Picking a suitable basin impacts the overall efficiency and safety of sump dewatering and basement draining. That’s why you must consider several factors, including the sump pump’s size, flow rate, pump discharge, and inlet location, before choosing the right basin size for your application.
1. Size Your Pump
Deciding on the sump pump size is the first step in picking the correct minimum basin dimensions. An undersized pump may need more power to handle bigger water volume, especially during snowmelt or heavy rainstorms. An oversized pump, on the other hand, may be more expensive to operate. Once you pick the best size, determine the flow rate to know the storage needed.
2. Consider the Pump Discharge Design
When picking the sump pump, ensure you also take into account the discharge size and configuration. Large diameter pipe sizes require more space for fittings and pump discharge connection. Some pumps come with vertical or horizontal discharges, affecting the basin’s overall diameter. In particular, horizontal discharges push the pump a farther back from the side wall of the basin to allow for discharge piping space.
If the pump has a rail system, you will need more space to accommodate the device. Determining where the discharge is going is also important. For outdoor systems, discharge often goes out the side wall, while indoor pumps in most big office buildings and arenas discharge through the cover.
3. Identify the Inlet Location and Sump Pit Size
Inlets are another crucial component responsible for conveying water into the pump house, so considering the inlet’s location is vital for determining the required basin depth. It’s also essential to identify the sump pit size. As a rule of thumb, a residential sump pit should have at least 24 inches of water in the bottom of the pit to allow adequate pump run time and preventing short cycling which leads to pump failure. The overall depth of the basin will be the total between the inlet pipe depth and required depth below the inlet.
4. Pick the Basin Size
After determining the pump size, it’s time to choose the basin. There are plenty of sizes available, from 18″ x 22″ to 18″ x 30″ and 24″ x 24″. If you can, select a basin size that lets the sump pump submerge entirely. This way, you can protect the device from the air, which causes rust accumulation.
Explore Different Basin Sizes With Zoeller Pump Company
Zoeller Pump Company can help you find the right size basin to achieve the greatest effectiveness and efficiency. You can choose the best option from our various basin sizes and designs — all made in the USA using 95% U.S. content. Shop our high-quality basins from one of our local distributors today.
