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Originally Posted by TPI Monte SS
Speaking of, anyone ever install a sump pump on their own? Any tips? I think I want to install one.
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Yeah I've put two in. All I can offer is my experience - you may have different needs.
I place a brick under the pumping unit so that its not sitting directly on the bottom of the sump pump well. The reason: 1) keep the pump as level as possible, 2) the pipe needs to extend below the pump
Make sure you get a pump that has enough horsepower, litterally, to pump the water up out of the basement, across the yards of piping that runs along the ceiling of the basement, and then outside to the yards of piping that either runs to the side of your house (poor location), out into the yard (not the best) or out to the street (best location). Gotta move a lot of water, in a short time, for a good distance without backflushing the water back into the pump well. NOTE: There should ALWAYS be a small amount of water in the pump well.
In my house I have two sump pumps in the same pump well - a "normal" pump and a marine-worthy pump (designed to sump sailboats) just in case we get another hurricane. The marine sump -launches- the water up the 3" pipes and blasts it into the front yard. While its not the best location, the marine sump is set up to be the last line of defense if there's just too much water, and acts as a water cannon, moving the most amount of water in the shortest time. I've only ever had it come on once, and its a sight to see 3" pipes blast water 15' out into the front yard.
If you can, set up a battery back up system that recharges 24/7/365 from an AC outlet close to the sump pump. You will need an AC outlet for the sump anyway, but having two outlets allows the battery backup. Why a battery backup? Imagine being without power for a few hours during a hurricane. Yes, I learned the hardway (hurricane Floyd, 1998). The backup kicks on when the power goes off, and at least holds the water at bay for a few hours. With luck, the power comes back on before the battery runs out.
Finally, make sure the exit pipe out by the road is recessed from the curb, but not lying directly on the street, and is placed deep enough that the small amount of water that is always in the pipe, doesn't freeze. You need to do this to avoid a few things: 1) snow and ice building up from the snow plows - make sure you dig that sucker out first chance you get, 2) little critters - make a screen out of chicken wire then put a metal band around it to hold it on. Having mice live, die, plug up the pipe just before a Nor'Easter will render your pump unusable; 3) as water trickles down the pipe in winter, the pipes cosest to the surface will freeze the water. Then more and more water trickles down, freezes.. and so on, until a solid block of ice has it blocked off. One good rain during winter, melts the snow, creates a LOT of water... you get the picture.
Thats it for now. I can discuss more via PMs or email. Good luck!