How deep should sump pump hole be?

In many cases, the pit needs to be a minimum of 24 inches and up to a depth of 36 inches. But some builders just use a common 5-gallon bucket. A small pit fills up with water very quickly and the sump pump has to turn on and off frequently, which shortens the life of the pump and of its check valve.

Can a sump pump be too deep?





If your sump pit reaches deep below the floor, then it’s gathering much more water than it needs to – and it’s forcing your pump to work longer and harder to pump water out. This will unnecessarily shorten the life of your system, increase the likelihood of overheating, and cost you extra on your electric bill.

How big should a sump pump weep hole be?

Weep holes should be a 3/16” hole – any larger or smaller and the hole will not be effective. The best way to drill a hole is with a power drill so you can quickly (and safely) drill a straight hole.

How far can sump pump pump water?

A 1/2 HP sump pump can handle 7 to 10 feet vertical lift off the sump pump, a 90-degree elbow and a horizontal pipe running between 3 and 25 feet.

How far should sump pump discharge from house?

Drain Your Sump Pump Away From Your House



You’ll want your sump pump’s discharge point to be at least 10 feet (3.05 m) away from your home’s foundation. If you want to be extra cautious, 20 feet (6.10 m) is also a good option. Extending the distance in this way can protect your home’s foundation from water damage.

What’s better 1/3 hp or 1/2 HP sump pump?





When used in similar conditions, a 1/2 horsepower pump will pump more water and lift it higher than a 1/3 horsepower pump. Most new sump pumps will have a chart or graph in the instructions or on the box that shows the flow versus height of lift for both sizes.

Which is better sump pump or French drain?

Sump pumps offer a few key advantages over french drains. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the amount of water they can pump and drain. Pumps like the Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate can drain up to 43 gallons of water per hour at a 5′ head height – something that french drains can’t compete with!

Will a sump pump work without drain tile?

Without a drain tile system, a sump pit and pump is most effective if it can be positioned in the precise low spot in the basement where water naturally collects.

Why is there always water in my sump pit?

It’s perfectly normal for a sump pump pit to always have some water in it. This water can be the result of rain, snowmelt, or seepage from the ground. That being said, when the water rises to a certain level, this should trigger your sump pump’s float switch. This will cause the pump to turn on and start working.

Can a sump pump hose be too long?



Installing discharge pipe of a larger size is not a huge problem and is in fact recommended for longer runs of pipe, typically 20 feet or more. The real problems occur when the diameter of the discharge pipe is too small.

How far can a 2 HP pump push water?

What is this? At the end of the day, though, the question turns back to push and lift. You can expect a 1/2 HP submersible pump to raise your water up to 10 feet out of the ground.

Can you bury a sump pump discharge hose?

The sump pump discharge line should be either buried in the yard or extended out above-grade at a downward slope. If the pipe is buried, it should be buried at least 12 centimetres below the frost line (the maximum depth of ground below which the soil doesn’t freeze).

How do I extend my sump pump discharge line?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Through a drain pipe away from my house. Now specifically i'll be using a solid single walled corrugated pipe at four inches in diameter.

How do you bury a sump pump discharge?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Put some gravel down there wash stone that allows the water to drain nice and easily.

Can you discharge sump pump into sewer line?

It is critical that sump pumps discharge to the yard or storm sewer, not to the sanitary sewer. It is illegal to connect your sump pump into your sanitary lateral. Not only can this cause serious health and safety concerns, it is also costing county rate payers.

Can sump pump drain into yard?

Since discharges can’t be run into sewer or septic systems, the only option is to run them out into your yard. A professional sump pump installer will work with you to determine a good location for the discharge to exit your home and pump the water to a place where it can run off efficiently.

Where do most sump pumps drain into?



Unless you or your construction company have made an error when connecting the sump pump, most homes will discharge water from the sump pit through a pipe in the wall of your foundation into either the yard or the storm sewer.

Does a sump pump drain need a vent?

Does a sump pump need to be vented? Not all sump pumps need to be vented but in areas with radon they will need a vent.

Should I drill holes in my sump pit?

Is it necessary to drill holes in my sump basin? Yes – drilling sump pump basin holes is almost always needed! If you choose to skip drilling these holes you risk the basin ‘floating’ in the pit. This can cause damage to the pump as well as broken drain lines!

Does a sump pump need a trap?

A sump pump has a drain trap that holds water in order to prevent sewage and gas from backing up into your home. If the water in the drain evaporates—typically due to unusually dry weather—this releases those unpleasant gases, causing a distinct odor.