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Can I Connect a Sump Pump to a Sewer Line?

Tempting as it is to direct collected water into existing plumbing, find out why connecting a sump pump to a sewer line is a bad – and potentially messy – idea. Get tips, too, on advisable ways of discarding collected…

Leslie Segrete & Tom Kraeutler, Hosts of The Money Pit by Leave a Comment
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Key Points

Louis’s sump pump is incorrectly connected to a sewer line in his basement, which could lead to backflow issues and is not compliant with proper drainage practices.

  1. Sump pumps should not be connected to sewer lines due to the risk of sewage backflow, especially in the absence of a check valve.
  2. Proper drainage requires the sump pump to discharge outside the house, at least 4 to 6 feet away from the foundation, to prevent water from re-entering the home.
  3. Louis has installed a check valve and a heavy-duty sump pump, but the connection to the sewer line remains a concern.
  4. Louis should disconnect the sump pump from the sewer line and reroute it to drain outside, ensuring it’s far enough from the foundation to avoid water damage.
  5. Once the sump pump is disconnected, Louis should repair the sewer line where the current hose is connected to prevent any future issues.
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    Transcript

    LESLIE: Louis, you’ve got The Money Pit. How can we help you today?

    LOUIS: I have a question regarding a sump pump – drainage water. The previous owner has it routed to the sewer line going to the bathroom in the basement. That’s where the sump pump is, also. And I was wondering, should I reroute that to the outside of the house or should it – is it okay where it is?

    TOM: Well, you’re technically not supposed to connect a sump pump to a sewer line. You’re correct in that it’s supposed to go outside the house. Part of the issue is that if you don’t have a check valve, for sure, if you have any backup in the sewer, it can come right straight back up into the sump pump and that’s not going to be a pleasant situation.

    So, it would be preferable that you drain a sump pump outside, and at least 4 to 6 feet away from the foundation of your home so it doesn’t drop water back against the foundation wall.

    LOUIS: Okay, then. Well, I did put a check valve in the – I put a heavy-duty sump pump in it and it requires you to put a check valve in it, which I did. But they put a flex hose from there to the sewer line into the wall and I’m not comfortable with that. And I didn’t think it should go there but thanks for (inaudible at 0:28:32). I’ll take care of that.

    TOM: Yeah. And you are correct. So make sure you repair the sewer line when you pull that hose out, Okay?

    LOUIS: I will do that. Thank you very much.

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