When does a property need a sump pump?

A sump pump becomes necessary when gravity cannot drain water to an appropriate outlet. This happens when the finished floor sits below the sump overflow elevation, when no drainage facilities exist to accept flow, or when ponding depth would exceed allowable limits. LA County reviews three cases defined in their Sump Pump Manual.

Can you avoid using a sump pump on my Altadena lot?

Often yes. By comparing pre-fire and post-fire drainage patterns with a hydrology report, we can often show that the site drains the same way it did before the fire. If post-development Q does not exceed pre-fire Q, we can sometimes avoid requiring a sump pump entirely.

What does a duplex pump system mean?

LA County requires a duplex system with two pumps. Each pump handles the design flow with a factor of safety of 1.25. Both pumps activate as water rises to prevent either from sitting idle and deteriorating. This provides redundancy and reliability for stormwater management.

What information do you need to design a sump pump system?

We need a site survey with topography, proposed house location, and a hydrology study showing Q50 flow rates and sump volume requirements. LA County provides the HydroCalc Calculator for drainage areas under 10 acres.

Sump Pump Design for Los Angeles

When gravity cant do the work, we design the pump system that moves water away from your property.

When you need a sump pump

Most of the time, water drains downhill on its own. But there are situations where that does not work.

A sump is a low point where water collects and has nowhere to go. When the street downstream is higher than your property, or when your basement or parking area sits below the surrounding drainage paths, you need a pump to move the water out.

This comes up often with properties that have subterranean parking, below-grade basements, or sites that sit in natural drainage pockets. The city will want to see a pump system that can handle the water safely.

We design duplex pump systems with enough capacity to handle what the site collects. The pump activates as water levels rise, keeping everything moving even if one pump is off for maintenance.

What goes into a sump pump design

Hydrology study to determine water volume
Duplex pump system
Sump basin sizing and inlet design
Discharge line to point of outlet
Pump specifications and performance data
Control panel and high water level indicators

Where we work

We design sump pump systems for properties across Los Angeles County. From flat lots with drainage challenges to hillside homes with basements.

Ready to talk about your project?

If your property has drainage challenges that need a pump system, we can help you through the design and plan check process.

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