How to Install a Sump Pump Discharge Pipe
Placement of the sump pump discharge pipe is a major consideration in any home, especially for those who have basements or cellars that occasionally flood during heavy rains. It is responsible for the transport of the water to a higher and safer location to avoid more flooding inside the house. The importance of this pipe cannot be understated and it should always be working properly hand in hand with a sump pump.
Tools and Materials
- Threaded Adapter
- Pipe Fittings
- Pipe Cleaner
- Drain Line
- Check Valve
- PVC Cement
- Drill
- Hacksaw
Step 1: Drain Line Preparation
Install the adapter and screw it onto the pump. Make sure that it fits the model of pump that you have. Also be certain that it will be able to accommodate and fit the drain line that you wish to set up. If there is a problem with either one of these, get the appropriate adapter from your local hardware store. Usually, 1-inch PVC pipes are used as the sump pump discharge pipe, so it would be wise to use this as the basis for the adapter.
Step 2: Discharge Point
Decide where the water will be released. You can discharge it into your back or front yard, safely away from the water spilling into your basement. You can also point it directly to your community’s common sewer or drainage system. Whatever you decide, it is important to make sure that the sump pump discharge point is well separated from the source point.
Step 3: Attaching Pipes to the Pump
Get a short piece of PVC and clean both ends of the pipe with the pipe cleaner to make sure that it is free from any dust or dirt. Attach one end of the PVC to the adapter. It should just be long enough to reach the outside of the pit where the water is accumulated. Attach a check valve to the pipe and it should fit perfectly. The check valve is there to make sure that water being pumped out of the sump pit does not go back in. It has a flap that closes when water pressure passing through it ceases, blocking any water that may fall back in. Cut another piece of pipe and clean both ends. Attach this pipe to the other end of the valve. This pipe should then lead up to a sump pump discharge drainage system or your backyard.
Step 4: Connecting to the House Drain
If you are connecting the sump pump discharge pipe to your home drainage, the first thing to do is to locate the house drain. Once you’ve located it, cut into it and install a T-pipe fitting. Make sure that it is aligned to the discharge pipe. Don’t forget to apply the pipe cleaner on these. Connect the discharge pipe to the T-pipe fitting and apply PVC cement on all connections. Let the cement dry.
Step 5: Connect to the Outside
If you decide not to connect it to the home drainage, install a 90 degree PVC elbow to the top of the sump pump discharge pipe and connect a pipe that will run through the wall going out of the house. Using a saw, carefully make a small hole in the wall to run the pipe outside. Cover any gaps around the edges with sealant. At the end of the pipe extending out of your home install a 30 degree elbow and connect a pipe which will point to the ground or add additional pipe to move the water to your chosen drainage location. Remember to use cleaner on all the pipes prior to making connections. This completes your sump pump discharge project.
