If you’re experiencing a water problem or struggling with flooding in your basement or cellar, installing a sump pump is the best solution. A basement sump pump will ensure the area remains dry and usable and protects your property from flooding. 

This complete guide will cover everything you need to know about how to install a sump pump drain system in your basement. It includes:

• What is a basement sump pump?
• Can I handle the basement sump pump installation myself?
• How to choose a suitable sump pump for your basement
• How to choose the right sump pump location
• A step-by-step guide to installing a basement sump pump 

 

What is a basement sump pump?

A basement or cellar sump pump is designed to pump out excess water that has accumulated in the sump pit (a small reservoir below your basement floor). The water is pumped into a drainage system and away from your property. This protects your home from flood damage, making a sump pump an essential device for homes prone to flooding or high water levels. 

The sump pump consists of an electric motor, pump and float switch. The motor powers the pump, which draws liquid out of the sump pit and away from the basement. The float switch detects when the water level in the sump pit is over a certain threshold and starts the motor to pump out the water.

Read our blog, ‘What is a basement or cellar sump pump and how does it work?’, for more detailed information.

 

Can I handle the basement sump pump installation myself?

Installing a sump pit, pump and drainage system is a complex task. It will require professional installation by a qualified basement waterproofing contractor. You’ll also need an electrician for the wiring and electrical work.

 

How to choose a suitable sump pump for your basement

If you’re considering sump pump installation, you must choose the right system for your needs. You’ll likely require a submersible pump with a tank or pit to collect water from underneath your basement floor (this is what’s most commonly referred to as a sump pump).

One of the main factors to consider is the size of the sump chamber. The larger the sump pump chamber, the more time you’ll have before the pump engages and starts to pump the water out. Generally, having a larger chamber is better as this reduces the number of times the pump will kick in, which will prolong the lifespan of your pump.

However, you’ll also need to consider how practical and feasible a very large basement sump chamber would be. 150-litre sump chambers are usually adequate for most basements. You’ll also need to consider the pump’s power and ensure it can handle the flow rate and the head (the distance the pump has to pump the water).  

If you frequently experience power outages, a sump pump battery backup system should also be installed. This will provide continued protection from flooding if the main power fails and give you peace of mind about the safety of your property. All sump pump systems should have a high water level alarm to alert you to high water levels in your chamber and avoid damage to your basement and pump.

 

How to choose the right sump pump location

Before beginning the installation process, you should select a suitable location for your basement sump pump. The sump chamber should be located somewhere easy to access for regular maintenance or if there’s an issue with the system. It’s also a good idea to ensure that the pipe work is accessible so that it can be repaired or replaced if needed in the future. 

Here are some factors to consider when choosing your sump pump’s location:

• Where block or stud walls will be built after the sump pump installation.
• Whether it’s close to the basement wall and where the water will be pumped out.
• If it avoids any underground cables or pipes.
• If there’s suitable access for maintenance and repairs. 

 

A step-by-step guide to installing a basement sump pump 

How to install a basement sump pump chamber

The first step should be to install the sump chamber (also known as a sump hole or pit). This process will differ whether you’re building a new basement or installing a sump pump in an existing basement. In both cases, you’ll need to create a hole in the concrete floor for the chamber to sit in.

For new build sump chamber installation, you can create a concrete box or a steel cage before pouring in the concrete. For the second option, you’ll need to form a steel cage of sufficient size to house the sump chamber. This should be done while preparing the reinforcing steel for the main basement slab. A structural engineer should be consulted to ensure the stability of the structure. 

Forming a concrete box is a more straightforward process. You’ll just need to ensure it can accommodate the chamber and has the same structural integrity as the rest of the concrete slab. 

For retrospective installation where you’re adding a sump pump to an existing basement, you’ll need to break through the existing screed to create a hole larger than the sump chamber. Then, form a suitable concrete base. The sump pit should be at least 400 mm larger than the diameter of the sump chamber. 

The sump chamber must always be located on a flat and level surface and large enough to support it. Follow the below steps to form the sump tank base:

1. Lay clean hardcore on the base of the created pit (it should be at least 100mm thick).
2. Lay your concrete on top of the hardcore. The concrete base should be at least 150mm thick.
3. While the concrete is still wet, position the sump tank onto the base and push it to a depth of 50mm. 
4. Allow the concrete to set.
5. Backfill the tank with a mass concrete mix of at least 100 mm thickness.

How to plumb your sump tank

You’ll need to consider several connections when plumbing your sump tank, including:

• The inlets (at least two) that go into your sump chamber from your drainage channel. 
• High-voltage electrical inlets (for your pumps) and low-voltage electrical inlets (for your alarms).
• Waste outlets or discharge pipes with non-return or check valves.
• Internal PVC pipes.

Once the sump tank has been installed and all the necessary connections have been made, you’ll need to flush the system before the pumps are installed. Flushing it with clean water removes any sand, dust or debris from the system, which should not be removed by the pump as it could invalidate its warranty.

How to install the sump pump 

The sump pump can now be installed, which is one of the most challenging and complex aspects of the installation. The process will differ based on whether you’re installing a single or dual sump pump system.

For a single-pump system, you should use PTFE tape around the thread of the non-return valve and connect the waste pipework. You must mount the float and high-level alarm to the waste pipe. 

For a dual pump system, you must follow the above steps after you’ve designated one pump as the master and one as the backup pump. You’ll have to ensure that the master pump activates first by installing the high-level alarm switch on the master pump’s waste pipe just above the activation point. This ensures the alarm will be triggered if the master pump fails or can’t cope with the high water levels. After this, you can connect the internal waste pipes. 

How to wire a sump pump 

You’ll need a qualified electrician to wire the sump pump to the mains to complete the electrical installation. You should install the backup battery and high-level water alarm at this point. The alarm should be installed somewhere that it can be heard by the occupants so that action can be taken.

The sump pump installation is now complete. Your pumps should automatically kick in when the float reaches the specified level, and the high water alarm should alert you to any issues. 

 

Basement and cellar pumping stations

Sumps and Pumps stocks a range of pumping stations designed for cellars and basements. All our basement sump pump systems include a chamber and submersible cellar water pump. 

We offer a range of sump chamber sizes and both single and twin pump systems to suit various needs and requirements. Twin pump systems can deal with higher volumes of water. One pump acts as a backup, ensuring the system’s continued functionality if the primary pump fails. 

You can choose from our budget-friendly pumping stations, which require some assembly or our professional, ready-to-go cellar sump pump stations. All our sump pumps are designed with easy installation in mind, and many feature a squat chamber so that the installer doesn’t have to dig too deep to install it. 

We also offer high water level alarms, battery backups, pump control panels, and waterproofing products, making us a one-stop shop for all your sump pump installation needs.  

Browse our full range of sump pumps, pumping stations and accessories in our online shop. Or, if you’d like more guidance on the right sump pump for your basement, please contact our team.