i was wondering what everyones opinion is on sump pumps?  would you use a 120v sump pump with battery back up, 120v with water powered backup, or just a 120v pump with a generator backup.  i've also heard of people digging a well outside the basement lining it and put the sump pump outside.  thanks

I have seen all of the options you mentioned in use. My one sure suggestion is a backup system that is either battery powered or hooked into your automated generator backup circuits. You don't want to get caught without power to the pump.

And get a Wayne pump. I've been putting mine through hell pumping out footings that filled in in winter, a 1300 sq ft crawl space that filled a foot deep in spring and currently in a mud filled hole temporarily pumping until the cistern and drain lines get installed. It's a 1/3 HP and works like a champ!

Michael

All of the above. If water is a major problem a second pump should be considered. On building sites that are sloped a perimeter drain that can be routed to light is the best answer.

thanks for the responses guys

drogers,
if i did install a backup 120v pump would i basically have to sump pits then? with a overflow pipe from the main pit to the backup one?

You can put two pumps in one pit. We by code have a sump pit with a sump pump, but we have a gravity drain from the lowest side of the house about a foot below the floor that runs down hill and finally exiting about 4 feet below the basement floor. So our sump pump hasn't run yet and unless the drain line somehow gets backed up will never run.