sump pump reviews

The item is excellent for a limited range of needs. The lightweight design with stainless steel construction is excellent for corrosion resistance and it also reliable to perform well for decades. The issues are with its clogging, which may be a possibility in some settings. Overall it would be the best option for your water pumping needs and would be able to help you out when you have a lot to do in terms of pumping out extra water frequently. You would find this sump pump as your reliable companion and you can operate it easily without getting into any issues.

All mechanical machines require proper usage and maintenance and if used properly, the Liberty sump pump is a great choice for de-watering your basements or pools. Its single piece cast iron body, mechanical vortex impeller and a multi-level float switch gives it an edge over other sump pumps in the market.

This is one of the finest products having a powerful ½ HP motor. The capacity is good with strong built. The only significant issue is with the location of its float switches which are not adequately placed to please everyone.

The Zoeller Float Mate 98 is no doubt a great buy. It is built for longevity and thermally protected motor makes it even more durable. The non clogging feature and mechanically designed vortex impeller makes it overtake several pumps in the market. It would be a great option for a person who need a consistent and efficient solution for water pumping needs. The pump work well in heavy water removal tasks and can help to make the job hassle free.

The WAYNE VIP 50 is a great multipurpose pump and comes in handy for various water based utilities. Whether you have to clean up your pools or empty out the water tanks, it does a great job. This pump is durable and long lasting as compared to many other pumps available in the market and it barely leaves any water behind. If you are looking for an adaptable, powerful pump for several of your water jobs around the house than WAYNE VIP 50 must be your ultimate choice.

Best Sump Pumps Buying Guide

How to choose the pedestal sump pump for your house?

A sump pump is an essential commodity of houses with basements. It is a great shield against flooding water and protects your basement from unexpected accumulation of water. A sump pit is used to collect the accumulating water around your basement and when the water level rises in the sump pit beyond a certain level, the sump pump is turned on automatically to drain away all the water from the pit.

Sump pumps are a group of efficient and useful machine equipments and a onetime investment in a good sump pump can last for as long as 5-10 years. Primary Sump pumps are available in two types, i.e submersible sump pump and a pedestal sump pump. Submersible sump pumps are used with a ground sump basin that are wide enough to carry a sump pump while pedestal sump pumps are fitted on top of the sump basin and are used mostly when the sump basin is narrow and small. Submersible sump pumps stay out if sight and makes less noise therefore are highly suitable for the living areas but pedestal sump pumps are more reliable, durable and easy to repair. The chances of error with pedestal sump pumps are far less as compared to that of a submersible sump pump.

Important things to consider

If you are looking to buy a pedestal sump pump for your house, there are a few things that you must consider before choosing the right sump pump for you.

• The material used for the manufacturing of a sump pump is very important. Although pedestal pumps are not placed inside with water pit, but you must choose a sump pump that is built up of non corrosive iron or steel material. Avoid metal sheet sump pumps.
• Choose a sump pump with automatic switch so that it can start operating as soon as the water level rises. You may not always be there to turn on/off the sump pump. An automatic switch also prevents overheating of the pump by turning it off on time.
• The strength to drain out water is also very important for sump pumps. This strength is measured in horsepower and pedestal sump pumps are available with a strength of 3/10-1/2 HP. A weak sump pump is always less reliable and durable, so prefer to buy a sump pump between ranges of ¼-1/2 HP.
  Pedestal sump pumps are noisy as they are placed above ground. Choose for a pedestal sump pump that comes with a noise reduction mechanism.
• The impeller of the sump pump should have the ability to handle solids of up to ½ inch diameter while no screen intake design should ensure the accumulation of debris and solids around the sump pit. This will also prevent the clogging and blocking of the float switch.
• A battery backup is ideal in case of power outage because during the heavy rains, if your sump pump cannot work due to any power interruption, it’s of no use and ultimately you will be the one pushing the water out of your basement.
• Pedestal sump pumps are far more reliable as compared to submersible sump pumps but choosing the right sump pump is very important to gain the exact benefits of a sump pump and prevent basement flooding under any circumstances.

You can use the above given tips to choose what’s best for you while buying a pedestal sump pump. The only thing you have to focus is the quality of the products and how well it matches to your needs, and perform the function that you require.

Things to consider in the battery backup sump pump

The following are the few most important things to keep in mind while you look to buy a top quality sump pump:

• Battery type – The most common types of batteries used in such systems are the AGM and the deep cycle batteries. The deep cycle ones are the same that you see in the older motor cars. The maintenance is heavily required in the form of adding regular water. The latest technological batteries are the AGM batteries. The newer generations of such types of batteries have about 50 percent more run time and they are also known to last for at least 5 to 7 years.
• The construction of pump– This is one of the very simple concerns of the battery backup sump pumps but a very critical one. There are basically two different choices in this range where one is the cast iron and the other one is plastic. The plastic used is of good quality, but certainly not durable enough to make it last long. The cast iron construction due to its sturdiness is the obvious choice for the people looking for durable battery.
• The capacity/ output of the pump – The basic things by now has been finalized that you need a cast iron constructed pump with an AGM battery. But, the capacity or size of the pump is also an important concern. The backup battery pump should offer a capacity of 50 Gallons per Minute or more of possible. It also depends upon your needs and required capacity to make the most out of your sump pump.
• Technology – Two types of technologies are there namely, DC and the AC/DC pumps. The AC/DC type is the most preferred one as it is possible to operate off the battery and as well as the wall electric current source. The DC types only work with the wall electric source. Now its your choice what you prefer and need to be there for your use.
• Where to Buy –Internet obviously is the best place to buy as you have all the information regarding the performance and quality of the sump pumps. The buyers reviews also provide you with an unbiased opinion. In order to find the best sump pump for your use you should be wary about different factors and issues related to the sump pump. If you need to find the best one for you, you should be able to compare all the available brands wisely and make a good research about the type of sum pump you need according to your requirements.

Top conditions when buying a submersible sump pump

The following are some of the conditions when you need a submersible sump pump for your home:

• Ease of installation – If you are looking to install the sump pump yourself, then the submersible one is the most useful option. It is because of its ease of installation and anyone with basic DIY knowledge can deal with the installation of such a product with ease. You may not need a professional installation for your submersible pump and you can simply follow the instructions given along the product you have got. And you just have to be very careful to follow each and every step . In case you think you can’t then you can simply take help from your friend who has some info about it or can follow the instructions carefully.
• Ease of maintenance – This sump pump is easier to maintain with very few maintenance hassles for the users. A quality sump pump from some good manufacturer would last for at least a decade if not more. It’s not too sensitive to extreme conditions and can serve you long terms.
• Easier to troubleshoot – If you are careful with the designing and placement of your sump pit, then it will give you an extreme level of ease when it comes to the troubleshooting of your equipment. It would be hassle free and you will have greater ease all the times when dealing with your equipment.
• Versatility – If versatility is of essence, then the submersible sump pump would be your best mate always. The versatility is evident in the float switch which is the most prominent part of a sump pump. In case of a submersible type, you have the option of 4types of float switches to choose from. It could be chosen according to the design of your sump pit or your convenience. And it’s the best part to have a submersible sump pump with you that would help you out in various conditions and serve you at its best.
• Peace of mind – The peace of mind condition will be met in two ways. First, the submersible sump pump is reliable and you can easily trust on this one. Secondly, this type is found to be far less noisier than the pedestal or any other type of sump pump. Less noise and efficient performance are some of the key advantages of having a submersible sump pump.

All these benefits make the submersible sump pumps one of the most preferred type of sump pumps people have in their use. Though, there are different conditions and uses for which you may need other types of also but if see them generally a submersible sump pump cover most of the issues that come in your way to clear out excess water. And you can surely have it for a long term usage.

4 mistakes that people make while buying a sump pump

The following are the most common mistakes which the majority of the people makes while buying a sump pump system:

• Lack of research – The people while buying a sump pump needs to do a lot of research. They make a common mistake of not knowing about the different types of equipment and what performance they can bring in for their own particular situation. The people must find out everything about the pedestal, submersible, battery operated and the sewage pumps before finalizing their decision. If not, then they pay the ultimate price of buying a new situation-specific system all over again.
• Not identifying the needs of installing a sump pump in the house – If you are looking to buy a sump pump for your house, then the most important thing is to identify the situation of your house. The need of having a sump pump in your house will tell that which particular type of equipment would work best for your house. Unfortunately, people go with the flow or whatever is trending the most in the market. They hardly realize the relevance of a particular product according to their needs and thus make things difficult for themselves.
• Overlooking the importance of a backup system – The backup system in some cases is as important as having the primary system. It is again the matter of analyzing the needs of having such a system. Some people think that they are protecting their house from flooding by just installing the primary sump pump, but this has actually been a big mistake. Your house may be vulnerable to a lot of other threats of being getting flooded with water. A backup system will help you a lot, mostly in case of power outage where your primary electric operated system fails. A backup system will take the charge to do the job in the same effective manner as your primary sump pump. Further, such type of equipment also helps people, especially when they are away from their houses for vacations. The most modern and advanced equipment, even notify the homeowner through a text message where the owner can take the necessary action.
• Not realizing the importance of having an automatic switch –The automatic switch is as important as any other feature in such equipment. The manual switch needs to be operated manually, which works fine when you are presently in the house and well aware about the situation. But, unfortunately, there are several users who overlook the importance of such crucial aspect. The automatic switch is helpful in all types of situations, even when you are at home. You will feel at ease while you are sleeping or away from home as the system will work automatically in case of flood detection in the basement of the house.
  It should be kept in mind that, buying anything, whether it’s a small appliance or a huge investment for your home or business, the decision should not be made blindly. Rather, a person should know what he is going to buy and how it will work out for him the way he/she needs it. In case you buy an appliance like a sump pump without having any sufficient set of knowledge you can be in great trouble. So, do keep these above mentioned points to avoid while you pick your selected sump pump.

In which conditions do you need a sump pump?

A sump pump in every household has become a major necessity. Particularly in the Western Countries and the America region, the houses are prone to the basement flooding because of their location and also the weather conditions in their area. They need to have such equipment which can suck water and chuck it away from the house. The following are some of the typical conditions when you would require a sump pump:

• You are living in a heavy rain-hit or a snowy area where there are always chances of basement flooding.
• You have your house situated at a low elevated area where the rain or snow water constantly flows down towards your house. Despite having good drainage system on the exterior of your house, you still need to have a sump pump in order to counter any extreme water flow.
• If you are going away from your house for a holiday or elsewhere by locking your house, then you need a good quality sump pump which would act as a watchdog in your absence. You probably need to have a backup system as well. If your outside stay is longer so that there is a double assurance about the home safety. The battery operated sump pumps have a certain run time, so you have to be sure that there is something used as a backup to compensate in case a particular equipment fails.
• People usually have expensive electronics and furniture as well in their basements which can be damaged by flooding in that part of your house. A sump pump will ensure that water stays away from your basement in order to protect your valuable belongings.
• The people who have wooden flooring and wooden house-structure must need to have a sump pump in order to protect their vulnerable property.

How to install a sump pump correctly?

The correct installation of a sump pump guarantees the effectiveness of the equipment. The lose fitting or improper installation at an inappropriate place wouldn’t make it that much an effective thing in your house. There are a number of things to do when making the installation which are as follows:

• Diagnosis – The first step is to diagnose the problem and find out the main threats which could result in water damage to your property. You can do so by checking the vulnerabilities of your house during a good rain.
• Gravel foundation – The gravel foundation must be checked which usually is the case with 3 to 4 decades older houses. If possible, you can approach your builder about the matter o you can ask you neighbors if they have similar houses. Breaking through your concrete floor is not a good idea to check this issue, so you better look for the possible alternatives to find out.
• The optimum location – You need to determine the optimum location for installing the sump pump and find out a spot in your basement wall where you can easily punch in a hole to reach outside for chucking the water through the hose.
• Installing the pump –place the product in the liner or its destine place, connect the final section of the pipe and then plug in your pump. You may be required to drill several holes in the liner for enabling the water in order to be pumped out accurately. Make sure that the diameter of the holes must be smaller in size in comparison to the size of gravel used. It will ensure that no gravel could enter the liner of the sump.

Technical aspects you should consider to buy a best sump pump

The sump pump is a creatively engineered equipment to look after all your water pumping needs from your basement. A lot of technical aspects are associated with the equipment which can influence your decision of buying particular equipment. There are different types of them but the core working principles remains the same for all. The following are some technical details of the product that you must consider:

• Sump liner – The equipment ideally should be encapsulated in a durable type of a sump liner which will avoid clogging of the equipment due to debris and other similar things.
• Water level alarm and floor drain – The air tight lid of the sump contains 1-way floor drain, in case to support the standing water to drain though the liner. A battery powered pump would give an auto-sound alarm if the level of the standing water is raised well above the pump.
• Reliable float switch – The role of the float switch is critically important in a pump which has to be very reliable. There are issues with the float switch as they are prone to snagging or jamming. Therefore, fully assure that the switch is reliable and doesn’t malfunction at all under extreme conditions. The switch ideally must also know as when to operate.
• Pump stand – A pedestal is specially designed to support any pump. It helps in the prevention of silting and also from the small object from clogging it.
• Check valve – Check valve component is installed right on the drain line which is a 1-way check valve that inhibits the water from flowing in the sump pit in the reverse direction.
• Battery Backup – A system must be installed which includes the battery backup which exceptionally supports your waterproofing system with proper functioning at the time of power outage.

How to troubleshoot a sump pump which is not working properly?

The sump pumps are made to last for decades if you are careful in selecting the best brand. However, there are some issues which may arise with time, regarding the functioning of the systems. But, they can be rectified in quick time if you have good know-how about the working of the system. The following are the common issues found in the sump pumps which you can troubleshoot with ease:

• Water entering the concrete floors and the basement walls – If this happens then just extend the downspouts which will discharge water at a minimum range of 2 m from the base to a splash pad. Moreover, you should also place a rain barrel for catching the rooftop rain water and ensure that the overflow spew out discharges the rain water a 2 m minimum distance from the foundation.
• Water entering through the sump pit – If your basement is flooding due to weeping walls then you may hand bail your sump pit to counter the problem. The P-trap may also be opened by removing the cap. The best option in such situation is always to replace your pump as the situation is too intense.
• Sewer backup entering the basement drains – Thread in all the available caps of the basement floor drain which also includes the P-trap. Make sure to shut the gate valve as well until the water flow completely stops. It will protect all the plumbing work which is connected with the pipe. Make sure to reopen the gate valve right after the storm has passed.
• You sump pump is working but not moving water – Inspect your equipment that whether it has a check valve in the pipe or not. If it is missing then you have to install that check valve.

How to maintain a sump pump to make it a long term companion

The sump pumps can last for years. Several people don’t feel the need for upgrading their equipment which has been used for more than 10 or 15 years. Such longevity is only possible if the system is well maintained over the years. They are usually considered as the low maintenance equipment but regular inspection of the system is necessary to ensure it smooth operation over time. The following are some of the checks that you must make after a certain period of time:

• The maintenance must begin with regular scanning of your sump pump, particularly the pit which must be free any mud, stones or debris.
• Regularly check the discharge line of the pump to make sure that it isn’t frozen or stopped. The air vent hole must be unclogged in the discharge line.
• The inlet screen must be checked in the same capacity for ensuring that it isn’t clogged up with any debris or residue. This thing is advised to be done 3 to 4 times a year.
• The float switch of the system must always be unobstructed and should be able to move smoothly.
• After every three months or so, you must check the system by pouring in a couple of If the water pumping doesn’t buckets of water very slowly into the pit. The float switch must rise up along with the level of water, which eventually triggers the system to start pumping water out of the area. If the pumping doesn’t start, then start checking the associated connections and the plug of the equipment.
• Go outside to find out that the water is discharging itself by flowing in the right place or not.