Hi all- I need to reinstall some broken sump pump lines in a house I'm staying in. the owner swears the pipes need to be 4ft below grade due to freezing (we live in MA). I say as long as the pipe is slopeed running water does not freeze. It is about a 50ft run from the house. If I'm right how much should the slop be? Thanks for any help

Tim

So you are saying the sump discharge doesn't just go to the ground a few feet from the foundation, right? Sumps do not have to be piped like yous but nmany people do to make the yard look better. The slope used for plumbing is 1/4" per foot drop. However, the frezzing temps in your area will not let the pipe drain completely like you imagine. Look at it this way, in late winter your drain could be 20 degrees below and the sump water around 45 degrees. Pump 4 gallons out of the pit into a 50' drain and some will start to form ice on the walls of the drain. On the other hand in winter when the temps are that low most sumps become much less active so you may be OK. The big question in my mind is why are you working and the landlords rental property, he is responsible to keep things working. If you do not agree on an approach it's his call, not yours the prevails.