Installing the pipe and pump, Diagram a – Basement Watchdog Big Combo User Manual
Page 4

Installing the Pipe and Pump
The Basement Watchdog combination system is
compact and will fit in a sump pit as small as
12” wide and 14” high (the size of a 5 gallon
bucket). It measures 18“ inches from the
bottom of the pump to the top of the Y-
connector where it will be attached to the
discharge pipe.
Use a pit that
conforms to all local
codes, and check the
code to see if a gate
valve or ball valve is
required.
The path of the
existing
vertical
discharge pipe to an
exterior wall should
have the shortest path with the fewest turns.
The more turns will reduce the pumping capacity.
The horizontal discharge pipe must be
positioned in a downward slope when it exits the
building, so any remaining water will drain away.
Failure to do this will prevent water from exiting
the pit and damage the pump if the line freezes.
(see Diagram A)
The system should be placed on a flat surface
free from dirt and debris. If the bottom of the
sump pit is not clean, remove as much of the
debris as possible. You may place a pump stand
or bricks on the floor of the sump pit to raise the
pump above the debris.
If you are replacing an old sump pump, unplug
the pump from the outlet.
1. Remove the check valve or rubber union.
Discard the check valve. The Basement
Watchdog system contains built-in check
valves, so the old valve will not be needed.
If the existing system is installed without a
check valve or rubber union, saw the pipe
apart above the sump pit. (Refer to the
diagram in step #3.)
2. Remove the old pump from the pit, and
unscrew the pipe and pipe adapter from the
pump.
3. Measure the distance from the bottom of the
sump pit (or from the top of the bricks in the
sump pit) to the end of the discharge pipe.
Subtract 19 inches (the height of the pump
system + 1 inch). Cut a piece of 1-1/2” rigid
PVC pipe to that length.
4. (a) Connect this piece to the discharge pipe
by cementing the two pieces together with a
1-1/2” PVC pipe connector. (Follow the
instructions on the PVC pipe cleaner and
cement.) OR, (b) connect the two pieces of
pipe together with a rubber union.
5. Remove the pump assembly by grabbing the
handle of the silver pump and lifting up. DO
NOT lift the assembly by grabbing any of the
pipes. They may break.
6. Separate the attached cords and controllers
and place them next to the pump system. BE
SURE THE CORDS AND CONTROLLERS DO
NOT FALL INTO THE SUMP PIT DURING THE
INSTALLATION.
7. Loosen the hose clamps on the enclosed
rubber union, and slide the union up on the
discharge pipe until it is even with the
bottom of the pipe.
8. Lift the combination system by the handle
on the primary pump and lower it into the
sump pit. Make sure it is level.
9. Inspect the two float switches. They should
both be vertical and positioned so that they
move smoothly without hitting the pump or
the wall of the sump pit.
Page 3
PRIMARY
PUMP
WIRE
PRIMARY
FLOAT
WIRE
BATTERY
BOX
DRAIN TILE
AC OUTLET
BACKUP
PUMP
CHARGER
PRIMARY
PUMP
CONTROLLER
BACKUP PUMP
FLOAT SWITCH
BACKUP
PUMP
PRIMARY PUMP
FLOA T SWITCH
PRIMARY
PUMP
BACKUP PUMP
CONTROLLER
BACKUP
PUMP
WIRE
BACKUP
FLOAT
WIRE
CABLE TIE
CABLE TIE
RUBBER
UNION
SUMP PIT COVER
FLOOR
JOIST
SLOPE
PIPE
DOWN
10. Position the top of the pump system pipe so it
is directly below the discharge pipe. Slide the
rubber union down until half of the rubber
union is covering the pump pipe, and the other
half is covering the bottom of the discharge
pipe. Tighten the hose clamp screws securely.
18“
Diagram A
8
9
10
5
6
4b
1
2
END OF
PIPE
19”
CUT
PVC TO
THIS
LENGTH
3
4a
7