YOUR GUIDE TO INSTALLING A SUMP PIT

A sump pump is used to divert water away from the foundations of your house and your basement to prevent flooding.  For the sump pump to work effectively you will need to install a sump pit.  Now this is a task that should not be taken lightly and it is highly recommended that only qualified technicians install or repair sump pumps and install a sump pit.

Firstly you will need to know if and where any main service lines are located beneath your house.  I doubt the local authorities (or your household) would be too pleased if you hit a main or branch sewer or even a service water line with a jackhammer!  If in doubt contact your local authorities and local water company to find out where sewers or water lines are located.

The next step in installing a sump pit would be to locate the the lowest point of the floor in your basement.  This should hopefully be near an exterior wall so that the discharge pipe does not have to be too long to extract the water.  You can use a carpenter's level to locate the lowest point in your basement.  Now mark out the opening for the pit, allowing an additional six inches for gravel fill.

Installing a sump pit now involves using a electric jackhammer to dig the pit.  Make sure you wear heavy clothing and gloves to minimize vibration and protect your eyes with goggles. It is a lot easier to do by daylight and also breaking out the center area concrete into small chunks with the electric jackhammer makes the chunks easier to remove out the house later.

Installing your sump pit is almost complete.  You will now need to remove the soil to the depth of your pit liner.  Put your pit liner in the hole and level it.  Next, place gravel all around the pit liner to within a foot of ground level and seal with concrete to match level of existing floor line.  Once the concrete has dried you can start to install the sump pump.

After installing your sump pit, you can prepare to put the sump pump in by cutting a hole in the exterior wall for the discharge pipe.  A keyhole saw can be used to drill a hole the same diameter as the pipe (this diameter is usually recommended by the manufacturer). 

Measure and cut the length of PVC pipe required to extend through wall and allowing enough to connect to the sump pump on the inside.  Seal the outside of this pump by caulking it and add an extension to  make sure water is carried far enough away from the house.

Using the manufacturer's instructions connect the sump pump to the discharge pipe and install the sump pump.