Pump
Before you install a sump pump you should find out if it’s possible on your home’s land. The majority of homes are built on a bed of gravel. However, many still aren’t so you should find out before you start digging the sump pit. Get in touch with then the contractor who built your home, or speak to your neighbors who live in similar homes to find out. Once you find out whether or not you can dig a sump pit you need to find a location to dig. It needs to be positioned 8” away from the wall in a location that will allow you to punch a hole through the rim joist. Make sure you’re also clear of the sewer line.
Removing the Concrete
The next step is to break through the concrete. The most efficient way to do this is to an electric jackhammer. Cut pieces that are 8-12” wide, then use jackhammer at an angle to pry them up and remove them in a bucket. Try not to shred the concrete. Doing this will create a much bigger clean-up for you.
Digging
When you get rid of the concrete it’s time to dig the sump pit. You need to dig it 12 inches deeper than the sump liner, then line the bottom with coarse gravel to improve drainage. Now you can put the liner into the hole and fill in the area around the liner with more gravel. Once this is done put a 6-inch layer of concrete over the gravel. Smooth out the top so it’s even with the floor and the liner before moving.
Installation
Thread a PVC male adapter into the port, then secure it with pliers until it’s tight. Glue a schedule-40 PVC riser to the adapter using PVC cement. Make a hole in the rim joist to make a path for you to feed PVC pipe through. The last step is to assemble the PVC piping so it leads to the hole you’ve created and then outside. Once your pipe is outside you can glue a 90-degree elbow to the end so points downward. Secure a hose to the end to deposit the water away from your house.
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