Sump pump upgrades
#1
07-25-10, 08:20 PM
Sump pump upgrades
Couple questions on sump pumps...
I live on the bottom of a hill, so I get lots and lots of water in my sump. I have both a 1/2 HP sump pump and battery backup sump pump...and they both work great. However, we had a couple of nasty storms recently and the basement flooded...and I'm guessing it was due to the pumps not keeping up....so I definitely need to upgrade the pumps. I'll definitely go with at least a 1 HP sump pump this time. Couple questions though...
Do they make battery back up sump pumps that are at least 1 HP? If so, any recommendations? I'd hate to beef up only 1 pump, and then have the power go out during the next storm.
Also, I understand that some places sell combination primary and back-up sump pumps. Is it possible to find these with decent size horsepower?
Any help would be appreciated...thanks!
I live on the bottom of a hill, so I get lots and lots of water in my sump. I have both a 1/2 HP sump pump and battery backup sump pump...and they both work great. However, we had a couple of nasty storms recently and the basement flooded...and I'm guessing it was due to the pumps not keeping up....so I definitely need to upgrade the pumps. I'll definitely go with at least a 1 HP sump pump this time. Couple questions though...
Do they make battery back up sump pumps that are at least 1 HP? If so, any recommendations? I'd hate to beef up only 1 pump, and then have the power go out during the next storm.
Also, I understand that some places sell combination primary and back-up sump pumps. Is it possible to find these with decent size horsepower?
Any help would be appreciated...thanks!
#2
07-26-10, 03:55 PM
When you are sizing a pump you really need to look at the GPM at say 10'. 10 feet is a common lift for a home as the sump is usually about 2ft and it pumps up 8ft to get outside.
Horsepower isn't always an indicator. We have 1/2hp pumps that will pump 60GPM and also 150GPM. A common sump pump will do about 35-40GPM@10'. If you get something that pumps 60-70 that should handle whatever you have comming in. The downside to a larger pump is on light days it doesn't run very long. That short on/off is kind of hard on the motor and switch.
When looking for a battery pump you must again look at the GPM. Sometimes they will give you a very high GPM or GPH but always look at the heght. Sometimes it will be 5ft or even 0ft which doesn't do you any good when you have to pump 10ft.
A back-up generator is the best defense in IMO but you have to be there to start it or have a high dollar automatic unit.
Horsepower isn't always an indicator. We have 1/2hp pumps that will pump 60GPM and also 150GPM. A common sump pump will do about 35-40GPM@10'. If you get something that pumps 60-70 that should handle whatever you have comming in. The downside to a larger pump is on light days it doesn't run very long. That short on/off is kind of hard on the motor and switch.
When looking for a battery pump you must again look at the GPM. Sometimes they will give you a very high GPM or GPH but always look at the heght. Sometimes it will be 5ft or even 0ft which doesn't do you any good when you have to pump 10ft.
A back-up generator is the best defense in IMO but you have to be there to start it or have a high dollar automatic unit.
#3
07-26-10, 07:57 PM
Thanks for the help...it looks like we live in the same area! (I'm in Wauwatosa). I'll check the GPM for my current pumps...and make sure I get a decent upgrade.
The point you make about the pump not running long on light days worries me a bit though. Even during droughts and in the dead of winter, my pump will go off 5-10 times a day...so there's going to be a lot of short on/offs. I guess it's better than replacing drywall and carpet in the basement though!
Thanks again.
The point you make about the pump not running long on light days worries me a bit though. Even during droughts and in the dead of winter, my pump will go off 5-10 times a day...so there's going to be a lot of short on/offs. I guess it's better than replacing drywall and carpet in the basement though!
Thanks again.
