What sump pump is best for a basement? Do you wish to effectively pump out water from your basement? It begins with the type of equipment you buy.
Sump pumps are popular tools used to get rid of water from homes to where it’ll cause fewer problems.
A visit to the water pumping equipment store will reveal tons of products.
These pumps vary by brand, type, power, durability among several other variables. You’ll have to go for what perfectly fits your needs.
Are you’re a bit confused if you need one for your basement or on how to choose a brand. The tips provided in this article should go a long way in educating you about what to look out for.
Best Sump Pump Options For Basement
Before you ever settle for a sump to buy for home use, it’s necessary to have an idea of the types available.
The most common include the submersible sump pump, battery backup sump pumps, pedestal sump pumps, effluent sump pumps, water-powered sump pumps, and combination sump pumps.
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Submersible Sump Pumps
As the name implies, sump pumps belonging to this category need to be completely lowered or immersed into the sump pit. Here, you won’t have the problem of a sump pump taking up space within your basement.
These sump pump types come with a built-in high-powered motor capable of pumping out thousands of gallons of water per hour.
Its sensor picks up water presence and starts to pump and only shuts off when pumping is complete.
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Battery Backup Sump Pumps
With a battery backup sump pump, you don’t need to be worried about power blackouts.
This can either be a regular pump that uses electricity while having a backup power source or one that’s solely battery-powered.
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Pedestal Sump Pumps
Also known as upright pumps, pedestal sump pumps possess exterior motors, that is, motors that are housed outside of the casing. The motor needs to be kept dry.
As such, they’re installed above the sump pit. When these develop problems, it’s easier to fix due to easy reach.
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Effluent Sump Pumps
If you have an effluent tank or basin, this is the right type of sump pump to use for it.
However, it shouldn’t be confused with sewage pumps. This type of pump is used to remove wastewater coming from showers, bathrooms & laundry sinks to the field of dispersal.
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Water-Powered Sump Pumps
This type of sump pump will best serve locations having no electrical grid connection.
Using water pressure from a municipal water source, a vacuum is created. This vacuum is used to pull water out from the sump pit. These types of pumps last the longest because they have no moving parts.
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Combination Sump Pumps
Combination sump pumps are highly efficient. They come with two pump types having double power sources. These pumps have proven to be most effective for the prevention of water damage.
Sump Pumps: A Buyer’s Guide
Before deciding on a sump pump type to buy, a careful assessment of key areas is necessary. These key areas mostly relate to durability, efficiency, ease of use among several others.
You need to know what you’re going for and how it best serves your needs.
Areas to consider include the pump build, alarm systems, and how the sump pump fits the sump basin. Others include going for those with no screen intake, and opting for pumps with mechanical switches.
These points will convey little information without further discussion on each.
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Sump Pump Build
The build of a sump pump matters and should influence buyer decisions. The most common materials used in sump pump construction are plastic and cast iron.
Now, each of these materials dissipates heat differently.
We recommend you go with those having a cast iron core. These types tend to be much more effective at dissipating heat generated into the surrounding water.
Such efficient heat dissipation enhances the pump life making it last longer.
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Alarm Systems
You want to know about your pump’s condition at all times.
This helps prevent any surprises that could occur from a sudden breakdown. Therefore, you should be on the lookout for sump pumps with alarm systems.
Such alarm systems easily warn you of water levels.
You tend to have greater control over how it functions. This helps to keep the pump in good working condition for several years to come.
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How the Sump Fits the Sump Basin
Before settling for a sump pump, you’ll need to compare it relative to your sump basin. Wider sump basins are best served by submersible pumps.
So, instead of settling for pedestal pumps, go for submersible pumps.
Not only do submersible pumps allow for coverage of the sump pit with a lid but they also help prevent debris from getting into the pit while also limiting noise significantly.
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Sump Pumps with Mechanical Switches
Sump pumps come with different switch types. The most common are pressure and mechanical switches. We recommend you go with the latter.
Also, the float installed should be solid. This is because it helps prevent pump burnout due to malfunction.
Top Sump Pump Brands
There’s a need to know the top sump pump brands before making a purchase. Some of these include Superior Pump Utility, ECO-FLO, Wayne, Liberty Pumps, and Zoeller among others.
Having narrowed down your list of possible picks, you can further trim down the list by considering other factors.
Seek Expert Advice
One of the best ways to choose a sump pump is by having a chat with a professional. A trained and experienced plumber can guide you on specific types of pumps to go for.
This is an important action to take because trained professionals only provide advisement based on what best serves your needs.
Here, it’s imperative to consider who you get advice from. Only licensed plumbers with significant years of experience should be consulted. Anything less than that might lead you to the wrong sump pump.
Getting the right product starts by knowing how to choose. The tips on choosing a sump pump outlined above help in no small measure to get the right type for your needs.
Settling for just any type of pump isn’t the wise thing to do.