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CartHere’s How to Find the Best Sump Pump for Your Home
A sump pump can be a literal basement-saver, protecting your home from expensive flood damage. Flooding is a serious threat to many homes. Structural damage is costly to fix, and the resulting mould is a health hazard and difficult to remove. A sump pump can help limit the disruption caused by a flood. From a cost/benefit standpoint, a sump pump may just be the most valuable investment you can make in your home. Here’s what to look for in a sump pump.
Types of Sump Pumps
A sump pump collects water in your basement when there is any kind of flooding and discharges it outside to a safe location. The pump sits in a fully or partially submerged basin or pit in your basement floor. Here’s a rundown of the most common types.
Buying Considerations
Not all sump pumps are the same. When choosing a primary and backup sump pump, consider the following features to ensure a good fit and adequate capacity for your needs.
Power
Submersible pumps are rated by horsepower (HP). An undersized pump can wear out quickly, while an oversized pump can lead to constant cycling and a shorter lifespan. As a rule of thumb, a midsize home in an area with an average water table should find a 1/3 HP sump pump sufficient. If the water table is above average, scale up to a 1/2 HP pump. In flood-prone locales, your safest choice is a stronger 3/4 HP or 1 HP sump pump.
Smart Systems
Some newer sump pump systems include Wi-Fi technology that can link with your water alarms and notify you via text, call or email if a problem is detected. With a smart sump pump system, you'll be sure your basement is safe no matter where you are. Some systems can also provide complete diagnostics and software so you can monitor the status of your pump, alarm, float switch and more from your smartphone.
Parts & Build
Look for a pump with a cast iron, rather than a plastic, core: It will dissipate heat to the surrounding water and lengthen the lifespan of your pump. Other features worth seeking out are a no-screen intake (to minimize clogging), an impeller switch that can handle solids up to a 1/2 inch in diameter and a solid float (which cannot get waterlogged and fail to switch off, burning out the pump).
Sump Pump Accessories
With proper care, your primary and secondary sump pumps can last many years. Here are some sump pump accessories that can increase your pump’s performance and lifespan.
