Sump pump vents remove air trapped inside the sump pit and discharge lines. This removes harmful gases that could otherwise penetrate into your basement. Although it may not be installed in every household, it is better to have a proper venting system. You can try this yourself or hire a professional to vent your sump pump.
Does the Sump Pump Need a Cover?
The sump pump cover is optional in some cases but necessary in certain other situations. You should probably have a cover if you have radon forming under the basement. It will prevent harmful gases from entering your house. Having a sump pump cover is again mandatory if you have mold problems in your basement. This often happens in open sump pits that hold water. It increases the humidity levels in the basement, allowing mold growth. You can try different ways to dry the basement without using a dehumidifier.
It is a common misconception that sump pumps need a cover because the pit might contain sewage. Sump pumps do not move sewage and gray water from bathrooms. That is the function of ejector pumps. Sump pumps only remove groundwater that seeps into the basement due to rain and extreme weather. By any chance, if you find waste in the sump pump pit, you need to call a plumber to find and fix the issue.
Does a Sump Pump Need to Be Vented?
Venting any space allows fresh air to enter while removing the air trapped inside. As you vent the sump pump, harmful gases in the system can escape into the air outside. It reduces the risk of harmful radon building inside. The vent also pulls in the fresh air as the sump pump removes the water inside. If not, it could create a vacuum, and the pump will not be able to drain the water any longer.
How to Venting the Sump Pump
Sump pumps that are sealed should be vented properly to prevent radon from entering the house. The following steps will guide you through the process of installing a venting system.
- Locate the main venting system of your house since there is usually one or more vents running upwards inside the walls. You can easily detect this from the caps on the roof as that’s where these vent lines exit.
- The next step is to measure the amount of PVC piping needed by drawing the path of the vent pipe. Start from the sealed pump cover and measure it all the way to the venting system. Don’t miss out on the turns and bends as you account since you need angled pieces for those parts. Try to make the path straight as possible so that the gases can have the shortest escape route. It would even be a better choice if you can simply install the vent pipe directly upwards to reach the main vent system.
- For accurate calculations, add one inch per every section with a joint. Also, get a few inches extra in length when you buy the pipes to prevent any inconveniences.
- Before you fix the pipes, cut everything to the correct measurements. Remove any debris from the pipe ends and joints using a PVC cleaner. When gluing one pipe to another, wait a few seconds after applying the glue so that it can get tacky and slide into the pipe quickly. Apply PVC glue on the inside of the PVC vent ring of the sump pump and the outside of the PVC vent pipe.
- Connect all the pieces of pipes in the venting system accordingly. Finally, place the vent cap over the vent cover leading out of the house. It protects the vent system from rainfall and debris.
- You can then reattach the pump and test the entire vent system. You might have to use a vent fan if the air is not flowing through the vent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Radon?
Radon is a gas that occurs naturally as radioactive uranium decays. This gas is found in soil, igneous rocks, and even groundwater. This is why radon plays an important part in a sump pump and drainage systems. Since radon is colorless, tasteless, and odorless, it cannot be detected unless tested using special equipment.
Do Sump Pump Discharge Lines Need Venting?
All discharge pipes don’t need to vent, but areas with heavy radon need vents in drainage lines and sump pits. This is to prevent these harmful gases from building inside these pipelines. A proper venting system will allow these gases to escape into the atmosphere without causing health effects.
Can You Use a Studor Vent on a Sump Pump?
A studor vent sucks in air to a pipe during water flow but doesn’t allow sewer gas to escape outside. Studor vents are not recommended for toilets since it needs more air to let water flow as more waste is added. Although it is allowed to use a studor vent on the pump with other wet piping, it is not recommended to use one.
What Can I Use to Cover My Sump Pump?
You can purchase a sump pump cover online or from a local store. If you can’t find a cover to fit your sump well, you can simply make one by following DIY methods. Create one using plywood and seal it to the floor using a foam-rubber gasket. Also, seal around the holes made in the cover for the discharge pipe, vent pipe, and power cord.
Do You Need a Vent Hole in a Sump Pump?
Sump pumps need to weep holes or relief holes to remove air trapped inside the impeller chamber. A vent hole allows air to flow out of the interior of the pump. This helps the proper functioning of the sump pump without causing vacuums inside.
Conclusion
As you know the dangers of radon and other toxic gases, you can now use sump pump vents to eliminate the risks. Keep your house safe while removing water efficiently with the sump pump installed in your basement. If you are not confident in handling this on your own, you can call a professional to get the task done.
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