Remote basement sump and patching question

[lacrosseboss18]

Hi
I would love to do a basement sump under my tank. Do you go through the floor or wall and then down? I always thought of going straight down but someone said he would go through the space between the wall.
Only reason I'm asking is the wife isn't thrilled with going through the hardwood floors.
If I went through the floor any suggestions on how to do it correctly and how to repair it later on?
This way I can try and convince her.
Thanks
Joe

 

[Winschuc]

Can't speak to the hardwood portion, but I've gone through the floor on mine. Most recently I put bulkhead through the holes and piped directly to them instead of running through a large hole.

 

[jkapit]

I have hardwood floors and did not want to ruin them so drilled on an angle into the bottom of the moulding and through the sub-floor.

 

[AlexG]

I have not worked with hardwood flooring before but I imagine it could be patched if needed. It might be a good idea to call or talk to someone that installs/repairs hardwood flooring. They might have some tricks that would allow you to remove a small section of hardwood flooring to access the sub floor which would allow proper repairs to be completed later. My last build was a main floor display and a basement sump. When I drilled through the floor I ended up inside the wall of the finished basement. Going through the bottom of the wall is an option as long as you have a clear path below the wall. Always drill a small pilot hole and ensure there are no wires or pipes in the way. I did like the basement sump setup and I wanted to do again in my new house but my wife said no holes in the floor at the new house. I think she regrets sending the aquarium to the basement now though as I built a 1600 gallon system.

 

[ihavecrabs]

It is more expensive to patch a hardwood floor than to remove a little drywall (or buy a flexible drill bit) to drill through the wall into the basement.

I'd opt to go through the wall for wood floors. Other types of floor are much easier to go through and patch later.

 

[hartin461]

Seen people who make a false furnace duct in the floor under the tank and then will be able to just pull the plumbing later and put a cover over it.

 

[Barrett]

What kind of wood floors do you have and when was the house built? I would think going through the wall is your best bet, a little more work now but a lot less work and expense to repair later on.

 

[jkapit]

I have not worked with hardwood flooring before but I imagine it could be patched if needed. It might be a good idea to call or talk to someone that installs/repairs hardwood flooring. They might have some tricks that would allow you to remove a small section of hardwood flooring to access the sub floor which would allow proper repairs to be completed later. My last build was a main floor display and a basement sump. When I drilled through the floor I ended up inside the wall of the finished basement. Going through the bottom of the wall is an option as long as you have a clear path below the wall. Always drill a small pilot hole and ensure there are no wires or pipes in the way. I did like the basement sump setup and I wanted to do again in my new house but my wife said no holes in the floor at the new house. I think she regrets sending the aquarium to the basement now though as I built a 1600 gallon system.

It can be done. They chisel out the bad board and then trim the tongue off the replacement board and glue it in place.