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I’m preparing to install a bathroom in m y basement and need to install a well for an ejector pump. I’ve prepared a dry vent and have plans for connecting the ejector pump to an existing soil stack that runs out to the street.
What is the best way to cut a round hole in the existing concrete floor? I’m planning to insert a section of 18″ or 24″ drain pipe for the well walls. I’d like to install the well so that it doesn’t look like a hack job – or shouldn’t I be concerned?
Current plans are for drilling holes around the opening and hammering out the concrete.
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The jobs I've seen with new bathrooms added to concrete basements have the new concrete patch on the floor where the hole was a bit bigger than perfect. I guess to the discerning eye this looks bad but its a basement bathroom for gosh sake. And if it bothers you having this patch looking at you, put a floor covering over the concrete. Or just paint it. No point in making a perfect round hole if you leave the gray concrete visible anyway.
Your method of drilling around the perimeter and then chiseling out the interior is good. Be sure to keep the concrete wet to prevent dust.
*Chris, You are trying to make a tough job out of something that is relatively easy to do. Why not just cut a nice neat square oversize hole and install your sump. I don't know what a section of "drain pipe" is exactly, but you need an adequately sized, completely sealed sump. You can buy these at any home center or plumbing supply store. They are all set up with holes for the pipes you will install and have a sealed cover. Don't skimp on the pump either. There are lots of junky sewer pumps available. Get a good quality unit (compare features and construction) and make sure it has a free floating switching arm on a cord, not something that slides up and down on a rod.
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Score the concrete with a hand grinder about 1" deep all the way around the perimeter of the circle. This makes a nice neat edge on top. Then hammer drill and chip, etc.
-Rob
*Chris - I hope you understand that a sump and ejector that is for waste - like from a toilet - is not the same as a sump used for drainage. Your tank and pump must be tightly sealed - not a pump dropped into a hole. Your "drain pipe" sounds like the drianage type.
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Chris - I have recently put in a sump crock & pump in my basement. Things I didn.t take into consideration when cutting the slab where: 1) when you start to excavate for your tank or pipe that most likely the earth will not stay to the shape you want to dig. The sides will cave in and you might have to over dig to get deep enough. 2) When this happens there is no way to backfill after placing the crock if you cut the concrete to fit the exact diameter of the unit. I would agree on over cutting a square hole and patching it up after.
*You might want to seal the interior of the hole with cement. This will prevent moisture and soil vapors from entering your home. Sometimes actual water will bubble up(slowly) from a hole dug into a basement floor. And those nasty wood munching critters can smell a hole in a basement floor, making it their entry to your house!Hondo
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I'm preparing to install a bathroom in m y basement and need to install a well for an ejector pump. I've prepared a dry vent and have plans for connecting the ejector pump to an existing soil stack that runs out to the street.
What is the best way to cut a round hole in the existing concrete floor? I'm planning to insert a section of 18" or 24" drain pipe for the well walls. I'd like to install the well so that it doesn't look like a hack job - or shouldn't I be concerned?
Current plans are for drilling holes around the opening and hammering out the concrete.