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Since sump pumps are most commonly needed in heavy storms, it’s unfortunately common to lose power when you need your sump pump the most. Electrically powered sump pumps are by far the most commonly used and trusted devices today, however, they aren’t your only option. The construction is made up of powder coated aluminum and a polypropylene vortex style impeller. It’s not the most durable design ever created but it is among the most efficient and runs much cooler than most other similar sump pumps.
As an option, for an additional $110 or so, it can even connect to a proprietary Wi-Fi controller. Outside of the two main types, there are also sub-categories of sump styles that you need to consider. In this section, we will outline the main differences between the two main types, and also give you some info on the sub-categories, too.
Superior Pump 92250 Submersible Sump Pump 1/4 HP
To find the best sump pumps, we spent 24 hours researching information from manufacturers, online reviews, plumbers, and sump pump specialists. We considered 20 products from 11 different manufacturers, ultimately narrowing down our list to our top five with two honorable mentions. If your home doesn’t have the correct sump pump infrastructure in place, you need to hire a contractor, plumber, or sump pump specialist . They’ll cut through your basement’s concrete floor to install a sump basin before setting up the pump, valves, and discharge pipes.
This sump pump is built for large 16-inch sump basins and has a built-in backup battery that pumps up to 10,000 gallons of water on a single charge. It contains a ½-horsepower motor protected by a durable cast-iron and epoxy-coated steel frame. The pump is powered by electricity but uses its backup battery to work through power outages, helping keep your home safe from flood damage at all times. Its versatile design and quality construction can pump up to 5,100 gallons of water per hour. The battery on the backup pump can typically last for a few hours on a single charge.
Sump pump FAQ
Despite its quality construction, this pump is quiet and relatively light, at just 12 pounds. And the pump features a one-piece, powder-coated cast-iron housing and 1.5-inch-diameter discharge that can accommodate solids up to ½ inch. Though what may be its calling card is that, according to Liberty, the super-efficient motor reduces electrical consumption by up to 40 percent over similar models.
Once the water in the pit reaches a certain level, it triggers a sensor on the sump pump. The pump then turns on and begins pumping water out of your basement via a pipe running to the home’s exterior. Pedestal sump pumps sit in a basin that’s level with your basement floor and remove water through a pipe that leads to a drainage area in your yard. They’re more affordable than submersible sump pumps, but their motor is attached to the outside of the device, making them noisier. For average sized sump basins, submersible sump pumps are the best, quietest and easiest to own.
The 5 Best Battery Backup Sump Pumps Of 2022
Some sump pumps will sound an audio alarm when the pump turns on, letting you know there is enough water accumulating in the basement to require its services. There are even high-end “smart” sump pumps that will text you when they switch on. If you plan on going with a submersible pump, keep in mind you’ll need to have a sump pump basin dug in your basement floor, which can be an arduous and expensive endeavor.
I had priced the pump locally and this was the better price. That was totally false, the bulb must float straight up before engaging, approx. In the boat, it would almost have to be underwater in order for it to engage. When I took it out of the box,it had seals on it which said it could NOT be returned to the store, only back to factory. I had 3 different choices at the store, I explained it was for my boat and was told to get the model with the auto on/ off.
How to Determine Which Sump Pumps Are Best for You
The mechanical float switch is plastic, and we prefer non-mechanical switches in almost all cases because of the high failure rate of mechanical switches. However, this is suitable for jobsite drainage or as a back-up pump based on its performance so far. Another pump sends water to top up my pond from time to time, and the third one takes care of water in the inside sump. The water table around here is just above the level of my basement floor so I can’t take any chances. However, they told me at that time, I wouldnt be able to ask for anymore after that.
It includes a ⅓-horsepower motor contained inside of a heavy-duty cast-iron frame that secures the pump inside the sump pit. As a result of its powerful motor, the pump can move water up inclines as large as 20 feet. Additionally, the sump pump comes with a removable screen filter that’s easy to clean. It has no vulnerable sheet metal parts to corrode, along with a stainless steel switch guard and fasteners. The cast iron impeller moves up to 2,580 gallons of water per hour under the power of its 3/10 horsepower, thermally protected, motor. It doesn’t skip a beat when passing solids up to one-half inch in diameter through the screenless design, either.
The pump also includes a built-in thermal overload to prevent damaging the motor from overheating. It uses a 75-amp hour battery to produce up to 2,700 gallons per hour of pumping volume—It can pump up to 10,000 gallons of water on a single charge. Cast iron construction makes this a durable pump while top suction design prevents airlocks from happening. The kit comes with a waterproof protective battery case that features an LED display and emits an audible alarm when the pump switches on.
That being said, the sump pump is used to propel water from the lowest accumulation point. For it to be effective, it needs to be powerful enough to move water vertically and horizontally. With a flow rate of 2,580 GPH, this pump is certainly not the most powerful on this list.
Besides the obvious need and safety precaution, a sump pump brings to your home, you may actually be legally required to own and operate one. Some pumps feature no-screen intakes that can process that solid material and eject it along with the water. These higher-end pumps are worth the additional investment if you have a basement that floods periodically. The Aquanot 508 from Zoeller is an all in one pump system that comes with a backup pump and alarm. Made of sealed thermoplastic and corrosion-resistant brass in the United States the WaterBUG offers homeowners a dependable multi-use pump. With a 30‘ max head height this pump can be used in deep basements, around the house, and in small ponds and pools.

Even pumps with the longer warranty typically have a 6 year life expectancy. So I know they can do better on providing a better switch! By the way, a switch is about $60 for this pump, which puts you close to the price of a dependable low cost one. If the switch goes bad, it will be within 1-2 years, which I will be certain to update my review if it craps out.
When choosing a sump pump, it’s also important to know the physical size of the sump pump basin . The size of your basin could determine which one you can have. Standard, modern sump basins are between 18 and 24 inches in diameter.
In fifth place is the Liberty Pumps 287 model Sump Pump. We like it for its vertical magnetic float switch with a protective shield that won’t get clogged or hung up by floating debris. We weren’t as excited about its relatively high retail price. However, it can be found online, and it does come with some nice features to justify the cost. They’re known for their extensive line of water-pumping products. Their Model 63 Sump Pump earned our second spot for good reason.