Sump Pump Cast Iron And Other Review By Comparison
Cast Iron Sump Pumps Are Better. Here's Why!
Cast Iron vs. Other Housing Material
See List Of Cast Iron Sump Pump Models
If you are looking for a sump pump that is built to last and built to handle heavy duty pumping, we recommend a cast iron sump.
Many new materials are being introduced for sump pump housing, but we still believe a cast iron sump pump is better. Here's why.
♦ Cast iron distributes and dissipates heat very well thus extending the life of a pump motor. Continuous pumping generates a lot of heat. Zoeller is one of the very few companies who makes their own motors on site and takes extra steps to extend the life of its motors by using two layers of cast iron: one for the motor housing and the other for pump body housing. Most pump manufacturers use 3rd party built motors which are housed in stainless steel, a poor dissipater of heat.
♦ Unlike thermoplastic, cast iron does not warp or crack. Over time motor heat does affect the motor and pump housing. This is why many sump pumps last only 5 to 10 years.
♦ Cast iron is durable. That's why replacement parts are available. Pump owners can be environmentally responsible by replacing a part without discarding a good motor and housing. Many Zoeller pumps are known to last well beyond thirty years. Our seventeen year old Zoeller M53 is running well and we have only replaced the float switch once.
♦ Unlike all other materials used, cast iron is heavy and keeps sump pumps very stationary in the basin during heavy continuous pumping. Moving sump pumps can hit the basin wall and cause float hung up.
♦ Cast iron does rust easily; however to resist corrosion, a baked epoxy coating added as an outward finish so the housing can last twenty-five years or longer.
the past few years more material types are being used for pump housing. These materials include: aluminum, zinc and two old standbys: cast steel and thermoplastic. All of them are effective; however we still recommend cast iron housing for heavy duty continuous pumping and durability. Learn how each of these materials compares to cast iron.
Compared to cast iron, thermoplastic will not rust, is much lighter in weight, is not as strong, traps motor heat and can warp and crack over time. Thermoplastic housing works well for sump pumps that do a small amount of pumping during heavy rainstorms and not heavy duty continuous pumping. Because thermoplastic is light weight, it is important to make sure the pump does not move to the basins side and cause float hang-up. Thermoplastic is definitely not as durable and is less expensive.
Cast aluminum is lighter in weight, can be stronger depending upon its casting, it holds heat longer and therefore does not dissipate it as well as cast iron. Aluminum has a shorter life span than cast iron and is cheaper. But it does not rust, it only corrodes. With an aluminum oxide coating it is highly resistant.
Stainless steel weighs less and is corrosion resistant. It certainly has a shiny appearance.
Zinc housing weighs less and does not corrode as quickly as cast iron. It dissipates heat better than aluminum but not as well as cast iron. It is less expensive to make castings from zinc than cast iron.
Cast iron is proven to be the best material for sump pump housing for those pumps handling heavy duty continuous pumping during heavy rainstorms.
Compared to cast iron, carbon steel weighs less, is not as corrosive resistant and is affected more by mechanical wear and tear.
Using cast iron for the housing is very important for heat dissipation; however there are other sump pump parts that benefit from the usage of cast iron. Those parts include: 1) The base or volute 2) The switch housing or cap and 3) the impeller.
Cast Iron Switch Housing
Using cast iron for the switch housing (also known as the head or cap) is very important because heat is created when the negative and positive electric circuits close as the water rises and causes the switch to activate and the pump to run. Cast iron dissipates heat while thermoplastic traps it and causes the switch to fail sooner.
Cast Iron Base
If cast iron is used for the motor and pump housing, using cast iron for the base (volute) is not as critical because motor heat passes through the sides more than the bottom; however a cast iron base does provide heat dissipation benefits. Many models use cast iron for the base only to add weight to the pump.
Cast Iron Impeller
Using cast iron for an impeller gives it strength and resistance against nicks. Thermoplastic is commonly used but cast iron is better.
Cast iron sump pump brands include Zoeller, Liberty Pumps, Little Giant, Superior Pump, Flotec, Glentronics, Red Lion, Star Water Systems, and a few miscellaneous brands. Check prices below
The list is divided into three groups.
♦ Pumps with only cast iron housing, but not a cast iron base or impeller
We list the existing models below. Their price and detailed pump specifications are found below. Note that corrosion-resistant, powder-coated epoxy finish is added to the cast iron to resist rusting.
To See the Brands and Models By Amount of Cast Iron Used In The Sump Pump, Choose One Of Three Options. Scroll down the page to see them all.
Zoeller Sump Pump Models
M57 (1/3 HP), M63 (1/3 HP), M95 (1/2 HP), M137 (1/2 HP)
Glentronics (Basement Watchdog) Sump Pump Models
SI 33V (1/3 HP), SI 50V (1/2 HP), SIT33D (1/3 HP), SIT50D (1/2 HP)
Red Lion Sump Pump Models
RL-SC33V (1/3 HP), RL-SC50T (1/2 HP), RL-50C (1/2 HP)
Star Water Systems (Formerly Flint Walling Star) Sump Pump Models
3SEHL (S1057) (1/3 HP)
Liberty Pumps Sump Pump Models
250 Series (250, 251, 253, 257, CSP-257 - 1/3 HP), 280 Series (280, 281, 283, 287 - 1/2 HP), 290 Series (290, 291, 293, 297 - 3/4 HP)
Little Giant Sump Pump Models
509801 (4/10 HP)
Superior Pump Sump Pump Models
92341 (1/3 HP), 92305 (1/3 HP), 92511 (1/2 HP), 92531 (1/2 HP), 92541 (1/2 HP), 92501 (1/2 HP), 92505 (1/2 HP)
Flotec Pump Sump Pump Models
E50VLT (1/2 HP), E50TLT (1/2 HP), E75VLT (3/4 HP)
Star Water Systems Sump Pump Models
3SVS (1/3 HP), 3SDHL (1/3 HP), 3SEHL (1/3 HP), 5SEH (1/2 HP), 5STS (1/2 HP),7SEH (3/4 HP)
Zoeller Pumps Sump Pump Models
M53 (1/3 HP), M98 (1/2 HP)
Liberty Pumps Sump Pump Models
240 Series (240, 241, 243, 247 - 1/4 HP)
Little Giant Pumps Sump Pump Models
506125 (1/3 HP), 506158 (1/3 HP), 506162 (1/3 HP), 506171 (1/3 HP), 506271 (1/3 HP), GIDDS-521252 (1/3 HP), 506802 (1/3 HP), 506804 (1/3 HP), 506807 (1/3 HP), 510802 (1/2 HP)
Star Water Systems (Formerly Flint Walling Star) Sump Pump Models
S1098 - (1/2 HP)
Zoeller Pumps Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base, Impeller
Glentronics (Basement Watchdog) Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base, Impeller
Red Lion Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base, Impeller
Star Water Systems (Formerly Flint Walling Star) Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base, Impeller
Liberty Pumps Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base But Not The Impeller
Little Giant Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base But Not Impeller
Superior Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base But Not Impeller
Flotec Models Cast Iron Housing, Base But Not Impeller
Star Water Systems Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing, Base But Not Impeller
Zoeller Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing Only
Liberty Pumps Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing Only
Little Giant Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing Only
Star Water Systems (Formerly Flint Walling Star) Sump Pump Models Cast Iron Housing Only
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