ray136•17d ago

Question about basement sump pump setups in older Cleveland houses

I was helping a friend in Ohio City check his sump pump after the rain last week, and his discharge line was frozen solid where it met the ground. The pump was just cycling water back into the pit. We ended up running a new line with a longer, buried run away from the foundation. It got me thinking about how many of these century homes have the same quick fix. What's the best way you've found to handle discharge in the winter?

3 comments

3 Comments

seanjackson17d ago

Buried lines with a gentle slope away from the house.

susan64917d ago

What's the minimum slope you'd recommend for those buried lines?

the_anthony17d ago

Ever see what happens when the slope is too flat? My buddy skimped on the grade for his downspout line and ended up with a mosquito farm in his yard after every rain. The water just sat there. He had to dig the whole thing up again. I'd say an inch per foot is the bare minimum to actually move water, anything less and you're just building a soggy trench.