8 Tips All Sump Pump Owners Need to Know

[@patty109109]

Great video! Seriously and #7 is the best tip here IMO. ALL machines break at some point. You need to assume your pump WILL fail at some point, and plan accordingly. Many basements flood every year because somebody’s pump fails and they aren’t aware of it. they didn’t install a 12 or $15 battery alarm for water and so they had no idea until their basement has suffered thousands in damage.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Great point!

[@vincedalessandro1955]

One of the best videos I have seen on sump pumps! Thank you!

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Wow! Thank you so much for the feedback!

[@tomatexelon]

I would suggest when a pump is installed, is to use zip ties to secure the cords to the pvc pipe so that it doesn’t interfere with some style float mechanisms. I personally like to use the clear see thru check valves.

[@happyGoMonty]

Man! this is always the best ON-POINT info for a crawlspace around. Concise. Entertaining. Examples. Structure & understanding diagrams. Thank you Michael Ninja ! Go Knoxville !!!

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thank you!!!

[@vinylrules4838]

Thanks for the great information. I was trying to figure out how to discharge the water away from the house underground. Now I know.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

You are welcome, thanks for watching.

[@cirigom]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja me 2A

[@kenprice5115]

Great info. Could also mention a water powered backup pump vs battery powered

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thanks! Check out these Sump Pump Battery Back ups we offer - diy.crawlspaceninja.com/pump-sentry-sump-pump-battery-backup-model-1622ps/

[@Pfaall1]

You should also talk about the air lock problem, i installed a pump myself, and i did not know about it... untill the pump jam. Took me a bit to sort it out!

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Noted! Thanks!

[@thomasschwarz1973]

Thanks! Question: should a sump pump basen be perforated ?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We always use perforated in our installs.

[@naturalhealing9970]

I have an extra large basin (24" x 36") because of the high water table and heavy flow. It keeps my pump from cycling too often. What is the best switch to use, was using the Level Guard but that only drains 10" of water at a time. Need something to drain 16" of water with each cycle. Thanks

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We have used HydroCheck switches in the past, have you looked at those?

[@adstaton8461]

A very experienced plumber once told me, "The best thing a sump pump owner can have is a spare sump pump."

[@djreag8614]

Nothing wrong with the PUMP but no POWER won't work with SPARE PUMP

[@waldo-ot6ul]

​@@djreag8614do you know how many times I scene a pump in an owners house burn up or go bad and they wished they had one on hand. Especially if the stores are closed.

[@bobkucharski9425]

warranty starts the day you bought it!

[@bfullsyou]

So, do you now like the check valve right there screwed into the pump housing, now? Versus, check valve beyond the cover, above the floor, with a subsequent weep hole drilled into pipe beneath it? With check valve all the way at the bottom, can that be too heavy with water against flapper to open?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hey! Feel free to submit a Ask a Ninja Form for in-depth information - crawlspaceninja.com/crawl-space-help-faq/

[@chillagorilla]

How deep does the pipe need to be to avoid it from freezing?

[@prentfaiyaz]

There's a website that tells you the frostline in your state.

[@patty109109]

@@prentfaiyaz yes but this has nothing to do with your frost line. I have a frost line up between 30 and 40 inches where I live and my sump pump ejects to a drain that’s only a few inches under dirt, and then ejects to daylight. Obviously, any of the water that my sump pump jacks is going to be above freezing so if it goes into a smooth drain that drains to daylight it’s never going to freeze and it never has.

[@Shyvi3tgurlhet]

Do you have instructions on how much to use of the bac a zap

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

I don't. Our service Tech just follows the recommendations on the label.

[@sherrykasprak1794]

Love your videos. Own a new home after a divorce and trying to educate myself so I can sleep better

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thank you so much! Best of luck to you!

[@RobertVosburg]

Basin: I have a sealed walled basin ( concrete ) nothing runs into it unless the basement has gets water and runs into the pump Drainage: no clue where it drains at. It goes into a PVC pipe that runs through the wall and outside somewhere. You don't see the exit pipe and gutters run underground

[@richardnelson2518]

It obviously runs into your gutters downspout drain underground as does mine .

[@patty109109]

@@richardnelson2518 most likely, and it should be very easy to test by waiting until it’s not raining and then run the sump pump and see where it comes out

[@lwall1445]

Very good information. Thank you!

[@daviddickie945]

Great video. I have a sump system in my home. What seems to happens for me is that the float seems to get clogged up with a white waxy substance and then prevents the float to operate. I was told that it may be a combination of soap (laundry, dish, shower) and grease. Is there something I can pour in on a regular basis to dissolve that gunk. Draino, etc ?

[@shannoncox3705]

Can you vac out the sump pump tank so it is dry and there is no water in it, or do you need to leave some water in it? Like as a prime for it.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

You can leave the water in there. It does serve as a prime and it is designed to be wet.

[@mangos2888]

I really wish you home maintenance or improvement YTers would share your location or USDA Hardiness zone in all your videos to help your viewers with context. I was with you and following along until you mentioned an HVAC system leak from your attic - which is something that would never exist in my Hardiness Zone of 4b. Your sump pump needs are surely different from mine, too, so I need to be able to interpret these tips appropriately for my area/situation. Thanks for the video.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hello, I'm sorry for the confusion. We are in East Tennessee and hardiness zone 6b-7a.

[@robertbodle2354]

i got two ads 3 min in - this is some premium content, it seems.

[@Sidtube10]

In the end you said: 'when it turns on you know it is working' - well I wish that was applicable to my situation! For a reason I am yet to figure out, a few days ago I noticed that the pump stopped pumping the water out of the barrel anymore, i.e. the water level stays the same! Pretty cold outside and there is unmelted snow. I do see that the pump kicks in when the water fills in and even notice that the water in the pit gets warm after a while. but no out discharge happening!! Any idea what might be going on? Thank you for your help.

[@guaranteeme7737]

You may be experiencing air lock. You will need to drill a 3/16" weep hole in the discharge pipe below the check valve. Angle the hole downwards so water drains into the basin. Here is an excellent video demonstration : kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZeZk5mwgKp0lZo

[@daveyboyflips]

what would you recommend for a sump basin diameter of 6 inches wide? only thing I found was a shellback tornado and it runs about 900. me neighbor has one and it failed him during last weeks flooding of the neighborhood

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

I am sorry I don't know of a pump for that small of a basin.

[@tamil1001]

I just bought a new home which has an existing sump pump. I need to install a back up battery system and like the pump sentry 822. However I am going to get solar panels and if I get a solar battery back up can I use it to back up sump pump instead of buying pump sentry and 12V battery? Thanks.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

I'm not sure about this. I would consult the manufacturers of the solar battery backup to find out if it's comparable.

[@Birdlovereducator]

Ty i need help

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

You are welcome, hope it helped.

[@reesemay3044]

Awesome video. Now I know what to ask my crawlspace people to make sure I'm getting my money's worth for their $150 annual service charge. Thanks and God bless.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Learning the maintenance yourself can save you tons!

[@fredguldbrandsen2723]

Am I asking to much from my own septic system? Can I run my sump pump into my own plumbing; ie, into my private Septic Tank/leach field System on my own New Hampshire property without causing trouble? What trouble might I cause? Sometimes in Winter when there is fear of freezing pipes my water is left to ‘trickle‘. Ground well water is above 32*F/0*C. Moving water does not freeze.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hi Fred, we do not recommend running the sump pump into sewage/septic plumbing lines. If there is ever a backup it could ruin your sump pump and flood your crawl space. Here is a video we did about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYrQhGiFgLOYhNE

[@skipwavedx5151]

I noticed my pump has mounting screw holes on the bottom and they gave me screws too , what the hay? do I need some kind of bracket?

[@belathedrac]

Love Your Videos. Bought an old house with a crawl space. No standing water even after big storms but the soil is saturated. Two inspectors talked my wife in getting one because they dug and found some water after a storm. This thing runs constantly after it rains now. The area surrounding the sump pump is much more softer than it was before. Everything the pump is getting is from the soil still no standing water. My question, couldn't the pump cause more problems by bringing water from the soil into the crawl space before it leaves the crawl space. If the flow switch fails what's to stop the water from over flowing into the crawl space from the how ever many foot deep enter point that was dug.

[@Z-Ack]

Id say that the pump has to be doing good things if it is getting water in it after storms. If the instalked it right than u have drain tubes around the perimeter of the house leading into the pit and those would be collecting all the water by your foundation that would have been there before it was installed so if it runs a lot after it rains then is good. But the soil around the pit i woukdnt think should be wet or soft from the pump.. if so you might want to figure out where its pumping the water to.. maybe its just piped right outside the wall so tge water is just coming back in.. If your pump ever fails than yes the water will back up starting at the sump pump area.. i would guess that youve never taken a look under the house after a good rain before the pump was put in and if you have and there was absolutely no standing water under there than you likely didnt need thay pump.

[@Z-Ack]

But if there was any standing water under the house not there from plumbing than you do need the pump.

[@yvonnecoleman4024]

Thanks

[@Z-Ack]

A drainger drain? It would only be useful if the basement or crawl spaces lowest spot was the sump pump basin... in my place its not..

[@naturalhealing9970]

How far down should the pump be installed in the pit. High water table, pump cycles frequently in spring. Had to get a special float switch so the pump would not constantly cycle every 30 seconds.

[@DavidWentworthUM]

Below the drain tile

[@Handydyitips]

If I want a second pump as a backup just in case the main one flail . How do I connect the other one electricly without running a new circuit . Spur switches?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

David, with this being an electrical question, we highly suggest that you consult an electrician. We would hate to give you incorrect information that may harm you or damage your home. Sorry we couldn't answer your question.

[@cherylmurray7942]

how does one control the smell of the standing water in the basin?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

A bleach solution can be used in the sump pit to remove sump pump odors. Dilute bleach with fresh water, 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon. In the sump basin, pour the solution until it activates the float switch and turns on the sump pump.

[@nolafeliks6630]

I need someone to install that sump pump!! Please help me find an installer!!

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hi Nola, check out our service area as one of our locations may be able to help: crawlspaceninja.com/service-area/

[@nolafeliks6630]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja Thank you so much, I'll keep the phone # for Nashville and Clarksville!!

[@hmck560]

Can't find the product info , only t shirts. Please clearly show product information.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hey! Here is a link to all our Sump Pump Products. Link - diy.crawlspaceninja.com/sump-pumps/ If you need further assistance please contact us at [e-mail]

[@JackBenson]

Does every crawl space encapsulation need a sump pump?

[@gkogel]

Yes. Absolutely.

[@DaDaDo661]

Is that a sump pump in the garage? Wow

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

You can install them anywhere there is water!

[@tamil1001]

The AIMS POWER Model #PWRIC1500W seems like an outstanding inverter/charger with all the important features at an incredible price point. Please let me know what you think of this product.

[@NettersNetwork]

I have, for whatever reason, two sump pump holes in my basement. Water from outside goes into the extra one, which drains to the main one and then the pump pumps the water out. Why would I want/need water to come in from outside to the sump pump hole? My house was built in 1968 so I don't know if this normal for that time, but I get scared when I hear my pump continually going off during a storm. Is it necessary? BTW The main hole is used for when my washer empties, it goes into the main hole and gets pumped out. (I'm in Illinois, can I hire you?)

[@chuckneavor300]

Save my sump pump.

[@anthonywashington3372]

Can mice get in the sump pump

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Technically yes. There is a lid but Mice can always find a way. It may be a best idea to get some pest control done!

[@ElevatorDoorz]

Love your vids. I had a $25,000 "water proofing" job done with a sump pump installed under concrete thru my crawlspace and basement. However, everytime it rains, my basement floor is wet along the trench that they built. Any idea what they did wrong? I've tried everything 😔

[@noblela5824]

didnt grade proprly

[@nolafeliks6630]

@@noblela5824 I guess you have to make sure the person installing the sump pump is experienced enough to do the job right and how do you do that?

[@noblela5824]

@@nolafeliks6630 Well if you're paying up 25K they need to be a real business with reviews and BBB profile. Otherwise you are taking a chance

[@sarasuleiman4339]

I'm thinking of this sump pump is it a good on please help! WAYNE BGSP50 Guardian Premium Wi-Fi Connected Total Basement Protection System, Black

[@antonmaclean8418]

👍

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thanks for the comment!

[@click411]

pipe busted and crawl space flooded. I pumped water our,but there is water under the vapor barrier. Will is go away into the ground ???or do i need it taken up and new barrier. Also I put big fan with airflow outward and later i was going to put kerosine stove on low heat for 10 hours. Is this good plan