I recently cut out and re-routed a problematic sewer line and in doing so cut out the floor drain and dug out for a sump pump basin. In the last few days we’ve gotten about 5 “of rain (and a lot more in recent weeks) and so this morning as I was getting ready to install the basin, I noticed about 6” of water in the bottom of the dug pit. (Our basement rarely gets water) The edges around the pit were dry and so I’m guessing that this water came from water pressure in the area and has forced the water into the pit?

My question is now what to do with the basin? (It’s one of the more solid/nicer ones) Should I proceed as I planned and put rock around the basin and finish the top few inches with concrete, or should I drill holes around the basin about 4” from the bottom to allow water to seep in and then install with rock and concrete? The instructions refer to perimeter drainage and say nothing about using it for stationary purposes.

Am on the right track? Should I drill holes around the basin or leave it solid?


Would appreciate any advice I can get. Thank You!!

You can approach it both ways- you'll have to decide what you want to do. If you drill the holes, you will be maintaining the water table under the slab at that level, no higher. If you leave the receptor solid, then you will only be dealing with water above the slab.

Your post indicates that you rarely have water intrusion into the house and it also appears that you have never had a basin before to this point. If it was me under those circumstances, I would leave the basin solid.

Appreciate your advice M&M, that's what I'll do. Thanks!



Edited 1 times.