Pump suitable for clearing large puddle?

[mentalguy2004]

Hi,

We had a problem outside the back of our house with one of those "super-weeds" that lifted the concrete on the public footpath/car park. As a result, rainwater etc doesn't flow towards the drain, it just pools outside ours and our neighbours back gate which is our access to our cars. The water has a depth of around 2-3 inches (and covers around 5m squared), is there anything that will pump this away completely? I want to crack on using the jet washer on the garden furniture/patio but this just causes a pool. I've seen pumps that work down to 5mm, but I was wondering if there was anything that would clear dirty water right down to (almost) ground level. The actual main drain is around 5 metres away, and the pump only needs to pump the water to a height of about 1 inch above the top of the "pool" to reach this.

Anyone have a good solution?

[john]

I would be inclined to find the lowest point and bash a small hole in it. You can then put the suction hose in the hole.

This is not a perfect solution, but the perfect solution would be to redo the job with a fall running to the drain.

[mentalguy2004]

That's a fantastic idea! The simplest ones are the best... I could kick myself sometimes.

Sounds perfect to me! Thanks a lot. Much easier than trying to get someone (ie the local council) to admit ownership of the land and actually fix it. Thanks again.

[Palindrome]

My usual solution when the cellar floods is to remove all I can with a standard submersible pump, then remove the rest with the wet and dry vacuum. That will take all the remaining surface water off.

You can get different models of submersible pump - some of which can remove more than the others, but be very careful not to wreck the seals by running it dry other than very briefly.

A sump to put the pump in is the standard solution. Doesn't need to be very deep. However if there is a spot with a natural barrier at the back, put the pump there and use a broom to push the water towards it. With a bit of practice the water around the pump can be kept in place by timing the brush movements.

-- Sue

[Astral Voyager]

If you are going to do that you may as well make a permanent soakaway and fit a cover. Likely for less than the cost of a pump - plus it is 'fit and forget' (apart from the odd cleanout of crud).

You will find out who thinks they own the land about five minutes after you smash a hole in what they consider theirs.

Mel.