Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

How To Choose The Right Sump Pump For Your Home

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

Sump pumps are devices used to remove accumulated water before it has the chance to build up and become a major flooding problem. Most often found in the basements of homes and businesses, sump pumps are used wherever flooding is most likely to occur, depositing the excess water far away from the property to prevent it from becoming a problem.

If you have a basement in your home and have experienced water problems as a result, then a sump pump setup is probably in order for your property to prevent further damage. There are a number of makes, models, and designs on the market, so you should be aware of what is most important when selecting the unit that will serve as a major line of defense for your home.

What to Consider when Buying a Sump Pump

Automatic vs Manual
Manual sump pumps are turned on manually by the homeowner when they deem operation to be necessary, whereas automatic units are designed to kick on whenever excess water is detected. Since water damage may often occur without the homeowner being aware of it, the automatic feature is the wiser choice. Make sure that any automatic pump is properly equipped with low-level pressure switches and float switches.

Durable Materials
Make sure the unit you are considering is made from the finest available materials and is backed by a substantial warranty.

Horsepower
The horsepower rating will dictate exactly how much water your unit is capable of moving. Power tends to fluctuate from a minimum of ¼ horsepower up to 1 or 2. You should pick the highest-power unit that your budget will allow.

Head Pressure
No, this isn’t what you’re feeling after hours of research trying to decide among a number of sump pump units – it’s the maximum height that the unit will pump groundwater. A pump with a 20’ maximum head or shutoff head will pump water of up to 20 feet efficiently before it begins to lose flow.

Back it Up
Make sure your unit is properly equipped with an alarm and backup system so that you are instantly aware of any problems with the unit if it fails to function normally.

A Water-Powered Water Pump?
You bet. For smaller water issues, you might also consider a water-powered pump. These units use city water pressure to pump water, but are not designed to be effective in cases of major flooding.

Brand Names
An unrecognized name product always runs the risk of less-than-stellar quality control and little, if anything, in the way of warranty coverage or repair. Make sure you choose a sump pump from a reputable manufacturer. Some of the best units on the market are manufactured by Basement Watchdog, Eco-Flo, Little Giant, NexPump, PHCC Pro Series, Simer, StormPro, Sumpro, Superior Pump, Wayne, and Zoeller.

Industry Standard
You should also look for a pump that conforms to the industry standards set forth by The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association (SSPMA).

Recommended Reading
Basement Flooding
Important Concepts in the Management of Floods