Recent reports state that 85% of all homes with basements will experience some form of wet basement problems. Installing a sump pump in the basement will be a big step towards the elimination of “water surprises” in your basement.
Sump Pump Installation Tips
Sump pumps are usually rated relative to the horsepower rating of the pump motor. They are available in 1/4 horsepower, 1/3 horsepower and 1/2 horsepower. Although the horsepower of the pump is a good guideline for determining which pump to buy. A better guideline should consider the GPH or, Gallons Per Hour that it will move.
Some 1/2 horsepower sump pumps that can pump 3,000 gallons per hour and many 1/3 horsepower pumps will pump in excess of 7,500 gallons per hour. As you can see, horsepower ratings are not really as informative as the GPH rating. Buying a larger pump will decrease the load and wear on your pump. The running time to pump out your system will be shortened considerably as well. This pays dividends over several years.
These pumps always incorporate some type of automatic switch to turn the pump on and then off again when it has pumped the water down to the level you have determined you require.
Several types of switches are utilized on pumps. they might include: “2 pole switch”, “mercury switch” and “diaphragm switch”. Pole switches have proven to be very reliable.
Be sure to perform regular checks and maintenance. Over extended dry periods it is very easy to forget about your sump pump and just when you need it – it could fail. Keep all the components clean and lubricate moving parts. Remove any debris from the sump well. Manually turn the pump on and off for a brief time to ensure it is working properly.
Sump Wells
A sump well is the water reservoir below floor level. The pump body and intake system is lowered into this collection area. You can select various sizes, usually 20 gallon to 30 gallon capacity at your local home improvement store. Some people opt for a smaller 5 gallon bucket. This is not recommended. Your pump will burn out very quickly because it is turning on and off more often over shorter intervals.
Installation – Home Improvement
If this is a new installation, you may need to break a hole in your basement concrete floor. You may find it necessary to rent a jackhammer to complete this task. A shovel bit will expedite the task of creating a hole in which you will install your sump well. The top edge of the well where the lid rests should be installed slightly lower than the floor level. This will allow your setup to provide an efficient collection area in case of a broken water pipe, leaky hot water tank, etc. Dress the final installation with a pre-mixed mortar preparation designed for the floor area around the sump well and the broken concrete.
Most pumps come with a 1 ¼”threaded connection for PVC pipe. Get an adapter that converts it to 1 ½” pipe thread. 1 ½” pipe thread is more universal and will allow you to find a wide selection of fittings at any hardware supply. Next, you’ll want to attach a check valve in the system. The check valve prevents water from draining back down into the sump well when the pump shuts off. These are easily inserted with rubber boots, clamps and a screw driver.
When using plastic type plumbing, using a pre cleaner will soften and prepare the components for a good solid, water tight connections.
Try to plug your sump pump as close as possible into a grounded electrical outlet. Long extension cords made of small wire conductors will shorten the life of your pump. The electrical outlet should be on a breaker which is the proper size for your pump. Your electrical outlet should also be on a separate circuit breaker to prevent other electrical connections from overloading your breaker.
Modernize Your Sump Pump Installation – No More Wet Basements During Power Outage – New Sump Pump and Sewage Pump Power Backup Unit Introduced
Emergency Power Supply, Inc. introduced a new backup power supply unit that provides automatic backup power for Sump Pumps and Sewage Pumps. Requiring no maintenance and easy to install, the new EPS Sewage and Sump Pump Guardian will automatically operate your pump when power is out and provides hours of operation during a power outage.
This new larger unit is intended for large residential sump pumps and all sewage pumps, or to provide increased running time for regular residential sump pumps. The hugely successful EPS Sump Pump Guardian, already providing safety and security in homes throughout the United States, provides backup power for 1/3HP and 1/2HP residential sump pumps.