Keep Your Basement Dry With These Top 4 Water Powered Sump Pumps
Keep your basement dry with these best 4 water powered sump pumps: Zoeller 540 Flex, Base Pump RB750, Base Pump HB1000 and Liberty Pumps SJ10. These top 4 pumps are made by 3 top brands: Zoeller, Base Pump Corporation and Liberty Pumps.
Why own a water powered sump pump? Statistics show water powered sump pumps are becoming more popular. And manufacturers are improving their style and performance. They no longer need to look big and clumsy. The best part is they do not require a battery, a battery charger or electricity so can operate endlessly maintenance free.
Countless testimonies say that water powered sump pumps prevent flooded basements because electricity is unavailable too long for a battery sump pump to keep pumping, but city water is always available because it is provided by city generators and thus keeps basements protected from flooding.
This popularity leads to the emergence of new brands. So are these new brands better than the old brands? The results indicate three well established brands and their four water powered sump pump models are the best.
Before looking into the details of what makes these top four water powered sump pump different, let's identify their commonality. They have seven characteristics in common.
1) One gallon of city water is required to remove two gallons of pit water.
♦ The water powered sump pump relies on water pressure running through an ejector to suck up unwanted water from the sump pit. It takes one gallon of municipal water to remove two gallons of pit water.
♦ To calculate how much city water may be used during a heavy rainstorm, measure the diameter of the basin (eighteen inch diameter equals one gallon per inch of pit water rise) ; find out the distance between the ON and OFF point for the primary sump pump (manufacturers manual lists it); and how many times per minute the pump runs and multiple it by sixty or how many times an hour the pump runs and how many hours it runs during and after a storm (four times an hour for two hours).
♦ So for example, if a basin is eighteen inches wide, the ON and OFF point distance is four inches and the electric sump pump runs eight times during a heavy rain storm, eighteen gallons of city water would be used.
2) There are three standard sized connection points.
The fresh water inlet pipe for the inflow of city water is a standard is 3/4 inches in diameter.
♦ The suction tube placed in the basin to suck up the pit water, is a standard PVC piping size of one and a half inches.
♦ The discharge pipe which allows the pumped water to run away from the house is a standard one and a half inches in diameter.
♦ Therefore it will fit AS IS in most houses.
3) No battery or electricity is needed.
♦ A water powered sump pump is popular because it requires no battery or electricity to run. Where power outages are frequent and long, this type of pump is the only pump type that will provide protection unless a generator is used.
4) Their operation is similar.
♦ They all have a float that allows customization of its height placement on the basins discharge pipe system. The float responds to the rising and receding of the sump basins water.
♦ When the float rises to the height which activates the opening of the pump head's valve, the pump ejector controls the flow of city water. Because the ejector flow through is narrow the water pressure continues to build up.
♦ The buildup of pressure in the pump's chamber causes the lower pressured water in the basin to be sucked up through the systems suction tube and out through the discharge pipe away from the house.
5) Installation does not require soldering. SharkBite connectors click on fast and easy.
6) Radon gas leakage can still be sealed off at the basin cover.
♦ All four pumps can be installed to keep the sump pit cover sealed from radon gas leakage.
♦ Since Basepump and Zoeller's pump head are not installed directly over the sump pit it is easier to seal off the sump basins lid.
♦ Nevertheless with a little more effort, Liberty Pumps SJ10 can also be sealed around the cover to prevent radon gas escaping into the surrounding air.
7) Installation does not require soldering. SharkBite connectors click on fast and easy.
These four pumps are manufactured and tested in the USA.
♦ Zoeller is located in Louisville, Kentucky.
♦ Liberty Pumps is located in Bergen, New York.
♦ Base Pumps Corporation is located in Kenmore, New York.
These are the most notable similarities. Despite major similarities, they also have differences.
Though these four water powered pumps have many similarities they also have differences. Their four differences provide an opportunity to choose a pump that best fits your need. So review and compare the differences and then decide which one best fits your water pumping need.
1) Installation Location Option
♦ If seeing the installed pump is undesirable, the Zoeller 540 Flex and the Basepump RB750 and HB1000 allow installation in the ceiling joists (rafters) out of sight or near the water source resting horizontally or vertically.
♦ The Liberty SJ10 must be installed directly above the primary pump and the basins top rim with the head placed horizontally. It iwll be very visible every day.
2) Warranty Differences
♦ The maximum warranty offered is a five year warranty by BasePump Corporation for its RB750 and HB1000.
♦ Liberty Pumps and Zoeller offer a three year warranty for their SJ10 and 540 Flex.
♦ That's a difference of two years which is almost equivalent to twice as long as the three year warranty.
3) Pumping Performance Variation
♦ The pump performance for the four pumps is very similar; however with a city water pressure of forty pounds per square inch the Basepump HB1000 removes the most water: 950 gallons per hour at a ten foot vertical height and with a city water pressure of sixty pounds per square inch Zoeller's 540 Flex removes the most at 1,140 gallons per hour.
♦ On the other hand the Liberty Pumps SJ10 removes the least amount of water at a ten foot vertical height with a city water pressure of forty pounds per square inch: 654 gallons per hour and the Basepump RB750 removes the least amount of water with a city water pressure of sixty pounds per square inch: 750 gallons per hour.
♦ So overall we can say the HB1000 and the 540-Flex are very comparablem while the RB750 and SJ10 are less robust.
4) Water Alarm Included Or Is It An Option
♦ Basepump's RB750 and HB1000 comes with a water alarm.
♦ Zoeller's 540 Flex and Liberty Pumps SJ10 do not come with the water alarm; however a water alarm is available for additional purchase for both of them.
The Top Four Water Powered Sump Pumps By Pros And Cons
Keeping the above similarities and differences in mind, here are the key pros and cons that make each of these four water powered sump pumps the top four.
Zoeller 540 Flex
The Zoeller 540 Flex, known for its new design change, is so much smaller. It is no longer the big pump head with a large float requiring placement directly above the primary sump pump. It is so small it can be hidden in the basement joists and installed vertically or horizontally. Though it is smaller, it did not lose any of its pumping performance. In fact it can pump 140 gallons more water per hour than its predecessor, the 508. It can now pump 1,140 gallons per hour at a ten foot vertical height with a city water pressure of sixty pounds per square inch and it takes only one gallon of city water to remove two gallons of basin water.
Pros
♦ It works well with Zoeller or other brand named primary submersible sump pumps.
♦ No electricity or battery is required.
♦ Manufacturing, assembly and testing are done in the USA.
♦ Installation options are very versatile. It can be placed horizontally or vertically.
♦ Standard connection sizes are observed: three-fourths inch for water pipe diameter and one and a half inch diameter for PVC discharge pipe.
♦ The pumping performance rates high if 60 pounds of city water pressure are present. There must be at least 40 pounds of pressure per square inch to operate.
♦ Its design eliminates the need to buy an additional elbow when connecting the PVC for the suction tube.
♦ One gallon of city water is needed to pump two gallons of basin water> This is standard with water powered sump pumps.
♦ No moving float rod is present; therefore the basin cover can be sealed for radon gas escape prevention.
♦ No soldering is required because push-to-connect supply fitting are included for installation.
♦ The cost is very competitive. In fact it is the lowest priced water powered sump pump with such robust pumping performance.
Cons
♦ The warranty is three years and not five like Base pumps RB750 and HB1000. But based on the fact that the float is not hydraulic (mechanical) it should function well beyong three years.
♦ A flood alarm is not included but available: Item no. 10-0763 for around $40.
♦ A float is used to signal the pump head valve to open and allow city water to flow through the ejector and begin the suction pumping process; however the float used is not hydraulic (mechanical) therefore it will last much longer.
♦ If the city water pressure is below forty pounds per square inch it will not work effectively. The Liberty Pumps SJ10 will operate with twenty pounds of pressure.
The Basepump Corporation is the first water powered sump pump company to adopt the 'install in the basement ceiling joists' placement concept. It is a 'so out of sight out of mind' design and preferred to the big clunky pump head and float sitting above the primary sump pump. The HB1000 is the high powered residential pump with a performance of 950 gallons per hour at fifty pounds per square inch pressure.
Pros
♦ It works well with other brand names primary submersible sump pumps.
♦ No moving parts and no electricity or battery is required.
♦ Manufacturing and assembly are done in the USA.
♦ Like the Zoeller 540-Flex, the HB100 can be Installed horizontally or vertically.
♦ It observes standard water pipe diameter, three-fourths inch, and the standard one and a half inch diameter for PVC discharge piping.
♦ The pumping performance rates high if 50 pounds of city water pressure are present.
♦ Its design requires the purchase of an elbow to connect the PVC for the suction tube.
♦ One gallon of city water is required to pump two gallons of basin water instead of two.
♦ No moving float rod is present; therefore it works with Radon Sealed systems.
♦ Basepumps includes Sharkbyte connections so no soldering is required.
♦ The cost is very competitive. This water pump includes a water alarm and the Sharkbyte fittings which are not cheap.
♦ The warranty is five years which is the longest warranty of any of them.
Cons
♦ A float is attached to a flexible line which signals the pump head valve to open and allow city water to flow through the ejector and begin the suction pumping process; the float is part of a hydraulic (mechanical) system, but will last a long time compared to a standard float operation and the warranty is five years.
♦ If the city water pressure is below forty pounds per square inch it will not work effectively. The Liberty Pumps SJ10 works with water pressure less than forty pounds.
The Basepump RB750 is a very well built water powered sump pump. Its design and mechanics are the same as the Basepump HB1000; however it does not have the same pumping performance. The RB750 can only pump seven gallons of water in a minute from the basin with forty pounds per square inch of city water pressure. That is 700 gallons per hour.
Pros
♦ It works well in a twelve inch diameter basin with other brand primary submersible sump pumps.
♦ There are no moving parts and it requires no electricity or Battery.
♦ It is made in the USA.
♦ Like the HB100, it can be installed horizontally or vertically.
♦ It connects to a water pipe diameter of three-fourths inch or one half inch, and the standard one and a half inch diameter for PVC discharge piping.
♦ The pump performs best when 50 pounds of city water pressure are present. Forty pounds of pressure is the minimum.
♦ An elbow is needed to connect the pump to a PVC suction tube.
♦ One gallon of city water is required to pump two gallons of basin water.
♦ It works with Radon Sealed systems because there is no moving float rod. Thus the basin cover can be sealed.
♦ No soldering is required because Sharkbyte connections are included.
♦ This water pump includes a water alarm and Sharkbyte fittings which are pricey.
The warranty is five years.
Cons
♦ Though a hydraulic float is used to signal the opening of the pump head valve for allowing city water to flow through it will last a long time compared to a standard float operation and the warranty is five years.
♦ Water pressure below forty pounds per square inch will not work. In that case Liberty Pumps SJ10 could be installed because it works with twenty plounds of pressure.
The Liberty Pumps SJ10 is distinct from the other three best water powered sump pumps listed above by design, water pressure requirement, and its connectivity option. These differences give it popularity.
Unlike the other three, SJ10 is installed directly above the primary sump pump basin cover instead of the ceiling rafters. Its lower install height requires less water pressure to operate. It sucks out five and one half gallons of basin water per minute with only twenty pounds of water pressure instead of requiring forty pounds of pressure. The SJ10's last major difference, wifi connectivity option, gives it a real advantage.
Pros
♦ It is made in the USA.
♦ The width needed in the basin next to the primary pump is five and one-half inches.
♦ There are no moving parts and it requires no electricity or battery.
♦ It connects to a city water inlet pipe diameter of three-fourths inches or one half inch, and the standard one and a half inch diameter for PVC discharge piping.
♦ The pump performs best when 60 pounds of city water pressure are present removing 1,020 gallons per hour eight vertical feet high and out the house. At twenty pounds of pressure it can remove 5.8 gallons per minute or 548n gallons per hour.
♦ One gallon of city water is required to pump two gallons of basin water.
♦ It works with Radon Sealed systems because there is no moving float rod to move in the basin cover so it can be sealed.
♦ A Sharkbyte connection is included with the pump head so no soldering is required.
♦ The warranty is three years.
Cons
♦ The float can wear out quicker than the other top water pump floats because it has a magnetic draw, but replacement parts are available and the pump will last beyond three years.
♦ The pump is very visible, big and clumsy looking. It could feel in the way when working with the primary pump.
Steps to Choose The Best Water Powered Sump Pump For Your Water Pumping Needs
Step 1 - Determine How Much Water Must Be Pumped Per Hour During A Heavy Rainstorm?
♦ If you don't know, the next time it rains measure the diameter of the sump basin top. An eighteen inch diameter basin equals one gallon per inch of water pumped. A twenty-four inch diameter basin equals two gallon per inch of water pumped.
♦ Find the distance between the pump ON and OFF height.
♦ Count the number of times the pump goes ON and OFF in one minute.
♦ If the basin diameter is eighteen inches, multiply the ON OFF distance times the number of times the pump cycles in a minute and multiply that by sixty to get gallons pumped per hour.
♦ For example three cycles per minute times four gallons per cycle times sixty for an hour equals 720 gallons per hour.
♦ Based on Step 1, let's say you need 720 gallons of water pumped per hour. That information leads to Step 2.
Step 2 - Determine If There Is Enough City Water Pressure To Run These Pumps?
♦ The best way to test the city water pressure to see if they can run these pumps, is to use an outside hose spigot.
♦ Fill a 5 gallon bucket two inches from the rim with the water faucet fully open and see how many seconds it takes.
♦ If the bucket fills in 40 seconds or less, there is adequate pressure to run Model RB750 or Liberty Pump SJ10; if the bucket fills in 30 seconds or less, there is adequate water pressure to run Model HB1000 and Zoeller 540 Flex. If filling the bucket takes more than 40 seconds, the Liberty Pumps SJ10 will work.
♦ Based on Step 2, let's say the bucket fills in 29 seconds. That information leads to Step 3.
Step 3 Take The Information From Step 1 And Step 2 To Determine If A Water Powered Sump Pump Will Function Properly for your water pumping needs.
♦ Using our example, the water to be pumped during a heavy rain storm is 720 gallons per hour and the 5 gallon bucket fills in 29 seconds.
♦ This means any of the above water powered sump pump will work to keep the basement from flooding when the power is out or the primary pump is not working.
Since installing a sump pump means cutting into a house city water line, it may be wise to let a professional install the pump. Installation takes approximately three hours for a professional and six hours for a novice.
Steps To Install A Water Powered Sump Pump
Here are five basic steps for installing a water powered sump pump. Before starting, note the pump has three connection points.
1) Mount the pump.
♦ The Liberty Pumps SJ10 mounts above the sump basin lid.
♦ The Zoeller 540 Flex and Basepump RB750 and HB1000 mount in the ceiling joist or near the water inlet line.
2) Install the suction pipe into the pump suction inlet letting it protrude into the basin.
3) Install the discharge pipe into the pumps outflow connector.
4) Mount the float valve to the suction pipe
5) Connect the city cold water inlet to the pump water inlet connector.
6) Test the pump. Watch the water powered pump suck the water from the basin.
Enjoy your newly installed water powered sump pump.
Manufacturers specifications, performance chart and installation manual are something every owner should keep handy for quick reference. Find them attached here for the 4 top water powered sump pump.
Click the manuals to view and download for future reference.
THE HELPFUL PUMP PLACE where you can become an educated shopper. Review - Compare - Shop And Find The Best Pumps Selection For Your Water Pumping Needs.
