| Whether you have an existing basement or | | | | systems scheme as the same as putting a pump |
| planning to build a new basement in your property | | | | into the bottom of a boat. Sure, you expect the |
| the question of a basement sump to protect the | | | | boat to still perform but if it does leak if only a bit |
| space is an important one. The basement sump | | | | the pump will remove water faster than it is |
| can be retrofitted to your existing basement and | | | | coming in. The same with a basement sump. In an |
| easily planned into new build. Professional advice | | | | ideal world you would hope your basement to be |
| on sump pump placement is recommended. Below | | | | always dry. Why would you then take the risk of |
| is a few questions and answers to get you on | | | | not putting in a sump when you can. It is small |
| the right track: | | | | investment to initially and could save you big style |
| Q. What size of chamber is need for my sump | | | | in the long run. I have specified packaged pumping |
| pumps? | | | | stations for this purpose for many years yet |
| A. Depends on the size and layout of your | | | | people take the idea and try to reduce costs by |
| basement. The usual rule of thumb is one | | | | putting in a small sump pump. I have even seen |
| basement sump for 40-50 linear metres of the | | | | header tanks substituted for a proper basement |
| space but what is absolutely critical is the ability to | | | | sump which are even smaller than the height of |
| get the water that is getting in to the basement | | | | the pump. The result an pump sticking out of |
| into the chamber! A good way of doing this is to | | | | your floor like a periscope on a submarine. You will |
| use a internal channel which sits at where the wall | | | | be pleasantly surprised at the vast range now |
| meets the floor and use the channel to direct | | | | available when you are in the market to buy |
| water into the chamber. In terms of size the | | | | sump pump products. Different size lids which can |
| bigger the chamber the better so I would not go | | | | accept all manner of floor finishes allow for |
| less than a box of 600mm x 600mm of | | | | discreet and professional placement of units. |
| concrete. There are many packaged pumping | | | | Q. Ok I am convinced I need to buy. Sump Price |
| stations suitable for removing the water with | | | | How much do I need to spend? |
| varying sizes of pumps. Call the manufacturer to | | | | A. Like everything in life you get what you pay |
| get advice but first they will want to know how | | | | for. You will find a vast array of basement sump |
| far you have to pump the water. This is known | | | | products available on the internet or at your local |
| as "head" of water. | | | | builders merchant. Many cheaper submersible |
| Q. Can I put other other services such as a | | | | water pumps are available to the end client but |
| washing machine or sink into my water sump? | | | | they may not have the sufficient "head" to pump |
| A. Yes but you will need to check with the | | | | up and out of your basement. Some of these |
| basement pumps manufacturer to select the | | | | pumps are made from plastic and they do not |
| appropriate pump for the job. The problems with | | | | conduct heat that well, if they are going to be |
| combining different water sources in the | | | | used a lot this can cause overheating and failure. I |
| basement sump can be the residue that washing | | | | would be advice looking at a robust stainless steel |
| machines etc can introduce to the sump chamber. | | | | housing as a minimum with a either cast iron or |
| This can impede the float switch from operating | | | | moulded plastic base as a standard. So price-wise |
| and cause cause problems for your basement | | | | you will be looking for a pump around £200 |
| pumps. Look at the pump itself, Does it have | | | | minimum. |
| what are called tear drop floats? This kind of float | | | | Q. What happens if I get a power cut. Is there |
| switch works well in combined basement sump | | | | protection available? |
| systems and vertical float switches used for pure | | | | A. Your basement sump systems totally relies on |
| water are usually not suitable. An important point | | | | mains power to operate effectively. When are |
| to raise here is added maintenance required for | | | | you most likely to get a power cut? The answer |
| combined systems, make sure you are aware of | | | | is in a severe storm situation and this is when |
| the implications of adding sinks and showers etc | | | | your sump pump unit is most likely to be tested. |
| to your basement sump. The last thing you need | | | | So, I would always recommend using two pumps |
| a combined system causing basement flooding. | | | | in your sump chamber and a battery back up |
| Some people have been known to combine | | | | system should the power fail. Talk to your |
| sewerage into chambers without consulting | | | | supplier here as the quality of battery back up |
| professional beforehand. This makes things a | | | | options vary tremendously. Make sure the duty |
| million times worse should the system block and | | | | rate you are getting of mains is replicated with |
| overflow. (for the obvious reasons.!) I would | | | | the quality of your battery back up system. |
| definitely advise having a different sump pit for | | | | So hopefully you have now a list of questions to |
| this. | | | | assist in your basement sump choice. |
| Q. Can I get away with not having a Basement | | | | For specification of the right system you cannot |
| Sump? | | | | go past the expertise of a quality sump pump |
| A. Its the million dollar question. The amount of | | | | supplier. I would even go as far as to get a |
| times I have received a panic call when water | | | | qualified sump pump installer to perform the |
| which was not present before suddenly is coming | | | | installation as they can then offer you an ongoing |
| into a basement never ceases to amaze me. I | | | | maintenance contract which is critical to make |
| parallel putting a sump pump into the basement | | | | sure your pump works when it is needed. |