How to Install a Basement Sump Pump

Sump pumps are the silent sentries of your basement. Without one, a heavy rain can easily turn a dry storage space into an expensive disaster. A properly installed system captures groundwater before it can saturate your foundation, giving you peace of mind during the worst storms. Installing a sump pump is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and a bit of heavy lifting. When done well, the pump sits level in a sealed basin, the plumbing is airtight, and the discharge pipe is sloped to prevent water from pooling back into the foundation. Focus on the drainage path outside—that is where most projects succeed or fail.

1. Find the Lowest Point. Identify the lowest point of the basement floor where water naturally collects. Mark a circle roughly 6 inches wider than your sump basin to allow space for gravel backfill.
2. Cut Through Concrete Carefully. Use a concrete saw to cut through the slab along your marked line. Carefully dig out the dirt until the basin sits flush with or slightly below the finished floor level.
3. Drain Water Into Basin. Drill several 1/2-inch holes in the sides of the plastic basin to allow groundwater to enter easily. Place the basin into the hole and surround it with clean, crushed stone.
4. Secure Pump Level. Place the submersible pump at the bottom of the basin on a solid, level surface. Attach the discharge pipe and check valve according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Slope Pipe Away Properly. Run rigid PVC pipe from the pump up the wall and out through the rim joist to the exterior. Use 45-degree elbows to ensure a smooth, constant slope downward to the exit point.
6. Verify Pump Activation. Install the basin lid to prevent moisture and gases from entering the basement. Plug the pump into the GFCI outlet and run a test cycle by filling the basin with water.