Another damp WS thread

[andycktm]

Hi Squarethumbs,
I see a bit of fishkeeping here :lol:
If i were you i would take bob_c advise and lift the floor
I had to do this to my passed on garage
put two air grates in while your at it.

 

[Squarethumbs]

Hi chaps

Roy, the submersible pump that im using at the moment is from Aldi apparently, I only had a spare pond pump which is no good for this function unless I can auto switch that? My neighbour paid £25 for it from Aldi, bargain!

At the moment, I have 5m of 1" flexible hose and two lengths of guttering set up taking the water to waste :lol: I need to find another 8m of hose to finish off :lol:

Andy, yep Im a koi keeper and Im familar with sumps, they are used a lot in conjunction with fibreglassed block built ponds to keep the immediate water table down. unfortunately Im letting the koi go in the spring as I can't justify the cost at the moment of building another pond

My plan for the summer is to raise the workshop floor and also to concrete and raise the path surrounding the workshop slopeing it very slightly away. Also install proper drainage for the patio/garden. Not to forget the damp proof membrane

 

[Digit]

ST, see my PM.

Roy.

 

[Squarethumbs]

Hi all

Yesterday I finished the sump/drain by making the hole bigger and lining it with limestone gravel, cheapest gravel I could find large enough not to clog up easily. I also fitted my guttering and large water butt at the end of the WS. I need to make an overflow for the water storage butt from the guttering to run to the sump. Last night it rained and its already half full. apart from making a reservoir to conserve water I cant do much else at the moment but get rid.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your advice and suggestions especially Roy (Digit) for his help and kindly offering to send me the kit to make an auto switch for a pond pump I had lying around. I decided to stick with the float switch option in the end due to time and money constraints at the moment.

It makes all the difference being able to throw a few ideas around with like minded people.

I hope this thread helps anyone else who has water drainage/damp problems around their workshop. I will let y'all know how well it works or not :shock:

Hopefully soon I can get a new bench up and start organising the workshop.

Cheers again!

Guy

 

[bob_c]

Im thinking of doing a similar thing with the sump in the bottom of the garden ,water collects the same as yours and its getting a real pain,to have a waterlogged garden all winter. I read somewhere that its best to put some sort of geo-textile between the sump container and the gravel.Its supposed to stop the pump getting clogged up with mud ,etc...Though i saw a bloke on TV using an old piece of hessian backed carpet!
Hope it works for you

 

[Digit]

As an ex pump designer, one of many hats, my experience is that pumps would only clog with mud if unused for a long period of time. Taking mud to mean fine debris, that would normally pass through the pump's filter and be discharged along with the water.
Usually what seems to happen is that if you empty the sump you find the pump sitting in a 'hole' in the mud that the pump's suction has kept clear.

Roy.

 

[Squarethumbs]

I'd agree with Roy here.

I'd also add the reason I went for a drain inspection lid (with holes drilled in) is you have easy access. I can check on it easily and chuck a pressure washer down there to swill it out if I have to, or remove the pump.

However hessian carpet or similar isnt going to hurt.

 

[Squarethumbs]

Hi All

I can say that my sump/drain was very successful yesterday. If it doesnt flood on a day like that then it never will. Very heavy rain most of the day here with saturated ground and my pump was running every 5 mins or so.

All I need to do for the time being is improve the drainage route for the water down the path for now.

I will stop boring you now with this thread, Im just feeling chuffed with myself.

I would recommend this method to anyone having drainage problems in their gardens or workshops

Cheers!

 

[Jake]

That's a good solution.

 

[Digit]

Well done ST, neat job!

Roy.