Can I Put in a Sump Pump to Get Rid of Ground Water in My Basement?

Choosing Your Location

• A sump pump should be installed in the lowest part of your basement, whenever possible. If you have a concrete floor, it will have to be broken up in the area where you intend to install your pump to make room for the pump and basin. A basin is a plastic container-like structure that encloses the sump pump and prevents soil from falling on the pump.

Basin Installation

• After your floor has been broken, a hole must be dug to the size and depth of your basin. Your basin should fit firmly into the hole, but not be misshapen or deformed. Do not force the plastic basin into the hole, rather enlarge it so it fits properly.

Pump Types: Pedestal

• If you have limited space for your basin, you may want to opt for a pedestal pump. A pedestal pump locates the pump outside of the basin, reducing the basin size required. This is optimal for homeowners with limited space or individuals who want to minimize the size of the hole they need to break in their concrete floor.

Pump Types: Submersible

• When basin and hole size is not an issue, many homeowners choose submersible pumps. These fit inside the basin itself, and contain a float-switch that is triggered when water inside the basin rises beyond a certain level. They require larger basins and consequently larger holes in your basement floor.

Draining

• In many areas, it is illegal to attach a sump pump directly to a sewer line. Check with your local authorities to ascertain the correct method to drain water from your basement in your municipality. When in doubt, run PVC or a hose out of your basement through a window or a hole and drain it far from your house. Most of the water winding up in your basement comes from a few feet around the perimeter of your home. Therefore, disposing of pumped water far from the house helps ensure you are not pumping the same water back out of the basement.