| Sumps Pumps and basement sump waterproofing | | | | sump chamber in the lowest point of the |
| can be confusing. There are so many products on | | | | basement and create a fall in the floor 50:1 |
| the market available to you to use in project and | | | | gradient and make sure that water enters the |
| different specialists will advise different solutions. | | | | chamber through the lid for removal. In my |
| So here is quick guide to getting the right sump | | | | opinion the best way is to use a basedrian |
| pump for the job. | | | | perimeter channel at the wall/floor junction of the |
| You will first need to choose the right sump pump | | | | basement and across construction joints. This can |
| system for the job. Whether your looking at a | | | | be cast into the slab or on top if designed the |
| sewage pump or a well pump the usual need to | | | | right way and this technique allows you get water |
| ulise the help of a submersible pump is to pump | | | | to the drainage pump in the sump chamber |
| water up from a position lower than the invert of | | | | quickly and cost effectively. |
| the mains drainage system. | | | | I have a toilet down in my basement should I put |
| Question: Which water pump do I need to use I | | | | a sewage pump into my chamber and deal with |
| am just pumping water from the ground up to | | | | both ground and foul water? |
| mains drainage? | | | | People have mixed views on this but I am going |
| It is advisable in this circumstance to use a pump | | | | to say no!. No need, just separate the two |
| which has a vortex impeller and can pump up to | | | | functions out. What I worry about here is the |
| 35mm soft solids passage just in case something | | | | servicing of the system especially if you have |
| gets in the sump chamber. This clean water | | | | internal drained cavity system depositing into the |
| situation is either used to "dewater" an area or | | | | same chamber. There are very stringent building |
| can be a basement pump sited in sump pits | | | | regulations pertaining to the pumping of sewage |
| internally or externally. Look for pumps with | | | | so I would approach a basement waterproofing |
| silicone carbide seals which are hard wearing and | | | | professional to take advise on this. Also your |
| pumps with a vertical float switch. Cheaper pumps | | | | guarantee may be affected by combining both. |
| tend to have "dangly" floats which can foul on the | | | | Check it out prior to making any decisions on this. |
| side of the chamber effecting the pumps ability to | | | | I have been advised to put put two pumps and a |
| turn on. | | | | battery back up in my sump pump. This is an |
| How do I make sure I am getting all the water | | | | cost which I haven't budgeted for. Another |
| that may enter my basement in the water | | | | company said one pump is fine.? |
| sump? | | | | Well, pump equipment and all powered control |
| Good question, now as the sump chamber should | | | | products run off electricity so my advise is yes |
| be set at the lowest point in the basement (or in | | | | use two pumps and have battery protection. So |
| the lightwell) it is vital that the sump chamber can | | | | many times I have seen people omit pumps |
| deal with ground or surface water before it | | | | based on a small extra cost and their basement |
| pressurizes or enters your basement. There are 3 | | | | has flooded. Also they have gone with cheap |
| ways of doing this of which I am a fan of the last | | | | plastic pumps which have overheated and failed |
| one. Firstly you can perforate the sump chamber | | | | when put under a lot of pressure. One pump and |
| before you put it into the ground. In my opinion | | | | no battery is definitely not cheaper if your |
| bad idea, this can lead to the sump pump | | | | basement floods. So if you have any questions |
| operating all the time if you have a high water | | | | about pumps quality or the ability to pump certain |
| table and continually be pumping day and night | | | | volumes of expected water I would contact the |
| costing you a fortune. Secondly you can put the | | | | pump manufacturer for more specifics. |