Instructions to Construct a Manual Auxiliary PVC Pipe Sump Pump

UPDATE: 8/28 9:00AM EASTERN: The power went out last night at 2am and didn’t come back on until 8:15am. The pump worked well, but I completely underestimated the volume of water entering my basement. I could not pump fast enough, so we retreated, and Hurricane Irene gave us an 18-inch indoor swimming pool in our basement.

I made a hand pump to avoid basement flooding, just in case the power goes out and the sump pump stops working. Pictures below. I use the following Materials:

• 1 @ Wood 3/4″ wood board suitable to secure the pump and stand on
• 10 feet 1 1/4″ PVC Pipe
• 5 feet 1″ PVC Pipe
• 1 foot 3/4″ PVC Pipe
• 1 @ 1 1/4″ PVC T-Connector
• 1 @ 1″ PVC T-Connector
• 6 feet hose, ~1 1/4″ outside diameter
• 1-4 @ 1 1/4″ PVC Elbow Connectors
• 2 @ 1 1/4″ Straight Connectors
• 2 @ 1 1/4″ Check Valves
• 2 feet metal straps
• 4 screws
• 1 @ 1 1/4″ to 1″ male/female straight PVC adapter
• 1 @ 1″ to 3/4″ male/female straight PVC adapter
• 1 @ 3/4″ Female/female PVC threaded adapter
• 1 @ metal threaded garden hose adapter
• 1 @ PVC cap with 1″ outside diameter OR large dowel (to fit snugly inside 1″ PVC)
• 2 @ #18 O-Rings (1 3/36″ O.D)
• 1 Table saw
• 1 PVC Cutting Tool
• PVC Primer
• PVC Glue

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