Homeowners who have discovered their basement flooded with water know the time, cost, and worry that comes with the situation. Having a sump pump could eliminate all the stress and headache associated with flooded water in your basement. Sump pumps can cost less than two hundred dollars and can last at least five years when taken care of. The first step in installing a sump pump is creating a sump pump pit.

Most newer homes with basements are equipped with sump pump pits. However, if you don't already have a sump pump pit, there are several options for creating one.

Hire a Professional

Creating a sump pump pit is a big job, both physically and emotionally. If it's not done properly, your homes foundation and structure could be compromised risking your safety and costing you loads of money. Installing a sump pump pit requires the removal of concrete with a jackhammer, removal of dirt, concrete to be poured, and added drain lines. If you're not comfortable installing your own sump pump pit, contact a licensed plumber. It can cost around five thousand dollars, but will save you time and give you peace of mind that the job was done right.

Installing a Sump Pump Pit Yourself

If you don't have the funds and are a pretty handy person, consider doing it yourself. Learn how to install a sump pump to make sure you know the proper steps.

If water collects in just one area of your basement, a less expensive option may be to install an isolated sump pump pit with gravel around it. You will need to purchase pipes, fittings, cement, gravel and a sump pump.

This option costs less than a few hundred dollars and is much less expensive than a professional sump pump pit. Or you can hire a contractor to complete the entire job for less than five hundred dollars.

Sump Pump Pit Requirements

Your sump pump pit must be the correct size or it will affect the sump pumps performance. You want your pump to work as efficiently as possible. The flow rate should be optimal, based on the pit's capacity. Check with your city's building codes to make sure you meet the requirements for a sump pump pit size. Most minimum requirements are:

Depth: 750 mm
Area: 0.25 m

Take the time to educate yourself about sump pump pits before starting a full project. With an isolated pit, there is less chance of causing costly damage to your foundation, but you'll still want to make sure your basement is protected from potential flood water. Weight your options and learn who needs a sump pump.