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Sprinkler System - How Deep?

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by rlab, Oct 10, 2005.

  1. rlab

    rlab New Member

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    We have a sprinkler system that came with the house when we bought it.
    Does anyone know how deep they bury the pipes when they install an inground sprinkler system?

    I would like to dig some drainage ditches to extend the downspouts but I want to make sure I don't hit/bust a pipe.
     
  2. neilz

    neilz New Member

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    They're really not that deep .. which is why they should be winterized.

    Some additional info on downspout drainage extensions. If you're doing to do this, you must ensure that you do not affect the drainage on adjoining properties. Your pipe must end three feet from your property line so that the water is not concentrated all at one point.




    Neil Z.
    Resident since 1999
     
  3. rlab

    rlab New Member

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    Thanks for the reply Neil. They will definitely be more than 3 feet from the property line.

    Just need to get the water away from the house. The Sump Pump was working extra hard this past weekend.

    I also ended up sticking a 10 foot PVC pipe extension under the deck to where the Sump Pump dumps the water out. We had a pool of water under the deck and I am sure it was just going right back down to the sump pump. It was running every minute and a half.

    Our neighbors pump went out and they had a surprise waiting for them in the basement.
     
  4. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    Speaking of sump pumps....our neighbors went out as well and their basement was flooded....does anyone out there have a battery backup sump pump?
     
  5. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    I have one. Highly recommend it in case the power goes out for a long period of time during a heavy rain storm.
     
  6. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    Did you install the back up yourself or have someone do it. To be honest I have not heard my sump kick on ever (even with 10 inches of rain over the weekend) But with all the failures, etc.. I read an article about a replacement pump that has a battery backup for power failures too. Just wondered if you had a contractor recomendation or did it yourself.
    Thanks!
     
  7. Peppermint

    Peppermint New Member

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    I would also be interested in recommendations for installation of a bat powered back up sump pump ... Any suggestions?
     
  8. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    Same here!
     
  9. rharse

    rharse New Member

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    One more vote for info on the battery backed-up sump pump. This past weekend it cycled, oh, about a million times. So, either a barrty backed-up pump or tilting the earth so the water table is not so high in this area! Anybody got a BIG crowbar?!!?
     
  10. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    I ended up doing it myself about 3 years ago.

    Here is a similar model to the one I have:
    http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=25799-335-RBSP&detail=desc&lpage=none

    If you were to take the cover off of the sump area, you would see your existing sump pump connected to a PVC pipe to take the water outside. The battery backup sump pump is installed above the existing sump pump and inline with the existing PVC pipe. There is a water sensor that is placed above the existing pump and if the water level activiates it, the battery backup sump will kick on.

    The trickiest part of the whole thing is cutting the existing PVC pipe and getting the backup sump/sensor fitted inside the sump area.

    The total cost for backup sump, battery, and PVC glue was ~200 dollars.

    Granted its never been activated (aside from me testing it) but still worth the peace of mind.


    One other option that is worth mentioning is to have an AC backup system. These are a little more expensive, but you don't have to worry about having to install a secondary battery backup sump system.

    Edit: Here is a copy of the manual for the battery backup sump pump. Has some good diagrams that show what it looks like when its fully installed. http://www.waterace.com/pdf/12VoltManual.pdf
     
  11. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Wes,

    Thanks for taking the time to provide the info and link. This appears to come with a sump pump. Is that correct, or is there an option to hook the batter unit up to an existing pump?

     
  12. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    Yes thats correct - the battery backup system includes a second sump pump.

    If you want to plug the existing sump pump to a battery, you would need an AC battery backup system. I found this link that provides an example of this type of system:
    http://emergencypowersupply.com/pages/7.asp

    While its a much simplier solution, the only issue I have with these AC backup systems is that it doesn't prevent water from entering your basement if there is a mechanical failure of the primary pump.

    A battery backup pump will kick on even when there is a mechanical failure of the primary pump.




     
  13. sasha_j

    sasha_j New Member

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    Thanks Wes.

    I am confused about one thing though.

    The first link is for a Water Ace 12 Volt Battery Back-Up Sump Pump System. For $119.00 you get a backup sump pump and a battery UPS.

    The second link is for the battery UPS ALONE for about $600 with shipping.

    What am I missing here on the cost differences?
     
  14. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    The battery backup sump pump motor runs on DC power, whereas the primary sump pump runs on AC power.

    My guess is that it costs more to have a battery backup system that supprots AC power as opposed to DC power.

    An interesting test would be to plug your primary sump pump into a battery backup UPS that you might have for your computer and see how many "sump flushes" you can get out of it. This might be a good way to put it into perspective how much power the primary sump pump is consuming each time it turns on.
     
  15. sasha_j

    sasha_j New Member

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    Already tried it. I forget the amp-hour rating, but I tried it with a mini tower UPS for a small server. It lasted about 8-10 pump cycles.
     
  16. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    I am now curious. I recently replaced my sump pump with one I purchased at HD. I recall glancing at a backup battery system that was on the shelf above were I was looking. I'll try and check it out next time I am in there. It appeared to be a stand alone back-up system, but I didn't look at it closely. I'd be surprised if it was $600, but not sure.
     
  17. Peppermint

    Peppermint New Member

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    Where did you buy the battery to go with the 12 Volt Water Ace backup pump?

    It doesn't appear to include one ...
     
  18. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Checked it out last night. The battery back-up system is just that, it is a pump and a battery. I was hoping the system could hook up to my new pump, but as WesG points out it is an AC DC issue. Bummer. It appears to be a similar system to that Wes discribes.

    Batteries were available there, but must be purchased separately.

     
  19. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    They sell them at most auto stores or Sam's/Price club. I think I paid around 60 bucks for my battery.



     
  20. rlab

    rlab New Member

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    Hey Wes,

    You said the tricky part of installation was the PVC connection, did you have any problems getting it to fit under the lid?
     

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