Another sump pump question

vavs · 02-12-2008, 02:32 PM

I have seen several postings related to sump pump issues. I am in Chicago and the issues are different depending on the season. First, in the winter the line going to the yard needs to be disconnected so that it does not freeze. I have 4" pipe which I put over the stub coming from inside the house and run the line about 20 feet from the house. This does keep it from freezing but I end up with a large puddle in the back yard from the hose. Alternately in the summer, I dug a trench and ran the 4" line away from the house. In both cases my pump will run on average every 10 minutes night and day. I am usually replacing the pump approximately every 2-3 years.

Here is my question, how can I get the water away from the house and not have it come back into the pump well? Is there somewhere else to put the water? Why would the water cycle at such a high rate?

I have spoken with friends in the area and several of them have the same issue. Any help would possibly hurt the sump pump manufacturers but help me immensely.

Thanks

redline · 02-12-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vavs

First, in the winter the line going to the yard needs to be disconnected so that it does not freeze.

Thanks

Do you get water in the sump pit during the winter months?

vavs · 02-12-2008, 04:35 PM

Yes I do get water in the winter. Yesterday the temperature was -2 F and the sump pump ran most of the day.

I will let you know that I do not have water around the foundation, however I have created a small lake about 15 feet away from my house. I would imagine that this is causing some of my problem, but I don't know how to get it any farther away.

Marlin · 02-12-2008, 05:44 PM

Is their any liner in your lake? Did you have this problem before you built your lake? You probably created an artificially high water table by building it.

vavs · 02-14-2008, 03:17 PM

By saying I created a small lake, I mean that the water being discharged is not dissipating fast enough so I end up with a large puddle of water from the run off. This is ultimately the problem I want to resolve. How do I get the water from staying in one spot?

redline · 02-14-2008, 03:22 PM

How far is the home away from the street?

vavs · 02-14-2008, 03:35 PM

From where the sump pump discharges to the front of the house is approximately 40 feet.

redline · 02-14-2008, 03:42 PM

Is there a storm sewer on the street/curb?

vavs · 02-14-2008, 03:57 PM

We do have storm sewers which are in the curb. I had asked about attaching to the storm sewer at one time and found that there is one at the back of the house as well. The problem is one of cost. I would need a plumber to come out and attach the drain pipe into the storm sewer. Evidently there are strict codes as to how it can be attached.

Marlin · 02-14-2008, 05:19 PM

Tie into the storm sewer, install a drywell, get a longer pipe, or have the plumber tap the storm drain.

vavs · 02-14-2008, 05:31 PM

Will a dry well help if the water table is high? I have seen the tubs at HD and thought that might help but if the water table higher than I would sink the tub it would backfill with ground water correct?

Marlin · 02-14-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vavs

Will a dry well help if the water table is high? I have seen the tubs at HD and thought that might help but if the water table higher than I would sink the tub it would backfill with ground water correct?

Correct. I'd just run the line further from the house is you can do so without flooding a neighbors house and and see if that helps. Beyond that having the storm drain tapped is probably the next best thing.