@@s6juggs a good amount does go back into the sump pit once it shuts off but I just get pumped out the next time it runs. The builder should have installed a check valve or back flow preventer to stop this from happening. I've lived in the house for 5 years and it hasn't caused an issue.
I have been wanting to do this for a while. My water is EXPENSIVE. I already have some rain barrels and the sump is right next to them. Right now the sump comes out of the house and goes into a large pipe that goes to the retention pond 2 doors down. So, I will be able to have the sump pump fill the barrels and then overflow when full back into the large pipe that goes to the pond! This is the year. Next year I am going to figure out how to tap into the pond 2 doors down! Ha. Just kidding. Nice video. I think the hardest part will be finding enough barrels or water storage area with out making the yard look trashy in my case. I do have a sprinkler system. I have pondered for years how I can tie rain barrels into that system using an electric pump but then it gets REALLY complicated.
In the winter I have to disconnect mine from the rain barrel. I let it go to the grass it still messes up the grass in that spot, but I can't really think of a way to avoid that over the winter. I would at least get some extra pvc pipe and direct it away from the driveway.
@@jpulley I don't plan on drinking my run a lost when raining it's quite old have changed pump 3 times its that old. I could probably clean out the bucket it's in. I want to use for outdoor work like plants ans cleaning
Dude love the video! Perfect explanation. I have a 4.5 ft deep sump pump and it's running almost constantly so need a place other than my lawn so looking to do exactly this
I guess that depends if you sump pump runs over the winter. Mines run all year. Not nearly as much in the winter. My first year temps dropped quicker than I thought in the pipes froze up and busted because there was water setting in the pipe. I then reconnected with a rubber sleeve. So now In the summer I can connect to the rain barrel and in the winter it can go to the ground.
@@AblecommunitychicagoOrg A flexible PVC coupling is the actual name. Fernco 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. DWV Flexible PVC Coupling www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-1-1-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-DWV-Flexible-PVC-Coupling-P1056-150/100058870
How is it working a year later? What is your solution to it overfilling? I have the same problem in my yard was thinking of doing the same. Right now I have the sump off and running a utility auto pump with a hose to fill up buckets - my short term solution for now
the pump getting the water to the rain barrel is no problem. The only issue that if fills up too fast. I need a bigger or more rain barrels to store more water. that way I don't have to string out hoses, extension cords and that heavy pump everyday. I would like to do it maybe once or twice a week without my barrel overflowing.
@@jpulley You probably need an overflow discharge line from the barrel. As your system is not a closed one, the downspout diverter will never 'backflow' through the diverter line back into your downspout as designed. I would look to add an overflow discharge line somewhere below your sump to barrel inlet so that water doesn't pour out of there when its full. Alternatively, you could put the barrel up on blocks to get the downspout diverter more or less even with the barrel inlet and then seal the sump inlet hole to create a closed system. Then, when the water level reaches the downspout inlet level, water will backflow through that hose out to the downspout as designed. Also, you definitely want a check valve on the sump line somewhere. My $.02.
@@Leah1974 Hi Leah, sure...so...basically, if your barrel is full, you do not want it just pouring out of whichever is the lowest to the ground unsealed hole. In James' example from the video, the sump inlet looks like the lowest open hole as it is below the downspout mounted diverter...so when it fills up via the sump and/or rain, it will simply pour out of the same hole that the sump inlet pipe comes in because it is not sealed. You generally want to divert water away from your foundation for obvious reasons. I would probably put the barrel up on blocks such that the downspout inlet is the lowest hole in the barrel......that way when the barrel is full to the level of that hole, water will simply flow back along the downspout line into the downspout and out away from the foundation. Alternatively, you could install another hole below the lowest inlet hole with a line that leads away from the foundation....then, when it fills up to the level of your new discharge line, it will simply divert extra water wherever you want it. If you are doing a combo downspout/sump like james, you also need to be aware of the pump's capabilities and backflow pressure, so you should always have a checkvalve in the line AND know whether the pump can handle the extra height in the discharge line. I can probably help a bit more with more details about what you are designing. Cheers.
I was thinking about running the pip across the basement rafters and come out of the house near the barrel. I might do that later after I get more storage and a more permanent solution.
I can not tell you how awesome this video is. We flooded , so we installed a sump pump and it run constantly. The discharge has been a nightmare to deal with, I’ve tried running down the driveway to the road (which stained the driveway), tried to run it into the lawn , which like you, it destroyed areas of grass and soaked the ground to the point of not being able to cut it or even walk on it. I want to do what you did and some how attach a pop up sprinkler head to the barrel, so when the valve is opened , the water will use gravity and run through the sprinkler head and disperse water evenly over an area of my choosing. Your video is a great start to that. Have you made any updates since this video?
Sounds like a great idea however, I'm not sure if gravity alone will be enough for the pop up sprinkler head. I tried a soaker hose and that sort of worked once I put some bigger holes in the hose. It is nice to have something that would just take care of itself automatically. This year I plan on installing some pop up valves in a few places. I'm going to be able to run my pump to them or hook up to the house city water if my rain barrel is empty.
Hopefully soon I have two 55 gallon rain barrels I want to link together for more capacity. It's been so hot out its hard to be motivated to do anything but cut the grass, lol.
I just this connect the pipe from the rubber couple and then hook the original pipe back up there's not much water coming out in the winter so it doesn't really hurt the lawn. In the spring I hook it back up like this.
@@jpulley great response. As a retired painter -- everything can be painted but once you do it becomes a maintenance project -- also anything can be painted, that doesn't mean the paint will adhere. I've spent countless torturous hours scraping , sanding and repairing things that should not have been painted. Aaaagg, I'm starting to get flashbacks!!!
Great concept but man this looks like a pile of hot garbage, unless you plan on covering it up run your drainage piping below the surface.
Can it pump up like that? Doesn’t half of it just drain right back in?
@@s6juggs a good amount does go back into the sump pit once it shuts off but I just get pumped out the next time it runs. The builder should have installed a check valve or back flow preventer to stop this from happening. I've lived in the house for 5 years and it hasn't caused an issue.
I have been wanting to do this for a while. My water is EXPENSIVE.
I already have some rain barrels and the sump is right next to them. Right now the sump comes out of the house and goes into a large pipe that goes to the retention pond 2 doors down.
So, I will be able to have the sump pump fill the barrels and then overflow when full back into the large pipe that goes to the pond!
This is the year.
Next year I am going to figure out how to tap into the pond 2 doors down! Ha. Just kidding.
Nice video. I think the hardest part will be finding enough barrels or water storage area with out making the yard look trashy in my case.
I do have a sprinkler system. I have pondered for years how I can tie rain barrels into that system using an electric pump but then it gets REALLY complicated.
I’m trying to find a solution to this too. My pump sprays across the driveway making ice in winter. What do you suggest about winter?
In the winter I have to disconnect mine from the rain barrel. I let it go to the grass it still messes up the grass in that spot, but I can't really think of a way to avoid that over the winter. I would at least get some extra pvc pipe and direct it away from the driveway.
Nice yard,
Thanks
Nice system! Just posted an overview and how to build video (with water pump and parts list) that I built after seeing this.
Link to your video? Do I just search your username?
How clean is waster my sump pump base it a bit dirty/rusty
Mine is always clean and clear. Probably because it runs so often keeping the sump and line clear. I still wouldn't drink it though.
@@jpulley I don't plan on drinking my run a lost when raining it's quite old have changed pump 3 times its that old. I could probably clean out the bucket it's in. I want to use for outdoor work like plants ans cleaning
I would like to do this but have the barrel in my unfinished basement to use for my indoor plants during the winter.
That's a good ideal
Dude love the video! Perfect explanation. I have a 4.5 ft deep sump pump and it's running almost constantly so need a place other than my lawn so looking to do exactly this
Doing the same thing - thanks for posting
What happens when the rain barrel gets full? I do not see any type of overflow.
Just did this for my sump pump. How fast does yours fill up after a heavy rain.
1 day, I just got two 55 gallon drums going to be installing those soon.
@@jpulley thanks man.
Any ideas for winter besides disconnecting?
I guess that depends if you sump pump runs over the winter. Mines run all year. Not nearly as much in the winter. My first year temps dropped quicker than I thought in the pipes froze up and busted because there was water setting in the pipe. I then reconnected with a rubber sleeve. So now In the summer I can connect to the rain barrel and in the winter it can go to the ground.
@@jpulley What is a rubber sleeve?
@@AblecommunitychicagoOrg A flexible PVC coupling is the actual name.
Fernco 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. DWV Flexible PVC Coupling
www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-1-1-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-DWV-Flexible-PVC-Coupling-P1056-150/100058870
@@jpulley Thanks so much!
How is it working a year later? What is your solution to it overfilling? I have the same problem in my yard was thinking of doing the same. Right now I have the sump off and running a utility auto pump with a hose to fill up buckets - my short term solution for now
the pump getting the water to the rain barrel is no problem. The only issue that if fills up too fast. I need a bigger or more rain barrels to store more water. that way I don't have to string out hoses, extension cords and that heavy pump everyday. I would like to do it maybe once or twice a week without my barrel overflowing.
@@jpulley You probably need an overflow discharge line from the barrel. As your system is not a closed one, the downspout diverter will never 'backflow' through the diverter line back into your downspout as designed. I would look to add an overflow discharge line somewhere below your sump to barrel inlet so that water doesn't pour out of there when its full. Alternatively, you could put the barrel up on blocks to get the downspout diverter more or less even with the barrel inlet and then seal the sump inlet hole to create a closed system. Then, when the water level reaches the downspout inlet level, water will backflow through that hose out to the downspout as designed. Also, you definitely want a check valve on the sump line somewhere. My $.02.
@@dbcoopernd could you explain the overflow discharge line?
@@Leah1974 Hi Leah, sure...so...basically, if your barrel is full, you do not want it just pouring out of whichever is the lowest to the ground unsealed hole. In James' example from the video, the sump inlet looks like the lowest open hole as it is below the downspout mounted diverter...so when it fills up via the sump and/or rain, it will simply pour out of the same hole that the sump inlet pipe comes in because it is not sealed. You generally want to divert water away from your foundation for obvious reasons.
I would probably put the barrel up on blocks such that the downspout inlet is the lowest hole in the barrel......that way when the barrel is full to the level of that hole, water will simply flow back along the downspout line into the downspout and out away from the foundation. Alternatively, you could install another hole below the lowest inlet hole with a line that leads away from the foundation....then, when it fills up to the level of your new discharge line, it will simply divert extra water wherever you want it. If you are doing a combo downspout/sump like james, you also need to be aware of the pump's capabilities and backflow pressure, so you should always have a checkvalve in the line AND know whether the pump can handle the extra height in the discharge line.
I can probably help a bit more with more details about what you are designing. Cheers.
@@dbcoopernd thank you!
Doing something similar but running the long pipe in the basement along the rafters, might add a valve for winter/summer use
I was thinking about running the pip across the basement rafters and come out of the house near the barrel. I might do that later after I get more storage and a more permanent solution.
I can not tell you how awesome this video is. We flooded , so we installed a sump pump and it run constantly. The discharge has been a nightmare to deal with, I’ve tried running down the driveway to the road (which stained the driveway), tried to run it into the lawn , which like you, it destroyed areas of grass and soaked the ground to the point of not being able to cut it or even walk on it.
I want to do what you did and some how attach a pop up sprinkler head to the barrel, so when the valve is opened , the water will use gravity and run through the sprinkler head and disperse water evenly over an area of my choosing.
Your video is a great start to that. Have you made any updates since this video?
Sounds like a great idea however, I'm not sure if gravity alone will be enough for the pop up sprinkler head. I tried a soaker hose and that sort of worked once I put some bigger holes in the hose. It is nice to have something that would just take care of itself automatically. This year I plan on installing some pop up valves in a few places. I'm going to be able to run my pump to them or hook up to the house city water if my rain barrel is empty.
Could you could install a small sump pump in the barrel to connect to a sprinkler;soaker hose?
Do u have an update?
Hopefully soon I have two 55 gallon rain barrels I want to link together for more capacity. It's been so hot out its hard to be motivated to do anything but cut the grass, lol.
how does the water travel up a pipe?
The sump pump pumps the water up the pipe.
What about the line freezing in the winter?
I just this connect the pipe from the rubber couple and then hook the original pipe back up there's not much water coming out in the winter so it doesn't really hurt the lawn. In the spring I hook it back up like this.
Did you ever Ever water grass with it from a pump??
Are you going to paint the new piping and flex hose to match the house and gutters?
nope,
@@jpulley great response. As a retired painter -- everything can be painted but once you do it becomes a maintenance project -- also anything can be painted, that doesn't mean the paint will adhere. I've spent countless torturous hours scraping , sanding and repairing things that should not have been painted.
Aaaagg, I'm starting to get flashbacks!!!
sorry for the dumb question. But where is the sump pump collecting the water from in the basement? Shower, sinks and toilets?????
No, it's coming from drainage trenches under the slab in the basement. It's ground water and rain water.
5:33 Classic!!!
How did you drill the large hole in the rain barrel?
I used a hole saw drill bit.
Nice work!! I think im gonna use this setup. How would this fair in the northeast climate?
I think it will do fine but will need to disconnect everything in the winter, that's what I do.