Installing two dewatering (sump) pumps for yard drainage

We install sump basins and sump pumps to deal with residual water that has nowhere to drain away. In cases like this, your only choice is to pump the water uphill to see effective results.
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[@louislouis4221]

I'm watching your videos and the engineering of rainwater management is amazing. And to me the best part, the absolute triumph of your work is when you go a revisit and show the final result IRL. Many videos here in KZbin or regular TV never show the product of their work in months or years later. You do. Thank you for that.

[@Sohailali1]

I think that's the best part. Seeing how his solution works for real. This separates him from all the rest.

[@Dripfed]

I really admire the way you work with your employees. Lots of respect, helping them to learn from you and you mucking in to help. Can see that they are happy in their jobs and happy to work for you. Known lots of people in the past who struggle to cope when they expand and start needing a workforce.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I try to take the best parts of all my leaders and incorporate them into my style. I like that term Leader instead of Boss because it indicates that I'm leading by example and understanding what they need to do their jobs. I ask them all the time what we need to make their jobs better and I get it.

[@gardeninginthedesert]

I love the way you stop to show us the animals. 🐸

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you! I like our fellow Earthlings too

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Every once and a while we’ll get a green tree frog like that all the way up here in Richmond VA. Always love seeing those little guys.

[@MrTitaylor]

Yet another great job from you guys. I'm from the Phoenix AZ area and didn't think much about drainage until I bought a house in Yuma AZ. The homes I lived in in the Phx area were all well above grade to the street so drainage was never an issue. But the Yuma house had some serious drainage issues from the back yard. There's a long story of the history as to why, but I had all the property surrounding it regraded when I had a wall built and had to add a swail added to the back yard. I didn't really understand why that was needed until I started watching your videos. Now I think about my dream property in Idaho and I think I know what to look out for when building the house on it. Your channel and the explanations of what your thinking is is super informative and educational. Thank you!

[@edpoints1127]

I understand his videos. Because I've seen similar situations many times. Glad you understand. I've been in the industry for a long time and it's difficult to explain to someone that doesn't get it. After they understand.... It is like common sense. It seems like now you know, which will help you in any further land acquisitions. 👍

[@wcsd9577]

Nice idea with the screw jack, and you can't beat how clean it looks with the core drill. Again, one of those little things that homeowners look at every day that makes them feel satisfied. Great work!

[@edpoints1127]

Good idea with the screw jack. I found a low profile scissor type jack at a garage sale with about a 3x3 pad that I've used for that and jacking up concrete stoops. I cherish that thing. I don't even know what it was used for originally

[@leslieclaire]

Coring the gutter never gets old! Nice job! Thanks for giving the green frog his moment! Have a great weekend!

[@lifeisgood070]

Pro tip…. If you drill your 3/16 inch hole with a downward slope towards the bottom of the basin it will agitate the water and help keep the bottom of the basin clean… like small amounts of dirt will get mixed with the water

[@GCFD]

I like that! I'll start doing it. These pumps can pump small solids and they keep the basin somewhat clean. Thank you!

[@laviniasgarden3648]

Get out the snacks and drinks! We’re going for a ride!

[@GCFD]

Hold on!

[@utm_001-sg6pl]

25:11 - I suggest using a piece of gray pipe to make the connection even less visible.

[@tristardiggin]

Your knowledge and expertise is outstanding. Great work! The follow-up video showing how things work is 👍...

[@tttt4029]

Great to see you and the guys back in action 😀

[@aprev039]

Nice to see you only use sump pumps when you have to, unlike other channels.

[@GCFD]

Yes they are a last resort for us.

[@SheenaRea]

Thanks Shawn. Sump pumps are amazing!

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Excellent work and a really tidy job well done guys

[@scheevie]

Always look forward to your videos! I learn from them! Thank you for your time and effort!!

[@dylantrinder1571]

A sensible and practical solution Shawn. Nice job as always.

[@FightingFishTv]

Masterclass as per the usual. Great work Shawn.

[@DavidJMann]

Fantastic job! Really enjoyed this one! 🙏🏻

[@bairwelldrilling9657]

I missed you guys it is good to see you again you guys keep up the good work 👍

[@josephj6521]

Nice work Shawn! Great idea regarding the power cables for the pumps. 👍

[@hollandduck79]

thanks Shawn for the video . nice job

[@peterwise9944]

I love your eye for seeing them and your concern for the amphibians. They are so important, as well as the unique insects you seem to find and identify

[@robmartin9735]

Great tip about pressure fittings!

[@alecsimages1]

Perfect result Shaun, !ove to see it all working, regards from UK

[@sparky2059]

Hey Shawn, Nice job well done, your guys do a great job.!!!!!!

[@gordiehattrick]

Excellent project Shawn!! It's always nice to see a professional job done by a PRO TEAM!!!!

[@EMERIC4N]

thanks shawn, i like seeing these jobs that need that extra effort also sump pumps are so satisfying

[@BrettTracyRealtor]

love the finished look at the curb!! The right tools is always 90% of success per job!! Great work

[@anthonyfindlay466]

Another job well down, thanks for keeping your videos interesting and very informative, as always shout out to the main man on the job Ronald and Jeremy the cool dude, keep it up guys👍🏼

[@monsantofungaro5704]

You all do such a great job. I really enjoy all of your videos and have used a lot of your info in my own projects. Thank you!

[@MrDbone75]

A very good Saturday morning to you all in the USA from Wellington Somerset in the UK

[@goldinvestments1314]

Thanks for the quality video.

[@juliehoffman92]

Nice job

[@southpike1000]

Nice work!!!

[@shanewhite499]

Great job as always Shawn and crew. Those pumps are my favorite to use they last a very long time. I know the homeowner is happy to get rid of all that water. Can't wait until the next video.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@waldogarcia2605]

Thanks for the new video. Nice work.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Waldo

[@coreyklefbohm4653]

New season of Gate City Foundation Drainage !! :)

[@GCFD]

Haha I have a ton of videos I need to get finished up. It's a lot of work

[@jeremyduncan8030]

Love your videos.

[@Edward-turtle]

Nice tidy job shaun as always. God Bless

[@GCFD]

thank you Edward. 👍

[@drewlichty3212]

Good job 👍

[@apolcz]

You seem like a great guy to work for. You're always nice to your crew and you should be! Keep on keeping on!

[@apolcz]

Also credit to the crew, they know what they're doing and they work hard.

[@steverusie6986]

Great job as always! There you go again using the jack to work smarter rather than harder!

[@GCFD]

👍 It's been a lifesaver for sure.

[@edpoints1127]

Great video Shawn and GCF

[@GCFD]

Thank you Ed!

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

It’s always awesome work!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Tony! 👍

[@stephenstyles1382]

Another interesting video can't wait for the next one

[@GCFD]

Thank you Stephen!

[@AbdicateDotNet]

Great start of a Saturday!!! I love your videos and I still would like to buy one of your shirts!! (I know you said they're $$$, but I think they're just awesome!) ❤❤👏👏⭐⭐😎😎 BTW my neighbor was having issues and I showed him your channel and he did a French drain and it solved his problem! See!? You're helping those that can't get your services!

[@mikeknoll2865]

Nice camera work, it looks like it’s really greening up in Greensboro.

[@Crafter_H]

Great video as always! That's quite a noise when you drill through that basin haha! Didn't expect it to sound like that. We need merch that says "Full Bubble!" Haha. Would definitely purchase.

[@stevencorley2352]

Testaroony? Lol Great job. Good to see you using a screw jack to put pressure on the drill. Works much easier that way.

[@GCFD]

Yes that screw jack is much better, especially for the 4.5" cores!!!! 👍

[@joeshmoe7789]

@@GCFD That was a great idea!!!

[@AUTOMOBILZ]

Another job well done 👍🏾

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Nice system!

[@Caleballa]

I love this channel! Keep it up my dude!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Caleb! Thanks for your support - Shawn

[@davidpeterson7056]

Nice work!

[@GCFD]

Thank you David!

[@danadams8718]

As a roofer, I would automatically clean out all the eavestrouphs on a house to make sure it was draining ok. You might want to think about that on the troughs where you are draining the downspouts. Just a thought.

[@GCFD]

Yes I always mention they need to be working for our pipes to work. This job took several months to be approved by the HOA so I didn't realize they were full again.

[@rockwellmath]

Nice work, minor comment though, the pump discharge is obviously not pressurized - it is entirely open at the end, or at most, sometimes there is just a pop-up fitting. It doesn’t require pressure fittings. Those are intended for plumbing supply lines, which maintain a pressure of something like 60-70 psi for residential.

[@cheskydivision]

Love watching the water shoot out.

[@chrispaddock9787]

At 6:20 you can see the PVC connection slightly push it’s self back apart reducing the surface area and strength of the connection. I always try to keep pressure on the connection for 30 seconds or so to allow the cement a chance to bond. Just a thought, keep up the good work!!!

[@GCFD]

Yep. The glue dried a little too much while I was messing with the camera.

[@piranhabadass1]

Great Vid!

[@TechnoCraftGaming]

Great video as always :)

[@davidchristensen6908]

Where I live no city would accept this jet of water spraying forth from the curb. You take a 1 1/2 or 2 inch pumped line and drop it into a 3 inch or 4 inch pipe 10 to 15 feet behind the curb and it will tame the discharge. You have several jobs where the discharge ones out and becomes airborne or hits a parking curb and the water flies. It is a simple step to having your discharge water with less pressure and a more subtle flow. Love your work and really enjoy your problem solving .

[@AndrewBrowner]

running 4" pipe through the curb isnt really an option.. at that point youre just taking out the whole curb.. who cares if water shoots out 8" from the curb.. you must be one of the HOA board people who walk around looking for issues

[@jakebaxa]

Dig It!! Love it

[@josiahmartin3495]

Awesome video, Sean. You should consider adding some links to the different supplies you buy. I think viewers would love to see exactly what you’re buying for things like the check valve, 2 inch pipe, basins, etc. And you could benefit too, as Home Depot has an affiliate program (though I know you probably don’t buy from there).

[@tmactheplumber4966]

Looking forward to it !

[@GCFD]

Thank you Mac! Same

[@tmactheplumber4966]

I love when you find types of small animals and know their names, good stuff !

[@colleenroux1512]

Love seeing the green tree frog 😁🐸

[@GCFD]

that was an awesome find. I found a grey tree frog on a job yesterday!

[@twodogsandtheirfamily]

You could probably throw a little dark grey or black spray paint on the end of the pipe to hide it and make it look even better at the curb.

[@flipzout100]

Adam over on the Haxman channel could use your expertise right about now with his flooded back yard. He’s in a pickle down in GA.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@Rusty_Gold85]

When we used to dig in Telecom Pits ( about 500mm deep ) we would back fill all around filling a small layer. Pack that in with a Crowbar handle Bell end , then top up to the level and poke that crushed rock in again , and refill as it subsides. This way it never subsidises long after which was the case early times. Mind you our pipes were near the bottom at 450 deep levels and rope them to haul cables later lol. Great fun watching your show

[@GCFD]

Thanks for sharing Rusty!

[@sambrem0788]

Ronald cussing after drilling is hilarious

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Mark.Watson]

After the gutters are cleaned that area should be super dry. Nice work!

[@tracyrain4941]

Where's my pipe and spirit level? Gotta be ready for this one! 🤭😊

[@GCFD]

Yep! Jeremy and Ronald have got the level covered in this one

[@10lauset]

Cleaning the gutters is always a good idea. I wonder why homeowners don't do it? Anyways .. Cheers to you ..

[@rfl35]

love your videos FULL BUBBLE BOSS!

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@Netsuko]

“We’re going to install a pump to flood this guys yard today. He just doesn’t know it yet. April fool’s!”

[@GrasshopperLawncareGA]

Good job. I am not an electrician, so this is just my opinion but, I believe that all electrical wiring should be in grey conduit. It helps when someone else is digging later. Digging around it is easy to see if the pipe is for water or electrical.

[@GCFD]

In this case it's a very short run with a cord sticking out. So I feel comfortable that anyone would understand there's a cord in there.

[@bohhica1]

Here we go, Full Bubble !

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@jacksonbennett6151]

You’d think the HOA should be more concerned with the bush overhanging into the street! But that would make sense!!

[@Rubbernecker]

Nice! I need to do this for my house. You don't come as far south as Florida, do you? 😂 I like the 'Full Bubble' on your shirts!

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@FkSeditiousChristofascists]

The inspector would definitely call you on that cord. To bury it 6 inches rather than 24 you need to use hard conduit (basically a water pipe).

[@GCFD]

I disagree. It's a cord, not electric service. I could have laid it on the ground.

[@riverdog8796]

Another good job and great video. You guys are some pizza eating mo fo's! lol Hungrey Howie knows you by name and will deliver anywhere to you for sure. Good job

[@KieranRawley123]

They’ll be happy you’ve sorted that issue out. I’m surprised though that you didn’t put a y piece in just before the curb to take two into one and then just have one hole through the kerb.

[@johnclements6614]

Two holes then you know both pumps are working.

[@Stratos53100]

When you said HOA i thought oh crap they will pull some kind of something.... In a case like this not much else can be done

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

'Forest Gump Digging'. I like it.

[@tucobenedicto109]

The plumber guy says Zoeller pump swtiches have been failing. Within a year or more. Liberty is a better choice! Nice job!

[@SteveE293]

It looks to me like they have a very short cycle so in time it burns out the switch

[@GCFD]

These zoellers come from the supply house and have a 3 year warranty. I know zoller sells on amazon and lowes, but those pumps have a shorter warranty. The supply house I deal with also carries Liberty so I may look closer into that. Thanks!

[@tracyrain4941]

That wee frog was beautiful...and such long back legs! So satifying to watch a job well done. 😊 Are there any critters or creatures you'd refuse to touch? Or are you ok with everything? Not sure I'd want to touch a frog, or any of the other things you've shown us! Those sand dollars in your studio are beautiful. Didn't realise they were so big. 😊

[@GCFD]

I don't mind picking up most fellow Earthlings I come across. Those sand dollars I picked up off the bottom at around 100' off the NC coast.

[@tracyrain4941]

100'...that is deep! Going that deep I'd want to get a souvenir too...other than a possible case of the bends! Anyhoo, I'm off to put away my spirit level till next time! 🤭😊

[@johnselesky8505]

Great video Shawn! I noticed there may be a potential that the pump power cord could experience some chafing over time where the cord enters the conduit at the sump end. I see that the conduit is cut square so it may be beneficial to grind the edge of the conduit smooth and/or possibly add some sort of protective layer to the power cord to prevent the power cord insulation from rubbing through. I imagine there could be some slight movement of the cord inside the sump basin as water enters and the pump kicks on, so over time this could lead to the insulation rubbing through on the edge of the conduit.

[@GCFD]

Great idea John

[@ericbreitkopf9182]

Thanks for this video. I live in NJ and would like to do this however I'm concerned about water freezing in the discharge pipe during winter. I would get pump basin below frost line but what about water accumulated in the discharge pipe because of the check valve?

[@georgesebastian6306]

Very similar to a job I need done. Mine would be much simpler to drain Lake Diane in the side yard when we get a heavy rain.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@LightBringer81]

My favourite parts are when you guys taking a Pizza break and when you show us the small bugs and other animals you find. 😊

[@GCFD]

👍👍 I always find cool stuff out there

[@stephenstyles1382]

It will be midnight in the uk ill get myself a drink i know it worth staying up to chat

[@GCFD]

Awesome Stephen!

[@TravisTomsu]

Love these videos - curious though, what happens when the power goes out, say, during a hurricane? Those basins will fill up fast being the only route for water to go from two downspouts.

[@GCFD]

If the power goes out they will have a wet yard like they used to. There wasn't any flooding going on in this case.

[@jimanderson4495]

Thanks Shawn. Do you use a surveyor laser line to determine grade?

[@whip205inthebam3]

Shawn, and to all the guys and gals on the crew WTG Great JoB 👍 BTW are those gfci protected receptacles?

[@larrygwinn6649]

Hi, have you ever heard of duck seal, we use it for the end of utilities pipe to keep out bugs, debris, etc.

[@GCFD]

Yes we've used it before. It's like plumbers putty for electrical stuff

[@BeerkegGarage]

Shawn, will those sump pumps be able to pump debris out? Since you are catching those gutter won't the pump basin eventually fill up with pine needles, leaves and roof gravel?

[@joeshmoe7789]

Very important to keep gutters clean in all these systems. Could mean having them cleaned 2 or more times every year. Pump basins need to be checked and maintained regularly.

[@davidb300z]

Hey Sean, I know you guys have DeWalt tools but you should look into the Milwaukee PVC cutter. You are an operator, not a ratcheter!

[@sku32956]

Your work is top notch use good pipe and quality labor; the only thing is most places it is code all out door receptacles are 20 amp with motors it can shorten their life if they get starved of power. Why people use 15 amp is the Romex is easier to work with saves a few pennies.

[@GCFD]

I agree. We run 20 amp but this electrician wanted to run 15 amp. I don't see the point when you can just run a better wire. 👍

[@JDel709]

Have you had issues with the switches in Zoeller pumps? I help with the maintenance at my church, and ours goes out about every year and a half or so. It never lasts past the warranty, so we just take it back and swap it out for free, but still aggravating.

[@RA1-1]

Steve Lavimoniere doesn't like those pumps for that reason.

[@5minprod]

Would the asphalt dust not cause a problem with the pumps eventually? The 4 inch smooth lets it flow freely but the impeller might not like it. Would there be value in adding a catch basin in series for the fines to collect in and be vacuumed out?

[@infl]

For PVC conduit, yeah you have to go down 18”. If you run IMC or RMC, two types of metal conduit, only 6” of ground cover is required. Also running UF is not always the easiest to pull through pipe- I would recommend THWN or RHW wire for that.

[@infl]

IMC and RMC are a little annoying to work with, you need a pipe threader and bender to install it correctly. Quality tools can get expensive for that plus you would have to do electrical work, or pay somebody else to do it all. Then you would have to worry about the termination. I would probably do a 4x4x4 pvc enclosure with a watertight gland, you cut the pump cable to length and terminate it inside the waterproof box. that way it’s good in case the sump basin floods. Idk, sounds like a whole lot of additional work. Do you think it would be worth it?

[@infl]

In this application, the only way the electrical code would apply to you is use of a product the way the manufacturer specifies. Does the manufacturer of the pump or cord say anything about underground or direct burial use? Do they have an installation guide for this? If you install it to manufacturer spec everything from the pump to the cord end should only be governed by that