A sump pump is a submersible pump installed in the lowest point of a home’s basement or crawlspace. Its job is to remove water accumulated in the sump basin and prevent flooding.
The sump pump exit pipe is the pipe that carries the water away from the sump pump and out of the house. It is important to have a properly installed and maintained sump pump exit pipe to ensure that your sump pump can do its job properly.
This blog post will answer the six most common sump pump exit pipes questions.
6 Things You Should Know about the Exit Pipe
The exit pipe plays an important role in the proper operation of your sump pump. These are the things you should know about sump pump exit pipe:
1. Connecting the sump pump exit line to the sewer is not legal
While you would think that connecting the sump pump exit pipe to the sewer would be the best way to get rid of the water, it is actually not legal in most cases.
The water from your sump pump is considered wastewater and should not be discharged into the sewer. Discharging wastewater into the sewer can overload the sewer system and cause flooding.
If you are caught discharging wastewater from your sump pump into the sewer, you could be fined. In some cases, you may even be required to pay for damages caused by your discharge.
It is important to check with your local municipality to determine the sump pump discharge laws before connecting your sump pump exit pipe to the sewer.
2. A properly installed and maintained sump pump exit pipe is important
A properly installed and maintained sump pump exit pipe is important to ensure that your sump pump can do its job properly.
An improperly installed or maintained sump pump exit pipe can cause your sump pump to fail or even flood your basement.
It is important to ensure that your sump pump exit pipe is the proper size for your sump pump. The exit pipe should be as big as the discharge hose on your sump pump.
The exit pipe should also be sloped so that the water will flow away from the house. An improperly sloped exit pipe can cause the water to back up and flood your basement.
It is also important to ensure that the exit pipe is not blocked. Leaves, dirt, and other debris can block the exit pipe and cause the water to back up and flood your basement.
You should regularly check your sump pump exit pipe to ensure it is clean and in good condition.
3. The distance of sump pump discharge from your house
The distance of sump pump discharge from your house should be at least 10 feet to ensure that the water will not seep back into your basement.
You may need to extend your sump pump exit pipe if it is not currently discharging the water far enough away from your house.
You can use PVC pipe or other types of pipe to extend your sump pump exit pipe. Ensure that the new pipe is properly sloped and clean before using it.
Many houses are constructed and yards graded to guarantee that water drains away from the property, but many yards have worn down over time, creating what appears to be a major problem.
4. The depth of the sump pump exit pipe
The depth of the sump pump exit pipe should be at least 6 inches below the ground to prevent freezing.
If the exit pipe is not deep enough, the water in the pipe can freeze and block the pipe. This can cause your sump pump to fail or even flood your basement.
You can use insulating materials such as foam or bubble wrap to help keep your sump pump exit pipe from freezing.
You should also think about where your frost line is in your region. The ideal depth is at or below the frost line.
5. The length of the sump pump discharge hose should be no longer than 25 feet
The sump pump discharge hose length should be no longer than 25 feet to ensure that it will not kink or become blocked.
A longer discharge hose can kink, preventing the water from flowing through it. A kinked hose can also cause the water to back up and flood your basement.
It is important to ensure that your sump pump’s discharge hose is the proper size. The discharge hose should be as big as the exit pipe on your sump pump.
You can use PVC pipe or other types of pipe to extend your sump pump discharge hose if necessary. Ensure that the new hose is properly sized and clean before using it.
You should regularly check your sump pump discharge hose to ensure it is not blocked or kinked.
6. Sump pump exit pipes should be tested regularly
Sump pump exit pipes should be tested regularly to ensure that they are working properly.
You can test your sump pump exit line by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit. The sump pump should turn on and begin to discharge the water.
If your sump pump does not turn on, you may need to replace the float switch. A defective float switch can prevent your sump pump from turning on.
You should also check the discharge hose to ensure it is not blocked or kinked. A blocked or kinked hose can cause your sump pump to fail or flood your basement.
You should also check the exit pipe to ensure it is not blocked. Leaves, dirt, and other debris can block the exit pipe and cause the water to back up and flood your basement.
Final Words
A sump pump discharge line is vital for your sump pump system. Ensuring that the discharge line is properly installed and maintained is important.
You should regularly check your sump pump discharge line to ensure clean and good working conditions. A properly maintained discharge line can help prevent your basement from flooding.
We hope this article has helped you better understand sump pump discharge lines. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
