Backyard Sump Pump 101 [ Everything You Need To Know ]

We cover everything you need to know about installing a backyard sump pump.
1. Understanding GPM
2. The check valve
3. The discharge line
4. Determining height and depth of your sump pump system
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French Drain Man - Michigan’s Yard Water Drainage Experts. Masters in the art of constructing contained French drain systems & curtain drain systems that and fix your yard drainage problems for years to come. Over 30 years’ experience in solving yard water drainage problems in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair Counties.
French Drain Man / Sherwood Landscape Construction, LLC
P.O. Box 777
Almont, MI 48003
248-505-3065
www.frenchdrainman.com
www.macombcountylandscaping.com
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[@brianoconnor2577]

This was an excellent, educational video FDM! Thank you for taking the time to make it. Hopefully you have more 101 videos available and planned. It helps us DIY-ers. Definitely a lot of thought behind your work and products.

[@michaelmillsap952]

Very educational !!!! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge !!!!

[@natalieg.2598]

I watched to whole video and sure am glad I did. Without this priceless video I would have no idea as what to do. I cannot thank you enough. You have a great team with a great leader.

[@chris.lamont]

Great demo on pushing water over 200ft with a 1.5" line then going to the larger 4" corrugated pipe for the slope. This saved me a future headache.

[@blkhack1228]

VERY COOL, LEARN A LOT

[@davecheatham9665]

That was funny stuff! Always good to have fun and laugh when working!

[@LCFTW.]

You da man! I Appreciate your videos.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Best Pop Up Emitter FDM's V2.0 for Downspout Drainage frenchdrainman.com/drainage-products/pop-up-emitter-and-turf-restrictor-plates/

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Watch "HOW TO FIX NEGATIVE SLOPE - Home Drainage Tips" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/amTamoWdd66jp80

[@InvestingBookSummaries]

High quality video.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@kevingollner552]

Ordered my Micro bad seed for the north along with 100 feet of High Octane 8 slot. Wish me luck!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@xChristianBelli]

Thanks gonna do this to my yard. So bummed y’all don’t service Royal Oak anymore!!!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We do open up that territory in June / July. A estimate can be provided before then. 248-505-3065

[@miketragseiler8941]

Great video and channel Robert. So much helpful information, really appreciate the knowledge sharing. Question for you...what are you thoughts on vent holes in the discharge line. Zoeller pump manuals give recommendations but was curious to your thoughts and practices based on your experience. I have drilled a hole per Zoeller's manual recommendations but I seem to be having airlock issues quite often. I think sediment is clogging my vent hole 😩

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We do not use check valves here in the North because the check valves prevent the water from coming back into the sump pit area and the water freezes in the discharge line, so we do not need to have the vent hole.

[@davidferrett818]

Awesome demonstration!!! Thank you for the series also!. Question. Discharge line can it be ran in the high octane solid to a French drain area that absorbs or connect to a leaching area.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@robertzavala9381]

I need an outdoor pump in my big chicago backyard . You mentioned a heating element to prevent freezing. Thats my worry

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@kevingollner552]

Hey, I'm in NW IN (219) just ordered the bad seed foe the north, if your still looking. come with heating element.

[@InvestingBookSummaries]

Given the extra space in the basin for an outdoor sump setup, Would it be reasonable to have a 2nd sump pump installed in the basin with a Y connection to the same discharge line? The 2nd pump could be set up to be triggered at a few inches above what the 1st pumps valves kicks on at. That way if the 1st one fails for whatever reason the 2nd one would take over at the slightly higher activation trigger. Then when you or the owner comes to do maintenance checks on the pumps, they could lift the float switch to see that the first one failed and needs replaced without finding out because of a failure.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@stussymd]

Another fantastic video. I really like the concept of this product for my outdoor sump. Unfortunately I’m dealing with a very high water table and I’m concerned that placing the sump this low will result in continuous cycling. Is it possible to convert to a closed system where the only inlets are the feeder pipes from a yard drain and / or French drain?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes, we just built one for gentlemen in California. It was a solid pipe and had solid end plates.

[@miketragseiler8941]

This is great. I'm struggling with my "outdoor" diy system here in Cincy. Question regarding airlock problems. I have a Zoeller 1/2 HP pump that has a factory provided vent hole and I also have a 3/16 inch weep hole in my vertical discharge pipe per Zoeller's instructions - it's about equal with the top of the pump, below the check valve and inside the pit. My system seems to keep getting airlocked and I'm not sure why. Could it be as simple as clogging? I'm concerned that maybe my discharge line design is flawed. Is it a problem if the pit goes dry? Does it matter if the weep hole that I drilled in the discharge line is above or below the water line in the pit? If needed, I can post some pics of my setup but basically I go up about 32 inches from the bottom of the pit to a 90 degree elblow, then horizontal about 18 inches. Then another 90 degree elbow to a vertical lift of about 10 feet which eventually drains via gravity (sounds weird but in Cincinnati you can't discharge to the street, so my system collects water on one side of my garage and then discharges on the other side of my garage). Need help...I'd like to purchase some of your products but first just want to understand why I'm having this airlocking problem). It'll work, then after a couple of rain events, it'll get airlocked...so to me, this tells me that I'm getting either or both of my pump and weep hole clogged. But wonder if my "design" is flawed

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@TAGDIESEL]

Awesome video. One part that confused me though. You said dont use a check valve on an outdoor system because when it fails water will come right back into the basin...... isnt that what is gonna happen if you dont use a check valve to begin with ? ** nevermind , sump size is key

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2qVpZpmbs2gbLssi=HbJQEhTWkNojH304

[@USMC-Sniper-0137]

I've had a PVC check valve on my permanent sump line of 1 1/2" pvc line running 75 feet for 20 years, pumping dirty rain water from a concrete sump I've built in a low area in my yard and it has never been changed, I didn't like having 75 feet of pipe water back fill into my sump when the switch shut off. My check valve is a standard home depot purchase and I swore it wouldn't last 5 years. Boy was I wrong.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We had no luck in the North with the check valves. Line freezes up

[@DirtyDirtbath]

I'm trying to find a video I believe you were talking about the zoeller m63 model and that it was better than the m98, im about to be buying my sump pump and wondering which one is best

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

M95 is an upgrade from the M98 M63 is the upgrade to the M53 2 totally different animals one's a 1/2 hp the other 1/3 hp

[@DirtyDirtbath]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN which is best for outside basins here in Michigan?

[@achilles6312]

Any problem with using 1.25 or 1.5 poly pipe? Also in the winter, does covering sump with bale of straw enough to prevent freezing?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

That will help for sure. We like installing a heater in the winter.

[@natalieg.2598]

I do have a question. So, I live in Michigan, do I need to somehow insulate the pit to prevent freezing of the pump and its float so that it will operate in the colder temps.?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

frenchdrainman.com/product/sump-pump-heating-element/

[@DavidTaitano]

I have a "permanently" clogged/failed drain at the bottom of my walk-up basement entry. Plumbers scoped/snaked the drain line to about 10 feet inside the house under the basement concrete floor, and said it can't be cleared past that point. Camera suggests drain tile is collapsed under concrete floor. Their suggestion was to install a second sump pump inside my basement near the door, just to pump out the water from that drain. I guess they thought it would be too expensive to break up the concrete floor and repair/replace the drain tile and restore it to the original condition/design, because it's about a 30-foot run from the entry door to the sump pump. This video makes me think that the best solution might be an *outdoor* sump pump system, installed in my yard near the top of the basement entry stairs. But the basin won't fill with gravity, as it will be much higher than the area where all of the water collects. Even better, is there a smaller basin/pump that could be installed in the concrete right next to the drain outside the door? Freezing and power outages are concerns. My indoor sump with battery backup doesn't have these risks. I think best would be to fix the original drain tile, but haven't yet found someone in Virginia to quote the work. Would be worth it to avoid additional risk and "ugliness" of adding a second sump pump, backup pump, and battery system inside my basement.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@benhaze1010]

I am still not understanding how you can avoid the sump pump from freezing up if it is not placed under the frost line. Also odds are the discharge line may freeze up if a you have a long horizontal discharge line and the motor may fail if trying to discharge to a frozen line assuming it is not frozen itself. Can you really use this design in the north? Thanks.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@soigne95035]

Wondering if we might need a pump system..... we need a drainage solution for our home in Oakland County. I called back in November & left my information with one of the girls. Looking to see if anyone can stop by & give an opinion/estimate - with work to be done in Spring. When should I expect a call back? I know you guys are busy. Thanks, and great video!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Email me so I can get someone right out [e-mail]

[@soigne95035]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN thanks for the quick reply! I sent a message to that email address yesterday evening.

[@soigne95035]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN got your e-mail. Thank you for the quick follow up! Much appreciated.

[@juantejada6668]

Doesn't the water kept in the horizontal chamber causes bad smell after a while? Certain amount of water It's always going to be standing there, doesn' it?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

You would definitely be better off with the SCREAMIN DEMON outdoor sump pump system, it has a sump.

[@IraqiSniper107]

Is the water going back in the basement? Wha t happens if it rains for forty days

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

The pump 💪 will handle it. I would recommend a 6ft additional chamber.

[@MrJosephz23]

What is your flexible discharge line called? Can I find this at Home Depot?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

No it's not at home depot frenchdrainman.com/product/sch-40-discharge-line-2/

[@DirtyDirtbath]

How is the m95? Was looking at your website earlier getting prices for your sump basins trying to figure out what I need and I noticed on one of the outdoor systems you offer the m95 for $100 more so I'm curious how that one is since the m98 is looking almost $400 without shipping

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

It's well worth it because it has an upgrade float switch as well as higher quality bearings.

[@ChipsPlace1952]

Robert, Is it over-kill to use an external chamber in an indoor sump pump (basement)?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We Do it all the time. It has to be a solid chamber with no holes.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Watch "How to Install Indoor Sump Pump Patented Chambered for Less Cycles Extending Sump Pump Life" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGnHpqecpquNhKc

[@renelopez7605]

I have indoor sump pump but every year i have to replace it because does not work for winter any idea why

[@jamesholderness7446]

Line is freezing, causing the pump to continuously run which burns out the motor.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@rrvootla]

Do you ship to Nebraska?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes Best French Drain and Yard Drainage Contractor frenchdrainman.com/

[@crocket710]

That is incorrect you always use a check a check valve sum pump out doors it keeps the water from coming back in to the basen

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Here in the North it keeps the soon to be frozen ice in your line leaving your outdoor system frozen up and useless. Best of luck to you 👍

[@WTFUSERNAM44]

That would make sense for a small basin where the volume of the discharge would matter. Since this is a large reservoir the amount or water backflowing from the pipe in minimal, certainly not enough to make the sump pump short cycle. So for a few liters of backflow you get rid of one of the more common failure points of a sump system. An excellent trade off.

[@QuarterZipBro]

They are having too much fun to be called work.

[@foustjosh]

Good demo and lots of info but oh my are you repetitive. It's like you're just talking to talk at some points. Good video, could be great if you would be a little more concise.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@J01466]

WHY do you repeat yourself soooo much about the check-valve? It's not a complicated concept to understand. Move on, dude!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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[@aaronschachinger75]

This guys videos could be half the length if he didn't continually repeat himself....

[@vytasbuilds]

thats all you gotta say for all the time and effort he put into teaching us this? terrible man

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

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