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Sump pumps - styles
http://hawthornevillager.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53387		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  B&T402 [ Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Sump pumps - styles
Hello, wondering who has replaced their sump pumps, and what styles used.

Our ~10 year-old Mattamy specimen may need to go - apparent current retail cost of less than $50. It works perfectly to date, but you know. We have the kind with the float on a vertical rod, with motor and pump housing mounted above the pit cover.

Question, is the submersible variety the way to go? Also, how reliable are the "tethered switch" style floats? Looking for a 1/4 or 1/3hp item, with cost being secondary to performance and reliability. Any anecdotals, please and thanks.
Author:  kgbrunn [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 8:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
i bought this one last year.
http://www.amazon.ca/Zoeller-53-0001-Mighty-Mate-Automatic-Submersible/dp/B000H5PYR2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362923570&sr=8-2
I'm in a small townhome.
Author:  Halton Home Inspector [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
Submersible is quieter than a perdistal pump.

Get one with a float that slides up and down a post at the side of the pump opposed to one with a float on a flexible cord that connect to the top of the pump.

Reason - the float on a cord ( if not installed just right ) can easily hang up on the side of the sump pit and prevent that float from turning ON the pump.

While you are at it - clean the crap, debris, muck, etc. out of the bottom of the pit.

In other words - below - sure - but only if you position the pump in the pit so that the float does not get hung up on the wall of the pit. IMO, in the photo the cord between the pump and the float is set a bit too long. I would suggest you shorten that cord using the clamp on the pump. This will make it easier to install and keep the water level lower under the home.

Image

This one below - YES.

Image

In the Godfather movie - the old cop says - "I've frisked a thousand young punks". Well I can say - "I've fixed a thousand screwed up sumps". :wink:
Author:  Halton Home Inspector [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
Thought I would also point out that this pump also has a wide base at the bottom. The water enters above this base. This is better than the pumps in my 2 previous pictures because the base keeps the pump off the bottom of the sump pit making it less likely to suck dirt from the floor of the pit.

Image
Author:  B&T402 [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
Thanks "McCluskey", great info. Watch out if the pump goes to the bathroom, you could be killed. I was thinking the float-on-cord variety would be safer for that failure, but I see the point.

Last winter, our cat smacked a toy down the pit in the night, and it got wedged between the pit wall and the plastic float while it was emptying. We heard the pump grinding away in the morning, the float high and dry with the toy still lodged, probably for 4-5 hours. I take it this fault is one way these things can light up, makes you think! I fitted and taped a piece of plastic screen around the openings in the pit cover, to prevent recurrence, which works.

Thanks!
Author:  Halton Home Inspector [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
B&T402 wrote:

Thanks "McCluskey",


:?
Author:  B&T402 [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
On another point, what size would be needed to lift 8' to ceiling, then 7' run to the outlet, then spilling into a 4" drain pipe about 15' long outside? No statement of HP size on this one, only 3 Amps.

Thanks
Author:  B&T402 [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
Captain McCluskey was the character you paraphrase in your post. Sorry for confusion or offense! :oops: Sorry, I thought I had another Godfather-o-phile on the line. One of the most famous scenes in Hollywood history!
Author:  Country [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
Anyone know the life expectancy of a sump pump? I know the amount of use they receive various from house to house and this will affect the life expectancy but at what point should someone look into pre-emptively replacing an aging pump?
Author:  Halton Home Inspector [ Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
B&T402 wrote:
Captain McCluskey was the character you paraphrase in your post.


Oh, was that his name. No offence taken. Was just not clear on the reference.

A sump, if used occasionally, is considered old at about 7 years but I have seen some ancient ones in Oakville.

Most builders however, leave lots of crap and dirt in the sumps and the pumps life can be shortened by that.

Not sure on horsepower's but you should install a back flow valve on the pipe above the pit to prevent the pumped water in the pipe from returning to the pit.
Author:  Water Dragon [ Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sump pumps - styles
Our pump appears to have died
(no draining water and pump itself is rather warm so I unplugged it)
Pump was installed in 2008 so only 5 years but it was a builder special
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