Basement flooding / backup sump pump?

[eriksat1]

In my basement the washing machine pumps the water out into the sump pump well hole. 2 times now in a year and a half my basement floor got wet from the sump pump getting clogged with lint and not pumping, so the sump well over flows. I want to put in a backup plan. I have a 55 gallon plastic barrel, I am thinking run the washing machine water into that with another sump pump in the 55 gal barrel. Then make a over flow tube from the barrel into the sump pump well for a back up in case the pump in the barrel fails. What I am trying to figure out is how to pipe both sump pumps pipes up and out into one pipe that goes to the septic? It would be like a Y pipe but need some type of one way valve so not to drain back into the other? Does anyone know what I am talking about or have any suggestions? I know clean the dam lint out of the sump well once every few months, but I forget and it's a pain. The lint trap socks you put on the washer hose suck also, unless you remember to change them about once a week.

[Lazy Ike]

A check valve on each pump leg just before the Y. I had the same situation in a prior home but w/o the flooding. I had the pump elevated in the pit to allow the lint & other deposits to settle. What an awful smell when using the shop vac to remove the gray sludge left in the bottom.

[Hot Runr Guy]

If you're using the metal screen lint socks, I know what you mean. I've switched over to a sock called lil' Apple http://www.lilapple.net/products.html that is a little less restrictive, so I get a month+ between replacements.

HRG

[Just One More Cast]

Use a piece of fiberglass screen door screen. Make it like a football size and tie wrap it around the end of your drain hose. If it still clogs try a piece of cheese cloth or nylon stocking over the screen.

[DakotaKayak]

Just a fyi... the laundry detergent is terrible on the seals of sump pumps... I do foundation repair for a living. theres a few options that will work... PM if ya want

[REW]

Eric,
1. Get about 6 cases of drain screens for your washing machine.
2. Change the screen when needed.
3. Once every two weeks, make a point to clean the screens on the sump pump.

These two things will normally take care of your issue.

The bad part of your plan about running a double sump is that you are still pumping the lint into your septic system. If the lint doesn't get caught in the screen or the sump screen, it is eventually going to plug up your septic system. Then, you are looking at $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for a clean out of the septic system.

It is much much better to keep the lint out of the septic system, rather than figuring out a way to pump the line into the septic system.

Good luck
REW

p.s.
Although I don't have a septic system, I have a similar issue. About 15 feet down the drain line, I have a jagged spot in the sewer line that catches lint. If I don't keep screens on the washing machine discharge, I can count on having to unplug the sewer line at least every 6 months. But if I keep screens on the washing machine discharge, and also on the bottom of the laundry tub, I can generally go about 2 years before having to unplug the line.

[eriksat1]

I know you aren't supposed to but I have a separate line that pumps the sump water out on to the ground behind my house into the woods, not into the septic. I have 10 acres and no close neighbors. Out here in the country everyone does it.

[yarcraft91]

Originally Posted by eriksat1

What I am trying to figure out is how to pipe both sump pumps pipes up and out into one pipe that goes to the septic? It would be like a Y pipe but need some type of one way valve so not to drain back into the other? Does anyone know what I am talking about or have any suggestions?

I'm surprised your sump is plumbed to drain to your septic system. That's a good way to overload the septic system, unless your foundation drains are always dry. Running washing machine drains to septic should not be a problem, at least water-volume-wise.

[eriksat1]

Originally Posted by yarcraft91

I'm surprised your sump is plumbed to drain to your septic system. That's a good way to overload the septic system, unless your foundation drains are always dry. Running washing machine drains to septic should not be a problem, at least water-volume-wise.

I know I said septic because I don't want the green peace people knocking on my door lol.

[REW]

So you have a gray water pump.
What you are doing is just fine. The check valve is fine but the lint could be a very big issue in possible valve jamming.
.

Also, depending on the grade of your lines, and the slope of your lines, you might be well to just run a double pipe until you get to the point where you have a good slope with little chance of back up. then, just put a Y joiner in the two pipes to connect the two pipes together for the final run.

I really dislike the use of Check valves in lines likes this if I don't have to have them, because they are just another thing to plug up. This is especially your case, since you may have lint to contend with. The lint could very quickly jam up a check valve.

By the way, do you have to contend with freezing temperatures? If so, how do you keep your pipes from freezing if they are above ground?


REW