Home Improvement
Interior Remodel
Basem*nt
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Updated on 05/20/24
Reviewed by
Kelly Bacon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/headshots_FINAL_kelly-bacon-b04a376ed3864da887ed85eaa89e3dd4.png "Learn How to Install a Sump Pump and Keep Your Basem*nt Dry (2)")
Reviewed byKelly Bacon
Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. He is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce'sReview Board
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In This Article
Types
Safety Considerations
Instructions
When to Call a Professional
FAQ
Project Overview
- Working Time:6 - 8 hrs
- Total Time:2 - 3 days
- Yield:Install sump pump in a basem*nt
- Skill Level:Advanced
- Estimated Cost:$300 to $600
Installing a sump pump is an effective way to prevent water from accumulating in a basem*nt. If your basem*nt has water problems, a sump pump can help remedy the problem. Most sump pumps are relatively inexpensive.
If you know how to install a sump pump, you'll be able to finish your basem*nt and turn it into a comfortable living space.
Type of Sump Pump to Buy
Choose the best sump pump for your home's basem*nt. Two types of sump pumps are available: submersible pumps and pedestal pumps:
- Submersible: Submersible pumps are fully concealed in the sump pit. While they cost more than pedestal pumps, they are quieter, making them a better choice for finished basem*nts and other living areas.
- Pedestal: Pedestal pumps are partially concealed in the sump pit, with the motor resting above the water. Pedestal sump pumps are less expensive than submersible pumps, plus they are easier to repair and maintain.
Tips for Installing and Maintaining a Sump Pump
- Purchase a sump pump with a backup battery system if power outages are common in your area.
- Avoid running the discharge into a sewer or a basem*nt utility sink, as most municipalities do not allow this.
- Use a jackhammer to break up the concrete. Electric jackhammers are available at rental stores.
- Repair the sump pump instead of replacing it—most sump pump issues are simple to fix.
- Regularly maintain the sump pump by pouring water into the sump pit to test its operation.
Safety Considerations
Wear eye and hearing protection and a mask while breaking up the concrete.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Electric jackhammer
- Drill
- Hole saw
- Spade or fence post digger
- Trowel
- Hacksaw
Materials
- Electric sump pump
- Quick-set concrete
- Gravel
- GFCI receptacle
- 1-1/2-inch PVC pipe
- 90-degree PVC elbows
- 1-1/2-inch check valve
- 1-1/2-inch gate valve
- PVC pipe cement
Instructions
How to Install a Sump Pump
Locate a Spot for the Sump Pump
Find the spot for the new sump pump at the center of the location where water normally collects on the basem*nt floor. Carefully observe where water collects after heavy rains. Mark this area on the floor. Stay at least 10 inches from the walls to avoid damaging the foundation footing.
Plan the Discharge Area
Outside, look for a spot to send the sump pump's water discharge. The area must be relatively close to the side of the house where the discharge pipe will exit. If the grade is not sloped away from the house, you may need to install a dry well outside to handle the sump pit discharge.
What Is a Dry Well?
A dry well is a deep pit filled with gravel which allows water to gradually be absorbed into the surrounding soil. If using a dry well, make sure to position it a suitable distance away from the foundation.
Mark the Sump Pump Location
Rest the sump basin upside down on the basem*nt floor, then draw a circle about 4 to 6 inches outside the perimeter of the basin.
Install a GFCI Outlet
Install a dedicated GFCI outlet within easy reach of the sump pump's cord, without using an extension cord. Apply for an electrical permit and install the GFCI outlet yourself or call an electrician.
Break Through the Concrete
Use the jackhammer to break through the slab along the outline. Use a flat spade bit for better accuracy when breaking up the hole.
Dig the Sump Pit
With the concrete out of the way, dig the hole (sump pit) to the required depth. Use a narrow spade or a fence post digger. The top of the sump pump's basin must be flush with the floor surface.
Set the Sump Pump in the Basin
Set the sump pump in the basin. The basin is the removable plastic or metal outer shell that encases the sump pump.
Set the Sump Pump in the Sump Pit
Set the sump basin in the sump pit. Depending on height requirements, it may be necessary to add gravel to the bottom of the sump pit or rest the pump on a concrete paver to raise it.
Fill the Gaps in the Sump Pit
Fill the gaps between the sump pit and the basin with loose gravel. Level the gravel in the excavation to about 1 inch below the floor surface. Fill the remainder of the excavation with concrete. Smooth the surface of the concrete level to the surrounding floor with a trowel. Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours.
Install the Discharge Pipe
Connect a short vertical length of PVC pipe to the sump pump. It should reach the height of the intended penetration in the side of the house. Glue a 90-degree PVC elbow to the short pipe. Add another length of pipe.
Install the Check Valve
Install the check valve onto the PVC discharge pipe. Check valves typically are installed with hose clamps so it is easy to remove the pump for servicing or replacement.
Install the Gate Valve
Install another short length of PVC pipe, then install the gate valve. The gate valve is a manual shut-off valve.
Drill a Hole in the Side of the House
Using a hole saw, drill a hole through the rim joist and the exterior siding to route the discharge pipe through the wall.
Run the Discharge Pipe to the Exterior
Continue the discharge pipe with a straight horizontal pipe running through the hole in the rim joist. Once outdoors, route the pipe downward if needed (with a 90-degree elbow) or straight out if grade-level. Seal around the hole in the rim joist with exterior-grade caulk.
Sump Pump Discharge Pipe Order
- Vertical pipe off of sump pump
- 90-degree PVC elbow
- Short PVC pipe
- Check valve
- Short PVC pipe
- Gate valve
- Long PVC pipe to the outside
- Optional: 90-degree PVC elbow downward
Test the Sump Pump
Plug the sump pump into the GFCI-protected receptacle. Fill the basin with water. Test the pump for proper operation. The pump should turn on automatically when the water reaches a level that lifts the float on the pump. The pump should turn off when the water level drops. Adjust the float level of the pump as directed by the manufacturer.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-162894831-5ba6f4cbc9e77c005088c0ef.jpg "Learn How to Install a Sump Pump and Keep Your Basem*nt Dry (4)")
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-how-to-install-sump-pumps-1398056-05-55e200f1ae62484aa28c02ffedad9432.jpg "Learn How to Install a Sump Pump and Keep Your Basem*nt Dry (7)")
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When to Call a Professional
Any number of tasks involved with installing a sump pump can be hired out to qualified professionals if you're not comfortable taking them on: digging a dry well (qualified landscaping company or a contractor); installing a GFCI outlet (electrician); operating a jackhammer (demolition pros or a contractor); pouring and finishing concrete (a paving company).
FAQ
Can I install a sump pump myself?
Installing a sump pump typically requires a plumber and an electrician. But an experienced, motivated DIYer can also handle the job. If you want to install a sump pump by yourself, plan to spend $300 to $600 for tools and materials and at least a couple of weekends for the installation.
Can you install a sump pump in a finished basem*nt?
A sump pump can be installed in a finished basem*nt. Any floor covering on or around the intended sump pump location must be removed. While installing a sump pump can help make finished basem*nts dry, comfortable, and inhabitable, it will not address the source of the water problem. Other measures must be taken to prevent the water from entering the basem*nt.
What is the labor cost to install a sump pump?
The cost of labor to install a sump pump starts at around $300 if the home already has a sump pit and discharge pipe system and ranges up to $4,000 to install an entirely new sump pump system.
What do I do if my existing sump pump is leaking?
Water on the floor does not identify where the leak is coming from. You will need to investigate the sump pump's system, which might involve troughs filled with gravel and drain pipe if you have clay or less porous soil or a sump pit if you have sandy, porous soil. The systems are located at perimeter foundation walls and direct water to the sump pit. This assessment may require calling in a professional.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Maintain Your Sump Pump. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Drain or Sump Pump Installed in Basem*nts or Crawlspaces. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy / U.S. Department of Energy.
How Much Does Sump Pump Installation Cost? The Old House.
