How to Install a Pedestal Sump Pump

Last Updated on June 3, 2023 by admin

First of all, congratulations on choosing a nice pedestal sump pump. It’s one major home piece of equipment you should think about buying when there’s standing water to deal with. A sump pump system is a great tool that makes life a lot easier that could have been a mess otherwise.

 

Now that you got the sump pump, thinking about installation is normal. Some may want to call an installation guy to do it. But sometimes people want to save a few bucks by trying it themselves. To be honest, that’s a great thing and if you have a previous idea about how these installations take place then trying it yourself isn’t bad.

 

Even if you don’t have the complete guideline on how to install a pedestal sump pump, there’s nothing to worry about. Let’s talk about the entire process today and see whether it’s something you should try or not.

 

How to Install a Pedestal Sump Pump: General Idea, Guide & More

Starting from the very basics, I’ll go over a simple installation guide including some tips you should be aware of. Make sure to stay till the end to find out the important notes regarding this process.

 

General Idea on Pedestal Pump.

 

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I believe most of you already know what this thing is and if you do, just skip to the guide part. However, there are a lot who are yet to buy one and want to know whether the installation would be simple. This short intro to the tool is for them.

 

So, there are chiefly two types of sump pumps to get. One is the submersible pump variety that rests on the sump’s floor. The pedestal pump is the other variant that also gets to rest on the floor of the sump basin. However, it has a motor that stands over the waterline. For the pedestal, there’s an intake forming on the bottom. And this is the place where the motor rests.

 

Once the water reaches to sump’s preset level, a pump gets triggered. There’s a special float-controlled switch that does that and it is available in both styles of sump pumps including pedestal ones. A discharge piping connection is also necessary for optimal functioning.

 

Pedestal Sump Pump Installation Guide

 

1. Taking All Sort of Preparing

 

First of all, you should prepare well before the actual installation phase. Make sure you are following the regulations and codes of your municipality. It’s important to get a permit for such a job. Since there’s a need to break up the concrete of the basement floor, make sure you know where the pipes are under your house. You should know where the sewer and utility lines are below the basement floor.

 

2. The Right Place for Placement

 

Many have mixed feelings about how to stabilize a pedestal sump pump in its place to get the most out of it. Well, the trick is to find the right spot for placing it. The finest spot is usually somewhere in your basement. Go for the lowest-lying areas. To make the water running simple, you should find a downward slope strategy for the basement floor. This makes it easier for running water into the basin in case of a flood as well.

 

There’s also a need to let the PVC discharge pipe go outside of your house easily. And placing the pump closer to the outside wall will help a lot to do so. To make the plugging in easier, you should also think about locating it near your electrical outlet.

 

3. Concrete Floor Needs Some Bashing Next

 

Now that you are sure about the right spot for your pump, get the sump basin liner flipped upside down. Use a permanent marker to trace a round mark. This is the outline for your drilling space. Now you can try a lot of ways to the concrete floor. However, the best way is by using a good jackhammer. These are easy to rent for a few days. A sledgehammer is also usable but for safety, the jackhammer serves best.

 

Don’t forget to keep the basement well-ventilated when using a jackhammer. There will be a lot of carbon monoxide poisoning otherwise. And that’s surely not healthy. You should wear the right working boots, gloves, and glasses while breaking the basement floor.

 

4. Installing the Basin

 

Use a shovel with a round point to break the remaining hole. The floor level should be lining up well with the sump basin’s top part. Use some gravel to pour inside the hole. Use filter fabric to wrap the liner. Now gradually submerge it inside the hole.

 

It’s time to fill it up using gravel. You want to leave around 6” between the hole’s top and gravel while filling the gaps. Next, simply follow the right instructions to mix concrete.

 

This mixture will go into the gravel. There should be no gap between the basement floor and gravel while doing this. Now to make the concrete smooth and even with the floor, use a trowel with the pointy part. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions to let the cement dry.

 

5. Making the Pipe for Discharge.

 

Let the cement dry and meanwhile, you can think about discharge pipe. Refer to the pump’s check valve size for deciding the PVC pipe’s size. Follow this reference to make a hole. You want to fix the pump with the discharge piping next. Simply run it over the wall.

 

Use a drill to make the right size hole in your house wall. Let the piping go through this hole. To let the piping from the check valve to well discharge hole, you should use a PVC elbow joint here. Now for the internal and external parts of PVC pipe, simply use silicone caulk for sealing. So that it becomes completely water and airtight.

 

6. Finishing the Installation

 

Let the pump get installed outside the basin. You should follow the provided instructions in this case. The floats of the pump should not touch the basin’s side. Let the pump stay lower the in basin. You want to measure the right amount of pipe necessary for reaching the discharge pipe. Use a hacksaw to cut to the right length. Connect the pipe with the adapter using PVC cement next.

 

Now simply turn the pump on by plugging it in. To test it out. Simply fill the basin with water. Check whether the discharge is happening in the right way. And with that confirmation, you can put on the sump lid to end this installation.

 

Conclusion

 

On that note, we are over and out with how to install a pedestal sump pump. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make the installation work with my instructions. Make sure to check that the discharge pipe and check valve are in good condition. The pipe should be fit in a new outlet or else replace it. The pump also needs to stay away from debris to keep the inlet free from problems and damaged impeller. You want to keep it covered.

 

Installing a Pedestal Sump Pump

 

Installing a sump pump in your basement is important if it’s prone to flooding. There are two main types of sump pumps, including pedestal and submersible. If you’re on a tight budget and have a small sump pit you can opt for a pedestal sump pump.

 

In this article, we’ll discuss how to install this type of sump pump properly, along with the advantages it offers. We’ll also compare pedestal sump pumps with submersible ones to help you decide between the two options.

 

What Is the Advantage of a Pedestal Sump Pump?

 

Before getting into the details of installing a pedestal sump pump, let’s discuss what advantages it brings to the table.

 

The following are the key advantages that pedestal sump pumps offer over submersible pumps.

 

Easy to Install

 

Pedestal sump pumps are easier to install and maintain as compared to submersible pumps, making them a great option for small spaces. They can also save you money in the long run because of their low maintenance.

 

Cost Effective

 

As mentioned above, pedestal sump pumps are less expensive than submersible pumps. So, if you’re on a tight budget, then opting for this type of sump pump will suit you better.

 

Long-Lasting

 

Pedestal sump pumps experience less wear and tear as compared to submersible pumps. That’s because they don’t come in contact with water, which can help them last longer.

 

Can be Installed in Smaller Sump Pits

 

Digging a pit for your sump pump can be a time-consuming and hectic task. Most pedestal pumps can be installed in smaller pits, which means that you’ll need to perform less digging work, making the (first-time) installation process easier.

 

How Do You Install a Stand-up Sump Pump?

 

You can use the following steps to install a stand-up/pedestal sump pump.

 

Step 1: Remove the Existing Sump Pump

 

If you already have an existing sump pump, you’ll need to remove it before installing the new one. If you don’t have a sump pump installed in the sump pit, you can move to the next step.

 

Step 2: Clean the Sump Pit

 

The next step is to clean the sump pit properly to get rid of small gravel, soil, and debris. After that, check the depth and width of the pit to see if it’s sufficient based on the specification of your new pedestal pump. Generally, it is around 22 to 36 inches deep and 18 to 24 inches wide.

 

Step 3: Cut the PVC Pipe

 

Thread and tighten the (correctly-sized) PVC adapter into the discharge outlet using a wrench or pliers. Next, lower your sump pump into position to measure the PVC pipe length required to reach the endpoint of the line that’s running to the exterior.  

 

Once you have the measurement, cut the PVC pipe accordingly using a hacksaw. You can also use a utility knife to smooth out the edges. Now, use PVC solvent to attach the pipe to the adapter and let it dry.

 

Step 4: Install the Float Switch

 

Read the user manual of your sump pump to install the float switch properly. It’s important to set the float at the right height, so read the instructions carefully.

 

Step 5: Install the Sump Pump

 

Position your pedestal sump pump on the sump pit and align the outlet line with the discharge pipe. Connect the discharge line and outline line using the right-sized flexible connector. You’ll need to ensure that the float switch has sufficient room for up and down movement.

 

Step 6: Test the Installation

 

Plug your pedestal sump pump into the wall outlet and pour several gallons of water into the sump pit to see if it’s working properly. If not, you might need to adjust the float switch to fix the problem.

 

Can a Pedestal Sump Pump Get Wet?

 

While a pedestal sump pump can get wet during extreme conditions, it’s not designed for that. Keep in mind that the motor of the pedestal sump pump is located on the top of the pedestal. Whereas the pump is located at the base.

 

The motor is installed on the top because it’s not designed to get wet. It doesn’t have any seals to prevent water from reaching inside the motor. So, it must never get wet.

 

If the motor of the pedestal sump pump comes in contact with water, it’ll get damaged due to a short circuit. Additionally, it will also create a shock risk in the water standing in your basement, which can lead to a nasty injury.

 

Therefore, it’s critically important to make sure that your pedestal sump pump doesn’t come in contact with water.

 

Is a Submersible Sump Pump Better than a Pedestal?

 

The answer to this question depends on your unique needs.

 

Submersible sump pumps are designed to be submerged in water located inside the sump pit. These types of pumps come with a decent lifespan and are suitable for bigger sump pits.

 

They’re quiet as their motor is located inside the pit, and you won’t be able to hear them running from upstairs. The motor of these sump pumps is located inside a water-resistant enclosure that protects them from water damage.

 

Additionally, submersible sump pumps are often more powerful than their pedestal counterparts and they can pump out more water in less time. However, they’re more expensive than pedestal sump pumps.

 

On the other hand, pedestal sump pumps aren’t submerged in water as they sit above the sump pit. They perform better when you have a shallow or narrow sump pit as they don’t need much space. They’re also less expensive and require less maintenance.

 

However, they remove less water than submersible pumps in a certain amount of time. So, if budget isn’t a problem and you need a sump pump that runs quietly and removes more water in less time, then a submersible pump will be a better option.

 

Final Words

 

Installing a pedestal sump pump can be a time-consuming process. However, it doesn’t need to be difficult. You can use the steps listed in this guide to complete the installation process effectively.

 

But if you use this type of pump, you’ll need to make sure that you prevent it from getting wet to prevent its motor from getting damaged. Additionally, if you need a sump pump that can remove water in less time and runs quietly, you can opt for a submersible sump pump.