What is the 1ft diameter hole next to my water heater in my basement?

Question

Is it a sump hole? What is it for? There's small rocks in it? Just moved in to my first house...

Answer 1

It probably is a sump pump. It depends on when and who built the house as to how it operates. Some homes basically have a ditch built around the foundation. The ditch has some gravel put into it, then a drain tile, then more gravel to fill in around the drain tile. The drain tile circles the foundation and drains into the sump pit. A sump pump with a float for activation is usually in the pit. The pump takes out the water out of the house via a 2" drain tube usually. The pump removes water around the foundation eliminating hydrostatic pressure. This keeps the water from coming into your basement.

Answer 2

It is there, in case the water heater leaks or breaks and spills the water. So it is a drain. The sump wells that I am used to seeing are usually larger that 1 ft in diameter. They are more like 3 ft in diameter. I suppose different areas have different building codes, bit it could be hard to get a sump pump down that small a hole.

Consider that drain more for emergencies or water heater maintenance. Every year or so, they say to drain the tank to remove the sediment in the bottom. With electric heaters, I turn off the water and the electricity, drain the tank, and remove the lower heater element, then use a long spoon to scoop out the build up of calcium in the bottom. That build up is the main reason for the failure of the lower heating element. It will short them out, and burn them up. good luck.

Answer 3

You had it right. It is a sump hole. It is located neatly next to the water heater in case of a leak or for when you drain and inspect the water heater. The rocks are to keep debris from clogging the drain underneath them.

Good luck on your new house. Any plans for basement?

Answer 4

It's a sump. Probably had a sump pump in it, and someone removed it. Better have a plumber check it out, to see if it needs a sump pump. If you have a big rain, and no sump pump, it may flood your basement floor. Your washer may drain into the sump also. If so, you probably need a sump pump before you run the washer.

Answer 5

could be a drain for run off if the water heater was to leak. Could be there for a sump pump if you had one. Rocks are for decoration so the spiders can hide under them.

Answer 6

theres probably a treasure in there dig deeper body boy ugrrhh aye