Basement sumps...how do they work?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Inspected a basement today with a sump, but no sump pump. Please explain to me how these sumps work. Where does the water come from and where does it go if no pump is provided?

Thanks.

[James H. Bushart]

What you have there is sump with a missing pump. Write it up.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Thanks James. I sort of thought that, and you confirmed it. How does the water get channeled to the sump? Drainage system beneath the slab that directs it to the sump? Never saw one installed. Limited knowledge about them in basements.

[ccurrins]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...tion%26hl%3Den

[relliott]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Thanks James. I sort of thought that, and you confirmed it. How does the water get channeled to the sump? Drainage system beneath the slab that directs it to the sump? Never saw one installed. Limited knowledge about them in basements.

If it is a ejector pump it is sealed as it is pumping waste from a basement bathroom in most cases.
The pump will also have a grinder built in to the impeller.

[David P. Valley]

Joe,

Here's a better illustration...

[James R. Szczesny]

Water seems to make it in most basements here especially a house over 20 yrs old.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

What about this thing: sump or ejector?

A pit in an expensive new home with an unfinished basement. Pit has a plate on it bolted shut.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

What about this thing: sump or ejector?

A pit in an expensive new home with an unfinished basement. Pit has a plate on it bolted shut.

Attachment 27000

You cannot determine what type of a Pump will be installed Joe without knowing whether it is connected to basement drain tile or a sewage waste pipe....the lid means nothing.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by dduffy

You cannot determine what type of a Pump will be installed Joe without knowing whether it is connected to basement drain tile or a sewage waste pipe....the lid means nothing.

Actually, at least in our area, the lid means everything. The sealed and bolted ones (ejector-or sanitary- pumps) are that way to keep the sewage gases from entering the basement and the loose ones don't need sealing because they are simple sump pumps with no sewage gases. One of the holes in the top of the sealed ejector pump lid is for venting.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by lkage

Actually, at least in our area, the lid means everything. The sealed and bolted ones (ejector-or sanitary- pumps) are that way to keep the sewage gases from entering the basement and the loose ones don't need sealing because they are simple sump pumps with no sewage gases. One of the holes in the top of the sealed ejector pump lid is for venting.

Their both sealed here Larry.....sump pump or ejector pumps (lids).

And vented to the exterior.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by dduffy

Their both sealed here Larry.....sump pump or ejector pumps (lids).

And vented to the exterior.

Hmmm, I wonder why? It seems like overkill.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by dduffy

You cannot determine what type of a Pump will be installed Joe without knowing whether it is connected to basement drain tile or a sewage waste pipe....the lid means nothing.

And how do you determine what its connected to if the lid is bolted shut???

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

And how do you determine what its connected to if the lid is bolted shut???

Well Joe, if there is a bathroom which might not be able to drain with gravity to the main sewage line, chances are it's a grinder pump (sump)....but I would take the bolts off regardless to see if the foundation drain pipe is connected to the sump or if ABS Plastic sewage pipe is connected to the sump from a bathroom, laundry, kitchen, or what ever.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dduffy

You cannot determine what type of a Pump will be installed Joe without knowing whether it is connected to basement drain tile or a sewage waste pipe....the lid means nothing.

So if I run water in the basment bathroom for a while and the sump comes on, I still have to open it up???