Thread: Basement sump pump

This is a sump pump that the home owner installed. It was installed for occasional water seepage in basement. I have seen this type of installation cause significant erosion below the foundation footing. My gut feeling is that pump should just be removed and patch the hole. What would be the proper installation method for this situation.

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It's hard to tell by the picture but it looks like they punched a hole in the floor and dug out the dirt, exposing the footing and dropped a pump in the hole. If that's the case I'd call for review and repairs by a qualified contractor.

Originally Posted by Trent Tarter

It was installed for occasional water seepage in basement.

Seepage from where, above the slab or below? Was it a finished basement, looks like you have the carpet pulled back.

Occasional seepage my a$$. I find it improbable that someone would bust open a hole like that and install a pump for occasional seepage. So what the pump kicks on once or twice a year?

The guy put it in after the 96 flood. This area had significant flooding in areas as did many areas in Washington State back in 96. The home was built in 79 and has no other signs of water penetration in basement. We had snow melt and rain fall before the inspection. The open pit was damp, but no signs that it had been filling with water. I wrote it up as a substandard installation and that it needs further evaluation by a qualified plumber.

I think you should go on:
hxxp://www.basementsystems.com/sump-pump.html
hxxp://www.basementsystems.com/basement-waterproofing/basement-waterproofing-products/sump-pumps.html

Most foundation drainage systems that have sump pumps also have drain tiles.

Without proper drain tiles, how can you assure the water that might get under the slab or around the foundation will even make it to the pit to be evacuated?

You did right for calling it out.