If your home has a sump pump, you may be wondering where the water goes when it’s pumped out of the pit. While some homes are connected to city sewer systems, others have their own private septic system. If you’re not sure where your sump pump drains, there are a few things you can do to find out.
Start by checking your home’s plumbing diagram. This should be available from your local building department or plumber. If you can’t find it there, try looking online for a copy of the diagram for your specific home model.
Once you have the plumbing diagram, trace the path of the pipes that lead away from the sump pump pit. One of these will be the discharge pipe, which is where the water goes when it’s pumped out of the pit.
- Locate your sump pump
- This is usually in the basement, near the floor drain
- Follow the discharge pipe from the sump pump to where it meets the main sewer line
- Trace the main sewer line outside to see where it drains
- This is typically at the street or curb
6 Things Sump Pump Owners NEED to Know
Sump Pump Discharge Line
If your home is susceptible to flooding or you live in an area with high water tables, a sump pump is a necessity. A sump pump is installed in a pit dug into your basement floor and its job is to remove water that has accumulated in the pit and prevent flooding. The water is pumped out of the pit through a discharge line that runs to the exterior of your home where it is discharged away from the foundation.
The most important part of a sump pump system is the discharge line. This line needs to be properly installed and maintained in order to keep your basement dry. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to your sump pump discharge line:
1. Make sure the pipe is properly sloped so that water flows freely through it without pooling.
2. The pipe should be made of durable material that can withstand freezing temperatures if you live in an area where winters are cold. PVC pipe is a good option as it won’t corrode and can handle freezing temperatures well.
3. The discharge pipe should be at least 2 inches in diameter so that water can flow through it quickly during heavy rains or when the water table is high.
4. The end of the discharge pipe should be extended at least 10 feet from your foundation so that water is discharged far enough away from your home’s foundation (this will help prevent Foundation damage).
It’s also important to regularly maintain your sump pump system, including the discharge line, to ensure it continues working properly year after year.
Once a year, flush out any debris that may have collected in the pit or pipes using a garden hose ( disconnect power first!).
How to Route Sump Pump Discharge
Sump pumps are an important part of keeping your home dry and free of water damage, but if they’re not installed properly, they can cause some serious problems. One of the most common issues is improper sump pump discharge. If you’re not careful about where you route your sump pump discharge, you could end up with a flooded basement or yard, or even worse, contaminated water that could make your family sick.
There are a few things to keep in mind when routing your sump pump discharge. First, you need to make sure the water has somewhere to go. You don’t want to just let it flow out onto the ground next to your foundation; this can lead to flooding and erosion.
Instead, routed it away from your home using a pipe or hose. You’ll also want to make sure the discharge doesn’t empty into a storm sewer or drainage ditch; this could contaminate the water and cause health problems for people and animals who come into contact with it.
If you’re not sure where to route your sump pump discharge, talk to a professional plumber or contractor who can help you figure out the best solution for your home.
With a little bit of planning, you can keep your basement dry and prevent any nasty surprises down the road.
Sump Pump Discharge to Street
If your home is located in an area with high water tables or you live in a flood zone, you may have a sump pump installed in your basement to help keep the space dry. Most sump pumps are designed to discharge the water they collect out through a hose or pipe and away from the foundation of the house. But what if there is no place for that water to go?
In some cases, the only option is to discharge the water into the street.
Before you do this, check with your local municipality to see if there are any regulations or restrictions in place regarding sump pump discharge. Some communities require a permit for this type of discharge and there may be limits on how much water can be discharged each day.
Once you have all of the necessary approvals in place, you can set up your sump pump to discharge into the street. Be sure to position the discharge pipe so that it does not create a ponding effect on the roadway and always direct the flow of water away from any storm drains or other openings that could allow it to enter back into your basement.
How to Connect Sump Pump Discharge Hose
If your home is prone to flooding or water damage, a sump pump can be a lifesaver. But in order for your sump pump to do its job, it needs to be properly connected to a discharge hose. This hose carries water away from your home and helps prevent flooding.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to connecting a sump pump discharge hose:
1. Start by attaching the discharge hose to the outlet of the sump pump. Make sure the connection is snug and secure.
2. Run the discharge hose out of the basement or crawlspace and away from your home. Avoid running it through areas that could flood.
3. Once you’ve found an appropriate route for the hose, cut it to length with a hacksaw or power saw.
Make sure there are no sharp edges on the end of the hose that could puncture it.
4. To keep the discharge hose in place, use zip ties or pipe straps to secure it along its route. This will help prevent kinking or other damage that could impede water flow through the hose.
Sump Pump Drainage Outside
If your home is located in an area that experiences a high water table or flooding, you may have a sump pump installed in your basement. This pump is responsible for pumping water out of your basement and away from your home to prevent flooding. While the sump pump itself is located inside your home, the drainage from the pump is typically directed outside.
There are a few different ways that you can direct the drainage from your sump pump outside of your home. One option is to simply route the discharge pipe to an existing downspout on your home. This will ensure that the water is directed away from your foundation.
Another option is to create a new drainage system specifically for the sump pump discharge. This may involve excavating around your foundation and installing some drain tile or other type of drainage system.
Whatever method you choose, it’s important to make sure that the discharge from your sump pump is properly directed away from your home.
Otherwise, you run the risk of flooding your basement or causing other damage to your home.
How to Hide Sump Pump Discharge Pipe
If your sump pump discharge pipe is unsightly, there are a few ways to hide it. One option is to bury the pipe underground. This can be done by digging a trench from the pump to the desired location and then burying the pipe in the trench.
Another option is to run the pipe through an existing structure such as a deck or porch. If neither of these options is possible, you can build a small enclosure around the pipe using wood or stone.

Credit: www.brightgreenlandscapes.com
How Far Should My Sump Pump Drain from House?
If your sump pump is draining too close to your house, it could eventually start flooding your basement. So how far should your sump pump drain from your house?
Ideally, you want to have your sump pump drain at least 10 feet away from your foundation.
This will help ensure that any water that is pumped out of the sump pit doesn’t just seep back into the pit or flood your basement.
If you can’t get the drainage pipe to extend 10 feet from the foundation, try to angle it so that it drains water away from the house. You may also want to consider installing a second sump pump further away from the house to help with drainage.
Can Sump Pump Drain into Yard?
If you have a sump pump, you may be wondering if it’s okay to drain the water into your yard. The answer is yes, as long as the discharge pipe is buried deep enough.
The main concern with draining a sump pump into your yard is flooding.
If the discharge pipe isn’t buried deep enough, the water could pooled up on the surface and cause flooding. Another concern is mosquito breeding. If there’s standing water near your home, mosquitoes will lay their eggs in it and you’ll end up with a mosquito problem.
To avoid these problems, make sure that the discharge pipe from your sump pump is buried at least six inches underground. This will ensure that the water drains away from your home and won’t cause any flooding or mosquito breeding problems.
Conclusion
If your home has a sump pump, it’s important to know where it drains. A sump pump is typically used to remove water that has accumulated in a sump pit. The water is usually pumped out of the home and into a storm sewer or other drainage system.
If you’re not sure where your sump pump drains, the best way to find out is to ask your plumber or check the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also try tracing the discharge pipe from the sump pit to see where it goes. In some cases, the discharge pipe may be buried underground, so you may need to dig down to find it.