abbyqueue
Apr 16, 2009, 09:04 AM
Hi guys. I had a new home built a little over three years ago and they installed a sump pump. We didn't have one when I was growing up -- in fact, no one in my family has had one before -- so I really don't know what I'm dealing with.
My pump has failed twice before: once because the builder didn't clean 20 pounds of gravel out from the construction site debris, which collected in the pit and clogged and killed the pump; and once because the pump died suddenly.
Both times were not fun, I assure you.
Since I have no experience with these things, I defer to you guys with my questions:
1. Why do I have a sump pump and some of my neighbors don't? I'm on top of the hill in our subdivision. I don't understand the "water table" stuff. I envy my pump-less neighbors.
2. How does one ever finish a basement with a sump pit in it? I'd constantly be afraid that the pump would malfunction and overflow.
3. How far away from the house should the drain pipe be? My builders put a three-foot long PVC extension on the drainpipe, straight into my backyard. All the water drains there and has created a huge mudpit. I've built a deck onto the back of my house and am a little concerned about the concrete pillars sinking because of this.
4.. . which leads me to my next question, which I guess depends on lots of things: how much should my sump pump be running? It seems like mine's running almost all of the time. I think that's because the three-foot pipe extension constantly becomes detached from the drainpipe (from the force of the water coming out), so the water is essentially draining from the pit right out near my foundation. So the water seeps right back in again and gets pumped out again. Is there a better way to drain this? I was considering putting a longer PVC extension on the drainpipe, angled slightly down but more lateral to the house, and drilling holes along its length. That way, I figure, the water might drain more evenly under the deck as opposed to right under it in one big muddy, wet patch.
5. The battery backup systems are pricey and don't seem to last very long. What do you think of the pumps that use water as their power?
6. Finally (I think), is there anything useful I can do with the water being pumped out? It seems a little silly for all this water going essentially to waste.
Phew! Sorry about all the questions, but this has been plaguing me for some time and I finally thought it wise to come to the experts. Thanks for any help you can provide. :)
Abby
My pump has failed twice before: once because the builder didn't clean 20 pounds of gravel out from the construction site debris, which collected in the pit and clogged and killed the pump; and once because the pump died suddenly.
Both times were not fun, I assure you.
Since I have no experience with these things, I defer to you guys with my questions:
1. Why do I have a sump pump and some of my neighbors don't? I'm on top of the hill in our subdivision. I don't understand the "water table" stuff. I envy my pump-less neighbors.
2. How does one ever finish a basement with a sump pit in it? I'd constantly be afraid that the pump would malfunction and overflow.
3. How far away from the house should the drain pipe be? My builders put a three-foot long PVC extension on the drainpipe, straight into my backyard. All the water drains there and has created a huge mudpit. I've built a deck onto the back of my house and am a little concerned about the concrete pillars sinking because of this.
4.. . which leads me to my next question, which I guess depends on lots of things: how much should my sump pump be running? It seems like mine's running almost all of the time. I think that's because the three-foot pipe extension constantly becomes detached from the drainpipe (from the force of the water coming out), so the water is essentially draining from the pit right out near my foundation. So the water seeps right back in again and gets pumped out again. Is there a better way to drain this? I was considering putting a longer PVC extension on the drainpipe, angled slightly down but more lateral to the house, and drilling holes along its length. That way, I figure, the water might drain more evenly under the deck as opposed to right under it in one big muddy, wet patch.
5. The battery backup systems are pricey and don't seem to last very long. What do you think of the pumps that use water as their power?
6. Finally (I think), is there anything useful I can do with the water being pumped out? It seems a little silly for all this water going essentially to waste.
Phew! Sorry about all the questions, but this has been plaguing me for some time and I finally thought it wise to come to the experts. Thanks for any help you can provide. :)
Abby