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specialk440 · Feb 20, 2009, 07:07 PM

I recently installed a sump pump in my basement, due to a corner that would accumulate water during heavy rains. I found something strange when I broke up the concrete in the area. This is the story:
In the wet corner was a makeshift sump pump consisting of a five gallon bucket with a submersible pump, installed many years after the house was built. This was there when I purchased the house. The float switch would often hang up due to the limited space of the bucket, causing flooding. Well, when I made the hole bigger to install the new crock, I found a 4" PVC pipe that came into the house side of the foundation from outside, about 12" below the slab. It was about 18" long, and open. Nothing in it but dirt and water. Well, not knowing what this was, or what it was supposed to go to, I went outside and shoved my garden hose into the downspout-to-storm drain pipes. Sure enough, water starting coming through this open pipe in under my basement after a few minutes. I capped this pipe, finished the new sump install, and haven't had any problem since. The sump pump still runs when it rains, but keeps up just fine. My question is: Was this pipe intended to be a gutter-downspout-to storm drain tie in, never completed, and the basement wall poured on top of it? There was nothing in or around the sump pump hole to connect it to, and it is in a corner of the house, and the downspout is on the opposite corner. I'm stumped.

massplumber2008 · Feb 20, 2009, 07:23 PM

Hi Specialk...

It may be that they intended to connect this to the main sewer drain and then were told they couldn't so just buried it and ran... maybe? It could also be part of a perimeter drain system that would want you to uncap the pipe and allow the water to flow into the sump pit and be directed to outside..? Hard to say for sure here. If you keep the line capped I would direct the flow of the downspout(s) away from the house in some other manner such as a simple extension on the downspout that directs the water away from the house.

What matters most is that you have installed a sump pump that acts correctly. You may also want to consider a battery back-up sump pump just in case power fails or in case the primary sump pump fails... ;) Zoeller makes a great battery back-up sump pump.

Let me know what you think...

MARK

Milo Dolezal · Feb 20, 2009, 09:01 PM

It is possible that that section of 4" pipe was put inside foundation by the original builder - before pour - and for future use (as are: future drain in the basement, or perhaps he planned to put in new bath in the future.. etc) . With this pipe in, he wouldn't have to break foundation: just dig one end on the outside and expose other end on the inside of the house.

specialk440 · Feb 21, 2009, 04:27 AM

Thanks for the info. My sump is a battery back-up, and worked perfectly during my most recent 8 hr. power outage. I should also add that this does not appear to be the main drain for the downspouts, as they still drain with this pipe cap installed. ( I think). During heavy rains, however, they do back-up. Hmmm, looks like I have some more homework to do. Thanks again for the pointer.