Do's and Don'ts of Sump Pumps and Basins

[@kindcrone]

I'm not even a homeowner, but absolutely appreciate your clear and informative videos.

[@markmalanaphy3374]

Great video , thank you

[@Zarathustra-H-]

Interesting. I never knew sump pumps could be installed outdoors.

[@justmyself1000]

This video came at great timing for me! Last night (coincidentally) I obtained a drum just like this to use for my sump basin! I know it will rust and corrode over time...but that'll be about 20 years down the road. Not sure plastic one will last that long as well. But I needed to go deeper than what an ADS basin or in trash can basin will go. Culvert pipe is selling for $450USD per 20ft. Plus I would still have to buy lids...so I got this barrel from a friend and it fits perfect in the hole I dug. I did find for future reference for someone...a rain collection barrel for $98USD that would work as well as far as the dimensions go. I didn't know the electric cords are not rate to be buried? If one can't bury them, then how do you do it? Inside conduit?

[@DavidGuns]

Chuck thank you for all the educational help videos, you explain everything in great detail for anyone to understand. What was the wires in the pipe for, was it to originally run the power cord for the sump pump?

[@finders-keepers1518]

Great job on the fix. I would have to think that steel 55 gallon drum will not last long to rot from both the inside and out. I think I would have used a plastic one and some concrete around the perimeter to keep it structurally sound.

[@DavidGuns]

I used a plastic 55 gal drum for my sump pump and placed 1 1/2 round stone around it and it's been over 20 year still working great, only problem I have had is the sump pump going bad. Mine is to drain water from around mine home and from under it since my house is on a slab it works great. I was worried about the 55 gal drum cracking after some years yet it's still in great condition.

[@finders-keepers1518]

@@DavidGuns Thanks for the info! Has to be the better pick vs steel you would think...

[@justmyself1000]

Steel drum will last probably 20years. Not sure a plastic one can last that long.

[@gregsettle9725]

Another great video. It wouldn't occur to me to run the lines through the drain itself. It should always be a question of whether the material you're planning on using is rated for the job.

[@omaradrian80]

You are so good in what you do mate!! thanks for sharing good tips and knowledge :)

[@simonpaine2347]

I would definitely recommend putting a easy remove pipe connector above or below the check valve. Plastic connectors with a screw thread are perfect for this. It allows easy removal of the pump AND the check valve for maintenance and cleaning.

[@skale1963]

Thanks for the video! My question is how does one keep the electric cable out of the water? In a submerged pump is it not it inevitable that some portion of the wire would end up sitting in water? Thanks!

[@Mark.Watson]

Were those wires supplying power to the GFI outlet?

[@davidl.ogdenjr7043]

Wondering the same thing. Guess we'll never know if you asked 4 months ago.

[@vincentrvlife2393]

Chuck for the save! Nice.

[@pahanorlando]

Thank you! Just one question as I did not find answer in any of your videos. On a sump basin, which will have pump in it, would you drill holes at the bottom? My backyard (Florida) floods only during hurricanes, but I was thinking of having discharge hose from washer along with french drain going into sump basin. Since it really floods only during hurricane, holes at the bottom of basin might just drain all water and during excessive flooding, the pump will take water to the front of the house. So is it bad idea to drill holes at the bottom of basin?

[@appledrains]

No it’s a good idea outdoors

[@pahanorlando]

@@appledrains Great, thanks for your help and great videos!

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

I deal with this issue all the time and it drives me crazy as to how and WHY the town engineering departments approve allowing the yards to be lower and not having anywhere for the water to drain naturally... Our town makes all new construction install catch basins at the lowest point in between houses and ties into the storm water drainage in either the street or retention basins.

[@kinglee3990]

What are your thoughts in areas with freezing temperatures and using temperature controlled heat strips to keep the water in the sump pump pit from freezing and damaging your sump pump?

[@30113060]

Chuck your a genius and fun to watch!👍

[@AZTEC_ARTS]

Is the "tank" in the hole perforated on the sides ? to let water from within the ground enter it ?

[@edzanjero353]

Is such a system under vacuum to pump effectively? Can a sump pump be used with non-penetrating 3" plactic drain pipe, or is that kind of drain pipe not airtight enough?

[@pedropereira8924]

Thank you very much, good video 👍🏼

[@davejoseph5615]

Why does a blocked impeller trip a GFCI ? Shouldn't it blow the breaker instead?

[@FA-sr6lx]

If you believe you can do something I guarantee you can do it. Nice advice

[@lorrellwilburn2396]

What if that corrugated pipe the wire is going through isnt really a drain bit a conduit to protect it from the dirt?

[@keithyoung7381]

I may have missed it. But is there a solution to keep debris out of the pump impeller?

[@Maydaymayday84]

Generally I've read to set the pump on top of a hollowed brick/s.

[@jwhite4]

@@Maydaymayday84 Agree - you want a place at the bottom of the well for debris to collect, away from the pump impeller). While the electric cord in the pipe wasn't ideal, I'd think the GFCI would prevent an electrical issue. If the pump was raised to begin with, good chance it would have run fine (and the cord in pipe never would have been discovered (and become a concern)).

[@jeffa847]

He shows the wires going through the pipe at 3:40. Is there a type of wire that can go through a pipe and be safe?

[@crisprtalk6963]

Well done Chuck.

[@jimpie231]

Just out of curiosity, when did they start using GFCI’s with sump pumps? Thanks…Jim

[@DavidGuns]

Jim Pie almost all city, state codes call for a GFCI for outdoor outlets, just like inside a home you need to use a GFCI outlet anywhere a sink, tub, toilet and any where water is, I know in Chicago if the outlets are within I thunk 5 feet of any water supply you need a GFCI outlet. Something different many dogs have gotten an electrical shock in Chicago just from walking on the city sidewalk. What is causing this is the street light poles with bad wiring, I am thinking using a GFCI outlets for the sump pump would help if the wires was bad touching bare metal in the ground that it might cause the same thing the light poles have been doing. This is just my opinion, please talk with a licensed electrician.

[@mattcook2572]

Always use a GFCI with a sump pump.

[@jimpie231]

@@mattcook2572 years ago the pumps would sometimes trip the GFCI, what have the Mfg’s done to stop this? Jim PS…this nuisance tripping would cause basement flooding. My sump pump doe not have a GFCI, nor is it required by code.

[@jimpie231]

@@DavidGuns check my response to Matt Cook. Wouldn’t a grounded outlet do the same, or a grounded line to the light poles? Jim

[@DavidGuns]

@Jim Pie if the GFCI is tripping its either a couple of things I can think of, a bad GFCI, bad shorted sump pump or bad wiring some where in the line. As far as I know in newer homes all outlets are grounded. I do not think just grounding it would be safer then a GFCI outlet, if that was the case then why if someone drops a hair dryer into a tub full of water will shock them without a GFCI. With the light pole in the city I am sure they are grounded, I only know about this from the local news, it seems to happen in the winter time when there is snow on the ground, they said the paws on the dogs get a electric burn from it and the dog gets a shocked from it, i do not remember if they said what was the cause. From what I learned a GFCI is a safety outlet to trip if a problem is some where in the circuit for the outlet so you don't get shocked. Just having it grounded will not prevent this as far as I know. Again I am not an electrician this is my opinion from what I have learned, I might be wrong so talk with a licensed electrician. Joe Pie I understand what you are saying about it is a pain because the GFCI keeps tripping, if I was you I would check all the wires, GFCI and sump pump because something is causing the GFCI to trip. If your power goes out the same thing will happen and flood, maybe use a sump pump with a battery back up.

[@matthewnovik4050]

same issue here but the outlet pvc to the drainfield is cracked on mine for some reason and the pump failed

[@Henson-Hien]

Hi Chuck 🙂! Would it be a good idea to use a Tee PVC as a catch basin instead of a regular 6in catch basin?

[@jagboy69]

Yes! A big FATASS 15" or bigger corrugated Tee! The bigger the basin, the less starts and stops on the pump means it will last longer and save a few bucks on starting amps.

[@Brick1978]

How much would a professional charge to fix this issue?

[@johnhouli3450]

Thank you Chuck. I have no knowledge of pumps My question is can I place a submersible pump like a Drummond 1/3 hp into a trench or does it have to go into a bucket or milk crate of some Kind. Thanks

[@lawrencewheeler8868]

Does the relief hole go above or below the check valve? Thxs

[@brucekelley945]

Above the check valve. 3/8 to 1//2" size Maybe 2" above.

[@brucekelley945]

OOPS Sorry, that was suppose to say below the check valve. I guess I had a hard day and my mind was not working right.

[@lawrencewheeler8868]

@@brucekelley945 ok, thanks

[@essieyoung8121]

Wow

[@blackhouse7646]

Do you need a subpump in flat terrain?

[@eddymumford4086]

never put your hands in the water hole when the pump is running or plug in .. because you just don't know what if a electrical cerint is in the pump hole is it worth taking a chance 🤔🤔🤔

[@Mitutumuch]

lol you would have to be more conductive than the water which your not. Sometimes stuff is kore scary than it axtualy is. its ok though😂

[@MrDulvalius69]

Good video but still waiting for the "do's and donts" part ....

[@appledrains]

Tonight

[@bmac5242]

Me too. There were several questions asked here that I need answers for. My husband asked me to buy and design the pump basin and pump. He had too many irons in the fire. I've got that all purchased and figured out but now have to figure out the wiring of it.

[@bmac5242]

Another question I have - if my 3/4 hp pump will do 83gpm, do I really need to have such a large basin? This pump is for my backyard and only really needed for when our rain comes too fast.

[@appledrains]

@@bmac5242 yes you do

[@bmac5242]

@@appledrainsThank you very much for answering so quickly! Now it's back to the drawing board:)

[@thefirebuilds]

you ought to make mention of what I see is an unsafe lid and covering to keep children and pets out of that basin. This is a death trap for drowning.

[@appledrains]

Absolutely agree

[@nancywilliams7833]

I don't know why anyone would need a barrel as a basin. That Zoeller M98 can pump that water out faster than it can go in.

[@michiganborn8303]

Hey Chuck. I got a question. I'm trying to connect a 3' schedule 40 PVC pipe to a 6' NDS single output catch basin. I'm having trouble connecting them. The 3" opening on the catch basin has the plastic horizontal splines in the opening that's preventing the PVC pipe from fitting all the way in snug. What's the trick? Do I need an adapter or something?

[@johnbatista5533]

Chuck, I think you need to change your saying to something like: if you can do it right, you can.

[@regthebackyardjackofalltrades]

Just enough time for the 1st contractors wire installation to last & void the warranty.

[@Carl_McMelvin]

Sump pit outside the house. Must be rough. 😂

[@Hailey-e3c]

those dam seals ware after time, will never buy zoller again

[@markklem]

Don'ts :)

[@dustbat]

I know little about sumps outside but I would NEVER run wires in a water carrying or pipe that could obtain water.🦇

[@appledrains]

No problem with wires

[@Rebel-Rouser]

Quite possibly perish ..😅😅

[@appledrains]

Wow!! I hope your armchair holds out

[@Rebel-Rouser]

@@appledrains 😂😂😂

[@appledrains]

@@Rebel-Rouser 🧐