Sump Pump Installation – How to Properly Install a Sump Pump
Reduces risk of flood damage and improves home value. It’s a low-risk, low-cost way to protect your belongings and the foundation of your house from water leaks. Using a rotary hammer, drill a hole through the basement floor in a spot close to a GFCI outlet and six inches wider than your sump pump basin. This will be the location for your discharge pipe. A professional Plumber Bucks County can install your sump pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They will also be able to recommend the best location for your sump pump to serve your home effectively.
Once you have decided to install a sump pump, choosing the right one is important. The pump should be able to handle the amount of water that tends to accumulate in your basement regularly and have a long lifespan. You should consult with a plumber to help determine the correct size pump to fit your needs. They can also offer helpful tips on the system’s location, installation, and maintenance.
The first step in choosing a sump pump is to pick out a suitable location for the pit and basin. This should be a spot with easy access to a power outlet and GFCI (ground fault interrupter) outlet. It is also recommended that the location be close to where the discharge line must go.
Next, dig the pit at least 6″ deeper and 10″ wider than the sump tank. If you have to dig through a concrete floor, rent a jackhammer for quick and easy work. It’s also recommended that you pour a layer of gravel at the bottom of the hole, as this will prevent the pit from becoming full too quickly and help prolong its life.
Once the pit and basin are in place, you can install the sump pump according to its instructions. Then, you can connect the discharge pipe. This should run to a point outside of your home where it will not only direct water away from the house, but also uphill.
Some municipalities may allow the sump pump water to drain directly into a public storm sewer system, which can be a much more cost-effective option in the long run. If this is an option, check with your local zoning and permitting office for details.
It is important that the float switch on the pump can move freely up and down, so it will turn on only when the water rises to a certain level. It’s also important that the check valve, which channels the water away from (and never back into) the sump well, can be easily opened and closed. Once everything is in place, test the pump by filling the pit with water and turning on the switch.
In order for a sump pump to work, it needs to have a pit where the water will collect and be pumped away from. Locate this spot in your basement, typically the lowest part of the structure. The pit should be large enough to accommodate the basin, pump and any additional equipment you may have. You will also need to create a drainage route from the sump pump outlet outside your home. Use a PVC pipe to do this. Then, install a check valve to ensure that the discharge pipe doesn’t allow water back into the pit.
To prepare the sump pump pit, dig a hole that is a few inches deeper than the height of the basin. This will help ensure that the pump has a stable base. Fill the pit with gravel and a single layer of concrete pavers. Place the basin in the pit and set it on a concrete paver to keep it elevated above the ground level of your basement floor.
Once the pit is ready, it is time to prep the pump for installation. Begin by checking the user manual for the specific type of pump you are using. This will give you a better idea of the different parts and how they should be assembled. Once you’ve read through the manual, start assembling the PVC pipe. Make sure you have the right tools for the job before you begin. For example, you will need a PVC primer and cement to glue the couplers to the ends of your pipe. You will also need to cut the pipe according to the specifications in your pump’s manual.
If you live in a flood-prone area, the cost of a sump pump may be worth the investment to protect your home. A professional plumber will be able to advise you on the best type of sump pump for your basement and can also perform the installation. If your basement is in a crawl space, the installation process will be more expensive because the contractor will need to enter the crawl space to complete the work.
Before dropping the pump into the pit, make sure that its float valve can move freely up and down. This is the mechanism that will trigger the pump to turn on when the water level rises. A clogged float can lead to a messy, expensive repair job later on. To check this, simply move the float up and down with your hand and ensure that nothing is obstructing it.
After the float switch and the pump are in place, you’ll need to connect the inlet pipes to the pump and the discharge line to the house. Be sure to use the appropriate PVC cement for each connection, and make sure that the joints are well-glued to prevent leaks. Also, make sure that the discharge pipe runs far enough away from your home to keep the sump from draining back into it during heavy rains.
If you’d like to add a smart feature to your sump, consider installing water sensors. These will give you an early warning when the water level is high, so you can take proactive steps to protect your home before any damage occurs.
Once you’ve connected the inlet and discharge pipes, it’s time to power up your sump pump! Now that you know everything is connected properly and working, you can rest easy knowing that you’re protected against floods and water damage.
If you are considering getting a sump pump installed at your home, we recommend hiring a professional plumber to get the job done right. This will help ensure that your new system is up and running quickly before the rainy season begins.
Once the sump pump has been installed, plumbers will typically test it to make sure it works properly. They will also teach the homeowner how to maintain the pump for optimal performance.
To start, they will ensure the float valve moves freely up and down. They will also make sure that the discharge pipe is positioned in the best position possible for proper functioning. Finally, they will ensure that the check valve channels water away from the home (never back into it) and is in the best position to work properly.
The pump’s float valve needs to be able to move up and down freely so that the pump can activate as soon as the water level rises. This is why it’s so important to pour water into the pit and see if the float switch turns on. Once it does, the pump should turn on and start draining your basement.
After ensuring that the float and pump are working, they will cover the basin with gravel and backfill it firmly around its edges. This will prevent silt and sludge from clogging the pump and it will help the sump pump to function more effectively.
If you are installing a battery-operated backup pump, they will install that too. They will make sure that the battery-operated pump’s float switch is positioned several inches higher than the main pump’s float switch so that it only activates when the primary pump fails.
When a sump pump is in place, you will no longer need to worry about mold and mildew growing in your basement. Stagnant water promotes the growth of these fungi and can lead to rot in the wooden walls, joists, and beams in your basement. This can cause structural damage, as well as create unpleasant odors in your living space.
Sump pumps also protect your home from pests that are attracted to moist areas. Standing water in a damp basement can attract mice, ants, and termites. These pests can carry harmful bacteria and allergens into your living space, and they can cause respiratory problems for you and your family members.
