Best Water-Powered Sump Pumps - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide
by Scott Miller Updated on
Many people wonder why they need to put in a water-powered sump pump.
We want to show you that getting a water-powered sump pump is not at all unreasonable solution.
Actually, to keep your basement dry when the electric pump stops working during the next power outage is only possible by putting in this kind of pumps.
Users have reviewed these pumps and gave us enough information to help us choose the best one.
Number one on our list is the Basepump HB1000-PRO.
This is definitely the best residential water-powered sump pump.
Its pumping rate ranges from 900 to 1,400 GPH, making this pump able to keep your basement dry during the worst weather or the longest of power outages.
Its discharge rates going as high as 1:2 and this depends on your home’s water pressure.
The producers offer a 5-year warranty, which is considered a great advantage.
What makes it different from the other is that it hangs from the ceiling instead of sitting in the sump pit.
You will get a small sized sump hole whose installation process is described as easy, and can be done even without a plumber.
It is very similar to the HB1000-PRO and it is designed for basements less than 2,500 sq. ft.
It pumps a 700-900 GPH, and it is the same as our top pick in terms of efficiency, warranty, and ability to be used in a smaller sump hole.
The RB 750 is described as excellent sump pump in the users’ reviews when it comes to customer service and ease of installation.
If you have a small basement, this is the pump for you, as the only disadvantage is that it is loud, but this can be fixed by the addition of a water hammer arrestor.
The last one we will speak about is the Zoeller 503-0005 Homeguard.
It discharges up to 1,140 GPH, but that is not enough to cover all the other drawbacks noticed by the users.
They complained about a variety of issues related to the installation, leaking and general malfunctions, even though the experienced plumber have set it up.
There is also a faulty shut-off, and these are reasons good enough to putting this model far from our first choice.
Water-Powered Sump Pumps: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Water-powered sump pump protects you from flooded basements and our buyer’s guide will offer you all that you need to know before getting one for yourself.
Is it better for the town water or well?
If you are wondering whether it is good for town water or well, we can say that if you have a well, this pump is not for you.
This kind of pump requires having the constant water pressure from a town water supply.
How can I measure water pressure?
In order that you pump works, there has to be a required minimum amount of water pressure.
It will do more work for you if you have higher water pressure.
So as to know how much your water pressure is, you should call your water supplier and get this information or measure with an inexpensive gauge found at any hardware store.
The required pressure is usually between 20 and 40 minimum PSI.
How does the pump functions?
If you are thinking about how this pump functions we will tell you that your town water starts in a large container and is directed through pipes to your house.
This constriction usually forces the water to move faster and reduce the pressure.
That way, the water from your sump pit is sucked out, so the sump water joins the town water in a discharge pipe and shoots out of your house.
Their aim is to keep on pumping during a power outage or electrical pump failure.
What does GPH stand for?
The abbreviation stands for Gallons per hour being one of the most important features of a water-powered sump pump.
This number shows how much water the pump can eject in gallons in an hour.
That way you can calculate how much water you need to get out of your basement.
So as to get a rough estimate you should take a look at the following:
In a 18” diameter sump pit, an inch of water equals about one gallon.
On a rainy day once the electric pump turns off you should stick a yardstick in and hold it still for exactly one minute.
The water level will change and you should note it.
If you then multiply the rise in water level by 60 you will get a rough idea of how many gallons enter your sump pit in an hour.
How important is the efficiency?
Efficiency is what you expect from your pump.
Most pumps use one gallon of municipal water so as to be able to remove somewhere between one and two gallons of sump water.
This municipal water is paid through bills and the majority of users accept to pay a little extra if their basements will remain dry.
What about installation?
In our descriptions, we spoke a lot about installation issues.
There are some types of pumps which can be installed by any homeowner, but there are also those which require a plumber or at least an experienced user when it comes to installation process.
Concerning the installation, you can find YouTube videos explaining everything related to the installation of the top three pumps on our list.
Where does the water go?
The good question is where the water goes, and there are two options.
The pump can be tied into your existing discharge pump, which is the easier solution, or you can put in a designated discharge pipe just for this pump, which is a little bit complicated.
Have in mind that the majority of users prefer the designated discharge.
Conclusion
Having a dry basement in crucial for the protection of your house and investing in a water-powered sump pump is not considered a waste of money.
Through our descriptions and reviews can we wanted to make your decision easier and less troublesome.
You will not regret if you buy our top pick – the Basepump HB1000-PRO.
It is rightfully on the top position due to its excellent performance.
The HB1000-PRO is famous as the pump which will discharge more water from your basement than any other pump on the market.
If you want a more budget friendly option, you can be satisfied with the Liberty SJ10 which has plenty of GPH.
We hope that you found all the information useful for your decision-making.