DIY PVC Line Sump
Leaking basements cause large amounts of damage and emotional grief for homeowners. By installing a sump pump system, you have the water pumped out the basement before it becomes a problem. The sump pump sits below the concrete in a dug well. When the water rises too far up through the ground, the sump turns on to push the water through a discharge pipe. You can have the discharge pipe made out of PVC and run it up along an outer wall for the water to be pumped outside. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- PVC pipe
- Check valve
- 2 pipe couplings
- 2 hose clamps
- Screwdriver
- Hacksaw
- PVC pipe elbow
- Pipe adhesive epoxy
- Hole saw
- Spray foam insulation
- Shovel
- PVC grate screen
Instructions
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1
Connect a 2-foot length of PVC to the pump's outlet. Affix a check valve on the end of the pipe. Slip on the rubber coupling over the pipe and valve, with the arrow on the valve in the up position.
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2
Tighten the rubber coupling by adjusting the hose clamps. Place the screwdriver in the screw and tighten the clamp. The check valve will prevent a backflow of water from coming down the pipe and back into the sump, causing it to turn on and run unnecessarily.
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3
Add a long length of pipe to the valve with another rubber coupling and hose clamp. Tighten the clamp. Run the pipe to the nearest wall. Saw the pipe to length with a hacksaw.
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4
Attach a 90-degree elbow to the end of the PVC pipe. Place adhesive epoxy along the inside of the pipes and push together.
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5
Drill a hole in the wall with a hole saw. Run a length of PVC pipe through the hole and attach it to the elbow pipe. Seal around the hole with foam insulation spray.
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6
Contact the utility companies. Have them find and mark the water and gas lines in your yard. Dig a small trench through the yard leading toward the street with the shovel.
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7
Place the pipe in the trench and cover with dirt. Attach a PVC grate screen on the end. The grate will prevent sticks and small rodents from entering the pipe.
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Tips & Warnings
To prevent turning off the sump pump in the winter due to a frozen pipe, or the system backing up, you can attach another PVC grate that has a top opening halfway along the discharge line.
Never place two sump pumps on one discharge line. This arrangement causes too much water through a line. Always install an individual discharge line on each sump pump.
