Our sump pump has died again. We've got a backup unit, so not an emergency yet. The water table here is high, so the pump runs a LOT. Minutes between each time it runs during the wet seasons, not days or hours.
We've been averaging about 2-3 years per sump pump. (This will be the fourth in 10 years.)
We've been using the Basement Watchdog sump pump system. Any recommendations on a brand that's liable to survive longer? Or is this probably just going to be the case where no pump is going to survive longer being run with this kind of frequency?
Weirdly enough, I'm interested in recommendations, too, as my house was built on a pile of clay so the yard floods when it rains too hard or too long (or both).
Seeing as I have 4 pumps that try to keep my basement dry during the spring, I've been slowly replacing my old flotec pumps with the following:
Zoeller M53 sump pump - had to replace the switch on this at one point
Liberty Pumps 257 sump pump
Both are 1/3 hp. Cast iron. The Zoeller is probably 5+ years old. The Liberty is about about 4 months. During the wet season, they can be running like every 30-60 seconds.
no direct experience, but Home Despot has this one with a 5 year warranty.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wayne-1-HP-Sump-Pump-CDU1000/203663677
mtn
MegaDork
5/13/24 11:56 a.m.
Zoeller, end of story. Buy the right size for your needs. Some of the better ones come with better warranties. I have 2 in my pit. Dad has 2 in his pit and 1 on the shelf. He cleans his every 3-6 months, but he had bad iron ochre. Mine are both 8+ years old, dads are 3-6 years old.
Prior discussion on the subject:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/help-me-pick-a-sump-pump/260275/page1/
I use a Tsurumi at work, toughest pump I've seen, we pump a gravelly mess.
Pump guy here and not a canoe either.
Most sump pumps fail from water intrusion, either through the cable ingress or the shaft seal.
I'd absolutely only use a Tsurumi in my house. They use a double mechanical seal with silicon carbide faces on the motor shaft, with an oil lifter to keep the top set of faces lubricated. They have use epoxy potting on the wire ingress to the motor, which eliminates the possibility of water wicking along the wires.
The 50PN2.25S is probably the appropriately sized one for most house sumps. It is a $500 pump, but you'll likely buy once and then forget about it for a decade.
As TRoglodyte referenced, they make some really kick ass dewatering pumps. My favorite is their cutter pump. Jump to 1:42 in this video for them sending a bunch of random items through the pump.
Are you on city water? If so, I love the looks of those water powered backup pumps.
In reply to FooBag (Forum Supporter) :
I had never seen that video, learned a new word- "shreddered". Like shredded only more errrr
In reply to FooBag (Forum Supporter) :
We've gone through a couple of sump pumps in 10 years. It was recommended that we get one with a "shred" function. We'll keep this one in mind.
Pumps do not like to cycle constantly. You can extend the life by putting a shutoff valve in the discharge line and choking it until it runs longer. It should still comfortably lower the water level at peak periods but do it over a few minutes rather than seconds. Also, pumps are water cooled and need the lower third where the motor is to be covered in water at all times, so if it is not try raising the float or get a pump with shorter legs.
