Alternatively, you can make do with a hammer drill rigged with a masonry bit, a good sledgehammer, and a masonry chisel. Using the largest masonry drill bit you can chuck in the drill, begin making holes every few inches in the concrete along the outside perimeter, then use the hammer and chisel to crack the concrete between the holes. Continue drilling holes and hammering the concrete until you can remove it in chunks. If your floor has reinforcing steel mesh installed in it, you may need a pair of heavy wire cutters or a metal grinder to cut it.
Place, or replace, some coarse gravel in the bottom of the hole, so that the sump liner sits flush with the basement floor when placed in the hole. This gravel will promote good drainage, and help water move into the sump where it can be pumped away (instead of moving into your basement at another spot). It may be difficult to dig the sump if the soil is sandy and wet. If water infiltration is causing the hole to erode there are a few options. You can wait for the soil to dry, dig faster than the water enters or use a garden hose. For the garden hose method, you will need to place the sump liner in the started hole and fill it with water. Then use a garden hose and push it under the liner. The water from the hose will push the sand out from under the liner and will stop the erosion. The weight of the liner will cause it to fall in the void underneath. As the liner drops into the ground you may have to wiggle the liner to keep it straight Depending on the liner used, you may have to drill numerous holes in the sump liner to allow water to enter so the pump can pump it away. The drilled holes should be smaller in diameter than the size of gravel used so that gravel does not come through.
When assembling the piping, be sure to dry-fit the entire section before gluing anything. Work in a well ventilated space, to minimize exposure to the solvent fumes and complete the seals with caulking agent on both the inside and outside contact points. The particular couplings will depend upon your house and foundation, which makes this a job for a fairly experienced DIY plumber. [2] X Research source Use a hole saw with the appropriate sized bit to cut a hole through your siding and rim joist. It’s usually best to bore from the outside in, using a 2 inch (5. 1 cm) drill bit.
It may be necessary to drill numerous holes in the liner to enable water to get in to be pumped out. The diameter of the drilled holes must be smaller than the size of the gravel used so that no gravel can enter the sump liner.
Make sure your gutters are unclogged and free of leaves and other debris, and that water can flow easily through them into the downspouts. [4] X Research source Make sure your downspouts carry water far enough away from the house and that you’re not getting back flow. The downspouts should dump water 4–5 feet (1. 2–1. 5 m) away from the foundation. Make sure the soil around your foundation slopes at least a couple of feet away from the house. If you’ve got pits that catch the water and force it downward, you might have problems getting water in your basement. Correct these issues before thinking about a sump.
You might not know this until you break through the floor, which is another reason you want to explore alternatives before you get in over your head.
Look for a spot that will be easy to work in, and where you can punch a hole through a rim joist to reach outside. Stay at least 8" away from the foundation wall, to avoid hitting any footings. Make sure you’re not going to cut into the waterline. If the water enters your home through the wall, you’ll be fine, but check the building codes in your area to make sure where the line will be if it comes in under the home. Typically, the pipes will run from the street, 4–6 feet (1. 2–1. 8 m) away from the sewer pipe. [6] X Research source
