Sump Pump Installation

JoAnn

Daughter and son-in-law purchased a 1950's brick home without a sump pump. the roof also has little or no over hang. No record of wet basement that we know of. The basement has a new rec room and office in 2009. None previously. Wondering if we should play it safe and have a sump pump installed? What is involved with this? Would a sump pump without a drain tile perimeter still eliminate hydronic pressure from under the floor? Or is it best to add drain tile to the inside perimeter basement floor to aid in removing water pressure from the basement walls as well?

JoAnn

just a guy

Is there any where you can peek behind finishes for any indication of past water problems? where are you located if your in the east with all the rain weve had lately and you havn't got water, your not getting it. If it ain't broke and so on.

itsreallyconc

since the bsmt's ' finish'd ', you have to remove something to inspect the wall/floor junction to be certain - that's your call.

whether or not you install a sump & pump, without permeable soils/stone under the floor, the percolation rate of most soils would negate any efficiency of the pump in relieving ' hydrostatic pressure ' water,,, otoh, having 1 kind of covers your ***.

what's involved is breaking the floor - digging a pit - installing the sump - backfill w/clean #57 stone - install pump - hook up discharge - bolt down cover,,, plug in the pump ( we use only zoeller pumps ) - that's how we do it, anyway.

' drain tile ' refers to the outdat'd ' orangeburg ' clay pipe pieces but no one uses 'em anymore,,, 4" corrugat'd hdpe perforated pipe ( 100' rolls from an apron store ) is now std.