According to recent surveys about 85% of all homes with basements have a form of wet basement problems in their life time experience. Installing a sump pump backup in the basement can be a great advantage, even if it’s just to drain water on the floor. Before going deeper with what does a sump pump do, know first what to buy.
What to Buy
Sump pumps are generally in line with the pump motor horsepower. You will see ¼ horsepower, 1 / 3 horsepower and ½ horsepower pumps available. Although the horsepower of the pump is good to use in assessing which ranks pump to buy, an accurate way to make sure is the JPG gallons per hour that the unit is pumping. For example, you will find 3000 gallons per hour pump, but another ½ horsepower pumps about 7,500 gallons per hour pump. As you can see, horsepower quotations are not very accurate in assessing which ranks pump to buy. Generally I like to buy a larger pump than necessary because it usually lasts longer because it doesn’t have to work so hard.
Choose a pump with a reliable switch. The switch is very important because it tells the pump when to turn and when to take off. There are several types of switches available on pumps. Some of the different types of switches you will find are called, 2 rod switch, a mercury switch and a diaphragm switch. I only buy pumps that have 2 rod switch. They have proved to be reliable over time. Finally, what good is a sump pump if it won’t turn on?
Sump Well
A sump well is the container below floor level where the pump is installed. You will have a 20 gallon to 30 gallon well that you can buy at a local renovation store. But many people opt for a smaller 5 gallon bucket, don’t do it! Your pump will burn out very quickly and because of too much on, only small amounts of watering can pump each time it runs.
Installation
You will need an electric hand drill hammer rent to break a hole in your basement concrete floor. Ask for a shovel restrained when you hand hammer drilling leases. The shovel will make quick work restrained to dig the hole where you will install your sump well. The lip of the pit that holds the sump well lid should be installed slightly below the basement floor. This will allow your sump well and pump to act as a very good floor drain in relation to a water pipe, leaky hot water tank broke, etc. You will receive a bag of sand mix cement to cement the floor area around the sump well and to buy the broken concrete.
Most pumps come with a 1 threaded connection for PVC pipe. Get an adapter that is up to 1 plan converts pipes. 40 plan and universal pipes are much easier to find fittings for. Next you’ll need a check valve to confirm your pipeline. The check valve prevents water already pumped through the pipes from draining back down into the sump well when the pump is shut. These are easy with rubber boots and a screw driver attached.
Make sure to use pipe cleaner before gluing your pipe fittings together. The pipe cleaner actually softens the plastic and allows the pipe glue to connect better. Check the instructions on the glue can about how long to wait for water through the newly glued connections to pump.
Enter your sump pump directly into a grounded outlet. Don’t use an extension cord because it will shorten the life of your pump. The socket on a breaker would be the appropriate size for your pump. Your outlet would also be its property dedicated circuit breaker for other electrical connections to prevent it from overloading your breaker.
The installation of a sump pump is a pretty easy do-it-yourself project with some great benefits. So
what does a sump pump do is allow you to save money besides providing a great protection for your basement.