Q. Do I need a pump? My Basement is dry!
A. Unless the water received by the Newton Waterproofing 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.
Q. How do I choose between the NP150, NP400 and NP750 pumps? What pump performance is required?
Newton NP150 is a medium head and low to medium duty pump
A. 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: We recommend that the Titan-Pro chamber be used with pumps of 400w and over.
Q. Do I need two pumps in the sump?
Newton NP400 is the most popular high performance submersible pump in our portfolio
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 the sump receive other types of water in addition to the water from the cavity drain system?
A. It is not our recommendation, but is is possible to discharge washing machines, sinks, showers even sewerage into a combined system, but Newton’s technical team must be consulted as a different range of pumps are required. Some local authorities do not allow the mixing of clean water with sewage and so it is recommended that you seek permission if this is your preferred option.
All pumping systems require maintenance and the Newton Specialist Basement Contractor (NSBC) who is installing your system should be consulted on combination systems at design stage.
Q. How many sumps do I need in my project?
Newton NP750 high head and high performance pump
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 Newton 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. This can be an option in clay soils. The only place we recommend perforations of the sump chamber in permeable soils 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 Newton Specialist Basement Contractors (NSBC) contractors offer their own sump servicing which is highly recommended. If you are looking for an independent sump servicing company call us on 020 7237 1217.
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 8000 litres from a 110A/H battery.
Q. What is the discharge line size for the sump systems?
A. We reccomend that 50mm pressure pipe be used as the discharge line. This can be incresed to 63mm for longer puipe runs or where the optimum pump performance is required.
Q. Newton Basedrain comes in 2m lengths. How do I join it together?
Newton Basedrain is the drainage system used most commonly with Newton System 500
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.
Q. How do I deal with corners using Newton Basedrain?
A. Mitre cut and join as above. (Internal and external corners available.)
Q. When do I need to use Newton Basedrain?
A. Newton 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 Newton Basedrain be accessed and serviced?
A. Use Newton Jetting/Inspection Ports to gain access to the Newton Basedrain. The number of access ports depends upon the plan of the basement structure please consult your Newton Specialist Basement Contractor (NSBC) or Newtons technical department on 020 7237 1217.
Q. Do I need to lay the Newton 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 Newton Basedrain?
A. Newton Basedrain has 20mm holes at 150mm centres along the entire back surface of the conduit.
Q. Where the Newton Basedrain is sat on top of the slab or raft, and insulation is placed adjacent to the Newton Basedrain, won’t the insulation get wet and be inefficient as an insulator?
A. The closed cell insulation sat adjacent to the Newton Basedrain is primarily acting as a spacer to ensure that the Newton floor membrane is higher than the Newton 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. Please contact our technical department for details.
Q. I am going to place the Newton 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 Newton 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 (condensation strip) to deal with this.
Q. Can I build a load bearing wall directly off Newton Basedrain?
A. No, it is not designed for this purpose.
Further Information
For any further information or for a list of Newton Specialist Basement Contractors (NSBC) in your area, please call 020 7237 1217
