Installing the Pump and More Grading

Installing the Pump and More Grading

The guys were out there first thing Wednesday to finish installing the pump to mitigate any potential water issues with our engineered footers.

They put in the 20” PVC pipe yesterday.

PVC pipe from the pump to the gully - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
PVC pipe from the pump to the gully

Today they assembled the pump and the PVC pipe to it and dropped it down into the well.

This guy is shoveling in dirt around and under the pipe to be sure it is stable. - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
This guy is shoveling in dirt around and under the pipe to be sure it is stable.

They dug a trench out to the gully for the pipe from the pump.

PVC pipe from the pump - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
PVC pipe from the pump

They put soil around the pipe to stabilize it.

The pvc pipe from the pump ends at the gully. - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
The pvc pipe from the pump ends at the gully.

They weren’t sure yet whether the inspector or the engineer had to see the pipe before they buried it.

Testing the pump - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Testing the pump

When I came back after lunch they were testing the pump. They were running water in from the tap in the yard and had power run from the construction power pole.

When the water is high enough to lift the float, the pump will turn on. - Installing the Pump and More Grading
When the water is high enough to lift the float, the pump will turn on.

I tried to wait until it filled up enough to see the pump work, but the water just never seemed to get any higher. See that little float? When the water is high enough to lift it, the pump will turn on.

It started pouring. I had an umbrella in the car, but the guys were absolutely drenched.

Water running off the roof lands straight in the gutter drain pipe. - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Water running off the roof lands straight in the gutter drain pipe.

Where the water ran off the roof, some was landing straight in the gutter drain pipes. Looks like they are in the right place.

Finally I had to go. The dogs had a vet appointment.

By the time we got back we had missed the pump test. The water had finally gotten high enough and the pump had switched on. They had confirmation that it was fine to go ahead and bury the pipe.

Burying the gutter drain pipes and the pipe from the pump - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Burying the gutter drain pipes and the pipe from the pump

They put a layer of dirt over the PVC pipe from the pump, then laid two of the gutter pipes next to it.

Burying the gutter drain pipes and the pipe from the pump - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Burying the gutter drain pipes and the pipe from the pump

Finally they covered it all.

Grading over the pipes - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Grading over the pipes

They filled the trenches and then graded, running back and forth over it to make sure the ground was packed down.

Grading over the pipes - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Grading over the pipes

They leveled out the area to the gully with a little bit of grade, so the water won’t pool.

Grading over the pipes - Installing the Pump and More Grading - Project Small House
Grading over the pipes

They took down more of the piles of dirt, but there is still a lot of dirt left.

We asked about the piece of pipe they cut off. They had no plan for it, but it will be ideal to make a bridge across the gully later. We took it home so it won’t get thrown away.

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