PipeGRX
New Member
Hi all,
After some recent misadventures caused by an aging sump pump system, I'm planning to replace our current setup with a "spare no expense" system to hopefully last 5-10 years of worry-free pumping.
Attached is a diagram of the planned system, with a photo of the location and current setup for context. I’d appreciate any feedback you all have, and am particularly interested in two questions:
1. Will 1/3 HP pumps be sufficient?
The current pump is 3/4 HP, which seems like overkill. During the wet season, it runs for ~10 seconds every ~15 minutes. I estimate that it is pumping about 50 gallons per hour. The total vertical from bottom of the sump pit to street level where the outlet is located and gravity takes over is ~7.5ft. The horizontal run outside the house is about another 8-10ft.
2. Should I install a catch valve?
I have read mixed reviews of these. On the one hand, they prevent some water from draining back into the pit, which means less work for the pump and a longer lifespan. On the other hand, they can be another point of failure, particularly when the pump sits idle for part of the year (true in my case). Given my 1.5in PVC and a 7.5ft run, it seems like my setup might drop 2.75 gallons back into the pit each cycle, meaning about ~20-25% more work for the pump, but not sure if my math is right.
After some recent misadventures caused by an aging sump pump system, I'm planning to replace our current setup with a "spare no expense" system to hopefully last 5-10 years of worry-free pumping.
Attached is a diagram of the planned system, with a photo of the location and current setup for context. I’d appreciate any feedback you all have, and am particularly interested in two questions:
1. Will 1/3 HP pumps be sufficient?
The current pump is 3/4 HP, which seems like overkill. During the wet season, it runs for ~10 seconds every ~15 minutes. I estimate that it is pumping about 50 gallons per hour. The total vertical from bottom of the sump pit to street level where the outlet is located and gravity takes over is ~7.5ft. The horizontal run outside the house is about another 8-10ft.
2. Should I install a catch valve?
I have read mixed reviews of these. On the one hand, they prevent some water from draining back into the pit, which means less work for the pump and a longer lifespan. On the other hand, they can be another point of failure, particularly when the pump sits idle for part of the year (true in my case). Given my 1.5in PVC and a 7.5ft run, it seems like my setup might drop 2.75 gallons back into the pit each cycle, meaning about ~20-25% more work for the pump, but not sure if my math is right.
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