How To Install A Sump Pump In 8 Steps

A sump pump uses a submersible float that rises and falls with the water table. When flooding causes the float to rise, a switch automatically turns on and the pump begins to extract water and drain it through a pipe to the outdoors. Sump pump installation generally requires a professional. These are the steps involved:

Sump Pump Installation Process in 8 Steps

Installing Crawl Space Sump Pumps and Exterior Sump Pits

Not all sump pumps are built the same. The simplest sump pumps are plugged into an outlet, but there are other models that come with backup batteries that run the pump even during a power outage. This secondary power system can come in handy during inclement weather, and the battery should be replaced every two years.

How Do You Install a Crawl Space Sump Pump?

Installing a sump pump in a crawl space requires slightly different preparation and materials. The earth inside your crawl space may not be even, and below-grade water may create pools of standing water in low spots. When placing the basin, consider easy access, and as with the basement install, a proper drainage plan, and a ready power source. The process for installing the basin and discharge system are the same, until it comes to finishing the hole for the basin. Rather than pouring concrete, it’s recommended that pea gravel be added up to the lip of the basin for proper drainage.

How Do You Install an Exterior Sump Pump?

Sump pumps can even be installed to resolve exterior drainage issues. They work the same as they do inside your home to drain standing water from outdoor entertaining spaces and lawns. They can also protect your foundation by redirecting water away from the house. Because the exterior pump will need to serve a larger surface area than most basements, a professional contractor may opt to dig inlet lines and catch basins that will feed into the sump pit from different points around the landscape. From there, most sump pits have lines that drain into the street gutters, but check your local municipality to confirm permissibility. Installing an exterior sump pump should always be performed by a professional, as obstacles like gas and sewer lines must be worked around. Exterior sump pumps are best suited for climates with mild winters. Water freezing and expanding in the system can prematurely ruin the pump. Without this kind of interference, most sump pumps last for approximately 10 years.

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