Sump Pump Installation for Do-It-Yourselfers

According to recent surveys, over 85% of all homes with basements will experience some form of wet basement problems in their lifetime. Installing a sump pump in the basement can be a great benefit, even if it's only to keep the water from getting deep or to act as a floor drain.

What To Buy

Sump pumps are generally sold according to the horsepower rating of the pump motor. You will see ¼ horsepower, 1/3 horsepower and ½ horsepower pumps available. Although the horsepower of the pump is a good "yardstick" to use in judging which size pump to buy, a more accurate way is to look at the GPH or, Gallons Per Hour that the unit is capable of pumping. For instance, you will find ½ horsepower sump pumps that can pump 3,000 gallons per hour and you will also see other ½ horsepower pumps that are capable of pumping over 7,500 gallons per hour. As you can see, horsepower ratings are not very accurate in judging which size pump to buy. Generally, I like to buy a larger pump than necessary because it will usually last a lot longer because it doesn't have to work so hard.

Choose a pump with a reliable switch. The switch is very important because it tells the pump when to turn on and when to turn off. There are several types of switches available on pumps. Some of the different types of switches you will find are called; "2 pole switch", "mercury switch" and "diaphragm switch". I only buy pumps that have a 2 pole switch. They have proven to be the most reliable over time. After all, what good is a sump pump if it won't turn on?

Sump Wells

A sump well is the container below floor level in which the pump is installed. You will be able to buy a 20 gallon to 30 gallon sump well at you local home improvement store, in the plumbing section. Many people opt for a smaller 5 gallon bucket; don't do it! Your pump will burn out very quickly because it is turning on and off too much, because it can only pump out small quantities of water each time it runs.

Installation

You will need to rent an electric jackhammer to break a hole in your basement concrete floor. Ask for a shovel bit when you rent the jackhammer. The shovel bit will make quick work of digging out the hole in which you will install your sump well. The lip of the well that holds the sump well lid should be installed slightly lower than the basement floor surface. This will allow your sump well and pump to act as a very good floor drain in case of a broken water pipe, leaky hot water tank, etc. You will need to buy a bag of sand mix cement to re-cement the floor area around the sump well and the broken concrete.

Most pumps come with a 1 ¼"threaded connection for PVC pipe. Get an adapter that converts it to 1 ½" schedule 40 pipe. 1 ½" schedule 40 pipe is more universal and a lot easier to find fittings for. Next, you'll want to attach a check valve to your piping. The check valve prevents water already pumped up through the plumbing from draining back down into the sump well when the pump shuts off. These are easily attached with a rubber boots and a screw driver.

Make sure to use pipe cleaner before gluing your pipe fittings together. The pipe cleaner actually softens the plastic and allows the pipe glue to bond better. Check with the instructions on the glue can about how long to wait before pumping water through the newly glued connections.

Plug your sump pump directly into a grounded electrical outlet. Don't use an extension cord because it will shorten the life of your pump. The electrical outlet should be on a breaker which is the proper size for your pump. Your electrical outlet should also be on it's own dedicated circuit breaker to prevent other electrical connections from overloading your breaker.

Summary

Installation of a sump pump can be a pretty easy do-it-yourself project with some great benefits. By doing it yourself, you can save a lot of money and provide some great protection for your basement and its contents.

ARTICLE REPRINT PERMISSION

You may reprint the above article in your electronic or print newsletter; however, please include my byline and bio and keep the article intact. I retain all copyrights.

Robert Clarke owns B-Dry System NEPA, a basement waterproofing company. Visit http://b-dry basementswaterproofingnepennsylvania.com/sump-pump-installation.html for more information. He has also served as President of the B-Dry Owners Association, a nationally recognized group of basement waterproofing contractors. Visit http://www.b-dry.com/ for details.

---

Building Your Own Home

Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge... Read More

If You Want to Bring Your Bathroom Up to Date, Consider Fitting a Shower Stall

Modern shower stalls look sleek and stylish. If you have... Read More

You Say Jacuzzi and I Say Whirlpool

What's in a name? Whirlpool baths have been around forever,... Read More

Soy Candles? What Will They Think of Next?

Quick: What comes to mind when you think of soy... Read More

Add A Room To Your Home With A Patio Awning

Do you need a patio awning for your lovely patio... Read More

Tips For Breaking Away From White Wall Paint

Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways... Read More

Outdoor Ceiling Fans Complement the House

Fans extending from the ceiling have been around for centuries... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Understanding Your Local Planning Officer - They are Only Human

This time of year often sees an explosion in new... Read More

I Need What Part?

One of the first things you learn as a homeowner... Read More

Electrical Home Inspection: What You Need to Know!

Whether you're buying a home, or just moving in to... Read More

A Lasting Scent

Look no further for long lasting perfumes. House of Rose... Read More

Bathroom Designs Idea - Can I Design My Own Bathroom?

A bathroom designs idea -- can I really design my... Read More

Manhatten Paving-Asphalt Paving Seal Coats

Why should you even consider sealing your asphalt driveway?Seal your... Read More

With A Stylish Bathroom Vanity You Can Take Pride In Your Bathroom?s Appearance!

An easy way to instantly improve your bathroom's image is... Read More

Laminate Flooring Advantages

DurabilityBecause it's designed with a tough and durable wear layer,... Read More

Maintaining Your Hot Tub

Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one... Read More

CCTV for the Home

Securing your property is one of the growing domestic issues... Read More

Choosing Color Schemes: Colors and Physiological Response

Because colors have tremendous emotional impact, understanding how color affects... Read More

Hardwood Floors: Beautiful, But a Pain to Keep Clean

Hardwood Floors are beautiful to look at and expensive to... Read More

Log Homes - Whats Different About Log Homes?

Newcomers to the world of log homes will notice that... Read More

Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter - Overlooked Sources of Heat Loss in the Home

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long ? the... Read More

Area Rug Buyers Guide

When you begin decorating your home there are some important... Read More

You Get What You Pay for when it Comes to Above Ground Pools

When you think about an above ground pool do you... Read More

Get Everything Done Quickly Using Your Basic Tools

No one wants to have their house equipment broken. But... Read More

Which Lamp Should I Choose?

With all the lighting choices out there, you may want... Read More

Aluminium Conservatories

The conservatory is a popular addition to homes around the... Read More

Home Inspection Basics

The Home InspectorWhen you think about it, it is a... Read More

Strapping a Ceiling

Prior to hanging sheetrock to ceiling joists it is important... Read More

How to Finance a New Extension?

Want to improve the look of your property? Want to... Read More

Deck Building Basics

In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I... Read More

Hardwood Floor Refinishing - For The Faint of Heart

Are your beautiful hardwood floors not so beautiful anymore? Maybe... Read More

Corrugated Roofing Materials Used for Roofing Any Structure

The roof is a very essential element of the house,... Read More

Removing Your Old Sliding Glass Door

Last week I explained how to measure your existing sliding... Read More