I have been using Zoeller pumps for 20 years Good pumps last forever, but the switch is always issue. You got a change it every couple yearI switch to Wayne pumps now Look like they’re last longer no issues so far Good job I will do the same thing in my basement
I have the same experience. It always seems the switch fails on my zoeller pumps. Usually they fail “on” for me, and I catch it before the motor burns up. I may change to use the electrical sensing types switches in the future to eliminate the mechanical failure aspect. Thanks for the input.
I keep thinking about putting this type of cover on, but one time we had a pump failure in the middle of winter when all of the snow melted at once coupled with one of the drainage pipes being backed up / frozen and water was rising rapidly in that corner of the basement. I was able to just rip the dingy silicone/foam cover off quickly and get to the pump so I could make a repair. If I would have had to fiddle with something like this, way more water would have gotten into the basement. Cool video though.
Yeah it does make replacing the pump more difficult. My hope is the backup system would operate long enough for me to pop the cover off, and replace the main pump…which reminds me, I need to buy an extra zoeller pump to keep on my shelf in case of emergency!
Great job and well documented. I have a basement watchdog battery backup pump and it is all plastic. It looks like the Wayne backup pump is beefier and appears to drain water pretty well. I might switch my battery backup to that. Years ago, I had the float switch on my Liberty pump malfunction and the pump kept running. There was a company that made a near field electronic water sensor/switch called Levelguard. It replaced the pump float and I bought a pump without a float switch and connected it to the piggy back on Levelguard. This circumvented the float issue. I believe that company has since closed doors but you can still find Levelguard in places like Grainger. I hope the battery backup is still working well.
I have considered changing to a water sense type float switch like level guard. I have never had a motor burn up, it’s always the float switch, so I feel like levelguard might fix that for me. If I install one, I’ll make a video of that too! Thanks for sharing.
Curious if when you say your pump switch went bad and stays on, did it pump water endlessly or eventually run dry? I've got that same lid on with a dual setup and no view window. Thinking I need to add a window. We had this setup put in before buying the house so the previous owner had to install and mitigate the Radon. Being over 2yrs and runs as often as yours, I wonder if mine has run its course and just stuck on.
@@EvolutionDIY 100%. Unfortunately I’ve discovered my radon issue after renovating my basement. So I have to cut out my subfloor to attach the sump dome to the actual concrete slab. May also have to totally replumb my sump outtake. Oh well. I’ll start with sealing the sump and see how my radon level changes then decide on installing a fan.
Nice job. I'm wondering why you drilled a hole in the pipe below the check valve on the backup side. My setup is similar to yours, but I didn't put a hole in the pipe. Wondering if I should do it.
The hole is to avoid the pump becoming “air locked.” You can Google it for more info. The instructions that came with the zoeller pump I have (and the backup pump) both say to drill this hole, so I always do.
@@brianw6645 I also have never had an issue, and I don’t actually know anyone that has had this airlock issue. I was just following the instructions. 🤷♂️
My setup is nearly identical. My inflow of water into the sump is also very similar. In other words, my sump pump runs almost non-stop in the spring and after it rains. I can only get a few hours out of the backup when the ground is wet from rain.
I was frustrated with the plastic push nuts as well. I wish they would have used a well nut design. It would be much better and no pushing the nut into the sump pit.
@@EvolutionDIY If I eventually get tired of the plastic press-fit nuts falling through, I may see if I can find a well nut that fits the existing square holes. If I find one that works, I'll report back here with the size so you can try it.
@@EvolutionDIY I just finished installing an acrylic window in my lid. It turned out great. I could send you pictures and details if you like. Not sure how to send a message to someone via youtube.
Hi Ken, there is a link under the video in the description to the sump dome. It actually links to the one with a small acrylic window in it so you can see into the sump pit if necessary too.
So my sump pump pumps out to drain tile, and then out to my pond. Turns out that tile was filled with tree roots resulting in recycling the water back to the sump. Had the lines jetted and it has helped a lot. I still get water, but not the constant cycling I was getting. I assume the water I get now comes from the foundation drains around the basement walls.
I'm doing the same. Cutting out that quarter panel and overlaying a triangular piece of acrylic. If you use well nuts, and use weather-strip instead of caulk, you can easily remove the window to get your hand in there. Also, should have slightly more room than just a 4-inch clean out (more room for both viewing and getting an arm in there).
Yes I agree. Ideally the backup has a completely separate discharge, running out of the house separately, and discharging to a different area. In this case I was not able to do that. Also, I was mainly trying to protect against power outage, and main pump failure (not clogged or frozen discharge), so I just chose to share the discharge with the main sump pump.
thanks for the video! very informative
I have been using Zoeller pumps for 20 years
Good pumps last forever, but the switch is always issue. You got a change it every couple yearI switch to Wayne pumps now
Look like they’re last longer no issues so far
Good job I will do the same thing in my basement
I have the same experience. It always seems the switch fails on my zoeller pumps. Usually they fail “on” for me, and I catch it before the motor burns up. I may change to use the electrical sensing types switches in the future to eliminate the mechanical failure aspect. Thanks for the input.
I keep thinking about putting this type of cover on, but one time we had a pump failure in the middle of winter when all of the snow melted at once coupled with one of the drainage pipes being backed up / frozen and water was rising rapidly in that corner of the basement. I was able to just rip the dingy silicone/foam cover off quickly and get to the pump so I could make a repair. If I would have had to fiddle with something like this, way more water would have gotten into the basement. Cool video though.
Yeah it does make replacing the pump more difficult. My hope is the backup system would operate long enough for me to pop the cover off, and replace the main pump…which reminds me, I need to buy an extra zoeller pump to keep on my shelf in case of emergency!
Great job and well documented. I have a basement watchdog battery backup pump and it is all plastic. It looks like the Wayne backup pump is beefier and appears to drain water pretty well. I might switch my battery backup to that. Years ago, I had the float switch on my Liberty pump malfunction and the pump kept running. There was a company that made a near field electronic water sensor/switch called Levelguard. It replaced the pump float and I bought a pump without a float switch and connected it to the piggy back on Levelguard. This circumvented the float issue. I believe that company has since closed doors but you can still find Levelguard in places like Grainger. I hope the battery backup is still working well.
I have considered changing to a water sense type float switch like level guard. I have never had a motor burn up, it’s always the float switch, so I feel like levelguard might fix that for me. If I install one, I’ll make a video of that too! Thanks for sharing.
Well done. I don't like using dome lids - even for radon covers - because it prevents floor water in the basement from draining into the sump.
Nice video! I got the cover, just waiting for a long weekend to do my install
There is just never enough long weekends. Good luck on the project!
Nice clean job. Looks good.
Thanks. I really like the way this dome cleans up the look of the sump pit.
Nice video, I bet it involved a full day to do.
Thanks for a really informative and thorough video!
No problem. Thanks for watching.
Curious if when you say your pump switch went bad and stays on, did it pump water endlessly or eventually run dry? I've got that same lid on with a dual setup and no view window. Thinking I need to add a window. We had this setup put in before buying the house so the previous owner had to install and mitigate the Radon. Being over 2yrs and runs as often as yours, I wonder if mine has run its course and just stuck on.
Excellent video. Thank you
Thanks. Your welcome. Hope it helped you somehow, or gave you some ideas.
@@EvolutionDIY 100%. Unfortunately I’ve discovered my radon issue after renovating my basement. So I have to cut out my subfloor to attach the sump dome to the actual concrete slab. May also have to totally replumb my sump outtake. Oh well. I’ll start with sealing the sump and see how my radon level changes then decide on installing a fan.
Nice job. I'm wondering why you drilled a hole in the pipe below the check valve on the backup side. My setup is similar to yours, but I didn't put a hole in the pipe. Wondering if I should do it.
The hole is to avoid the pump becoming “air locked.” You can Google it for more info. The instructions that came with the zoeller pump I have (and the backup pump) both say to drill this hole, so I always do.
@@EvolutionDIY Thanks. I've never had a problem with it. I'll check into it.
@@brianw6645 I also have never had an issue, and I don’t actually know anyone that has had this airlock issue. I was just following the instructions. 🤷♂️
@@EvolutionDIY I have the 1/2hp Ridgid pump. I couldn't find anything in the instructions about air lock.
Great video!
I would have used a flange inside the dome instead of a coupling. Would make for easier maintenance down the road.
How many hours do you get before battery drains?
My setup is nearly identical. My inflow of water into the sump is also very similar. In other words, my sump pump runs almost non-stop in the spring and after it rains. I can only get a few hours out of the backup when the ground is wet from rain.
I was frustrated with the plastic push nuts as well. I wish they would have used a well nut design. It would be much better and no pushing the nut into the sump pit.
I had to google what a well nut is, now I get it. I like your idea of using well nuts for the acrylic window. I think I’m going to do that.
@@EvolutionDIY Also, use weather strip instead of silicone caulk so you can easily remove and reinstall.
@@EvolutionDIY If I eventually get tired of the plastic press-fit nuts falling through, I may see if I can find a well nut that fits the existing square holes. If I find one that works, I'll report back here with the size so you can try it.
@@EvolutionDIY I just finished installing an acrylic window in my lid. It turned out great. I could send you pictures and details if you like. Not sure how to send a message to someone via youtube.
How large is the basin in this video?
The basin in this video is 18”. I didn’t have much trouble fitting both pumps in it. Any smaller and it might have been a challenge.
Where can I purchase that dump basin?
Hi Ken, there is a link under the video in the description to the sump dome. It actually links to the one with a small acrylic window in it so you can see into the sump pit if necessary too.
where's the water coming from? 🤔
So my sump pump pumps out to drain tile, and then out to my pond. Turns out that tile was filled with tree roots resulting in recycling the water back to the sump. Had the lines jetted and it has helped a lot. I still get water, but not the constant cycling I was getting. I assume the water I get now comes from the foundation drains around the basement walls.
instead of acrylic use a 4 inch clean out then you can get you hand in pit
I like that Idea I might just do that.
I'm doing the same. Cutting out that quarter panel and overlaying a triangular piece of acrylic. If you use well nuts, and use weather-strip instead of caulk, you can easily remove the window to get your hand in there. Also, should have slightly more room than just a 4-inch clean out (more room for both viewing and getting an arm in there).
Back up pump should always have its on discharge.
Yes I agree. Ideally the backup has a completely separate discharge, running out of the house separately, and discharging to a different area. In this case I was not able to do that. Also, I was mainly trying to protect against power outage, and main pump failure (not clogged or frozen discharge), so I just chose to share the discharge with the main sump pump.
Do not order a zoller sump pump waiting over 3 months to get unit.