How to Build a Sump Pump Drainage System

Sump pumps are a shortened name for submersible pumps and are located in pits. The pumps transport excess water from one location to another and are common in locations that flood, such as basements. Installing a sump pump drainage system requires quite a bit of demolition to create the initial pit. However, once the pit is constructed, the pump itself simply attaches to piping that you direct to the desired drainage location.

Sump pit
Marker
Safety glasses
Dust mask
Jackhammer
Shovel
5-gallon bucket
Landscape fabric
Gravel
Stone paver
Sump pump
PVC pipe
Hand saw
PVC cement
PVC pipe elbows
Hole saw or hammer drill
Concrete
Wheelbarrow
Hoe
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the sump pit, which looks like a large trash can, upside down and place it in the desired installation area. Draw a circle around the pit with a marker then set the pit aside.
- 2
  Put on safety glasses and a dust mask then plug in the cord to a jackhammer. Place the tip of the jackhammer in the center of the marked area and squeeze the trigger to begin drilling out the hole. Continue until all of the surface material has cracked and loosened.
- 3
  Set the jackhammer aside and dig out the material from inside the sump area with a shovel. Place the material into a 5-gallon bucket and remove it from the area. Test the hole periodically by inserting the sump pit into it and continue digging until its top is flush with the ground.
- 4
  Insert landscape fabric into the bottom of the hole to prevent dirt from clogging up the sump pump. Then insert the sump pit into the bottom of the hole.
- 5
  Fill the bottom of the sump pit with 3 inches of gravel then place a stone paver on the top center of the gravel to support the sump pump.
- 6
  Insert the sump pump into the pit and center it on top of the paver. Plug the pump's cord into a nearby electrical outlet.
- 7
  Measure the distance from the sump pump discharge outlet to the exterior location where you want the water to drain. Cut the necessary straight lengths of PVC pipe with a hand saw.
- 8
  Connect the PVC pipe to the outlet valve on the sump pump with PVC cement. Attach each remaining section of PVC pipe end-to-end with additional cement. If any turns are required, install a 45-degree PVC elbow with cement.
- 9
  Cut a hole through the side of the building that is the same diameter as the PVC pipe. Cut the hole with a hole saw or a hammer drill if it is masonry.
- 10
  Pour a bag of concrete mix into a wheelbarrow and add water as specified by the instructions. Mix the material up with a hoe then pour it around the top of the sump pit to fill in any gaps between the pit and the floor. Do not cover the top of the pit with concrete. Smooth the top of the concrete with a trowel.

How to Build a Sloping Tile Floor

Cutting Laminate Flooring for a Diagonal Wall

Floors