How to Install a Sump Pump in a Concrete Floor
A flooded basement is a large problem for many homeowners. In addition to damage to personal items in the basement, flooding increases moisture, which provides an optimal environment for mold growth. Installation of a sump pump pit allows water to collect in the pit until the water is deep enough to activate the float switch and be removed by a sump pump. Install a sump pump in a concrete floor to help keep your basement dry. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sump basin
- Tape measure
- Permanent marker
- String
- Small jackhammer or hammer drill
- Shovel
- Gravel
- Sump pump
- Hose clamp
- Discharge hose
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Hole saw drill bit
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Instructions
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Choose a location close to a wall but away from electrical and plumbing service to avoid any risk of damage to the property or harm to yourself during installation of the sump pump.
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Use a tape measure to measure and mark a location with a permanent marker four inches from the wall where the sump pump basin will be installed. Measure the width of the sump basin and add eight inches. Divide by two. Cut a piece of string to this length. Place one end of the string on the mark four inches from the wall and straighten the string away from the mark. Create a circle on the floor by holding the end of the string furthest from the wall securely in position, rotating the other end of the string and following placement of the end of the string with a permanent marker.
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Use a small jackhammer or hammer drill with a chisel bit to cut out the circle of concrete. Measure the height of the sump basin with a tape measure. Use a shovel to dig out the gravel under the removed concrete four inches deeper than the sump basin is tall.
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Pour four inches of gravel into the bottom of the hole. Place the sump basin on the gravel. Center the sump basin in the hole. Pour gravel around the sides of the sump basin until the gravel is level to the concrete floor.
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Attach an appropriate sized flexible hose to the sump pump. Place a hose clamp over the hose. Position the hose over the discharge outlet on the sump pump. Move the hose clamp on top of the hose where it is on top of the discharge outlet on the sump pump and tighten into position with a screwdriver. Place the sump pump in the sump basin.
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Place a hole saw drill bit that is 1/8-inch larger than the discharge hose into a drill. Drill a hole through the wall to the outside above the sump pump and above the concrete or cement wall. If the wall is not concrete or cement block, the hole for the sump pump drain line can be drilled at any location above the sump pump.
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Push the end of the hose through the hole created in the wall and pull from the outside until the hose is straight on the inside.
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Plug in the sump pump.
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Install the drain line into an existing downspout drainage system or create a new drainage system for the drain line. If the drain line will only be used as needed, be sure the end of the drain line is at least eight feet from the house when the pump is operating.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a cover over the sump basin to prevent objects from entering the basin.
Choose an outlet away from the discharge line. If the pump is to be hardwired into the electrical system, have the wiring done by a qualified electrician.
References
- Photo Credit Italian water pump. Isolated on white. image by diter from Fotolia.com
