If your sump pump is misbehaving, replacing its check valve could be necessary to restore proper functioning. These one-way valves prevent any water from returning back into the discharge pipe once pumping has finished and must remain closed after all pumping activity has concluded.
Follow these steps to install a sump pump check valve yourself. If you require help, seek professional guidance or contact your local hardware store.
Installing a Backup Power Source
Sump pumps are electrical pumps designed to automatically remove rising groundwater and surface runoff before it has time to seep into a home’s basement, protecting against moisture intrusion, mold growth and mildew growth. Regular installation and maintenance is essential to the functionality of sump pumps; check valves prevent water from returning back through when not running and extend their lifetime by relieving pressure from having to work so hard.
Installing or replacing an existing pump should start by draining the sump pit. This will make measuring pipe length and installation of check valve easier, and once finished it’s important that sump pump and float switch cords are completely disconnected from electricity and use zip ties to protect wiring against wetness.
As part of sump pump check valve installation, it’s advisable to add both a backup power source and alarm. Sump pumps may eventually break down due to wear-and-tear, clogging up with debris or malfunctioning for whatever reason, so having an alarm signalling water buildup allows you to address it before it damages your home.
Homeowners often opt to install an additional backup sump pump that runs off battery power or home water pressure, in case there is a power outage during storms when their primary sump pump may fail to perform its duties. A backup sump pump can save homes from devastating flooding by providing several hours of pumping before electricity returns and can save valuable hours before power returns again.
Adding a Removable Cover
As part of their sump pump check valve installation in King of Prussia PA, professionals will install a removable cover to prevent water from seeping into your basement and becoming an attractive breeding ground for insects and vermin.
Covers for sump pumps typically feature metal caps attached to their pipes, with installation best done prior to putting in place a sump pump check valve. Once this new valve is in place, old covers can be easily taken off and swapped out with new ones.
As with all pipe fittings, it’s crucial that all components of a sump pump, check valve and pipe fittings be of equal size so they fit together seamlessly. This process is called dry fitting; usually carried out before any glue joints together. After sanding down pipe ends and attaching PVC nuts and couplers (if your sump has metal clamps for tightening the valve properly), attach PVC cement on coupling surfaces as the final step – and you are finished!
Installing a Sump Pump
Sump pumps can be an invaluable addition to any home that suffers from flooding or basement issues, preventing water from returning back into the house and protecting against costly repairs and restoration expenses. Unfortunately, over time components wear out or stop functioning altogether and require replacement or repair; typically this happens with either the float switch or impeller, which may become clogged up and prevent the pump from activating at crucial moments when necessary.
Installing a sump check valve during new sump pump installation can help alleviate this issue. These one-way valves stop water from reentering the discharge pipe once your sump pump has stopped running, thus conserving energy by not forcing your pump to pump over-and-over again – saving energy, and helping ensure its long-term viability.
Installing the correct sump check valve during sump pump installation requires selecting one with the appropriate size and connection type. However, this can be challenging to determine, particularly if replacing an existing sump pump. To make sure you purchase the appropriate valve consult either your owner’s manual or contact a professional for help.
Before installing a sump check valve, ensure all power has been turned off and any standing water in the pit drained off. For extra protection and to reduce puddle formation, consider spreading out some rags or towels over your work area to protect it. You will also need to unhook discharge piping from its fitting and then the old check valve before cutting through drainage pipe as needed to fit a new valve into place.
Once you have secured the ideal size of check valve, installation should commence. Prime the exterior and interior fittings before applying glue; this will help create a strong bond. Afterward, slide on coupling onto pipework using PVC cement before connecting your valve directly with discharge pipe by matching its markings to those found on discharge piping.
Installing a Check Valve
A sump pump check valve prevents water from draining back down into the pump pit when its operation ends, saving electricity costs and prolonging motor life. Furthermore, in case of failing pumps, check valves also help ensure the sump pit doesn’t fill to capacity and overflows into surrounding areas.
Installing a check valve should be a relatively simple process that doesn’t require major plumbing skills or tools. Simply unplug the existing discharge pipe from your pump, remove it from its fitting, and replace it with one which fits properly with your new check valve. If you don’t know what size your current discharge pipe is, take its diameter measurement on a piece of PVC by taking it off of its pump and placing it on a flat surface such as a milk crate before using a hacksaw to cut to length for proper fitment of new check valve installation.
If the new discharge pipe is different than your existing pipe, PVC couplings and adapters may be required to fit. Couplings are the spigot-like pieces of fittings while adapters serve as plugs that attach directly onto PVC piping ends. To make sure both parts fit together seamlessly, sand down both pieces of PVC to ensure smooth edges; plug the adapters into each end of existing piping by turning clockwise until tight.
As soon as everything is installed, you must install the new discharge pipe and sump check valve, making sure they are in their appropriate positions. Next, plug the new discharge pipe into the pump while connecting float switch cords using zip ties – multiple zip ties should be used so the cords do not short circuit or cause shutoff of your pump! Once everything is in place, clean up your work area before applying PVC cement inside fittings where they meet.
