| According to recent surveys, over 85% of all | | | | Ask for a shovel bit when you rent the |
| homes with basements will experience some | | | | jackhammer. The shovel bit will make quick work |
| form of wet basement problems in their lifetime. | | | | of digging out the hole in which you will install your |
| Installing a sump pump in the basement can be a | | | | sump well. The lip of the well that holds the sump |
| great benefit, even if it's only to keep the water | | | | well lid should be installed slightly lower than the |
| from getting deep or to act as a floor drain. | | | | basement floor surface. This will allow your sump |
| What To Buy | | | | well and pump to act as a very good floor drain in |
| Sump pumps are generally sold according to the | | | | case of a broken water pipe, leaky hot water |
| horsepower rating of the pump motor. You will | | | | tank, etc. You will need to buy a bag of sand mix |
| see ¼ horsepower, 1/3 horsepower and | | | | cement to re-cement the floor area around the |
| ½ horsepower pumps available. Although | | | | sump well and the broken concrete. |
| the horsepower of the pump is a good | | | | Most pumps come with a 1 ¼"threaded |
| "yardstick" to use in judging which size pump to | | | | connection for PVC pipe. Get an adapter that |
| buy, a more accurate way is to look at the GPH | | | | converts it to 1 ½" schedule 40 pipe. 1 |
| or, Gallons Per Hour that the unit is capable of | | | | ½" schedule 40 pipe is more universal and a |
| pumping. For instance, you will find ½ | | | | lot easier to find fittings for. Next, you'll want to |
| horsepower sump pumps that can pump 3,000 | | | | attach a check valve to your piping. The check |
| gallons per hour and you will also see other | | | | valve prevents water already pumped up through |
| ½ horsepower pumps that are capable of | | | | the plumbing from draining back down into the |
| pumping over 7,500 gallons per hour. As you can | | | | sump well when the pump shuts off. These are |
| see, horsepower ratings are not very accurate in | | | | easily attached with a rubber boots and a screw |
| judging which size pump to buy. Generally, I like to | | | | driver. |
| buy a larger pump than necessary because it will | | | | Make sure to use pipe cleaner before gluing your |
| usually last a lot longer because it doesn't have to | | | | pipe fittings together. The pipe cleaner actually |
| work so hard. | | | | softens the plastic and allows the pipe glue to |
| Choose a pump with a reliable switch. The switch | | | | bond better. Check with the instructions on the |
| is very important because it tells the pump when | | | | glue can about how long to wait before pumping |
| to turn on and when to turn off. There are | | | | water through the newly glued connections. |
| several types of switches available on pumps. | | | | Plug your sump pump directly into a grounded |
| Some of the different types of switches you will | | | | electrical outlet. Don't use an extension cord |
| find are called; "2 pole switch", "mercury switch" | | | | because it will shorten the life of your pump. The |
| and "diaphragm switch". I only buy pumps that | | | | electrical outlet should be on a breaker which is |
| have a 2 pole switch. They have proven to be | | | | the proper size for your pump. Your electrical |
| the most reliable over time. After all, what good is | | | | outlet should also be on it's own dedicated circuit |
| a sump pump if it won't turn on? | | | | breaker to prevent other electrical connections |
| Sump Wells | | | | from overloading your breaker. |
| A sump well is the container below floor level in | | | | Summary |
| which the pump is installed. You will be able to buy | | | | Installation of a sump pump can be a pretty easy |
| a 20 gallon to 30 gallon sump well at you local | | | | do-it-yourself project with some great benefits. |
| home improvement store, in the plumbing section. | | | | By doing it yourself, you can save a lot of money |
| Many people opt for a smaller 5 gallon bucket; | | | | and provide some great protection for your |
| don't do it! Your pump will burn out very quickly | | | | basement and its contents. |
| because it is turning on and off too much, | | | | ARTICLE REPRINT PERMISSION |
| because it can only pump out small quantities of | | | | You may reprint the above article in your |
| water each time it runs. | | | | electronic or print newsletter; however, please |
| Installation | | | | include my byline and bio and keep the article |
| You will need to rent an electric jackhammer to | | | | intact. I retain all copyrights. |
| break a hole in your basement concrete floor. | | | | |