Pumps and Drainage FAQ
Do I need a pump? My Basement is dry!
Unless the water received by the Newton System can be drained away safely, you will need a pump system. The storm water drainage system can surcharge back to the property during periods of heavy and sustained rainfall and is not considered to be safe drainage. Only consider a passive system if the water is drained to a collection point that is below the internal slab level such as a soak-away down-hill of the property.
How do I choose between the NP150, NP400 and NP750 pumps?
What pump performance is required?
Pump performance is dependent on a number of factors such as height of the pump lift (head), the number of bends and valves, and the diameter of the water discharge line, but generally most pumps used in basements will be pumping to a head (height) of about 3.5 to 4.0m. Unless the horizontal discharge line is more than about 6.0m this is not a major consideration in deciding on pump size.
NP150 – 120 litres per minute at 4m head
For smaller basements where water ingress is expected to be low and where the pumping head is not above 4m.
NP400 – 160 litres per minute at 4m head
For larger basements, or where the water ingress is expected to be higher, or where the pumping head is up to 6m or where the horizontal discharge line is over 6m.
NP750 – 275 litres per minute at 4m head
For larger basements, or where high levels of water ingress are expected, where high levels of water ingress have been experienced or where high pumping heads exist. Suitable for heads up to 12m or where the horizontal discharge is over 20m. Note: Not suitable for the Titan sump. Use larger formed sump or Newton Titan-Pro.
Please consult our Technical Department or your local NSBC registered contractor for further assistance.
Q. Do I need two pumps in the sump?
A. Yes if you want the full amount of protection available to your property. If for some reason the first pump mechanically fails then you always have the second pump as a fail safe.
Q. What about battery back up pumping systems?
A. An extremely good idea! If for some reason the mains power fails then the Newton Power Converter will provide back-up power to the pumps with no loss of the performance from the pumping system. Whilst mains power is available the Converter unit is constantly trickle charging the battery so that the battery is always fully charged in readiness for the next power outage.
Q. Can I put anything else into the sump chamber other than water from the cavity drain system?
A. Yes, it is possible to discharge washing machines, sinks, showers even sewerage but Newton’s technical team must be consulted as a different range of pumps are required.
Q. How many sumps do I need in my project?
A. This depends upon a variety of factors, the form of construction as well as the square metre area of the basement or cellar. As a starting point 50 linear metres of Basedrain would usually require one sump with twin pumps.
Q. Do I need to concrete the sump chamber in?
A. It is preferable that our Titan and Titan-Pro pumping systems be encased in concrete so that they are only receiving the water entering the structure.
Q. Do I need to perforate the sump chamber?
A. The only place we recommend perforations of the sump chamber is just above slab level. It is highly advisable not to perforate lower as you are potentially de-watering the surrounding ground.
Q.Do I need to maintain the pumps?
A.Yes, some NSBC contractors offer their own sump servicing which is highly recommended. If you are looking for an independent sump servicing company details can be received from our London office
Q. Do I need to change the oil in the pumps?
A. No. The Newton pumps are fully sealed units and do not need oil to be changed. If you notice anomalies please contact your installer or Newton’s technical department.
Q. How long does the battery last when relying upon battery power?
A. A common question. This depends upon how much water is entering the system. The only true measurement must be in how many litres the battery can exit. As a guideline about 18000 litres.
Q. What is the discharge line size for the Titan System?
A. Traditionally it has been 40mm waste pipe however the new Titan-Pro is supplied with 50mm internal pipework and the ability to use 50mm discharge line outside the sump.
Q. Basedrain comes in 2m lengths. How do I join it together?
A. The system is not pressurised at any time so a simple join using Duct tape will join the material to hold it together and prevent debris from entering the conduit. (Please note jointing pieces are being developed and will be available soon)
Q. How do I deal with Corners using Basedrain?
A. Mitre cut and join as above. (Internal and external corners available soon.)
Q. When do I need to use Basedrain?
A. Basedrain should be used at all retaining wall floor junctions including walls that are built of their own foundations.
Q. Do I need to protect construction joints?
A. Yes, construction joints are a potential weak point in any structure in relation to water ingress. Use Newton Floordrain across the joints (drill 18mm holes on the flat top surface at 100mm centres when used below a drained membrane. The floor drain also acts as the medium to connect the perimeter channel to the Titan-Pro via our new Drainage Connector and a 63mm connection into the sump.
Q. How can the Basedrain be accessed and serviced?
A. Use Newton Jetting/Inspection Ports to gain access to the Basedrain. We recommend that at least three are used for each 50m of Basedrain.
Q. Do I need to lay the Basedrain to a fall?
A. No. Basedrain is designed to be fitted dead level allowing the water within to move to the collection point by hydraulic gradient in the same way that water poured onto a flat table will soon pour over the edge.
Q. How does the water enter the Basedrain?
A. Basedrain has 20mm holes at 150mm centres along the entire back surface of the conduit.
Q. Where the Basedrain is sat on top of the slab or raft, and insulation is placed adjacent to the Basedrain, won’t the insulation get wet and be inefficient as an insulator?
A. The insulation sat adjacent to the Basedrain is primarily acting as a spacer to ensure that the Newton floor membrane is higher than the Basedrain. Because this insulation is sat in a wet area it needs to be of a closed cell construction so as not to absorb moisture.
Q. I am going place the Basedrain into a rebate at the wall/floor junction. What are the dimensions?
A. A newly formed rebate should be 100mm wide x 50mm deep and formed dead level. If you are not confident in forming the rebate dead level and to a uniform 50mm in depth, for to 80mm in depth. A cut recess in an existing slab should be 100mm wide x 50mm deep. Where the recess is deeper than 50mm, use 20mm clean graded stone to fill the recess to within 50mm of the top of the slab or raft. The stone helps to level the Basedrain where the recess is not level.
Q. Do I seal the floor membrane up over the top of the flange of the Basedrain?
A. No, Basedrain has lugs on the back face to counteract any risk of interstitial condensation that may occur within the property. Keep it open or if you have a deep screed, insert another piece of smaller profile membrane to deal with this.
Q. Can I build a load bearing wall directly off Basedrain?
A. No, it is not designed for this purpose.
