Sump Pump Info FAQ

A sump pump is an automatic dewatering pump that usually sits in a sump pit or basin located in a basement or crawl space of the home.  Water collects around and below the foundation of a home, the sump pump removes the collecting water to keep your home dry and safe.  The water level is detected by a float switch that is connected to the pump, telling it when to turn on and off based on the height of the water in the basin. 

If you have a basement, crawl space or a portion of your home below ground, it is vital that you have a sump pump installed. This will help protect your home from having water damage.  

A pedestal sump pump is an older design where the motor cannot be submerged. This is less efficient and noisier as it is not confined in the sump basin. A submersible pump can be completely contained in the sump basin and covered in water, making it more efficient.  

The best horsepower for you is based on the necessary flow rate and amount of required lift to remove the water from your home. The more water collecting, the higher the required horsepower. The higher or further you have to move the water to keep it safely away from your home, the higher the horsepower required.  If your previous sump pump met your expectations, purchase the same horsepower. If it did not meet your expectations, increase the horsepower. Over sizing or under sizing can reduce the life of the pump from short cycling or continuous operation. The most common horsepower is 1/3 or 1/2.

The best material are plastic, stainless steel or non-corrosive alloy like zinc. Since the sump pump is typically submerged in water, it is best to avoid  corrosive materials like cast iron.

The life of a sump pump will depend on how frequently it runs. Most sump pumps will last 3-5 years.  Pentair Sump Pumps are tested for over 250,000 on/off cycles which may last longer.

Tethered, vertical and diaphragm switches are the most common types of float switches. The vertical float switch is considered the most recommended as it requires the least amount of space to operate while likely lasting the longest. Many Pentair sump pumps offer a piggyback float switch, allowing you to easily replace the float switch if it dies before the pump. You can also bypass the float switch by plugging only the pump directly into the outlet.

The vertical float switch operates like a bobber in the water, moving up with the water to turn on the pump and down to turn off the pump as the water recedes. This is great for smaller sump basins as it uses the
least amount of space.

The tethered switch operates like a pendulum, lifting a ball on a tether to turn the pump on at the peak of the pendulum. As the water recedes, the ball drops and turns the pump off. The tethered float switch will require more space to function properly.

The diaphragm switch specifically designed by Pentair determines the water level based on atmospheric pressure under the water in the basin compared to the air outside of the basin. This is a more technical switch and uses a larger area of the basin, limiting usage.

Most sump basins are 18-25 gallons. Typically the larger the basin, the better because it will allow the pump to run less frequently and longer, increasing the life of the pump.  

Yes. A check valve is a one-way valve. It is installed in the discharge pipe of your sump pump. When the pump runs, the water is forced out through the pipe and valve. When the pump stops running, the water will not be able to flow by gravity back into the basin, staying above the check valve. This prevents the pump from having to re-pump the water, increasing the life of the pump.

It is NOT recommended to drain laundry or water softeners into a sump basin. The chemicals and debris from these appliances can cause damage to the pump, decreasing the life of it. The discharged water may also cause a buildup of debris on the float switch, causing it to work improperly. Sump pumps are
designed to be used with clear, clean ground water.

No. Sump pumps are designed to run intermittently, not continuously. Running it nonstop could cause the pump to overheat and fail. Additionally, most sump pumps are oil-filled and could cause harm to fish and plants.

We strongly recommend that you do NOT use an extension cord. It is better to plug the pump into a dedicated outlet that is fed by a circuit breaker or fuse that feeds power only to that outlet. This ensures that the pump will receive proper voltage. If there is no outlet near the sump pit, we recommend you have one installed by a professional electrician.

No. Most sump pumps require electrical power to operate. There are devices like Pentair Battery Backup Unit which will operate a secondary pump using battery power. This is helpful for homes that frequently lose power or have high water.