The sump pump in my basement is over 13 years old. It runs on average maybe 1 to 2 times a day. I figure I'm on borrowed time. I would like to hear from you experts as to what is the current best, long living pump on the market. The pump has to lift the water about 8.5 feet. What would be a good size? What about the float switch? Is one type better then another?

Thanks for your help,

Eric D

My opinion Eric... been installing them for 26 years... zoeller pumps are best... hands down

Check out this website:

Zoeller Pump Company ...manufacturer of submersible sump pumps for dewatering, effluent, sewage and grinder applications, home improvement products, and pump sizing software. (http://www.zoeller.com)

Pill switch type pumps no good... stick to zoeller type... check the site.. click on zoeller PUMPS, then products, then all products.. check out their systems... stay away from pill type switches (you will see).

1.5" discharge is all you need with a zoeller pump. Guaranteed!

Let me know your thoughts... Mark

I think any of the cast iron pumps will satisfy you, however a double wire will get you out of a bind. Usually the float fails. If you have 2 wires with one piggybacking the other, you can unplug the float and plug in the pump only to evacuate the tank and then unplug the pump. It makes changing a pump so much easier.

Mark, Doug,

Thanks for the feed back. I'm kind of looking at the Zoeller M53 Sump Pump. It looks like it would meet my requirements. If I could fit it in with my original pump, would it make sense to have two units? I currently don't have any type of backup.

Thanks again,

Eric D

Storms usually mean water and power outages come with storms. You do have to know a little bit about the length of a power outage and how often you need the sump pump and just how failsafe it needs to be.

So, you need to consider, backup power, backup pump, battery backup pump, water backup pump.

You also must test your sump pump regularly with real water to see if it works.

I plan to install this, when I get the time: The Sump Pump Switch Replaces Mechanical Float Switches with Electronic Float Switches (http://www.washerwatcher.com/sump_controller.htm) to keep an eye on the health of the pump.

One other thing to consider is that you can have two pumps with two pits each operating at different levels or you can buy two pumps and use unions so that the backup bump can be installed rather quickly.

There are some pumps made that have bodies that are stainless steel.

Edit: Changed link

YUP... I have seen the units Kiss is talking about.. nice compliment to sump system.

Kiss also mentioned battery backup systems. Zoeller makes a great battery backup system and it comes with an alarm already attached. You purchase system PLUS a marine battery. Read up on them at the zoeller site. There are other types available as well... The zoeller never fails!

You decide... either way, you want backup pump. Let us know result. Thanks. Mark


.

Kiss,

For some reason your link doesn't work for me.

When I said I didn't have a backup was a little miss leading. I do have a backup generator that will automatically switch over and back if the power goes out for any amount of time. So the power outage issue is covered. So, that why I was thinking of two pumps in case one fails.

When pumps fail, what is the most likely cause? Does the motor seize or the pump?

Thanks again for your input.

Eric D

Got you Eric:

OK... generator backup it is!

Most of the pumps that I have seen fail, fail due to the electrical connections involved with the float... Or the float mechanism itself goes bad (it is always the wire connection INTO pump or the pill switch goes bad). Very rare that I have seen a pump motor fail... especially zoeller.

Thanks for update!

.

Fixed the link.

I saw a sump pump fail because the entire bottom plate rusted out and it wasn't tested regularly.

Failed floats. They hang up on something.

So my votes for failure is rust and float. Epoxy coating or stainless body will arrest the rust problem. Electronic float systems will arrest the float issues.

Kiss,

Is this the unit you were trying to link to? Sump Watch (http://www.washerwatcher.com/sump_watcher.htm)

Thanks,

Eric D

Eric:

Did you notice, I said I changed the link in and EDIT. Check it out in post #5. But, your answer is yes. That's what I was trying to link too. Check out the revised link.

Commercial pump installations with dual pumps would rather run one pump and then the other, so that each sees equal time. It's bad to have a pump whose seals are not exercised once and a while. This is where the sumpwatcher comes in handy.

You would follow a critical installation up with a water alarm.

I have one of the Pit Vipers from Pumping products from Liberty Pumps (http://www.libertypumps.com/products.asp?MainCat=1).
You don't even know that pump is running, but I think the company seems to have an additude problem because they don't want you self repairing them. The float was non-adjustable as purchased, but a simple modification with a hose clamp and a piece of rubber hose solved that. My pit is small (10" round) and if the pump gets moved, the float can hang along side of the wall.

Zoeller looks really nice.

Edit: Added Zoeller comment

Again guy, thanks for the info. I learned more then I thought.

Kiss, I started a reply and walked away to take care of something. When a came back I added a few last words and hit the "post quick answer" only to see that you had posted your fix in between my post. Sorry..

Great info. Now I guess I should get off my butt and get the sump system upgraded!

Regards,

Eric D

I have a Peabody Barnes commercial pump installed 10 years ago and still going strong (keep my fingers crossed). There is a HUGE high water table in our area and during the spring season, this pump runs every 5 - 10 min, 24/7. Ten years ago, I paid $250 and had it shipped from Ohio. I'm thinking of replacing it this summer along with a back up system. Any ideas on battery vs. water force back up?

Jim