In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to avoid basement floods by correctly installing a sump pump.
Steps:
1 Set sump basin upside down on basement floor; mark its outline on floor.
2 Use demolition hammer to chop through concrete floor.
3 Dig hole deep enough to set basin flush with floor.
4 Wrap the sump basin with filter fabric.
5 Set the basin in the hole.
6 Add several inches of gravel to basin.
7 Lay stone paver on top of gravel.
8 Set pump on top of paver.
9 Connect check valve and PVC pipe to pump; run pipe up a nearby wall.
10 Drill hole through house wall with hole saw.
11 Continue PVC pipe through wall and extend to the outdoors.
12 Mix concrete in trough using a hoe.
13 Fill in around the basin top with concrete; smooth the concrete with a pointed trowel.
14 Plug in pump, then test it by filling the basin with water.
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