Where to drill holes in sump basin
Mikepier
high water table issues. This has no perimeter french drain right now,
but could be added down the road.
In any event, I was told to drill several holes in the basin to allow
the water to come in, but where do you drill the holes?
If I drill on the bottom, that means water will always be in the pit
even during dry spells, but will allow water into the pit quicker
during a rainstorm, thus pumping it out quicker.
If I drill holes on the sides, then there would be no water in the
pit, but during a rainstorm, the water will not get into the pit until
it reaches the level of the side holes, thus making the water come
"closer" to floor level.
Is there a happy medium as to where the holes should be drilled?
jim
In my sump basin which was store bought and not diy fabricated the
holes are drilled from top to bottom
hr(bob) hofmann@att.net
There is nothing wrong with having water in the bottom of the pit at
all times, as long as you set the float level so it does not trip on
the lower water level. I agree with Jim, put holes all over so that
the water table stays below the floor level.
I would also do a readon check after the system is installed, having a
place where radon can escape into your basement means you should be
careful. I put a cover on my sump and then a 4" flexible pipe from a
hole in the cover to the outside with a constantly running fan in the
middle of the run to keep a slightly negative presssure in the sump.
Cut my radon down from above 4 to about 1.
Bob F
No pump I've used would pump it dry. So it will stay wet for quite a while
anyway. Holes in the bottom might help it dry faster in dry weather.
Mikepier
Another question is this is going into my furnace room. I also have a
HW heater and an A/C condensate drain that goes into small pump, which
pumps it outside.
Is there any harm if I lead the discharge line into the sump? Would it
not drain into the earth rather than get pumped out?
tra...@optonline.net
Unless local code says otherwise, routing the condensate drain the the
sump
is OK and I've seen it done routinely here in NJ in new construction.
IMO a
better solution that using a condensate pump. Far less run cycles
and during
dry periods, no pumping at all.
hal...@aol.com
When installing sump dig hole large, and put gravel in bottom and all
around sump. Then cement arund top.
You want the water to easily enter the sump. Think of many holes
smaller than the gravel
ransley
I have 6 pits and pumps in one building and a few more, none are
really ever dry at the bottom, maybe over the winter they dry. Id be
more worried about dirt getting in so gravel and a screen work. Just
pour in some bleach if it ever gets smelly. Holes top down will let
in the most water and all around since you are draining dirt not a
flowing pipe with alot of volume. Yoy want to lower the water table so
the lowest will hopefully help
Bob F
My understanding is that the condensate is somewhat acidic, which could be a
problem for a pump if it sat for long periods around the pump without other
water flow. In this case, I'd think you do need holes at the bottom of the sump.
Tony Miklos
Exactly. Holes in the bottom will let it drain out when the water table
is low.
hal...@aol.com
I thought about doing the sump thing but ended up getting a interior
french drain.
A lelftover of that project was the idea of a extra deep sump & pump
to lower the water table futher under the house.
figuring a lower pump might decrease the chance of water infiltration.
in my experience interior french drains work great
Bob F
Where does it drain? If the problem is the water table is too high, wouldn't a
french drain just make it worse?
hal...@aol.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
french perimeter drain goes to sump and pump or ideally by gravity to
daylight if the home sits high enough.
I had a home with a bad water problem:(
Heres what I did unsuccessfully:(.
Exterior perimeter drain at footer level, regraded complete lawn,
replaced sidewalks and steps, all new downspout drains going to
street, lots of misc landscaping etc. all gravel in sidewalk areas
alongside home. previous owner had tried and failed, found their
drains and noted their tipping sidewalks. I was the laborer on this
job it improved curb appeal a lot but 6 months later the water
returned.
had interior french drain with sump and pump installed ended water
problem.....
I wasted 8500 bucks and a summer of hard labor, although the outside
looked great
found out later there was a stream thru this area, all the surrounding
homes had water troubles too.
conclusion...........
interior french drain is the least expensive and most effective
solution.
mm
>
>There is nothing wrong with having water in the bottom of the pit at
>all times, as long as you set the float level so it does not trip on
>the lower water level. I agree with Jim, put holes all over so that
>the water table stays below the floor level.
The guy I bought my house from told me to put something in the sump so
it wouldnt' smell bad, but I forget what he said, and I've never
smelled anything in the sump anyhow. He was very fastidiious, except
he didnt' know how to caulk, spackle, or paint properly.
bud--
I had the thought of acidic condensate too, but that is from a
condensing furnace or boiler. Condensate from an A/C evaporator should
be pretty pure water.
I had the thought of acidic condensate too, but that is from a
condensing furnace or boiler. Rereading the post, the HW heater is not
likely condensing, and condensate from an A/C evaporator should be
pretty pure water.