A sump pump system has one function, to remove unwanted water from a specific area. The most common applications are basements and crawl spaces where ground water seeps in, or otherwise enters the area. These systems are simple is design and function but careful planning will help ensure a trouble-free experience with your system.
Instructions
1. Examine the type of water flow you are experiencing in the problem area. Determine if you are experiencing surface water which enters the basement or crawl space from above ground level, or if primary water seepage is from below ground level. The answers to these questions will determine the type of sump pit you will need to install in order to help eliminate the water problem in an efficient manner. If surface water is the issue a concrete sump pit may be your best option. If seepage is the issue, a plastic pit liner with collection ports would be a better solution.
2. Determine the approximate amount of water you will be removing. This calculation will be an estimate, but will be necessary in order to select the proper size pump for your need. There are many different size sump pumps, each with a different gph (gallons per hour) capacity. If you need to remove 10 gallons of water per hour there is no need to purchase a pump capable of removing 100 gph. Likewise, if you must remove 100 gph a pump which is rated at 10 gph will certainly not meet your needs.
3. Evaluate the options for the drain system of the sump pump. A single drain line will be installed to the pump to remove the water from the problem area. Where this water is removed to and by what route is a very important consideration. You will want to route the drain by way of the most direct route. This will save installation cost and will also lessen the burden on the pump. In some cases it will be possible to tie the drain directly into a house drain. This should not be considered an option if the home uses a septic system. The drain can empty into a side yard, ditch or can be attached to a watering system which will carry the water to a garden or other desirable area.
4. Check for the closest source of electrical power for the pump. It may be necessary to run a new circuit to the area depending on your current design and circuit load. Any device installed will need to be a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruption) device. Electrical code requires a GFCI device in any crawl space, unfinished basement or wet/damp environment. These devices offer added protect to you and your family from electrical fires and shocks.
5. Determine if you want to add a battery back-up to your sump pump system. In the event your primary pump fails, or a power outage, the battery back up will automatically begin removing the water until power is restored, or until the battery power is depleted. These systems, like the primary pump, come in a wide variety of styles with differing capacities and options. Select the options which are important to you and your situation.
Tags: design, sump, pump, system, sump pump, crawl space, ground level, primary pump, problem area, surface water, These systems
