A sump pump is a form of interior basement waterproofing. A sump pump installation is disruptive, but not nearly as disruptive to your property as installing an outdoor French drain and exterior wall membrane. If you need your basement to stay dry because you use it as a living space or for storage, then installing an effective means of waterproofing is important. Here's an overview of the sump pump installation process.

Choose The Pump

Sump pumps are made in different ways, and they have different amounts of power. You might need help from the contractor when choosing your new pump. One thing to keep in mind is that pumps are powered by electricity. If power is knocked out in a storm, the pump won't be able to get rid of water when you need it the most. For that reason, you should consider a battery backup or a second battery-powered pump for times when the power fails.

Dig A Hole For The Basin

A sump pump sits in a basin that collects water when the water table rises. Depending on the conditions on your property, the pump may need to work every day or just after heavy rains. Digging the hole requires busting up the concrete and shoveling the debris out of the hole.

You may see water in the hole from the water table once the contractor has dug below your foundation. The hole has to be large enough that the sump basin is in the ground with the top level with your basement floor. Then water from underground can fill the basin rather than seep into your basement.

Install The Pump

Your contractor might line the basin with material, such as landscaping fabric, so dirt and rocks don't get near the pump. Sump pumps are often submersible, so the pump rests on the bottom of the basin. The side of the pump has a float on it, and when the float rises along with the rising water, the float will trigger the pump to turn on and force water into the drains that lead out of the house.

Hook Up The Drains

The contractor needs to install PVC drains that connect to the sump pump, go up the wall of your basement, and then go through a hole drilled in the wall so the drain can get outside. Once outside, the drain is positioned so it releases water that flows away from your house in the same way a gutter downspout works.

Once the sump pump installation is complete, the contractor can test it by pouring water in the basin to verify the float turns the pump on and empties the water. After that, you'll want to test the pump occasionally to make sure nothing is jammed against the float and that the basin is standing by and ready to work when you need it to.