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Triple master contractor Ed Del Grande
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By Ed Del Grande
Q: Ed, my husband and I are big fans of yours, and you have helped us with a lot of problems we have had to deal with since we recently moved into a new home. Well, it's new to us, but the home is very old! One issue that is driving us crazy is that the basement sump hole is located in a weird location that is very close the basement steps. Is it possible to move the location of the sump to a safer area? Bill and Jill (New Jersey)
A: Hi, Bill and Jill. I have had a few letters from New Jersey with similar concerns. Maybe there was a contractor in the area many years ago who liked putting sumps out in the open. Anyway, the good news is that in most cases a sump pit can be moved. The bad news is that it really should to be done by a licensed professional and that can cost a bit of money. It will depend if it's a drainage system leading to the sump, which may have to be rerouted to the new pit, or if it's only a new pit that needs to be installed with some crushed stone for drainage. That will determine your costs.
Either way, once the new pit is in place, that old pit will be filled and covered with concrete. Permits may be required in your area, so check local codes. At the very least, while you're deciding what to do, make sure you get a safe, strong and secure cover over the sump pit to protect your basement from moisture and to protect you and your family from falling into the open pit. Remember, many times a sump pit can be full of water, and you do not want to have a dangerous environment for children or pets. So everyone out there make sure that all sump pits are covered up per your local codes!
Ed Del Grande was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.
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