How to Install a Sump Pump | Ask This Old House

[@andrewmiller4718]

Richard is truly an American treasure. The man is almost 70 and is still operating a jackhammer and digging holes. As a relatively young plumber, if at the end of my career, I am anything like Richard, I would walk away from the trade very satisfied.

[@earthlevel4569]

Bud got fresh kicks for the sump dig

[@chrisingle5839]

Nothing like new WHITE shoes to ruin in the dirt.

[@vpride1169]

I just had a sump pump installed in my home. That Y connector for the discharge pipe connecting it to the downspout is GENIUS 6:27

[@charlesarp6781]

I would have installed a floor drain and a sealed cover for the sump pump pit and used concrete to seal around the sump pit. While most sump pumps are effective in removing water, they should always be covered with a gas-tight lid to avoid moisture problems, as well as to prevent the seepage of radon into the home.

[@Triflixfilms]

Cheap and DIYable Actual solutions: 1. Regrade the soil around the foundation to slope away from the house 2. French drain around your house at the valley of your newly installed grade. Costly and difficult proper method: 1. Dig up around the foundation and install proper drainage tile as mentioned in the video The issue with JUST installing a basement sump pit is it does prevents efflorescence. Do not fall for predatory solicitors stating that they can waterproof your basement from the inside. Efflorescence is the decay wall which can eventually lead to your entire basement wall caving in.

[@kalijasin]

That's what I said. It should be directed out to a french drain on the very far side of the yard.

[@XX-166]

Supply the money to do all of that and get back to us

[@saulgoodman2018]

Yeah. Sump pumps only solve the issue of getting water out. But does not solve the issue of keep it getting in in the first place.

[@Ahmedkhan8802]

Ah, yeah, this brings on memories of my 10 year sojourn in Fort Wayne, IN, in the 1990's. Any house with a basement had a sump pump - an absolute necessity. Another necessity was a battery powered backup sump pump in case of power outages.

[@Jack-xo2zp]

It seems to me that it would have been better to add the downspout extension first, to see if that solved the problem. Also, if ground water were underneath the basement causing the problem, then they would have hit water when they dug out hole. It doesn't look like there was water in the hole, so the sump pump seemed to be wasted money.

[@shawnd567]

Yup. Bone dry soil when digging was dead giveaway.

[@JimDean002]

Yeah I noticed there was no mud coming out of that hole. I think fixing the downspout would have probably solved it. But that's okay. We got to show episode out of it. And he got to learn how to install with something pump so it's all good. ​@@shawnd567

[@someuser7501]

@@shawnd567 yeah what's up with that. He should have realized it was all for nothing. Now the guy will have a radon problem.

[@MrBill99]

You need exterior grading and exterior drain tiles before you jump right into a sump pump. I would like them to go back in a year and see if this actually worked.

[@jokeking09]

My house already had a sump, but I dug a ditch by the downspout to lead water away from the home and now it has been bone dry ever since, even with all the crazy hurricane weather. They went to a huge amount of cost and effort to fix what could have been solved with a shovel and 15 minutes (at least temporarily until the ditch needs re-dug or a more permanent solution is implemented)

[@TheApplestick]

Radon Radon RADON! I did this same thing as this guy, turned my basement into a kids toy/playroom. Then i did a Radon test...the EPA recommends levels below 4-pCi/L. My readings was over 14! Had a mitigation system installed and now my readings are 0.5-pCi/L.

[@someuser7501]

Same here. Had a radon detector in the basement for almost twenty years without a peep. Finished the basement and now it reads 6. Grrr!!

[@BobPritchard]

If you installed a sealed lid on that sump pit, it won't be a problem. Can be retrofit. The issue is many uneducated folks buy the pit covers with large openings, including pros, not realizing the hazard they are creating. I also went from 1 to 12 pcl of radon when an ignorant installer put this in my house. 10 pcl is the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

[@someuser7501]

@@BobPritchard I think there is more to it than that because I had the open lid for the twenty years I mentioned without an issue. I think the main problem is when you finish the basement by putting in walls and ceilings you severely restrict the natural incoming airflow that occurs where the foundation meets the structure. This traps radon and it slowly builds up. Putting an air-tight cover on mine won't work because I have a "B-Dry Basement Waterproofing System" running along the perimeter walls and into the sump pit and it has exposed venting.

[@TheThuggyM]

Can’t wait to watch this too btw I hope it’s very informative like when my dad comes

[@sharonh5399]

What about drilling a small hole in the pipe just above the pump to prevent it from locking up.

[@ronlovell5374]

Very good point, this should be done with all sump pumps as it extends the life of the pump by preventing air lock and removing excess pressure off the impellers.

[@Mario-lv7wk]

Don't get me wrong, I have learned lots by watching TOH, BUT I believe more research needed done! That downspout should have been redirected first, which could very well have fixed that problem! Ask me how I know!! IF water still came in, I'd put that sump pump in, with a channel around the basement to direct water into the sump! My $.02!!

[@remu2763]

Great and clean Job, thank you very much.

[@mikepier1]

I have a Zoeller water powered back up sump pump to my primary pump .

[@Mario-lv7wk]

Works great, UNLESS you have well water!! No electric, no water to operate that b/u pump! Also, water powered pumps aren't very efficient!

[@TylerTheGamer-dutch]

A perfect rainy day to start working on the Sump Pump and Digging for Holes

[@finscreenname]

I've found the pumps with the motor on top (out of the water) work and last the best. I've had 2 submersibles lock up and fail and being they are hard plumbed it's not like you can get in there and clean them out.

[@donc-m4900]

My father house had the original pedestal last for decades. Now the newer ones last a few years. Always have 2 in the hole.

[@leschortos9196]

I agree I've had 500$ submersible pumps fail in less than a year, I've had plastic ones blow up , upright with the motor out of the water works best, and when they start to rattle, the bearings gone. Throw it away.replace

[@mae2759]

In my opinion, internal French drains and sumps only treat the symptoms and no solve the problem. External French drains are a better solution if you have the room. Extend downspouts and regrade too.

[@johnsn10]

He doesn’t have a ground water problem that needs a sump pump. He has a foundation problem which is not fixed with a sump pump

[@markschmitz4959]

Totally agree. There was no water in the pit when they dug it up.

[@ferasayoub541]

OK. A sump pump without a French drain is only good for when you need to lower the groundwater table. Yet they dug a 3ft deep hole in the basement, on a rainy day, and groundwater wasn't encountered. They also admitted that they needed a downspout extension. That sump pump will be good for nothing.

[@strobelightbrian]

Battery backup option is best for a pump and better to use hydraulic cement instead of foam.

[@Mike_Greentea]

Good point in case of a power outage due to severe weather! Hopefully they have a back up generator for the house.

[@davidparker9676]

@@Mike_Greentea This hipster probably doesn't have a can of soup for an emergency much less a generator.

[@reaperbot5226]

To my understanding adding a sump pump without figuring out how the water gets into the building to start with and fixing the issue is like putting a band aid on a flesh wound.

[@kalijasin]

Exactly Right. cause Not condition.

[@Ttow49]

Not true, he's just getting water away from the house

[@durangodave]

the trick to foam is dont try to move it around, wherever it comes out leave it, then when cured just break it off no mess

[@carlstawicki1915]

Is a sump pump meant to be an alternative to waterproofing?

[@StephaneDurand]

I have 2 questions : why make holes only in the top 1/3 of the réservoir? And will cloth will clog overtime? My dad has a problem with dirt filling the bottom his reservoir and clogging the pipe going outside. And the guy that installed it put a reservoir with holes everywhere (from the manufacturer) with no cloth. Thanks for your help!!!

[@Alex-vr8gw]

Water moves sediments, and the cloth will block them. Over time it may clog, but the gravel will act as a bit of a filter allowing mostly just water to pass through. Practical Engineering has a good video on french drains that covers the topic of clogged cloth. The reason for the top 1/3 is to prevent sediment intrusion and let the sump reservoir act as a bit of a well.

[@StephaneDurand]

@ Thanks I will check the video 👍

[@kalijasin]

Hole the pipe is going through should of been drilled out slightly smaller, foundation where the pipe is going through was badly damaged and should of been patched somehow, Pipe for air coming in was bouncing around so it probably should be on some kind of hanger, drain from a sump pump and gutter down spout should be at least 10ft out from the house, sump pump and gutter down spout can go out to city sewer or drain but only if the law allows, pipe from the sump pump and gutter down spout should be directed downward when going out from the house, going out to a trench on other side of yard that's filled with gravel similar to that of a french drain would of been way better than running the pipe out to the driveway.

[@melissasookdeo5108]

I have a well in my basement, it’s just a hole in the ground and we use a piece of wood to cover it so we get step in it by accident. My question can I use this s7mo pump for my well

[@melissasookdeo5108]

My house was built in 1910

[@stutter4064]

that dude down there "shoveling" in his white shoes and clean clothes lmao

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

While I agree with the idea of putting a sump pump down there, this is more of a treat the symptom and not the cause. Better to stop the water from getting in, in the first place.

[@JuanTorres-mr18t]

What is a good recommended sump pump brand?

[@ronlovell5374]

Zoeller, Liberty, Burcam

[@someuser7501]

The problem with sumps is the mechanical moving part switch to turn them on/off is the weakest link. I have Zoellers which are great pumps but their switches FAIL. I have to use wire HydroChecks. I had a LevelGuard but it died.

[@RealTylerBell]

hold on, so actually doing any research into the problem, they dug a hole in the floor and the wall, when it just needed a move a down spout out some ? and maybe a water proofing on the wall for the perm fix ?

[@TENTHIRTYONE]

Would have been nice to let the lip of the pit sit on the concrete floor… or dig out a slightly recessed lip in the hole. They’ve got that thing all sunken in.

[@shanew7361]

I agree. It looks like 💩

[@johnsn10]

Get a Sec America pump sentry battery backup system. You can install it yourself. It’s saved my mothers house multiple times during a power loss.

[@someuser7501]

You can get far more powerful backup battery systems nowadays for even less. They can even run a regular pump that has a 1300W spin up.

[@drewbg3333]

no weep whole???? what the hell.

[@patriotreno6279]

Hey with your belly over the jack hammer reminds me of the Ali’s seltzer commercial

[@patriotreno6279]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/naK0p4p7paubq8Usi=idyYPXrm0XvMvLG3

[@mrsoccergod5001]

Curious if the home owner gets charged for the work done

[@BobPritchard]

You need a sealed cover on that sump pit in areas with any radon. This was installed in Massachusetts where radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas will come up through the pit and literally poison the basement where they want their little kid to play. Do better.

[@pjmorgan]

Why would you not try just fixing the rainwater management first?

[@ThatToast]

tv content

[@MrCripplerking]

Nothing is holding up that sump pipe up except the expanding foam in the hole. You can see the whole thing shake when the pump comes on. I would worry about it under sustained pressure, if the rubber joint came loose. They would do better to have brackets to hold the pipe secure. When I installed my sump, I just screwed a 4' vertical 1x4 to the nearest joist overhead and then bracketed the pipe to that. I also wonder if it's a bad idea to put your sump right in the corner of two load bearing block walls, in case that recess could allow more water channeling or destabilizing of the soil underneath. I offset mine from the walls by about 2' for that reason.

[@Alex-vr8gw]

Cleanest house with a 3 year old ever.

[@saidtheblueknight]

So now what, the child is going to play near a river of water that's flowing to the sump pump?

[@simonsonjh]

If I had a basement, I would fill it in with gravel. One is digging with Crocks and other with white shoes.

[@durangodave]

im curious how he knew there were no pipes or elect in the ground in that corner of the basement.

[@Guardducks]

Richard is probably still vibrating from that electric Pogo stick.

[@2aminitials]

Not enough budget to add half a bag of rock to the bottom of the hole so the basin sits flush with the floor? And cut a bigger hole in the floor for better working room around the basin. Premix concrete isn't that expensive.

[@erictubero]

What assurance can we have that the sump pump won’t let us down after it’s effectiveness has worn out during a downpour. Please advice.

[@shawjoe71]

You need to have another sump pump ready to install if that happens.

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Live on a hill top. Seriously, have a battery-backup sump (one pump on AC, the other on DC and a controller to charge, monitor and engage the backup). Also, having a whole house generator or some other standby power like solar with powerwall, lets you have water out when power it out.

[@shawjoe71]

@@xoxo2008oxox if you're going to go to all that trouble, just have a water powered sump pump

[@TylerTheGamer-dutch]

@@shawjoe71 Yeah, I have a Sump Pump in my Basement so no water will come down to the basement floor

[@cup_and_cone]

If you are worried that your basement will get that much water in a short period you need more than a sump pump...

[@XX-166]

No French drain needed in all installations I see

[@Cdshakes]

I know the guy wants to look good for being on tv, but those shoes seemed a little clean to be doing that type of work!

[@marcodm]

Foundation needs to be dug outside, waterproofed, french drain then back fill to be dry

[@TrumpAmerica-2024]

yard needs to be regraded, water pitched away from house, bigger gutters with downspouts that are piped away from the house. french drain just allows more water to infiltrate the basement.

[@Hellcat71782]

Bro you couldn’t do that yourself?

[@JDiegoCC-zf3cd]

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[@tamethetikbalang]

Many new tra-ders face challenges without proper guidance. I found success by learning from James Clark's expertise.

[@IvorySugumar]

​@@tamethetikbalangexactly that's why I always seek Mr J Clark's guidance in all I do 😊

[@chryscreech]

I recently sold half my tech stock holdings due to all-time highs, leaving me with $400k. Should I invest in ETFs now or wait for a market correction considering potential inflation?

[@AseoLimpieza]

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[@semendx]

From $37K to $45K that's the minimum range of profit return every week I thinks it's not a bad one for me, now I have enough to pay bills and take care of my family.

[@davidparker9676]

What a great dad! Putting his baby in a wet basement. Get the father of the year award ready for him!

[@kaseyc5078]

Ok Karen

[@ElectricGears]

Did you miss the part of the video where they installed a sump pump so there wouldn't be any more water in the basement?

[@normanwiggins1320]

I would have drilled a pilot hole and drilled back from the inside so the block didn't blow out very unprofessional

[@davidparker9676]

@@ElectricGears Maybe he can sleep with his husband in the basement and let the adopted kids live in the upstairs.

[@mathyouforgot]

@@ElectricGears XD

[@timregan1005]

they always ignore this actual problem and just install a pump. where's the water coming from? still can't get enough of the show. but they ALWAYS ignore the cause and just go with whatever

[@shanew7361]

Treating the symptoms, not curing the problem.

[@CaptainNixon]

At the beginning of the video, it looks like the water is coming from the sky.

[@michaelgavin7621]

Thought the same. But hey it’s TV. Besides the name of the video is HOW TO INSTALL A SUMP PUMP, not HOW TO IGNORE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM AND JUST INSTALL A PUMP.

[@cup_and_cone]

$500 sump vs $50,000 impermeable foundation lining...

[@TrumpAmerica-2024]

watch gate city foundation drainage if you want it done right