Best Sump Pumps - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide

Sump Pumps: The Ultimate Buying Guide

If you need to decide which kind of sump pump you need for your home, here you will get all the necessary information.

What are the types of pump available?

When it comes to pump types, two types can be taken into consideration: pedestal and submersible.

Both pumps have advantages as well as a few disadvantages:

• Submersible – When somebody mentions a sump pump, the first one to come into your mind is the submersible on, as those are the most common sump pumps. As its name suggests, this sump pump is submerged underwater in your sump pit when the house is built. Their containers are waterproof and as they are set in the sump basin, there is more space on your basement floor for some other things. Great advantage is that they do not make much noise as the motor is in the water. They are more powerful than pedestal sump pumps, meaning that they pump water faster and this makes them ideal for emergency situations. You can also have a backup battery to be used when there is the power outrage. As it has so many advantages, submersible sump pumps are more expensive. When it comes to repairing, these types of pump are difficult to be accessed.
• Pedestal – The second type of sump pumps are less expensive pedestal sump pumps. They come in two pieces – the standalone motor located on or above the basement floor and the hose/shaft which feeds into the sump pit. With this type of pump, the motor is not in the water, so the overheating can happen and this should be taken into consideration when choosing the pump. On the other hand, the water damage is rarely possible, as the motor is above ground. Pedestal sump pumps are designed for shallow or narrow sump pits and being that they are above the water, you can repair them easily if necessary. When it comes to power, pedestal sump pumps are not as powerful as submersible sump pumps. Furthermore, they take more basement space.

What should I take into consideration before buying a pump?

Making a decision is a difficult job to do, especially if there are so many opportunities to choose from.

When it comes to sump pumps, we understand that you are not sure which one to buy, considering the fact that many producers offer pumps with similar features and almost equal prices.

This additional information may help you decide:

• Switch – The type of switch has the impact on the durability of the product. The switch should not be hitting the basin wall or any other obstruction. There are three types of switches: tethered, vertical and electronic. Tethered switches provide longer period of working as well as the small number of rest times, but require a larger sump pit. Vertical switches are designed for narrow sump pits but fewer rest times between cycles are necessary. There are no moving parts in Electronic switches, meaning that they cannot get stuck, but the cleaning of the electronic probes is obligatory.
• Horsepower – Horsepower determines the power of your sump pump, and the more it has, the faster it can move water. However, the more powerful they are, the price is quite higher and the electricity usage is greater. The amount of horsepower you need depends on the area of drainage, the depth to the groundwater and the depth of the basement and the average level is a 1/3 hp pump. If you cannot determine the amount of horsepower you need, it is better to buy a more powerful one, than realizing that it is weak after the purchase.
• Housing-  Those durable and a long time sump pumps are usually made of strong materials. You should think about those materials that should not rust or break easily. If you are planning an extended usage of this pump then thermoplastic pumps should not be on your list. Pumps made of this material are the cheapest and lightest, but prone to cracking. The second material is stainless steel which does not rust but it is quite heavy The ideal solution is cast iron as it does not break easily, it is heavier than thermoplastic and is not as heavy as stainless steel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions is the section which can be very useful if there are still some unanswered questions.

Which one is better: a pedestal or submersible pump?

There isn’t a specific proven fact which will show how one type is better than the other.

Which one will be better for you depend on your specific needs as they are designed for different types of work.

Pedestal sump pumps are more affordable, but not as quick and efficient as submersible pumps which are more expensive.

Furthermore, the size of the sump pump pit can also determine which type is better for you.

What is the average horsepower that a good sump pump should have?

If your pump has more horsepower it means that it can move water faster and more efficiently.

However, if the amount of water accumulated in the basin is not great, then a lower horsepower pump would be good for that task.

In case of flooding emergencies the more powerful pump which will fit in the basin is a must.

Does the material of which the sump pump is made of play a vital role?

As there are sump pumps made of various materials, such as cast iron, stainless steel, and thermoplastic, offered on the market, it is difficult to decide which one is the best.

However, if you want a pump which will be strong and durable, you should think about those made of cast iron or stainless steel, with only disadvantage that parts can become rusted.

On the other hand, thermoplastic sump pumps are cheaper and resistant to rust, but are not as strong and durable.

Is the sump basin size important?

In this case, it is.

The bigger is better with sump basins.

This is due to the fact that pump cycles can then be longer.

The size of the basin would determine which type of sump pump you are going buy in terms of the pump switch, because its hitting the sides of the basin and breaking is not acceptable and reasonable.

Conclusion

It is true that making a decision which sump pump to buy takes time, effort and can be very troublesome.

But, if you really need it, it is better to make this decision as soon as possible so as prevent costly damage.

In order to help you choose well, we offered you a list of advantages and disadvantages of both pedestal and submersible sump pumps.

Now, that you possess the right information, everything is on you.

As the need for sump pumps have increased in the recent years, the result of this is a wide number of sump pump producers who are offering great products at almost equal prices.

So, do not postpone your decision, as you never know when the emergency situation might happen when you will need a sump pump.

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