The three most common types of sump pumps are electric, water powered, and/or a combination of both. An electric sump pumps is a good selection because it is generally more efficient at pumping water.

Types of Electric Sump Pumps

There are two kinds of electric sump pumps available to homeowners:

Pedestal, or Upright Sump Pump
Submersible Sump Pumps

Pedestal Sump Pumps

The pedestal electric sump pumps use motors, mounted on the shaft, that are installed above the ground so that they do not actually touch the water. If water starts to accumulate near the pump, the sump pump float switch will begin to rise. When it reaches a specific point the sump pump will turn on. Most floats can be adjusted for specific on/off points. They are a good selection if your home needs reoccurring draining.

Pedestal sump pumps:

are not submerged in water
are a less expensive choice
ideal for smaller sump pits (10" or less)
tend to be noisy
can be dangerous if there are children present as the pump is exposed
have a life span of 5-15 years

Submersible Sump Pumps

A submersible sump pump is one that is installed directly into the ground, typically in a sump pump pit. It operates similar to a pedestal pump. When water accumulates, the pump is turned on by a float device.

Submersible pumps are designed to break up sludge and sediment which can potentially cause back ups. By pumping cleaner water with a less likely chance of back up, the submersible pump has a much longer life span than the pedestal pump.

Submersible sump pumps:

are submerged in water
are a more expensive choice
ideal for a completed basement
tend to be less noisy and obtrusive
safer if there are children present as the pump is submerged
have a life span of 25-30 years

Before You Buy an Electric Sump Pump...

There are a few things to consider before purchasing an electric sump pump. The sump pump should have:

a sump pump check valve to ensure that the water that is pumped out doesn't flow back and re-flood the area.
a motor with horsepower that runs at no less than 1/3 horsepower
a flow rate of 25 gallons per minute (GPM)
water lift of 25 feet to ensure it can be pumped properly out of your basement

Sump Pumps to Consider

EBARA OPTIMA-3MS1 PRO-DRAINER Manual Sump Pump, 1/3 HP, 1 x 115

EBARA OPTIMA-3MS1 PRO-DRAINER Manual Sump Pump, 1/3 HP, 1 x 115 EBARA's PRO Drainer™ series offers a complete solution for the pumping of slurry or semi-dirty water. The PRO Drainer series are manufactured with high quality stainless steel components. This efficient, versatile, and reliable pump is ideally suited for many industrial, commercial, residential, and agricultural liquid applications including fixed or portable installations. The Ebara Stainless Steel Series Drainage Sump Pumps offer you a complete comprehensive range of submersible drainage pumps for pumping slurry, dirty and semi-dirty water. Never before have benefits this large been offered in a drainage pump. The versatility and rugged construction of these pumps allow for confident use in fixed or mobile service. Features are: 304 stainless-built-in overload width automatic reset-air-filled continuous duty motor-oil-lubricated, double-faced mechanical seal. EBARA OPTIMA-3MS1 PRO-DRAINER Manual Sump Pump Features: • High quality stainless steel • 2" solids handling • Single and three phase models available • Motor is 2 pole, dry submerged, rated continuous duty • Class F motor insulation • 104°F max. fluid temperature continuous operation, fully submerged; 140° F intermittent operation • Manual operation • NPT thread discharge 1-1/4" • Double mechanical seal with viton elastomers • Shielded ball bearings 50,000 hour • Vortex impeller • Thermal overloads (single phase models) • Flows to 185 GPM, heads to 65 feet • 1/3 Horse Power • 1 Phase • 115 Volts • Formerly: EPPD-3MS1 EBARA OPTIMA-3MS1 PRO-DRAINER Manual Sump Pump Applications: • Removal of waste from sumps, washing machines, wet bars, water softeners, dehumidifiers and cisterns • Quickly removes water from swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and other water storage structures • Removes water from excavation ditches or pits, underground passages, mines, grain elevators, farm tanks, cooling towers, parking lot drainage pits • Create decorative waterfalls and fountains or other water projects throughout the garden • Wherever you need to move water from one place to another * Image reflects various configurations of pump and does not represent quantity shipped.

Little Giant 9E-CIM, 4/10 HP, 57 GPM - Manual Submersible Sump Effluent Pump, 25' power cord (509225)

Little Giant 9E-CIM, 4/10 HP, 57 GPM - Manual Submersible Sump Effluent Pump, 25' power cord (509225) Eliminator® Effluent Pumps - 9E Series The Eliminator submersible pumps from Little Giant are specifically engineered to handle the tough demanding tasks for effluent and demanding tasks for wastewater and effluent waste transfer with high efficiency and long term dependability. The Eliminators include pumps for use in Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural applications with light to medium transfer demands. For dewatering, effluent waste, wastewater and handling where such materials must be moved upward from a collection area to sewer or septic lines, or drainage areas, the Eliminators are an ideal solution. Little Giant 9E-CIM, 4/10 HP, 57 GPM - Manual Submersible Sump Effluent Pump, 25' power cord (509225) Features: • Handles liquid and solid waste materials up to 3/4" diameter. • Cast iron pump housing with protective epoxy coating for corrosion and rust resistance. • Oil filled motor housing for lifetime lubrication and rapid heat dissipation. • Stainless steel screws, bolts, handle, and seal assembly. • Mechanical seals (stainless steel spring, nitrile parts, carbon and ceramic faces). • Thermal overload protection. • Manual operation. • 1-1/2" Discharge. Little Giant 9E-CIM, 4/10 HP, 57 GPM - Manual Submersible Sump Effluent Pump, 25' power cord (509225) Specifications: • Horsepower 4/10 • Flow 57 GPM @ 5' of Head • Cord Length 25 ft. • Shut Off 23 ft. • Voltage 115 • Hertz 60 • Amps 12.3 • Watts 1000 • Weight 27 Lbs. • Height 9.2" • Width 6.8" • Length 9.6"

Zoeller 152-0006 High Head Dose Mate 230 Volt Effluent Submersible Pump w/Variable Level Float Switch

Zoeller 152-0006 High Head Dose Mate 230 Volt Effluent Submersible Pump w/Variable Level Float Switch When you have residential or commercial wastewater issues, you can count on Zoeller Pumps to deliver the very best solutions-our commitment to top quality offers you years of service and durability Zoeller 152-0006 High Head Dose Mate 230 Volt Effluent Submersible Pump w/Variable Level Float Switch Features: • Durable cast iron construction with corrosion resistant powder coated epoxy finish. • Stainless steel lifting handle. • Assembled with stainless steel bolts. • Non-clogging engineered thermoplastic vortex impeller design. • Upper sleeve bearing and lower ball bearing running in bath of oil. • Motor-60 Hz, 3450 RPM, oil-filled, hermetically sealed, automatic reset thermal overload protected. Carbon/Ceramic seals. Oil lubricated bearings. • 20' UL listed power cord with molded 3-wire plug. • Longer cords are available at extra cost. • 1-1/2" NPT vertical discharge. • Comes with a 1 1/2" x 2" PVC adapter. • Passes 5/8" spherical solids. • Operates at temperatures to 130 deg. F (54 deg. C) in effluent applications.

Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151)

Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151) Big John Vertical Sump/Effluent Pump Designed for residential and light to moderate commercial duty. Available with thermal overload protection, corrosion-proof polypropylee volute and adjustable "Snap-Action" Float Switch. Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151) Features: • 1/3 HP motor • 46 GPM at 5 ft. of head • 17' Max head • 1/4" solids handling • 1 1/4" FNPT discharge • ABS plastic Volute • PVC Impeller • Automatic operation • Automatic float switch activator • Adjustible Switch on, Switch off • 8 ft. power cord Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151) Features: • Flow 2800GPM @ 5' • Cord Length 8' • Shut Off 17' • Voltage 115 • Hertz 60 • Amps 4 • Watts 316 • Weight 16 lbs. • Height 31.2" • Width 9.6" • Length 9.6"