Can a sump pump be placed outside?

Exterior sump pumps take unwanted pooling rainwater in your backyard and drain it to a location safely away from your foundation. Outdoor sump pumps can accomplish this in two ways. First, they can collect excess rainwater in one area and pump that water into a storm sewer.

How deep should an outdoor sump pump 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.

What size sump pump do I need for my yard?

For most average-sized homes in areas with average water tables, a 1/3 HP sump pump should be sufficient. Typically, 1/3 HP pumps can handle 7′ – 10′ vertical lifts from the sump pit if they have one 90-degree elbow and a horizontal pipe run between 3 feet and 25 feet.

Which type of sump pump is best?

The Best Sump Pumps Of July 2022

  • The 5 Best Sump Pumps.
  • Wayne CDU1000 Sump Pump.
  • Zoeller Model 63 Sump Pump.
  • Zoeller Model 57 Sump Pump.
  • Red Lion 14942746 Sump Pump.
  • Liberty Pumps 287 Sump Pump.
  • The 5 Best Sump Pumps.
  • How to Determine Which Sump Pumps Are Best for You.

How do I keep my outside sump pump from freezing?

How to Prevent a Frozen Sump Pump Discharge Line

  1. Keep your water running. …
  2. Prevent the water from meeting freezing air. …
  3. Give your sump pump a slight slope. …
  4. Add some insulation. …
  5. Reduce its workload. …
  6. Increase the distance between the sump pump and wastewater area.





How do you run a sump pump outside?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Make this measurement. Make your cut glue up your pipe. Press and hold together. This pipes coming out of the sump pump through the wall back underground into the downspout drain.

How far should sump pump drain 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.

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).

Should there be water in my sump pump 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.

Should sump pump sit on bricks?

Ensure your sump pump doesn’t sit on debris such as silt or gravel, which could be sucked up into the pump, ruining the motor. Instead, place it on steady, flat bricks. Also, ensure the sump basin has a filter fabric around it to stop debris from coming in.

Can a sump pump be too powerful?

You don’t want a pump that is either too small or too powerful. If the pump is too small, it won’t be able to keep up with water flowing into the basin. If the pump is too powerful, it will “short cycle.” This means the pump will start and stop frequently, which can cause premature pump failure.

Why do I have 2 sump pump pits?



The reason for 2 sump pumps per pit is to ensure you have a fail-safe in case the first one, or your home’s power fails. Now, if you have a whole-home generator, the battery backup can be replaced with a secondary Primary Sump Pump.

Is a backup sump pump necessary?

Sump pumps are a necessity for the modern home, so make sure it has all the protection it needs. A backup sump pump ensures that the excess water caused by rain does not flood your basement when the primary pump fails. With that in mind, the choice to install a battery backup is a no-brainer.

Can you run 2 sump pumps together?

It is called the “piggy back” approach. It is simply 1 sump pump on top of another. You could set both sump pumps at the bottom of your sump pit basin, but that would mean that both pumps would run at the same time. This can actually hurt both sump pumps because they would both be cycling more often.

How much water should be in a sump pit?

If you are sizing your current sump pit for a sump pump, it’s important to know how much water it holds. As a general rule of thumb, for sump pits that are 18” in diameter, each inch of water equals around 1 gallon. For a 24” pit, each inch equals roughly 2 gallons.

How many HP should my sump pump be?



1/3 horsepower

There is no “correct” size. The horsepower requirement for a house is determined by the area of drainage connected to the sump, the depth to groundwater, the depth of the basement and many other factors. A 1/3 horsepower (hp) pump is satisfactory for most houses, but a 1/2 hp pump doesn’t cost that much more.

How far can a 1 HP sump pump push 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 long can a sump pump continuously run?

six to 24 hours



Generally, sump pumps can run for six to 24 hours continuously, depending on how heavy the rainfall is and the quality of your pump. The aftermath of torrential rains or even flooding puts a higher demand on your sump pump to keep your home’s low areas dry.

Why does sump pump run when it’s not raining?

The most common reason for your sump pumps keeps running while it is not raining is an increase in groundwater. Groundwater can come from many sources like nearby rivers or lakes, a broken pipe or nearby construction.

How often should a sump pump run during heavy rain?

In most cases, it’s perfectly normal for a sump pump to run constantly after heavy rain, often for 2 or 3 days in a row.

Can hot water damage a sump pump?

As hot water enters a centrifugal pump the pressure drops and can cause vapor bubbles to form that then collapse at high velocity on the pump impeller. When standing by a cavitating pump it sounds as if gravel is running through it and destructive erosive wear is the result.

Can I put vinegar in my sump pump?

Vinegar is a powerful acidic substance. Its enzymes help break down the toughest grime, dirt, and grease. It’s not only an effective cleaning solution for floors, tiles, and bathtubs but also a fantastic sump pump cleaner.

Can I pour bleach in my sump pump?

A DIY remedy to remove sump pump odors is to use a bleach solution in the sump pit. Create a diluted bleach solution, 1 cup bleach for every 1 gallon of fresh water. Pour the solution into the sump basin until water volume activates the float switch and the sump pump turns on.