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Plumbing Basements

Sump Pump Question - Do I need a dual?

3 years ago

My plumber is recommending this sump pump. https://www.sumppumpsdirect.com/Liberty-Pumps-P372LE51-Sewage-Pump/p16105.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwkun1BRAIEiwA2mJRWXTZj90nUUP1vn0eKGcBCWZ20AaOGDAOIF5MSYXoFME477vUh6qL7xoCZMcQAvD_BwE

I'm not familiar with sump pumps.

Should I be concerned that if I'm away on a two week vacation and there's pouring rain and the single pump malfunctioned and I came back to a flooded basement? If I have this concern, should I get a dual sump pump? My plumber said dual pump is over-kill. Thoughts?

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Comments (5)

honibaker
3 years ago
I'm not a plumber, just a long-time homeowner who has personally replaced several sump pumps.

1. The link you gave goes to a Sewage Pump, not a sump pump. A sump pump removes water collected under a home in a basement sump basin, not sewage. You can get a good one for under $150.

2. If you know you will be away from your home frequently for extended periods, I think a battery back-up for your pump (an alternate fuel source to run the pump you have) is a great idea. My friends who own vacation homes have back-up fuel systems. See what your plumber thinks of that.

Good luck!
juliacali thanked honibaker
juliacali
Original Author
3 years ago
@honibaker Do you have a suggested brand of battery backup pump? Don't know even where to start looking. Thanks.
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Lisab, as I understand them, water pressure back-ups don't just utilize pressure, they use lots city water to pull the sump water out by Venturi effect. This effectively mixes the clean and dirty water and leaves to copious amounts of water pouring out, which eventually goes to a storm sewer (of course, it is even worse they dump it right into a sanitary sewer). If it is a very active sump like Rusty's it would take a remarkable amount of city water to pump the sump water up 8 feet, if it could even do it. Doesn't that all that extra water contribute to straining the storm sewers, probably at the worst possible time (when it is already very wet/raining)? If many people use these and storm sewers are overwhelmed, won't flooding be that much worse? And, if enough people use them, won't the water supply be burdened? While the individual paying the water bill should care, I think the municipality should care, too. Rusty, is there any place downhill from your basement where you could drain your sump by gravity to daylight? It seems unlikely with the waterflow you describe, but, it would be the best solution by far if it were possible.
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I guess I should have added that I plan to finish it completely and that it has a faint moldy smell.
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I think "Need" is the operative word. Chicagoland has more strick codes, I think mainly because of Ms. O'Leary's cow kicking over the lantern and burning the city to the ground. You can always ask your local Building inspector. If you haven't had water problems in the past, I would not worry, you can buy a portable utility pump just in case, you can screw a garden hose onto the pump and pump water out if needed. Dan Martyn
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Check the output port on your sump pumps..most of them have a 2" port with a reducer that will permit connecting an 1-1/2" line. For peak efficiency they should be connected with the largest pipe size that the pump is set up for. The standard rule of thumb is if you increase the size of a pipe by one nominal trade size you double the capacity..so if your pumps do in fact use 1-1/2" you could combine them on a 2" line. If they will accept a 2" line then combine them on a 3" line. Make sure you have a 1/4" per foot pitch from the highest point of the line above the pump to the point were it exits the structure.
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juliacali
Original Author
3 years ago
@honibaker For sewage, is it also a good idea to have a dual pump in case one breaks?
honibaker
3 years ago
I'm sorry....I don't have a recommendation. Maybe you could post another question asking for

recs? I don't need a back-up myself, since I really don't travel.

I am not familiar with sewage pumps (never had one), and would not want to guess about them.

Hope you can find a trustworthy plumber to help you.
weedmeister
3 years ago
My friends used to have a dual sewage pump system. Two pumps, two floats, two check valves. 2nd float set above the first so that it would activate if the first failed.
juliacali thanked weedmeister

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