Which sump pump should I buy?


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Old 06-21-16, 07:10 PM
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Which sump pump should I buy?

Want to replace my old 30 year old sump pump since I'm not sure when it will fail and I don't know if I'll be here when it does and I figure I might as well since I'm going to be adding in a battery back up sump pump. Which brand should I get? I see Zoeller, Wayne, and the Ridgid brand all have good reviews. Thanks
 
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Old 06-21-16, 07:19 PM
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You can't go wrong with a Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate submersible sump pump.

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Old 06-21-16, 07:32 PM
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I was actually going to ask about that...how do I know what HP I want? I was actually going to get the Zoeller M98 since it has more HP.
 
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Old 06-21-16, 07:37 PM
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If you only have an occasional water issue.... the 1/3hp is fine.
If you have continuous year round water and a lot of it.... opt for the larger pump.
 
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Old 06-21-16, 07:54 PM
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Guess that answers my question, thanks! I have heard good things about Liberty pumps as well, do you know anything about those? I've heard of some switch problems on the Zoellers which makes me kind of nervous.
 
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Old 06-21-16, 08:08 PM
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Liberty also makes a quality product.

I'm not sure if the switch problems with Zoeller is an actual defect or if the float physically gets stuck/jammed in the pit.
 
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Old 06-21-16, 08:13 PM
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Liberty makes good pumps as well.

The switch tends to be the weak spot in most pumps, zoeller included. I have three of the M53s that see pretty heavy use in the spring and fall. I change the switch, gasket, and switch arm seal every 2-3 years as preventive maintenance.

I would not recommend using a larger pump unless the volume of water is very high, or the head (vertical distance the pump must raise the water) is unusually high (more than 10 feet, say). Otherwise the pump will run for a very short time each cycle and that can be hard on it.

One place where I don't recommend the M53 is if you have a very small sump. The M53s float is not adjustable for depth and in a small sump it will short cycle because you can't adjust the pump on and pump off depth like you can with a tethered float. A bit of a catch 22 because the M53 fits well in smaller sumps because of it's float design, it just tends to short cycle when used in one.
 
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Old 06-21-16, 08:37 PM
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Thanks for the very informative replies guys, I really appreciate it! Now I'm kind of questioning whether I should get a 1/2 HP over a 1/3 HP. In case it might help, here are a couple pictures of my sump pit and pump...the first is of the pit compared to a 5 gallon bucket (bucket is smaller) and the second is of the inside of the pit and the pump.
 
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Old 06-22-16, 06:21 AM
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The M53 pumps about 35 gallons per minute with a 10 foot dynamic head (typical). Let's say your sump holds 5 gallons (it's bigger than the bucket but only fills half-way). The M53 can empty it 7 times a minute.

Unless you are have a very unusual situation, that's plenty of capacity.

BTW, a backup is a good idea, and if you have city water, a water powered backup is likely the way to go. If you're on a well, you'll want a good battery powered backup.
 
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Old 06-22-16, 08:42 AM
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Thanks, guess I'll go with that one then! I should measure the sump pit, but its probably about 20-40 gallons? I'm not sure. I do think its probably about 10 feet vertical--it goes up until the middle of the bottom of the second floor and shoots out outside.
 
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Old 06-22-16, 01:36 PM
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Should I replace my 30 year old sump pump if it still works? Help IDing type?

Here's my sump pump. It still works fine but it is very old. Should I replace it? How can I tell home much HP it is? What kind of switch is it using (there's a plug going to the switch which I've not seen on the new ones)? Thanks
 
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Old 06-22-16, 05:40 PM
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That's a diaphragm switch. It works by sensing water pressure against a rubber membrane rather than tilting as with either float or tethered float switches. They are often used where there isn't room for a tethered float switch.

At 30 years, you are probably on borrowed time. Of course there's always a chance that you'll replace it and the new pump will fail quickly...happens.

If it fails, what gets ruined? If the answer is a lot, then I'd replace it and try to add a backup. If it would make a mess but not ruin anything, then you may want to buy a replacement and items needed to install it, and then wait until it dies or starts to act up.
 
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Old 06-22-16, 06:13 PM
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Thank you very much CarbideTipped! Very interesting--I've heard of diaphragm switches but have not seen them. I think I will replace it since I'm adding in a battery backup sump pump. I just dont know if i should get what seems to be the zoeller with the seemingly unreliable switch or the liberty. I hate myself for being so indecisive!
 
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Old 06-22-16, 11:03 PM
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Threads combined for continuity.
 
 

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