Here at Supreme, we don’t mess around. When you come to us for our services, information, or even just a quick question, it’s our mission to offer you the best solutions, answers, and products. Speaking of products—today we want to talk to you about sump pumps (we know, not our strongest segue). But before we get into the sump pump we choose for basement waterproofing, we’re going to dive briefly into what a sump pump is.
What the Heck is a “Sump”?
If you are reading this and you thought it was called a “sub-pump”, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one. It’s not called a sump pump just because it rhymes so well. A sump is a pit where water collects, especially in the floor of a basement. Then the pump, well, pumps it out. Sump. Pump. Catchy right? If you’ve done any research on sump pumps, you’ll probably have found that there are a lot of options out there. If you haven’t done a lot of research on sump pumps, then you just saved a lot of time because we’re going to explain the most important stuff you need to know.
What Makes a Bad Sump Pump?
Over all the years we’ve been in business, we’ve worked hard toward fulfilling our mission to provide the best products and services available to our customers. When it comes to basement flooding solutions, we’ve tried and tested them all. We know what works more effectively at saving you thousands of dollars in water damage and what doesn’t.
Do You Need the Corvette of Sump Pumps?
There are different sump pumps with different amounts of horsepower in their motor. More horsepower equals more water that can be pumped out. A high water table in your area, the diameter and depth of you sump, and the distance the pump needs to relocate the water are all contributing factors when choosing the amount of horsepower. To cut to the chase, a 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower sump pump gets the job done for most average homes. Take these factors into consideration and you can save money by investing only in the amount your home needs, as well as avoid flooding by getting one too small. You probably don’t need the Corvette of sump pumps, but it’s smart to make sure.
Wax On, Wax Off
While capacity and horsepower are important, what is more important is your sump pump switch. If your pump doesn’t know when to turn on and off, then you’re going to be in a lot of trouble. But how does this happen? If you have a sump pump with a hollow float switch, that float could run into issues. They get caught if they don’t have enough room to swing, or the hollow plastic can get waterlogged and weighed down. You’re left with only wax on or wax off. What you want is a solid mechanical switch. They float up and down in the same spot and avoid the possibility of becoming waterlogged. As Miyagi would say, “Balance is key”. Balance is a mechanical float switch, my friend.
Avoid Plastic, Avoid Disaster
Plastic sump pumps are a recipe for disaster. When your sump pump motor is running, it’s going to create heat. Sometimes a lot of it. If the casing around the motor of your sump pump is plastic, the heat may cause the plastic to warp. When the plastic gets warped, even by a degree, it causes the bearings in the sump pump to begin to wear out. Suddenly, the next time it rains, your sump pump isn’t working at all. Plastic is a waste of money. The best material for your sump pump is cast iron. Cast iron is a fantastic conductor of heat, keeping your sump pump cool. Cast iron is also effective at absorbing the vibrations caused by the motor running, helping it to run quieter. Win, win.
So, What Makes Zoeller Pro Series Sump Pumps Different?
Full disclosure: we exclusively use Zoeller Pro Series Sump Pumps for basement flooding prevention. It is not because we manufacture them. It is not because we make commission using them. It is because they are the best sump pump solution to waterproof your basement. They are full cast iron, mechanical float switch beasts that have your back when the rain comes. We refuse to use anything less.
In Conclusion
When planning or upgrading your system, make sure to ask what kind of sump pump you are getting. We’ve repaired too many homes where the homeowner was unaware their previous builder or plumber went the cheapest route for the highest quality price. Not this time bucko. We’re glad you came here for advice. We at Supreme want you to be armed with the right knowledge to consciously make the smartest decision for your home, and save some money along the way.
Need more info? Let’s chat. Shoot us a message using our contact form or call us at (519) 946-0363.