In the rainy season, you will see dampness everywhere, inside and outside the house. Sometimes the water from the rain mixes with the drain system. The whole environment becomes messy due to the flood of water inside the home. You will hardly emanate excessive water without the best pedestal sump pump.
Think about the dry season. There are possibly no such watery things. If there is by chance any water on the yard or the lawn, you will have to toil hard to clean them. Moreover, your house’s drainage system may leak accidentally. Sometimes, the tank overflows the excessive water after filing itself.
All of these situations are quite possible. Yet there is a way to clean them and keep the surface dry, neat, and clean. A pedestal sump pump can suck and eliminate the water without clogging them. I have brought you the best pedestal sump pump buying guide. This resourceful content will let you know how to buy a user-friendly pedestal sump pump.
Let’s begin with some essential but necessary information about the high-quality pedestal sump pump.
What is a Pedestal Sump Pump?
A sump pump is not like an alien-using thing. It’s such a kind of pump that you can use to collect excessive water due to different reasons. A pedestal sump pump is a type of sump pump that is designed to be installed above the floor, rather than submerged in the sump pit.
Most users of the sump pump reside in low-lying areas or where there remains an increased chance of flooding. In these areas, the water surface level is a bit higher than the foundation of the home.
5 types of pedestal sump pumps:
- Standard Pedestal Sump Pump
- High-Capacity Pedestal Sump Pump
- Dual Pedestal Sump Pump System
- Combination Pedestal/Submersible Sump Pump
- Battery Backup Pedestal Sump Pump
You may find multiple variations when you go to the store. Design, structure, size, horsepower, longevity, etc. are the factors of making different types of sump pumps.
Anyway, you can see these most common types of sump pumps:
Submersible sump pumps: this kind of pump is fully submerged in the sump pit. These pumps have a highly efficient motor, which helps to move heavy amounts of water. Some pumps can run more than thousands of gallons in just one hour. These can filter out the debris mixed in the water. The size of the pump saves the space of the installation area. It’s good for places of heavy rainfall or lower elevation. Submersible sump pumps last 5-10 years.
Pedestal sump pumps: This kind of pump is more familiar nowadays. The structure of a pedestal sump pump is different. In this pump, the motor is positioned higher from the sump pit top. There is an extension shaft that goes down to the pit carrying the water. The pedestal sump pump has lots of advantages. You will stay worry-free for 25-30 years after installing this pump.
Water-powered sump pumps: You can call these pumps as emergency savior pumps. You don’t need to spend money on electricity or batteries. This pump runs with the water pressure from the municipal water source. This pressure creates a vacuum that eliminates the water from the surface. Most of the time, these pumps are set as backups.
Battery backup sump pumps: it’s almost similar to the water-powered sump pump. This pump needs electric power to run. When the electricity goes off, it will stay on with the power of the battery. A battery-powered sump pump is also a submersible device though it has a battery inside the case. This type of pump is less powerful but very effective in adverse situations.
Among these variations, pedestal sump pumps are the reasonably best choice. You are at the right place to know what the best pedestal sump pump is. Read the content thoroughly to enrich your conscience.
How Does Pedestal Sump Pump Work?
The mechanism of this pump is quite matching to other types. The major part is the pipe, which differs from those of sump pumps. The mechanics keep the pipe close to the pit. The pipe routes off from the main body.
As you already know it has a motor that sits atop the pedestal via a hose. The edge of the hose goes down to the water reservoir. When you install this pump in your basement, it will bring out the water with the hose and drain it to the right spot. Usually, the right place can be the sewer system of your home.
A pedestal sump pump has float, which triggers the pump to start working. It happens when you switch on the device.
Benefits of Pedestal Sump Pump:
There may be a question of why you should select a pedestal sump pump. Here is your answer.
Budget-friendly staff: The first thing we think when we are about to buy a product. You should not worry about buying a high-quality pedestal sump pump. This pump is genuinely more affordable than other pumps. The parts of the pump are easily available in the nearest home improvement stores. So, you are good to go for an inexpensive pedestal sump pump.
Durable and long-lasting: The build quality and specs of the device are sturdy and error-free. As the motor is positioned to a higher position, water can hardly damage the pump. In fact, there is less chance of getting damaged within the next 10 or 15 years after installation. Many users have been using their sump pumps for many years. The rust-resistant layer on the pump’s body keeps the device protected. Besides, the pedestal option is superior in quality to other pumps.
Easy maintenance: Compared to other counterparts, a pedestal pump will save your maintenance cost. The motor is effortless to access just above the basement surface. It assures that when you call a professional to fix the device, if anything goes wrong will be cost-effective. This cost is considerably lower than submersible pumps. Even it takes a little time to check out the condition and troubleshooting of a top-rated pedestal sump pump. On the other hand, submersible pumps require more time to separate and fix the parts.
Quick installation: It doesn’t require breaking the concrete to install like a submersible pump needs. If you have a small size of basement pit, a pedestal pump would be the best option for you. Many users who have less knowledge of setting a pump can complete this pump setup well.
Preventing household damages: When you install a pedestal sump pump, you can avoid unwanted damage to the properties. It keeps the wood rot, mold and mildew, electrical, and potential fire hazards away. This kind of pump can run at a stretch for a long time. So, you can keep the environment dry and clean.
However, you should be acknowledged of a couple of things. If you need to eliminate water faster with higher volume, choose other sump pumps. But this can make you change or buy another pump sooner.
Pedestal vs. Submersible Sump Pumps
Most of the time, people get confused about the differences between pedestal and submersible sump pumps. It’s because both pumps are widely used in cleaning the excessive water. But you should know there are a couple of differences between these two. These differences make pedestal pumps superior to submersible or other gadgets.
Here are some significant distinctions which will make you have the right choice:
Power: The submersible pumps are on top in this case. As they are designed to move out a high volume of water, more powerful motors are used to build and run the submersible sump pumps. On the other hand, the pedestal pump moves a moderate amount of water; the engine runs for more duration than the previous one. But the power is lessened here for longevity purposes.
Noise creation: It can be problematic sometimes to use a pedestal sump pump. It’s because the motor of the pump remains open and easily accessible more than other pumps. Submersible pumps create less noise as they stay in a lower position.
Accessibility: Pedestal devices are easy to access. You can easily take care of the pump as the central part of it remains on top. So, repairing and cleaning the equipment takes less time and attention. Submersible pumps are a bit complicated as the motor stays below the basement surface. Water-powered sump pumps need sufficient water power or they won’t work as you need.
Lifespan: It’s true that the submersible pump has good power or more sometimes. But the efficiency will go down when it is used for a couple of years. A pedestal sump pump is more productive than a submersible one. The lifespan of a pedestal pump is 20-30 years, whereas submersible devices work well up to 10- 15 years.
How to Choose the Best Pedestal Sump Pumps
Sometimes it is frustrating that we go to the market and return home without any goods. It can be for different reasons. Product availability, structure, design, productivity, size, weight, etc. are key factors that define the importance of the product. Similarly, pedestal pumps are available in different brands with many attractive features.
In this part, I am going to let you know about how to choose the best pedestal sump pump. You should be concerned about these terms.
Horsepower:
Horsepower (HP) shows the efficiency of the motor of a pump. You may hear this term frequently if you own a vehicle. But it’s present in other electric devices. Horsepower describes how fast or how much water a pedestal sump pump can suck or eliminate. In some cases, the accumulated water needs to be pumped further to the plumbing outlet.
Pedestal sump pumps have low or moderate HP. It’s because these pumps work longer than submersible or other pumps. The rating of the HP of a pedestal pump is equivalent to 1/3 or less. It is sufficient for those areas where basement flood issues happen frequently. If there are more numbers of problems, then you should choose ½ HP pedestal pump would be a good choice. You should consider horsepower strictly if you live in low-lying areas where rain and flooding remain a regular matter.
You should choose a motor depending on how much water you want to move, and the height you want to reach. I suggest you take expert suggestions if you are still have confusion about pedestal pumps horsepower.
Structure:
Unlike other types of sump pumps, pedestal pumps are not overexposed to water. Keeping this point in thoughts, the manufacturer builds pumps with proper building materials. Usually, cast iron, stainless steel, plastic, etc. are major ingredients in producing pedestal sump pumps. There will be rust coating on the device so that water or mold can’t affect it.
Pumps having fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic building materials are inexpensive, sturdy, and corrosion-free. The cast iron sump pump is more weighty than others. But this extra weight helps to distribute heat evenly. This type of pump has a faster cooling capability. On the other hand, stainless steel-made pumps and accessories can work well at heavy pressure. But these pumps will cost you more.
Pumping Capacity:
It becomes crucial part to notice when you have to clean out a lot of water. Pumping capacity requires the rate or ability to pump out a specific amount of water. Sometimes, it’s more necessary than thinking of the horsepower. A top-quality pedestal pump can handle maximum downpours. You should choose a pump that has sufficient capacity to pump water to work with a lot of water. It can be disastrous for your basement if your pump isn’t capable enough.
Pumping capacity can be called a pumping volume of water. It is measured is gallons per water or GPH. It determines how much water the device can pump out. When you want to buy a top-rated pedestal sump pump, look for GPH written on the pump’s body or package. Many brands may show the capacity as GPM or gallons per minute. In this case, you need to convert the measurement into an hour. High GPH pumps can transport more water. But they may require frequent maintenance.
If you don’t see the GPH written, check out the customer or user reviews of the product. It will ensure the real information about the product.
Power:
Pedestal sump pumps generally have a powerful battery for operation. There are also some pumps that may run with water pressure. From my experience, battery-powered devices are suitable for using the pump anytime. There are also pedestal pumps available running with direct electricity (AC). But they won’t work if there is any disturbance or electrical shortage. You should arrange backup power sources for emergencies.
The length of the power cord is also essential. Long cables help to connect the device to an electric outlet at a good distance.
Size:
Most of the pedestal sump pumps are similar to their size. It depends on the width or size of your home basement. If the basement is small, then go for a small size pedestal sump pump. Otherwise, a large pump will be the positive selection for any size basement.
Float Switches:
In my view, it is one of the best features of a pedestal sump pump. The float switch automatically turns on and off. This switch triggers when the water level forces a floating device to carry upwards. Pedestal sump pumps have three types of float switches. These are tethered, vertical, and electronic float switches.
The tethered float switch is preferable for larger pumps and deep basins. It helps to work in longer pumping cycles. It makes the pump cool within a sufficient amount of time. Vertical float switches are suitable for small or narrow size sump basins. This kind of switch causes the cycle shorter and more frequent. If your pump has this switch, it will take more power to run. Electronic float switches can work in tiny-sized basins where tethered or vertical can’t work well. This type of switch often comes with different options like a built-in water depth alarm.
When you are buying a pump, check out the float switch type to avail automatic features like turn on or off.
Things to Know Before Buying a Pedestal Sump Pump
When we want to buy a product, we do these everyday things:
- Looking for the product online or offline stores.
- Asking neighbors or current users of the product
- Calling the support of the product manufacturer
- Getting help from the technician or repairing services
You may do the above things to buy the best pedestal sump pump. However, you should know something more before purchasing the device just knocking others. Here are a couple of essential things you shouldn’t avoid:
The activity of a pedestal pump:
A pedestal sump pump needs to be installed in the basement or the ground floor of the house. This pump draws the flooded water and pumps out the water to the outside or any sewage system. If you are in certain areas where frequent flooding or rainfall is widespread. Damp floors can cause versatile problems to your health or the properties. So, you should keep them dry and clean. Pedestal pump starts cleaning the excessive water when you turn on the switch.
Measure the probable water damage:
Before you install a pedestal sump pump, you should measure the potential damage caused by the water. Excessive flooding can cause substantial damage to the property. In this case, you should prefer a sturdy, powerful device that can work at high GPM with enough horsepower. Medium or lower horsepower may be perfect for the places where flooding is caused less often.
Measure the structural damage:
There is a rare amount of people who don’t love rain or rainy season. But over-rainfall can bring opposite results. It may dampen the structure of your home and properties. You should check out if there is any hole in the structure in your home after flooding. If you install the pump in such a place where there are already holes, the device won’t be able to perform as you want.
The functions of the selected pump:
Many manufacturers offer trial or test services for their products. If you are not sure about the features and capabilities of the pump, run a test first. Check out if there is any user manual available with the pedestal sump pump. If there is any shortage of service, order for another effective one. It’s like test-driving a car.
Battery Backups:
After a storm, it’s quite natural to have load shedding. To keep your machine turned on after a natural disaster or electric blackout, manage alternative sources for machine activities. Battery-powered pedestal pumps are an excellent choice in this case where electricity failure is common. It won’t take more money to have a battery-powered sump pump.
Regular Maintenance:
When you have started using the water eliminator, you should periodically go for product maintenance. You can also test whether the machine is working correctly or not. To do so, take a five-gallon bucket filled with water. Then, slowly pour the water directly into the device until it starts working automatically. You should note how much time it is taking to drain the water. This will give you an idea of machine performance. You can also call the technician for better observation and maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions of Pedestal Sump Pump:
Q: What is a better submersible or pedestal sump pump?
A: If you are in heavy rainfall or frequent flooding areas, you should select the submersible sump pump. This pump has higher efficiency to move a lot of water in short time. But they can get defects or the performance may get slower very quickly due to heavy workload. If you do not have frequent floods, a pedestal sump pump would work as an allrounder device. This pump can run for a longer time with moderate capacity.
Q: How long does a pedestal sump pump last?
A: It depends on the dampness and height of the water table in your area. If you wish for quick suction of water with high volume, the pedestal sump pump will last for a shorter duration. Otherwise, if you want to do it taking enough time, then the lifespan would be longer. Usually, a pedestal sump pump offers 25-30 years long service.
Q: How often should the sump pump run after heavy rain?
A: The machine can start working within seconds. After heavy rain, the sump pump may run for more than one or two days.
Q: Can I unplug my sump pump?
A: I suggest you not to unplug the sump pump unless it’s broken or started not working correctly. The reason behind this is water can drain into the sump pit at any moment. The exciting thing is, the pump may work even in the dead of winter. If you want to avoid these terms, a few facts will make you keep the device plugged in. The non-perforated drain lines may completely get filled with water. This may lead to cracks in the surface.
Q: Can you hear the sump pump running?
A: Noise from the pedestal sump pump is nothing serious. If the noise is louder, then possibly the device has a fault in its system. You should call the technician when this thing happens.
Q: Do sump pumps have a reset button?
A: Yes, most pedestal sump pumps have a specific button to reset the gadget. Look for the reset button on the body of the motor. If there is no reset button, try to locate the switch for on-off. Then turn the switch off. You may also unplug the device directly from the power outlet.
Q: How do you manually trigger a sump pump?
A: If you want to activate the pump manually, press and/or hold the switch until the pump starts. The tether float switch is easier for manual triggering. You can test the float by lifting it and turning it upside down.
Conclusion
A pedestal sump pump is a logically life-saving device. It can prevent the unwanted damage and dampness of your house. In winter or rainy season, pedestal pumps will work flawlessly. You should know how to buy the perfect one. This long content shows all the possibilities, facts, and open-ended questions with answers.
A pedestal sump pump is a good investment. If the investment is spent on the wrong equipment, then the whole thing would be frustrating. So, you need to be wise before ordering the best pedestal sump pump.
There are different quality and brands available for your convenience. But choose them wisely. I Hope, this buying guide will be a good source of information in every step.
Have a great day!