I live in area without sewers, so we depend on swales and drainage ditches when it rains. My basement sump pump outlet is in the ditch in front of the house, but it's a couple of inches below grass level. Often the ditch fills over the outlet during heavy rain, which can make the sump pump fall behind and bam, water in the basement.
I'm thinking of putting an upside-down J pipe on the outlet so the water actually comes out of it at above ditch level. I'm pretty sure I'm not even close to maxing out either the rise or run specs on the sump pump even if I do this.
Is this plan stupid? Am I better off just installing a stronger pump? If I go that route, how do I know how powerful a pump the buried outlet pipe can withstand? Is there even a risk of bursting it since it's buried and so supported on all sides by earth?
Best Answer
You should not add an upward bend to the pipe, as that will more likely lead to water always sitting in the pipe.
Instead you should add a check valve (one way valve) to the line. This will allow the pump to push water out, while preventing ditch water from flowing back in.
If the pump is strong enough, it should be able to push water into the ditch even when it's full. Unless the outlet is pointed upstream, in which case you should redirect the pipe downstream.