Construction sites are notoriously difficult locations because, despite extensive surveys, you can never be certain what you will find under the soil. The biggest threats are digging into an existing utility line or finding that the water table is higher than expected, creating a puddle in your foundation area.
The only way to deal with a high water table is to use high-quality submersible pumps to remove the water and allow you to continue digging. It slows the process and makes it harder, but it is possible.
Of course, some building sites will use pumps to create the hole! This is often the case when you are unable to risk disturbing the surrounding area. Water is pumped into the ground and then a huge pump sucks the water and soil-substance out of the ground.
So, how do you choose the right pumps for dewatering on a construction site?
Size
Size does matter. You need a pump that can handle the volume of water that needs to be removed. That means calculating the size of the home and the approximate amount f water that will be generated and how long it takes to build up.
This will allow you to calculate the flow rate that is required for the pump to stay ahead of the digger, effectively helping you to decide the size of the pump you need.
Don’t forget, flow rate and pump size are two different things but they need to be considered together to ensure your pump is capable of shifting the water out of your way.
What needs To be Moved
As mentioned, pumps are not just used to move water. That means you need to think about what will be sucked up by the pump and whether you expect it to work when submerged or not. Understanding this will help you to decide which pump is right for your needs. You can then decide whether to hire or buy the pump.
Electrical Supply
The next step is to consider how you will power the pump. If you have an electrical connection on site then this can probably be used and is the easiest solution. But, if that is not an option you will have to consider a generator and make sure that the generator is powerful enough you handle the pump and any other electrical demands you have at the same time.
Manufacturer
When selecting a pump you should always consider who the manufacturer is and whether they have a good reputation. If you haven’t heard or dealt with the manufacturer yourself then ask friends and colleagues to see what experiences they have had.
If this still doesn’t help you can check on social media and online forums, you’ll get honest opinions that will help you to make the right decision. One of the key factors you should be considering at this stage is reliability. After all, if the pump packs up you may need to halt construction, that is usually an expensive decision.
