When it rains water comes into my basement. What should I do?

  If this is a common occurrence when it rains then the wisest option might be to place a sump pump and a catch basin into your basement to pump out the water. Many times the soil type and the condition of the existing foundation allow water to leach in from the outside. Concrete is a porous material so it will allow water to pass through it so if there is water consistently next to your foundation walls you are liable to get water inside your basement. If the problem is small enough some try to seal the concrete with what is called a concrete sealer. However, a general word of wisdom, would be to have a sump pump basin and pump installed.
   What will this require? Well initially it will require some strenuous labor jack hammering up a round hole about two and a half feet in diameter. Then you need to remove the dirt beneath the concrete at a depth to be determined by the catch basin. Now you can purchase a basin made for sump pumps or you can do what some people do to save costs and set in the hole a five gallon bucket (with holes drilled in the bottom and sides to allow water to seep in). It is wise to then anchor the basin into the ground so that the rising groundwater will not force the basin out of the whole in the event of a large onslaught of water. You can use metal stakes to anchor the basin. Back fill any remaining dirt around the basin and finish the top few inches with concrete sloped into the basin.
   What sump pump should I use? There are two different styles of sump pumps one being a Pedestal, where the pump sits above the water and the other being a Submersible which sits below the water. Now Pedestal sump pumps generally run a lower cost then submersibles depending on the power of the pump. Pumps used for dewatering purposes generally generally run from 1/3 hp to 1/2 hp. Some things to think about are the amount of water needing to be pumped and also the noise level desired. Pedestal pumps tend to be noisier while Submersible pumps are much quieter. The durability of the pump is something also to be considered. The casing of the pump varies from plastic to cast iron to bronze with the latter being the longest lasting. A reliable brand that Bowers Plumbing Company uses is the Zoeller Pump Company.
  How do I get the water out of my basement? This will require some piping and some hole drilling. Using either ABS piping or PVC piping you need to run the pipe from the pump (a 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" male adapter screws into pump), up and out to the exterior of the house. An 1 1/2" check valve needs to be installed on the vertical running pipe. The check valve prevents the water above the valve from running back into the basin after the pump shuts off. Make sure the flow of the valve is installed in the correct direction! Also when running the pipe be sure secure it to the joists over head to prevent excessive movement. When you run your pipe to the exterior, make sure the discharge water will flow away from the foundation, otherwise it will just filtrate down and cause your pump to run excessively.
   A couple of other things to think about are securing the sump pump (if it is a Pedestal style) to the concrete floor with strap iron. This will prevent the possible of it being knocked over or falling over during operation. Another issue is power. The pumps will generally plug into a regular outlet (GFCI preferred), so if there isn't an outlet nearby you may need to have an electrician install a plug-in. Some choose to run extension cords. That method isn't preferred but if you do make sure it is an industrial grade cord (12 gauge). Finally, a word of caution. Don't get in over your head. Some DIYs ambitiously set out to tackle jobs that are well beyond their expertise and end up wasting more time and money in the long run. Some, however, can manage a project like this quite well. Make sure you are comfortable with the work needed and that you have researched the methods of installation. If for some reason you have any doubts about completing a project like this or any DIY project, call a professional. We'd love to come out and take care of you in this way. Bowers Plumbing Company promises a fair price and quality work every time. Give us a call today! 316-263-1011