Emptying a Baptistry Pool
8th June 2016
When it comes to emptying a baptistry, the most common way is to use a submersible sump pump. There are many reasons why churches go down this route. Sometimes, it is because the levels are wrong so gravity drainage isn’t an option. But it is just as common to find that the church are unwilling to have plumbing under the baptistry that they may not be able to get at and which may start leaking at some point in the future.
From the point of view of cost of the baptistry itself, it doesn’t make any difference whether a pool is drained through a plug-hole or a sump pump – it is just a minor tweak in moulding. For the church, the pump and pipe option can very often be the cheaper option. There are options when it comes to deciding where to get the pump to empty to – down a loo, down an existing drain, or down a purpose-made extension to the foulwater drain.
The picture here shows the water being pumped out to a stack (rather like the back of a washing machine) that is hidden beneath a service hatch. The same service hatch houses the valve to turn the water supply on to fill the baptistry.
For a neater look, the same camlocks that clamp the pipe to the pump, can be used at the other end to clamp the pipe to the drain. (This can also be applied to overflows too, ask about this if it is something of interest!)
If access to the underside of the baptistry and its plumbing is not easy or downright impossible, the pump and pipe method offers a low-cost, low-worry option with extremely low installation costs.
As we can mould any baptistry to suit, we can build in the drainage, filling and overflow options you’d like to see and, most times, there is no cost implication.
Looking for a good pump to remove water from the baptismal quickly don’t know exactly what size of pump is best
Hello Anthony,
Just to check are you in the US or UK? It may not be much use me giving advice that is only appropriate to the UK.
In terms of power, I’d go for at least 400W if the pool is a large one (about 4000 litres) but you could go as low as 100W for a more portable pool.
Unless the pool has a sump or removable liner, a ‘puddle pump’.
Best wishes,
David
ZoAR church road Salemburg nc 283585
North Carolina
Brandon butler’s
9109901575
Feacbook
1
Hello, if you’re going for a submersible pump you drop in the water at the end of the baptism, I’d go for something between 250 and 400W. You’d be better buying one in the US to match with the 110V DC electric supply and avoiding customs duty. A pump with a 1″ outlet is fine, I’d recommend crush-proof piping rather than the lay-flat stuff that rolls flat like a fireman’s hose. The latter is compact for storage but it only works best if it is laid out flat; it doesn’t work as well when it has to go over the side of a pool or round corners.