Ask Me Help Desk - Sump pump line

I have burned out 2 sump pumps in about a year - just figured maybe that's how it goes. Plumber never questioned, said a word.

I am in the country, have a drainage ditch, went outside last night and discovered no water coming out of sump pump line into ditch! Went back inside, put water in the sump pump, it pumped OK - back out to the ditch, no water. No water in the basement. Sump pump running fine.

The line must be broken or blocked (although I don't see any water on the surface other than rain water). I called a drainage company and they are coming this afternoon.

I have no idea what to ask, how they would find the break or blockage, if the line has to be dug up (and it runs under a brand new stockade fence!), how deep it has to be buried, how to look like I have a clue what they are talking about. The line does not have a vent to be used to clear anything and it is plastic, about 8" in diameter. The company told me that it can't be 8" in diameter, that's far too big, but I just went out - again - and measured the pipe and that's what it is.

Any advice for me? I'm lost here.

Don't know much about the topic, Good Luck. Maybe get more than one opinion, so you don't feel like you are being taken for a ride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsMewiththat

Don't know much aboutthe topic, Good Luck. Maybe get more than one opinion, so you don't feel like you are being taken for a ride.

I would like at least 2 estimates but I'm not sure if I have time - if this is leaking underground I'm afraid it's going to come through the basement walls.

I'm beginning to think I should have studied plumbing in college!

You have a few things that really caught my eye, two pumps burning out and an 8" drain line. The drain line sounds more like a culvert, can you see the sump drain connection to this line by the house. How often does the pump run each day. The better pumps would be under warranty so next time try a Zoeller cast iron pump. Are you 100% sure this 8" pipe is connected to the sump, the norm is a 2" line out to the yard and then maybe a 3" or 4" buried line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

You have a few things that really caught my eye, two pumps burning out and an 8" drain line. The drain line sounds more like a culvert, can you see the sump drain connection to this line by the house. How often does the pump run each day. The better pumps would be under warranty so next time try a Zoeller cast iron pump. Are you 100% sure this 8" pipe is connected to the sump, the norm is a 2" line out to the yard and then maybe a 3" or 4" buried line.

Let's see - no, the drain line is from the sump pump. Normally when the pump is running you can see the water coming out of that line into the ditch. The sump pump and gutters share that line. Some years ago - when sewers were put in - the County ran some sort of dye test. I don't remember the details other than pouring water with a bright dye in it into the sump pump and then checking for the dye in the ditch - they had to be certain that storm water wasn't going into the sewer line.

Yes, I can see where it comes out of the house - it's on sort of a "T" and the drain pipe from the gutters is the other side of the "T." Then it goes from the "T" with the two pipes coming in to a single line and then that goes into the ground and I guess is buried at whatever depth to the street.

I don't know how often it runs every day because I can't hear it unless I'm actually in the basement.

I don't recall if the second and most recent sump pump was replaced under the warranty/guarantee for the first replaced sump pump because my husband took care of it and I can't find the papers.

That makes more sense with the gutters going to the same drain pipe. 8" is still a bit overkill but its fine. Here is my thougt, if the pump is pumping and you have no water in the basement you may not have any real problem. I understand you'd feel more assured if water came out of the 8 " drain but sumps only put out a few gallons each time they pump. That might not be enough to get to the drain this time of the year. Run a garden hose to the pit and let it run for an hour or so. The pump will kick on about every 10 minutes and that may get the water flowing out your 8" drain. Sump pump drain lines rarely break.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

That makes more sense with the gutters going to the same drain pipe. 8" is still a bit overkill but its fine. Here is my thougt, if the pump is pumping and you have no water in the basement you may not have any real problem. I understand you'd feel more assured if water came out of the 8 " drain but sumps only put out a few gallons each time they pump. That might not be enough to get to the drain this time of the year. Run a garden hose to the pit and let it run for an hour or so. The pump will kick on about every 10 minutes and that may get the water flowing out your 8" drain. Sump pump drain lines rarely break.

Excellent! This is what I will try - I'm waiting for the estimate now and then I will do the hose test. I couldn't figure out how something underground would/could break but I guess it could.

I'll come back and let you know -

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

That makes more sense with the gutters going to the same drain pipe. 8" is still a bit overkill but its fine. Here is my thougt, if the pump is pumping and you have no water in the basement you may not have any real problem. I understand you'd feel more assured if water came out of the 8 " drain but sumps only put out a few gallons each time they pump. That might not be enough to get to the drain this time of the year. Run a garden hose to the pit and let it run for an hour or so. The pump will kick on about every 10 minutes and that may get the water flowing out your 8" drain. Sump pump drain lines rarely break.

Just when you think things can't get worse, they get worse.

Contractor came out. No water is passing through the line. Ran a high pressure hose, nothing. Sump pump kept right on pumping. He went out to the ditch, measured, it's an 8" discharge. Then he dug backward and uncovered the pipe. It's eggshell (temporary) pipe which is allowed inside on a temporary basis and is illegal for outside use, with a heavier gauge cap on the ditch end. He doesn't understand why it's 8" in diameter.

Because it's eggshell he can't even try to snake it; it has to be replaced. He has reported the problem to the Town because SOMEBODY inspected the original job (when the house was built) but I don't have a choice but to get it replaced.

When he stuck the pole/stick thing into the ground water welled up in the middle section and when then he pointed out to me that my lawn is MUCH greener along that section of pipe. And it is - I thought it was because I reseeded last year but I suspect that is not the case. I have an underground watering system!

I'm going to get another estimate but I don't think I have a choice -

As always, thanks for help and input.