Sump Pumps

[opus1]

I'm looking at replacing my sump pump sometime soon (PM so there's no urgency here) and noticed that my current pump has a diaphram switch, but the pumps I see at Menard's and the other big-box home stores use some sort of float, either tethered or the kind that slides up and down a short length of steel rod.

Any advantages to one kind or the other? My only concern right now is that the way the pump sits in the pit, either float would be sitting near where the drain tile comes into the pit so I'm concerned that in a situation where a lot of water is coming into the pit, the force of the water may keep the float from doing its thing.

 

[1sttruck]

If a stream of water will keep the float from doing it's job you need a bigger pump, not a different design. I have the float type on the metal rod, I like the idea of the motor and cord sitting above water, and since I chose it surely it has to be the best type (isn't that the essence of a lot of recommendations, and quit calling me Shirley :^) Ours has been in service for over ten years now, still seems to be working just fine, but I'm wondering if a backup is warranted at this point. I'll pick the same one if I can find it.

 

[H2GURU]

If you are staying at the house for a while, then get a TEEL fully submersible stainless and brass sump pump. GRAINGERS carries them. BULLETPROOF.

 

[opus1]

Thanks. Not sure what I'm going to do as far as staying in the house; in fact I may be gone before the pump needs to be changed. But I was at Menard's earlier in the week and saw that they had their Coleman line of pumps on sale and that got me to thinking about my pump.

 

[doitmyself]

opus 1'

I use sumps at work in our greenhouse cool pad system and also one in another building to handle gray water from laundry and water softener. They run often and wear out about every 5 years no matter what type. A $400 one lasted no longer than the $100 ones.

Ask ten people and you will get ten different answers.

I had the worst luck with the pedastal type described by 1struck - seized/broken shaft, bad switch (replaceable),etc..

I went to the submersible type and have had no problems beyond general wearing out. It was scary at first to have an eletric motor and cord sitting in water!

In our greenhouses we use Little Giant brand with diaphragm switch. They handle our very hard, rust laden water just fine.

In the gray water install, I use Zoeller pumps with the attached verticle float because it seems to really resist plugging from small debris AND it fits the bill for our small diameter sump tank.

My only concern with the tether type is that it might "hang up" or get stuck from debris in a smaller sump.

If I understand your inlet concern, you are worried that a heavy inflow of water might splash on the float enough to keep it from working correctly. Can you rotate the pump away from the inlet flow? Add an elbow so the water shoots sideways or down?

To sum up, I have had good luck with submersible pumps. The brands mentioned above are quality products. For unknown reasons, I dislike the tether models. I sometimes think some of the big box brands are re-labled because they look similar to the above brands.

WW Graingers is a good place to learn about pumps. Their brand is now called Dayton, not Teel. I can't help you with the store brands.

 

[kkreit01]

I bought a small Craftsman one when we moved into our house. It's now almost 9 years old, and still pumping fine.

 

[1sttruck]

"I had the worst luck with the pedastal type described by 1struck - seized/broken shaft, bad switch (replaceable),etc.."

Broken shaft ? The one on mine is a 1/4in diameter galvanized steel rod, how do you manage to break it ?

In any case it's best to use what works best. Perhaps it's not an issue but another reason that I chose the pedastel type was the small footprint that you need, as you'll need to dig a hole wherever and line it with something to place the pump in. I used a 5 gal bucket, and could have gone smaller if needed.