[bhollon27]

I'm finishing my basement and I'm trying to get a sump pump in before spring. The house was built in the early 50's and has no existing sump pit. The grade around my house slopes from high in front to low in back, the finished part of the basement is the left side, unfinished on the right.

Does it matter where I put my sump pump? Is locating it towards the front of the house, towards the higher graded part, more beneficial or will it keep the water table down all the same? The easiest place to install it would be towards the back of my house but my fear is that it won't be as effective.

Any wisdom appreciated!

 

[TarheelTerp]

The grade around my house...
Does it matter where I put my sump pump?

Are you installing perforated drain pipe leading to the sump?
Or is the plan to just dig a hole and set a pump in it?

 

[bhollon27]

Just plan on digging a hole and setting the pump.

 

[jagans]

Lowest point. Water runs down. Is there a clean stone bed under your slab and around your footings?

 

[bhollon27]

I'm not sure if what's under the slab, haven't dug the hole yet. So the logic would be to put it toward the back of the basement?

I guess I thought in the front of the house the grade slopes towards the house (the road is higher than my porch), in the back it slopes away from the house (the back property line is below my deck). So by placing it in the front I would catch the water earlier...? That is faulty logic?

The basement is generally level as far as I can tell, I haven't looked into the grading in my basement to heavily though yet.

 

[TarheelTerp]

I'm not sure if what's under the slab...

Lets go back a few steps.
1) Do you currently have a water penetration issue?
If you do... how long has that been the case?
Is there any pattern to when/where the water shows up?

 

[bhollon27]

No water problems, lived in the house for 2 years, several decent rainstorms and no water. Site drainage was already installed when we moved in and works pretty well during a rainstorm.

Just nervous, now that the basement will be finished I am assuming Murphy's Law...

 

[TarheelTerp]

No water problems, lived in the house for 2 years, several decent rainstorms and no water. Site drainage was already installed when we moved in and works pretty well during a rainstorm.

If it ain't broke...

Focus on the exterior work(grading, downspout leaders, etc) and you should continue to be fine.