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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.
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Cast Iron Sump Pump Review Table of Contents
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Cast iron is made from pig iron, known as iron ore.
Since pig iron, known as iron ore, 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).
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 "anodized", 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 vs. Thermoplastic Characteristics
Strength
- Cast iron is stronger than thermoplastic. In fact depending upon the composition of thermoplastic, cast iron can be as much as ten times stronger than thermoplastic.
- Cast iron is made from raw natural material. It is an alloy of iron, carbon, silicone and manganese. Its carbon content of over two percent and its multiple molecular structures give it real strength.
- Thermoplastics is manmade. It is made of polymers that can be melted and reformed when heated. It has a weaker intermolecular structure.
- Sump pumps over one-half horse power are not usually not made of thermoplastic. This is because thermoplastic does not have the strength to handle rigorous continuous pumping over periods of time.
Weight
- Cast iron weighs more than thermoplastic. Comparison of cast iron and thermoplastic one-third horse power sump pumps reveals a difference of ten to fifteen pounds.
- Weight makes a difference during heavy continuous pumping. Pump movement causes float hang up on the pit wall and pump vibration.
Heat Dissipation
- Thermoplastic does not dissipate heat. Instead it traps heat.
- Too much strain on thermoplastic can cause it to crack. Too much heat over long periods of time can cause it to overheat and warp.
- Cast iron dissipates heat well.
- Any pump installation that requires rigorous, continuous pumping should not use a thermoplastic sump pump.
Corrosion
- Thermoplastic does not corrode. Cast iron does.
- To compensate for cast irons corrosion tendencies, an epoxy coating is added to cast iron to retard corrosion. Though a ten year old cast iron pumps appearance discolors that does not stop it from operating.
Durability
- Cast iron is more durable than thermoplastic.
- Cast iron will keep its shape and not crack.
- Cast iron sump pumps will far outlast thermoplastic sump pumps.
- The warranty of manufacturers says it all. Manufacturers of cast iron sump pumps offer a three to five year warranty while manufacturers of thermoplastic sump pumps offer a one year warranty.
Does The Shopping Product Description Always Indicate A Sump Pump Is Made Of Cast Iron?
Does The Shopping Product Description Always Indicate A Sump Pump Is Made Of Cast Iron? No, a shopping product description does not always indicate a sump pump is made of cast iron. And even if it does it usually does not include how much of the sump pump is made of cast iron.
Sump pump brands like Zoeller and Superior make it very easy to find what parts are made of cast iron on their website. Then there are brands like Wayne who provide few specifications on their website but depend on the seller of their pumps to include the information.
An example of a shopping product description is included here to illustrate how little information may appear. Thus it is important to look beyond the shopping description.
The sump pumps models that are cast iron is lengthy; however not all models use the same amount of cast iron components; therefore the cast iron sump pumps are grouped by number of cast iron components.
Sump Pump Models With Cast Iron Housing, Base, and Impeller
Sump Pumps with Carbon Steel Housing and Cast Iron Base
Carbon steel housing is lighter weight and not as strong as cast iron.
- Wayne Sump Pump Models CDU790 (1/3 HP) and CDU800, CDT50 (1/2 HP).
Sump Pumps with Stainless Steel Housing and Cast Iron Base
Stainless steel housing is lighter weight, corrodes and is not as strong as cast iron.
- Wayne Sump Pump Models using stainless steel housing are CDU980E (3/4 HP) and CDU1000 (1 HP).
- Liberty Pumps Sump Pumps with stainless steel housing are Models 92,551, 92571, 93782 (1/2 HP) and 92751, 93775 (3/4 HP) and 92151, 92181 (1 HP).
Sump Pumps with Aluminum Housing and Cast Iron Base
Aluminum sump pump housing is lighter weight, do not rust though it corroses and is not as strong as cast iron.
- Liberty Pumps sump pumps with aluminum housing are Models 230, CSP-237 (1/3 HP) and 450, 453, 457 (1/2 HP).
Sump Pumps with Zinc Housing and Cast Iron Base
Zinc sump pump housing is lighter weight, corrodes though not as fast as stainless steel, dies not dissipate heat as well and is not as strong as cast iron.
- Flotec sump pump Model with zinc housing is FPCI3350 (1/3 HP).
A cast iron sump pump with cast iron 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.
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 is the perfect solution. Here's why.
The Hydrocheck HC6000 is ...
- Proven reliable. We have owned ours since 2011 and it has not failed yet. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by over 400 customers. This is fantastic switch.
- 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 installation by 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 OFF height. It has a high and low sensor which are placed on the discharge pipe at the height determined by the homeowner. This is ideal for us because we live in a high water table area and our pump runs 4even when it does not rain. Setting a greater distance between the ON and OFF height reduces motor short cycling.
- Five year warranty. It will last much longer than that without failure. Ours is over 12 years old now and has not failed.
The following costs are not current but they give you a comparison perspective. To get current pricing check the shopping section below. Note that cast iron sump pumps are more costly and especially those made of US materials and manufactured and tested in the USA.
Is A Cast Iron Sump Pump The Best Choice For Your Pumping Needs?
The following questions will help you to decide if a cast iron sump pump is the best choice for you water pumping needs.
Does your sump pump run frequently even when it does not rain and really works hard when it rains?
Plumbers recommend the Zoeller M53. In fact it is the plumber's favorite for more than 40 years. It was first made in the 1980's. Plumbers prefer it because it is built with quality and tested for performance and leaks before it leaves the factory.
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 your 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.
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 usually 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 five year warranty. Ours has been installed since 2011 and it is still working without any issues.
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