TOPIC: That Isn't The Sump Pump Is It?

I had a previous post, "I'll See Your Sump Pump, And Raise You A Drain," in which the sump pump was supposedly "grandfathered" and allowed to be plumbed into the sanitary drain.  Well, it turned out that there was no "grandfathering," which I knew all along.  That seller was forced by the County to correct the problem.

Well, yesterday, hidden behind a hydrangea bush (planted too close to the house) and under a potted plant, was another interesting plumbing job. You can see the top of the potted plant in the bottom of the photo.  It was placed, literally, on top of the horizontal pipe you see in the photo.  Hmmm....

It was plumbed by another basement waterproofing company.

They could have more easily sent this sump discharge away from the foundation wall and out into the yard.  They elected instead to attach it, poorly, loosely and not permanently, to the main drain clean-out stack in the yard.

That's a similar no-no, at least around here.

What made this so funny was that THIS was the same Realtor who experienced the last sump pump post!  It was she who called the County, had them condemn the previous post's installation, went through the rigmarole and so was familiar with the process.

She met me on the porch and all I did was point to the installation you see here!  It was she who said:

"That isn't the sump pump is it?"

I said, "The bell tolls again, Carolyn, and it tolls for thee."

I have had two of these this year, BOTH with her!

My recommendation:  As always, check to see where the sump pump discharges!

Here in California as well Jay.  Yard drains, sump pumps, rain gutters, etc.., may not discharge into the waste line sewer system.

On a some what similar note.  I frequently find yard drains and or sump pumps with daylight discharge to the front yard and direct flow across same.  That is also a no-no.  Over the years I've been asked to testify in personal injury cases where Grandma has slipped and fallen in your drain line discharge wash at the side walk. 

I've never seen it discharge at the sidewalk here, Will, but I have seen it in the middle of the yard and it creates a big puddle!

Most of our newer track developments from the mid 80's forward have core cut curbs to allow for direct hook up to the yard drainage system.  Here in California you could daylight the drain in your front yard, just not with directed discharge onto the public side walk.  "It's a personal injury attorneys dream"

Scenario #2 would be two hill side homes, one above the other.  The upper property can have natural water run off towards and/or onto the lower property without fear of liability.  If the owner of the upper property adds gutters and a drainage system with collected discharge towards and/or onto the neighboring property, you most definitely have liability issues...

You know California... We have an attorney for every 38 residents and a very full Civil Superior Court System...

I modified my above comment Will to say sidewalk and not street.  I have seen them go to the street!

Swales here usually capture water run off side to side between homes, but I have seen properties where the one above has diverted a lot of water toward the house below.  Don't know about the lawsuits though. 

Once a builder created a neighborhood up on a hill and diverted the street water toward a house below.  The house was inundated.  I did an inspection for the owner, who needed confirmation of moisture, and he got the builder to pay for the problem(s).  No court though.  The builder knew he was cooked.

Yep, the builders are smart just to make things right.  If they take the problem to court they always seem to loose.