Any home with a basement should have some protection from rising groundwater, and it’s the drainage system that is responsible for it. A capable sump pump is going to maintain the basement dry as it pumps out groundwater collecting in the pit.
Primary sump pumps, battery backup sump pumps, combination sump pumps, and sewage pumps are the most important kinds of sump pumps. The more you know about each model, the easier is going to be for you to figure out what is best sump pump for your home.
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What’s to say about the primary sump pumps?
Most residencies come with primary sump pumps which are made to drain water away from the basement, keeping the risk for floods shallow.
This type of pumps may pump a thousand gallons an hour, maintaining your house dry and safe. They run on typical AC household current and work when there’s power. If the power goes out, you’re going to need a battery backup sump pump for keeping the basement dry and safe.
Sump pumps also divide into two categories: the submersible and the pedestal pumps. Even if the name is a tale-teller, you put the submersible pumps underwater, whereas you place the pedestal pumps with the motor out of the water and above the sump basin.
- Submersible sump pumps
The size of your basement is fundamental when selecting the size of the sump pump. As you install this type of pump under water, the pit has to be bigger than in the case of a pedestal pump.
Thanks to their design, the submersible sump pumps are more silent, and the water cools the motor, which counts so much for long time use.
Submersible sump pumps also come with various options for power, which is why people get confused when buying. Taking a look at the previous pump is going to help you figure out the size you need for the new pump.
Here are some tips to remember:
- 1/3HP submersible sump pumps are an excellent choice for most average-sized homes. It’s a versatile and popular size. Bigger isn’t always better, and you shouldn’t get carried away and install a bigger sump pump unless you have to.
- ½ HP submersible sump pumps- are a good option when you have an average sized house with the above water table. It takes care of a higher vertical lift on the discharge. The output is different from one manufacturer to another. You should also look for the upright and electronic float switches.
- ¾ HP submersible sump pumps- are a solid choice when you have high water tables, low lying surfaces prone to flooding, or flood plains. They ensure a 20-25% increase in pumping ability, as compared to the 1/2HP sump pump. If your basement is deep or you live in an area with a high water table get a sump pump of this kind.
- Pedestal sump pumps
It’s a valid choice if the pit is shallow or narrow. You don’t need much space for installing one as the whole pump is placed above the water of the hole.
This type of sump pumps used to be popular until the submersible pumps came into the picture.
- The material
You should look for a model made of cast iron as it takes the use for a long time. As they sit above the water, they don’t present the benefit of the water cooling the motor.
Thermoplastic pumps are also a standard option as they let you get a higher HP pump at a more affordable price, unlike the cast iron models.
- The horsepower
If you decide to go with a pedestal pump, you need to check its performance from time to time. Get the same size you used to have and buy a 1/2HP or 1/3HP if it’s your very first sump pump.
The horsepower is essential when selecting the sump pump and the higher the power, the higher the output. No matter the size you choose in the end, you should always take a look at the pump cycles. Adjust the float switch when the cycling is too frequent.
Is it important to look into a battery backup sump pump?
Should the power in your house goes out, a battery backup sump pump is going to give you some peace of mind. With most of the sump pumps using electric power, it’s obvious why they become useless in case of a power outage.
A battery backup unit is useful in case of a blackout, but also when the primary pump cannot handle the situation. In case of a power outage, the battery backup unit is going to make the pump keep on running. Thanks to new technology, some pumps can even send email/text in such a situation.
Do due diligence about it and don’t let the term “backup” mislead you. Some pumps come with this label, but they’re still AC powered, being unable to run on a battery. Look for the “battery backup” systems to stay on the safe side.
- AC/DC or DC?
DC and AC/DC are the two main kinds of battery backup sump pumps. Battery backup systems run on DC battery power if the AC power is out (or if the pump fails). However, some models may run striahgt off the AC wall current, and they don’t drain the battery. A system running only on DC power is going to pump off battery power.
- The type of battery
You also need to pay attention to the nature of the cell when selecting. Some are deep-cycle batteries that require little to no maintenance whatsoever. They come as solar or marine batteries or lead-acid batteries. The so-called “wet batteries” are standard for vehicles. You only need to add some distilled water from time to time so that the lead cells don’t dry out. They come entirely sealed.
- The float switch
Fast snowmelt or a rainstorm may also require you to use a battery backup pump with the primary sump pump unable to handle the water in the basement.
If you get a backup system with a float switch installed above the primary sump pump, you may reduce the risk for flooding. When the prime pump doesn’t handle the amount of water anymore, rending the water level to rise, the backup pump begins running independently.
The battery backup sump pump is going to reduce your stress as you know that you have several ways for protection against flooding.
Useful tip: Many companies are keeping things up with the new technology and smartphone era. You may set a high-tech backup sump pump, having it send you text/email in case of an emergency. Brace yourself as you’re going to pay a high dollar for this type of system, but it’s worth it, especially if you have some valuable items in your basement.
Could the combination sump pump be your best choice?
As the name suggests it, the combination sump pumps are a mix between the primary pump and the battery backup systems. If you’ve ever been through a flood, you know why a combination sump pump may be the best option for a home.
Thanks to this type of system, your home is protected under ordinary situations, but also in case of power outages. The backup pump isn’t going to start running only when the power goes out, but also when the primary pump cannot keep up with the amount of water.
What are the sewage pumps?
Sewage pumps aren’t the typical sump pumps, but you may very well use them for the same purpose. Simply put, the sewage pumps are made to pump sewage waste and eliminate from your home to a septic system.
Capable of passing solids up to 2″, the sewage pumps are different from the standard sump pumps. After installation, the sewage pump is going to run automatically. You may set it in a septic tank or a pump chamber.
People often undermine the importance of sewage pumps, even though they carry the toxic materials and pump it out to a septic tank/city sanitary system. And they do all that without also you have to see, touch, or smell it.
Sump pumps vs. sewage ejector pumps- who’s winning?
The main difference between the two is that the sewage pump is capable of handling solids. Even if it’s not made to pump impressive volumes simultaneously, the sewage pump is typically made with durable materials, and it includes elements that take the most critical aspects.
Here are the most situations of using the sewage pumps:
- Bathroom in the basement
When you have a bath in the basement, a sewage pump is going to be needed. You have to use a pump for eliminating the water and the waster when the basement is below grade or right below the sewage line entrance.
After you/the professional dig out the sewage pit in the basement, you install the sewage pump just like you would install the regular sump pump. It’s mandatory that you install a vent pipe going out of the house for getting rid of the gas and odor that waste is producing.
Keep in mind than a sewage pump may have two or even three times the output of a regular sump pump, also if it’s not designed to do the same thing.
A sewage pump is supposed to run not as often as the sump pump, but it’s more powerful when it comes to eliminating water with debris or solids. The sump pump, on the other hand, is only capable of pumping clear water.
- Septic systems
Not all residencies have access to public sewers, rending the septic system to be mandatory. The sewage pump breaks down and gets the waste out of your home into a septic recipient. Septic service is going to empty the container from time to time.
A pump made of cast iron and featuring a switch is a model to select. The sewage pump has to take the longtime use as you don’t want to deal it with any time soon.
What’s the final note?
The best sump pump for your home is the one that fits the requirements of your home the best way possible. You shouldn’t hold yourself from spending the extra buck for an effective system; the last thing you want is to have to clean a flooded basement. Trust us on this one, too!
Helpful links
Sump Pump Buyer’s Guide – How To Pick The Perfect Sump Pump
The best sump pump for 2019 – Business Insider
Combination Sump Pump Buyer’s Guide – How to Pick the Perfect Combination Sump Pump
