Cast Iron Sump Pump Review 

Is Cast Iron Sump Pump really the best?

Discover what Pumps Selection says about Cast Iron Sump Pumps
 
Cast iron sump pumps at pumpsselection
 
Should I buy a cast iron sump pump? Does a cast iron sump pump last longer? Does a cast iron sump pump cost more? Does cast iron in the label mean all parts are cast iron? The following information will answer those questions and more.
 Cast Iron Sump pump Or thermoplastic sump pump
 
What is cast iron?
 
Cast iron is made from pig iron.
Since pig iron contains 4 to 5 percent carbon it is hard and brittle; therefore, it must be further processed. Pig iron is melted, combined with scrap iron and alloys, and the level of carbon is lowered to the degree the resulting case iron is no longer brittle.
 
A molded sump pump made from cast iron is very wear resistant, handles heat well (a sump pump generates heat during heavy, continuous operation), is very strong and resists weakening by oxidation (rust).
 
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How does cast iron compare to thermoplastic?
 
Cast iron is as much as ten times stronger than thermoplastic.
Sump pump housings of thermoplastic have been known to crack. Thermoplastic is more resistant to corrosion; however, when the surface of cast iron is "anodised", it too is resistant to corrosion.
 
Cast iron can dissipate heat better than thermoplastic. Cast iron is heavier than thermoplastic; therefore, it is more reliable for heavy duty pumping.
 Cast iron sump pump is stronger, heavier, more durable dissipates heat better
 
Does cast iron in the label mean all components of sump pump are cast iron?
 
Even though a sump pump may be advertised as cast iron, it is important to note what materials are used for the volute, impeller, and shaft as well. The pump housing, volute, impeller and shaft all play a very important part in the operation of the pump.
 
Just because the label says 'cast iron' does not mean all components of the sump pump are cast iron.
 Understand sump pump label. Just because it says cast iron does not mean volute and impeller are.
 
How many sump pump components are cast iron for name brand pumps?
 
Cast iron pump housing, volute and impeller
Zoeller Mighty Mate M57
Zoeller Flow Mate series (M98, M137) are very durable.
Red Lion RL-SP33T, SP33V, SP50T, SP50V
Their housing, impeller and volute are made of solid cast iron.
 
Cast iron pump housing and Impeller
Myers MC40PC1
 
Cast iron pump housing
Zoeller M53
Liberty 247, 257, 287
Ridgid RS50, RS50AT
Superior 92341
Flotec E75VLT
 
Cast Iron Volute & Cover, Aluminum Housing
Watchdog BW1050
 
Bronze pump housing, volute and impeller
Zoeller Mighty Mate M59 is even more durable since its housing, volute and impeller is made from bronze. Bronze is stronger and more durable than cast iron.
 
Bronze pump housing; Cast iron volute and impeller
Zoeller Flow Mate 139 is highly durable with housing of bronze and volute and impeller made of cast iron.
 
Stainless stell pump housing; cast iron volute and impeller
Ridgid sump pumps Models SP330, SP500, and SP1000 (this pump model is phasing out because of the float type) impeller and volute are made from cast iron. The pump housing is stainless steel.
 
Stainless steel pump housing; cast iron volute; glass-filled polypropylene impeller
Simer Ace-in-the-Hole Models 3984, 3986 and 3988 have cast iron volute. The pump housing is made of stainless steel and impeller is made from glass-filled polypropylene.
 
Stainless steel or cast iron pump housing
Sump Pumps manufactured by Wayne, Little Giant, Watchdog, Ridgid and Flotec that have cast iron or stainless steel housing, may have a volute of cast iron, but the impeller is made of glass-filled polypropylene, nylon or some form of thermoplastic.
 
 
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All Cast Iron Housing, Volute, Impeller
 
 
 
Only Cast Iron Housing & Impeller
 
Only Cast Iron Housing
 
 
Only Cast Iron Volute & Motor Cover
 
 
 
Cast Iron Volute & Motor Cover
 
Bronze Housing,Volute & Impeller
 
Bronze Housing,Cast Iron Volute & Impeller
 
Stainless Steel Housing Cast Iron Volute and Impeller
 
 
 
Does a cast iron sump pump last longer?
 
A cast iron sump pump housing, volute, impeller and shaft last longer than a thermoplastic sump pump.
 
However, just because a cast iron pump internal components are built to last that does not mean the float switch will last longer.
 
The float switch is the first thing to fail for a cast iron sump pump. The manufacturer does provide replacement float switches for their cast iron pumps; however the challenge is changing the float switch before it gets stuck or hung up and burns the pump motor out.
 
 
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How to make a cast iron sump pump last longer
 
Since the float switch is the weakest component of a cast iron sump pump and it is challenging to replace the sump pump float switch before it fails, we have found a good solution to make your cast iron sump pump last longer.
The Hydrocheck HC6000 electronic switch water level controller is the perfect solution.
  • Proven reliable.
  • No moving parts to wear out or get stuck
  • Not affected by chemicals or water contaminates
  • Compatible with any sump pump that runs on fourteen amps or less (this includes Zoeller, Wayne, Flotec, Simer, Ridgid, Myers, and others
  • No plumbing or electrical changes are required. In fact this does not required the installation of a plumber.
  • Requires no additional pit space since the HC6000 attaches to the discharge pipe.
  • Sump pump does not run as much. Homeowner sets the pump 'on' and pump 'off' position. It has a high and low sensor which are placed on the discharge pipe at the height determined by the homeowner.
  • Lifetime warranty.
See why others have installed it and are very happy with it.    Read more about the Hydrocheck HC6000   
 
 
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How much does a cast iron sump pump cost?
 
Submersible Sump Pump
 
Cast iron pump housing, volute and impeller
Zoeller brand:
M57 - 1/3 HP, 2040 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $146
M98 - 1/2 HP, 3660 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $193
M137 - 1/2 HP, 4740 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $368 (High Head)
 
Red Lion brand:
RL SP33T - 1/3 HP, 2520 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $118
RL SP33V - 1/3 HP, 2520 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $99
RL SP50T - 1/2 HP, 3000 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $129
RL SP50V - 1/2 HP, 3000 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $139
 
Cast iron volute and stainless steel pump housing
Simer brand:
3984 - 1/3 HP, 3540 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $139
3986 - 1/2 HP, 3840 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $156
3988 - 3/4 HP, 4100 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $205
 
Cast iron motor cover and volute and stainless steel pump housing
Flotec:
FPSC2200A - 1/3 HP, 3540 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $127; FPSC2250A - 1/2 HP, 3540 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $149; FPSC3250A - 1/2 HP, 3840 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $167; FPSC4550A - 3/4 HP, 4100 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $192
 
Cast iron pump housing
Wayne brand:
CDU790 - 1/3 HP, 2700 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $104
CDU800 - 1/2 HP. 3150 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $108
 
Zoeller brand
M53 - 1/3 HP, 2040 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $123
 
Little Giant brand
SC33T - 1/3 HP 2649 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $133
6-CIA #506166 - 1/3 HP, 1740 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $187
6-CIA #506171 - 1/3 HP, 1750 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $141 8-CIA #505157 - 4/10 HP, 2520 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, , $259 8-CIA #505158 - 4/10 HP, 2520 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $218
 
Liberty brand
247 - 1/3 HP, 2220 GPH @ 10 ft. lift $217
257 - 1/3 HP, 2220 GPH @ 10 ft. lift $114
287 - 1/2 HP, 3330 GPH @ 10 ft. lift $193
 
Superior brand
92341 - 1/3 HP, 1800 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $86
92352 - 4/10 HP, 3000 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $122
92511 - 1/2 HP, 3480 GPH @ 10 ft. lift, $137
 
 
Go back to Cast Iron Sump PumpTopic Index,
 Cast Iron Submersible sump pumps at Pumps Selection a
 
 
Does your sump pump run frequently even when it does not rain and really works hard when it rains?
A cast iron sump pump will last longer and provide more dependability for heavy pumping. It is recommended you install the Hydrocheck HC6000 so a float switch failure will not burn your pump motor out.
 
Does you sump pump rarely run and not much even when it rains?
The thermoplastic pumps are cheaper. If you are on a budget, you can get by with a thermoplastic pump.
 
The Hydrocheck HC6000 is an electronic switch that has no moving parts to get caught or wear out.
 
Does your sump pump work very hard when those big rains come?
A cast iron pump will out perform a thermoplastic sump pump.
 
Do you prefer to buy a new sump pump when the float/switch mechanism fails?
Many thermoplastic sump pumps do not have a replacement part for the float/switch. The manufacturer anticipates they will last a few years and then a new pump will be purchased.
 
Are you away from your home for long periods of time and no one is around to check on it?
A cast iron sump pump is most reliable. Installing the Hydrocheck HC6000 ensures even more dependability. The HC6000 has a lifetime warranty.
 
 
Go back to Cast Iron Sump Pump Topic Index,
 
 
Quick Shop & Compare
Submersible Sump Pump
===> Zoeller
===> Wayne
===> Simer
===> Rigid
===> Myers
===> Liberty
===> Flotec
 
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