what is a sump pit

A sump pit, also known as a sump basin, is a hole with a gravel base located at the lowest part of the basement or crawl space. It is designed to collect water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin, which is commonly found in the basements of homes and other buildings, or in other locations where water must be removed, such as construction sites. The sump pit serves as a catch-all for excess water, and when the water level is high enough in the pit, it triggers the sump pump to turn on and move water into the discharge pipe, and toward a designated drainage area. Sump pits are made of heavy-duty plastic or fiberglass, designed not to crack or warp over time, and are typically between 18” and 24” in diameter, with depths ranging between 22” and 36” . Sump pits are used to prevent basement flooding and to solve dampness where the water table is near or above the foundation of a structure. They are also utilized in industrial and commercial applications to control water table-related problems in surface soil.