Installing the Pipe and Pump
The Basement Watchdog combination system is
compact and will fit in a sump pit as small as
12" wide and 14" high (the size of a 5 gallon
bucket).
It measures 18" inches from the
bottom of the pump to the top of the Y-
connector where it will be attached to the
discharge pipe.
Use
a
pit
that
conforms to all local
codes, and check the
code to see if a gate
valve or ball valve is
required.
The path of the
existing
vertical
discharge pipe to an
exterior wall should
have the shortest path with the fewest turns.
The more turns will reduce the pumping capacity.
The horizontal discharge pipe must be
positioned in a downward slope when it exits the
building, so any remaining water will drain away.
Failure to do this will prevent water from exiting
the pit and damage the pump if the line freezes.
(see Diagram A)
The system should be placed on a flat surface
SLOPE
FLOOR
PIPE
JOIST
DOWN
PRIMARY
PUMP
CONTROLLER
Diagram A
AC OUTLET
BACKUP
PUMP
CHARGER
PRIMARY
BACKUP
FLOAT
PUMP
WIRE
WIRE
BACKUP PUMP
PRIMARY
CONTROLLER
PUMP
WIRE
BACKUP
CABLE TIE
FLOAT
WIRE
CABLE TIE
BATTERY
BOX
SUMP PIT COVER
RUBBER
UNION
DRAIN TILE
BACKUP PUMP
FLOAT SWITCH
BACKUP
PRIMARY PUMP
PUMP
FLOAT SWITCH
PRIMARY
PUMP
BRICKS
Page 3
free from dirt and debris. If the bottom of the
sump pit is not clean, remove as much of the
debris as possible. You should place a pump
stand or bricks on the floor of the sump pit to
raise the pump above the debris.
If you are replacing an old sump pump, unplug
the pump from the outlet.
1. Remove the check valve or rubber union.
Discard the check valve. The Basement
Watchdog system contains built-in check
valves, so the old valve will not be needed.
If the existing system is installed without a
check valve or rubber union, saw the pipe
18"
apart above the sump pit. (Refer to the
diagram in step #3.)
2. Remove the old pump from the pit, and
unscrew the pipe and pipe adapter from the
pump.
3. Measure the distance from the bottom of the
sump pit (or from the top of the bricks in the
sump pit) to the end of the discharge pipe.
Subtract 19 inches (the height of the pump
system + 1 inch). Cut a piece of 1-1/2" rigid
PVC pipe to that length.
4. (a) Connect this piece to the discharge pipe
by cementing the two pieces together with a
1-1/2" PVC pipe connector.
instructions on the PVC pipe cleaner and
cement.) OR, (b) connect the two pieces of
pipe together with a rubber union.
5. Remove the pump assembly by grabbing the
handle of the silver pump and lifting up. DO
NOT lift the assembly by grabbing any of the
pipes. They may break.
6. Separate the attached cords and controllers
and place them next to the pump system. BE
SURE THE CORDS AND CONTROLLERS DO
NOT FALL INTO THE SUMP PIT DURING THE
INSTALLATION.
7. Loosen the hose clamps on the enclosed
rubber union, and slide the union up on the
discharge pipe until it is even with the
bottom of the pipe.
8. Lift the combination system by the handle
on the primary pump and lower it into the
sump pit. Make sure it is level.
9. Inspect the two float switches. They should
both be vertical and positioned so that they
move smoothly without hitting the pump or
the wall of the sump pit.
10. Inspect all of the screws on the hose
clamps of the no hub couplings (primary
and backup pumps). They should be
tight.
11. Position the top of the pump system pipe
so it is directly below the discharge pipe.
Slide the rubber union down until half of
the rubber union is covering the pump
pipe, and the other half is covering the
bottom of the discharge pipe. Tighten
the hose clamp screws securely.
END OF
PIPE
CUT
PVC TO
THIS
LENGTH
19"
3
(Follow the
6
9
1
4a
4b
7
10
11
2
5
8