Clear (acrylic) Sump Basin Cover?

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Speaking about sump pumps, am I alone thinking that a clear sump basin cover is a good idea?

I need a new cover and there are lots of conventional composite covers around (e.g.: PlumbStar USA) but I'm considering buying or fabricating an acrylic cover. I don't have past experience with them, but it appears that Plexiglass is better for this intent than Polycarbonate (Lexan), but I'm all ears to the GJ advisory board.

Here's my sump basin:

 

[4xdog]

Polycarbonate’s big advantage is super-high impact strength. Its downside is that it weathers, and can be crazed in contact with water.

Acrylic’s big advantage is super-high weatherability and UV resistance. It has very low moisture absorption and sensitivity. There are impact-modified grades, such as some compounds promoted for use in automotive taillights for durability, but acrylic isn’t in the same class as polycarbonate for impact.

I’d probably go with acrylic, especially if your cover is exposed to sunlight or lives outside.

 

[jack stand]

I've never had a sump pump before....
Is this to visually monitor what's going on? If you remove the existing cover is it covered with condensation from an assumed temperature difference that would be impossible to see through.??
Is a cover/lid even necessary?

 

[pcmeiners]

Pray tell.....is there something interesting to watch down your sump ?

I've never had a sump pump before....

Trust me your not missing anything unless your stimulated by sump pits.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I don't see a reason to need to look in there constantly vs removing a solid cover on occasion. But if you really want to sit and observe I'd get a piece of 3/8" plexiglass and cut it to fit.

 

[Johnny Generic]

Just Why?????????????

 

[Fav Onefour]

Is that a sump well for a drain tile system? Or is it just to handle condensate? I only see the drip line and small inlet with a plug.
In our area the newer sump wells for drainage have sealed covers to help prevent radon mitigation. I don't see a method for attaching a sealed cover.

I've seen clear covers on sealed systems and they usually have some condensation. I guess they can give you an idea of what is in the sump but you'll still need to remove the cover for a true picture.

I have a couple of drainage system sump wells with sealed covers that are under carpet. It wouldn't matter what type of lid was on those things.

I'm not sure of the goal you are trying to achieve? If you are worried about the pump failing there are other methods to monitor.
I use dual power float alarms in my sump wells. The batteries get checked when I do the smoke detectors. My brother has one at his cabin with phone notification and a camera pointed inside the well. That sump pump runs a lot year around. He keeps a spare pump ready at all times just in case the original gives out.

 

[dynatrix]

Honestly I can see the appeal. Being able to quickly check the water level, float position, or whether the pump cycled recently without removing the lid seems useful to me. I would probably go with acrylic over polycarbonate for this application too.

 

[exmaxima1]

Just put a small window on the existing cover

 

[signcrafter]

Our house we bought a few years ago came with a clear cover that someone had cut and then caulked to floor and pipes. Guessing it was done when they did the radon system. Sump pump went out the first year we bought the house so I removed that cover. It had become no longer see thru over the years so I just threw it away. Our sump pit is concrete so it also had the two pieces of concrete to cover the hole with a slot in the middle for the pipe to come up out of. So wouldn't have been able to see anything anyway. I left the concrete non sealed cover on for now and bought a radon monitor to see what the levels actually were. Plan is to get one of these in the near future to seal it back up, https://www.amazon.com/Original-Radon-Sump-Dome-Model/dp/B073V3RV5X/?tag=atomicindus08-20. It has a small window in it but other then checking to see if pit is full of water instead of being pumped out I see no reason to ever look down in there. If the water is rising from pump not working you will very shortly know anyway, and chances are you aren't checking it every few hours so you will notice the water on the floor before you notice anything wrong by looking in the window. If there is an issue that little sump pit will fill up pretty quickly. I have been looking into alarms for if the water raises higher then it should. Basically a second float set up higher then the sump pump float that will set off an alarm if water raises that high.

 

[Skyman]

My previous house had three sump pits. One of them handled nearly all of the work. In that one, I added a Basepump venturi evacuator that worked great and saved me from several floods due to power outages and pump failures:

BasePump - Base Products Corporation

basepump.com

I also dangled the leads from one of these into each of the sump pits, and placed another next to the water heater:

https://www.amazon.com/Glentronics-Inc-BWD-HWA-00895001498-Basement/dp/B000JOK11K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[yhprum]

Could fab one up with a sacrificial top layer that can be replaced if needed.

 

[Thorold]

I used a piece of expanded metal over mine. Painted with Rust Paint.

 

[couch67]

Id go with a much simpler solution and install a sump pit camera with NVR, and some ai to text you if there is a detected object or movement



but honestly, I did consider an acrylic cover (but never did it). I dont have a cover at all, and with it open I was getting mosquitos in the house around this time of year once the pit was full and not flowing any longer, and mosquito season just starting. I also liked the idea of covering it and being able to check if float switches are unobstructed and nothing fell in there (maaaybe if there was a cover on, I wouldnt need to worry about this lol)

I just forgot about it and its still open

 

[BombShelter]

Acrylic or Polycarbonate, either will work but once you go over 1/4" it starts to get really expensive. Easy to cut with woodworking tools, just read up or you'll melt the plastic if you work too fast. You can get the material at your local plastic sheet supplier or US Plastic will hook you up.

U.S. Plastic Corp. | Plastic Bottles, Tubing & Fittings, Tanks, Buckets, Pipe, Sheet & Labware

United States Plastic Corporation distributes industrial and commercial plastic products such as plastic bottles, plastic tubing & fittings, plastic tanks, plastic buckets & barrels, plastic sheet, rod & shapes, pipe, labware and much more.

www.usplastic.com

I don't see any other lines except that condensate, as mentioned before, and the basket doesn't look perforated and everything looks pretty fresh, are you sure you need to upgrade?

 

[jhelrey]

Use 3/4" plywood with a 6x6" plexiglass window. This is a great option if you have a radon system. You can remove the plexiglass window to reach in if needed.