Repair Systems — Basement Water Ingress
Sump and pump systems
Technical product reference for sump pit, pump, and float switch systems used as the active component of cavity drain waterproofing systems to collect and discharge water ingress from basements and below-ground spaces in Australian Class 2 strata and commercial buildings. Covers sump liner selection, submersible pump sizing, float switch specification, and maintenance obligations.
What are sump & pump systems?
A sump and pump system is the active discharge component of a cavity drain (BS 8102 Type C) basement: water drained behind the wall and floor membranes collects in a sump pit and is automatically pumped out by a submersible pump on a float switch. It is what makes a drained basement work — without reliable pumping the sump overflows and water enters the habitable space.
For habitable (Grade 3) basements a backup pump and an independent high-water alarm are mandatory, the pump must be sized to at least 1.5× the peak inflow, and battery / generator backup is recommended because the system depends on mains power. Discharge must be routed to an approved point, and the strata owners' corporation carries an ongoing maintenance obligation (test the float switch at every inspection).
Product Reference
Individual products — one card each — scroll to view all
Grundfos Australia
Grundfos Unilift KP 150-A-1
Submersible drainage pump — backup / light-duty primary
Grundfos Unilift KP 150-A-1 is a vertical single-stage stainless-steel submersible drainage pump with a semi-open impeller for 10 mm free passage — max flow 2.36 L/s, max head 5.5 m, 300 W, 230–240 V single-phase, 1¼" discharge, with a suction strainer, carrying handle and 5 m cable. The 'A' version has an automatic float switch and thermal overload protection. Suited to backup or light-duty primary duty in a cavity drain sump pumping groundwater, surface or rain water. Size to ≥1.5× peak inflow and design with a backup pump and high-water alarm for habitable basements.
Grundfos Australia
Grundfos Unilift AP 35.40.08
Submersible drainage / wastewater pump — primary automatic
Grundfos Unilift AP 35.40.08 is a submersible drainage / wastewater pump from the Unilift AP range (model code: AP35 = ~35 mm free passage; .08 ≈ 0.8 kW). It is used as a primary automatic sump pump for cavity drain systems with higher inflow or larger footprints, handling larger solids than the KP drainage pump. Confirm exact max flow, head, power, free passage, outlet and switch configuration from the Grundfos Unilift KP/AP data booklet. Design with backup and a high-water alarm for habitable basements.
DAB Pumps
DAB Feka VS 550 T-NA
Submersible vortex drainage pump — primary automatic
DAB Feka VS 550 T-NA is a submersible vortex drainage pump (~550 W) from the DAB Feka VS range, used as a primary automatic sump pump for cavity drain systems; the vortex impeller passes fibrous solids better than a semi-open drainage impeller. Confirm exact max flow, head, free passage, outlet and switch configuration from the DAB Feka VS 550 TDS. Design with a backup pump and high-water alarm for habitable basements.
System Comparison
Sump & pump systems — confirm all selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
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Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Final product selection must be confirmed against the current manufacturer technical data sheet, project specification, substrate condition, and structural engineer advice where applicable. Basement and below-ground waterproofing involves hydrostatic pressure — confirm system selection with a qualified waterproofing consultant before specifying. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional advice.
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