As a homeowner in Central Ohio, your sump pump is vital to the overall foundation and function of your home. By now you probably know… there is an actual pump involved! But you may not know there is a discharge line that plays a huge role in keeping your home (and yard) dry! If you're noticing that your basement seems dry, but your yard feels like a constant swamp, that's a red flag for poor discharge lines or setups. Let's review the problem here.
I. Sump Pump Setup
The Issue:
You may be victim to a "temporary discharge setup" which is likely corrugated black tubing (or similar) that isn't meant for long term use with heavy rainfall. Think of this like it's a short leash keeping water too close to your property.
The Risks:
Corrugated black tubing only stretches about 8 to 10 feet which may seem like a lot, however it often dumps water right back into the 'over-dig' zone of your foundation. Not good.
- Freeze Potential: Ridged hoses trap water that freezes into "ice slugs," making it nearly impossible for the pump to properly drain discharge, and potentially burning out the sump pump motor.
- Foundation Stress: Pooling water increases hydrostatic pressure against basement walls and ultimately sends the water that's been pumped out right back to your sump pump all over again. This type of tubing isn't meant for long distances, and its flimsy causing overall durability issues.
II. Troubleshooting: Why is my drain backing up?
With the heavy rainfall we get in Central Ohio, especially at this time of the year, you may notice water pooling in one of two places: your basement or your yard. These are two tell tale signs that there's an issue going on with your discharge and sump pump setup. A few common issues we see amongst Columbus homeowners:
1. The Clog:
Dirt, mulch, tree roots, or lawn debris has entered the end of the pipe on the exterior. This may require a strong flush of the system using hydro jetting to clear it and get you draining properly again.
2. The Freeze:
Stagnant water in a poorly sloped pipe has turned to ice and is blocking the drainage all together. This can be more invasive and require digging and potentially replacing the pipe.
3. The Recircle:
The discharge point is too close to the house (less than 10ft). That's most likely a temporary setup (leash to your house) when you need solid PVC pipes that are like a highway away from your house! This requires excavation of the current tube, digging a line away from the home, and placing PVC pipes as far away from your property as you'd like.
III. The Allegiant Solutions
- Rigid PVC Installation: A strong, structural 'highway' leading away from your property (think 40 feet instead of 8 to 10 feet). No kinks, no slopes or sags in the pipe, and a smooth interior for max flow.
- Air Gap: We often install an Air Gap fitting at the house. If the buried line ever freezes or clogs, water can still escape through the gap, saving your basement from a backup.
- Independent Routing: While often the more costly solution, this line is dedicated to your sump pump for 100% reliability. Another very popular option we provide Central Ohio homeowners with is tying into a gutter; This means connecting the pipe that carries water away from your sump pump directly into the vertical gutter pipe that runs down the side of the house.
- Oversized Pipe: This is what we call a classic pro move! The main benefit here is mainly reduced friction. Think of drinking a drink through tiny cocktail straw vs. through a smoothie straw…easier flow, less friction, all making things easier on your sump pump motor. There is an extremely low risk of clogging or freezing when oversized pipes are installed and can be a great solution for Columbus homes.
Ready to finally get that water in your basement or yard gone for good? We're here to help, explain along the way, give you up front and honest pricing, and get the job done right. We recently upgraded a homeowner's sump pump discharge line with a permanent, independent setup to help them address this exact problem. Check out our Facebook page for the post all about it! Our pros know the right materials to get the job done and keep it lasting so you can enjoy your property and relax on the weekends instead of troubleshooting your sump pump.