Jump to content

how tdrain lowlying water, too low for a sump pump


Recommended Posts

My yard and driveway floods when we have big rain storms. We don't have them often here in CA, but when it rains it rains hard. And they say El Nino is coming so...

The water gets about 3 inches deep across 20 square feet of driveway and yard. A sump pump won't work, because the water isn't deep enough to prime the pump. There's no place to sink a sump pump either. (I've done that in another part of my yard.)

I want a pump that has a snake-like, screened surface intake hose that lies on the ground/driveway and sucks up this water. Does this type of pump exist? If so, what is it called?

I have searched for a long time, and I'm stunned that I can't find a pump like this. It's the obvious tool to use in this situation.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You don't need a snake-like pump because sump pumps are generally installed in "sumps." AKA, holes.

You find the low spot on your driveway/yard, and dig a nice deep hole there. Put the sump pump in the hole and direct it's discharge somewhere safe - ideally to a storm sewer. Be sure to install a backwater valve and plug the thing into a nicely installed GFCI-protected circuit.

Voila! No more flooding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your replies. There's really nowhere to dig a hole and sink a pump in the part of the yard in question. There is only pavement and expensive artificial lawn there. (I have sunk a pump in a hole elsewhere.) It must be true that no "Snake" pump exists, but I can see a lot of uses for one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your replies. There's really nowhere to dig a hole and sink a pump in the part of the yard in question. There is only pavement and expensive artificial lawn there. (I have sunk a pump in a hole elsewhere.) It must be true that no "Snake" pump exists, but I can see a lot of uses for one.

It's actually relatively easy to install a sump in an artificial lawn or a paved driveway and it would provide a real solution to your problem rather than a makeshift trailer-park style solution.

If you really don't want to bother, just run out there with a shop vac when it rains.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...