I am planning to install a floor drain in my basement which will discharge into my sump basin. Unfortunately, water on the floor will not flow into my sump since the lip of the liner is actually sitting on top of the slab, surpassing it by about a 1/4 inch. It was installed to collect water from the exterior french drain, which it does nicely.

Anyway, I understand how to dig the trench and angle the pipe, but I am unsure of two things:

1. What size pipe is normally used? 1.5"?
2. How do I cut a hole in my plastic sump liner so that the drain fits in snugly? I assume that a hole cutting bit on my drill will do the trick, but I am worried about a leaky joint. Does it have to be sealed?

Thanks!

Before you start this project you must check with your city building department. Floor drains are required to be plumbed to the sewer not the sump in many towns. If they say its OK you will ned to saw cut or jack hammer a trench that will allow a 1/4" per foot slope to the sump from the drain. I would use no less than 3" ABS or PVC for the drain. The actual drain can be untrapped if this goes to the sump so a simple 90 elbow many be sufficient. Back fill with sand and gravel to support the pipe and keep the slope before repouring you concrete floor.

Floor drains are required to be plumbed to the sewer not the sump in many towns.

Bob could you have stated that backwards??


I would use no less than 3" ABS or PVC for the drain.


The way I am reading hommegrenouille's post is that the sump and foundation darin are already in, he's just putting in the floor drain.

You OK Bob?

That's right, sorry for any confusion. The exterior foundation drain and sump basin are already there. I want to add a floor drain and have it flow into the sump basin. I don't have any sewer connections in this part of the basement, only my sump. It's an old house (1943) with a more recent addition. The basement floor in the newer part goes about three feet deeper than it does under the original part of the house, where all the sewer connections are. My only realistic option is to discharge the drain into the sump.

One and half inch pipe should be fine. Might want to go 2" to make it easier to snake should you have to. Don't worry about watertight connection at sump crock; any opening around pipe would just be another place for ground water to drain into sump. Bob's correct that no need to trap since there is no sewer gas. Some municipalities prohibit tying floor drains into sewer not the other way around.

Actually I stand by my first post, at least for the towns where I have been working. Flor drains here are required to be connect to the sewer lines and must be trapped. Water entering a floor drain is not foundation seepage but is frequently washer over flows and the like and are considered gray water. I don't know why that is but that's the code here, I just follow it. Curtain drains and french drains go to a sump and can not be connected to the sewer. I would still call the city builing department to check on your code. I had to have a second pit installed just for the floor drains and that pit pumps to the sewer. If you think this code is goofy you should see our Governor.