How to Calculate Sump Size

Your home's sump pump is the last line of defense against a wet basement. In some houses, weeping tile on the exterior of the home and around the foundation's footings move water to the sump pit. The sump pump then pushes that water into a pipe where it is discharged away from the home. The pump needs to be sized correctly to handle the maximum amount of water during a heavy rainstorm.

Measuring tape
Stop watch

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of your sump pit with a measuring tape.
- 2
  Determine the number of inches of water that enter the sump pit during a heavy rain storm over a period of 60 seconds. For an 18-inch basin, one inch of water is equal to 1 gallon. For a 24-inch basin, 1 inch of water is about 2 gallons. This calculation will tell you the flow in gallons per minute (GPM).
- 3
  Measure from the bottom of the sump pit to the maximum height of the discharge pipe. This is called the "static head."
- 4
  Choose a pump that can handle the water flow GPM at the specific static head measurement for your house. Refer to the manufacturer's charts that show the pump's performance rate.

How to Polish Zinc Coated Wire

How to Re-Screen a Patio

Exterior Home Repair