Things to consider before buying a submersible pump
All of the things listed below need to be considered in at least some way before you decide on making any sort of purchase. You need to think mostly about what you need the pump for. It is not just a simple case of picking a model you like or finding the most durable pump, instead you need to match up your needs to the right model. Do you need to use it at home? Do you need to pump water upwards or sideways? These are things that need to be considered.
Usage
The usage of the pump is by far the most important factor in the buying decision. Where do you plan to use it and how? In each of our pump reviews we have discussed the right use for the pumps. Some are far more versatile than others, as for example VIVOSUN Submersible Pump.
You might need your pump for a pool, you might need it for use in a sump pit, it’s very unlikely to find a pump that can do both, so you need to decide on the usage first and foremost. Some pumps can do more than one thing, for instance, it may be suitable for both a pond and an aquarium.
Motor power
The motor power is normally measured in HP or Horsepower. It is not the only thing that plays a part in the power of the motor overall, but it does have an impact. The power is relevant, but you may prioritize some functions over this. There is no point in having a huge level of horsepower if it doesn’t actually do what you want it to, such as lifting to a certain height.
Voltage
The voltage of the system is more a compatibility issue than anything. You need something that suits the voltage of what is available in your home. This is why, for instance, the boat model, the MAXZONE Submersible Boat Bilge Water Pump has a 12V connection, which is more suited to using on a boat rather than within a home. Many have 110V or 115V connections which is the standard for households throughout America.
Flow rate
Flow rate is definitely more of a priority for some than it is for others.
This comes down to how much water you need to shift in any one time period.
For instance, if you are looking for a sump pump and you find a model with a low flow rate, it’s unlikely to do what you need it to. If water falls quickly and your sump pit fills, you need a flow rate (measured in gallons per minute or gallons per hour) that can keep up. For instance, the
FREESEA Submersible Water Pump can pump a lot of water, 1100 GPH.
Speeds
This is closely tied to the flow rate and the speed at which the pumps can operate. In some scenarios you will need a very fast flowing pump that can quickly clear a lot of water. If you are using your pump in an industrial setting, this can certainly be the case.
Certifications
It isn’t always essential for a pump to have certifications, but it certainly helps, and when you are looking to purchase a pump you should at least look out for any certifications. These tend to mean that a third party has checked and verified certain qualities of the pump such as the speeds and how hard-wearing they are. As an example, the Superior Pump 91250 is CSA certified. It’s not always the number one priority, but it should be taken into account, as a certification is like a vote of confidence.
Warranty
Any product that is dealing with water and/or electricity is vastly improved by the offer of a warranty. Most of the submersible pumps on our list come with some form of warranty to back up the product they have offered. The Little Giant APCP-1700, for instance, comes with a 3-year warranty. One year is pretty standard, but you may get more in certain scenarios. It is always best to check with the company if you are unsure of what warranty is on offer. Some pumps can last years or even decades of use, so don’t take any chances that your pump will break after just a few months.
Additional features
Additional features may depend upon the actual usage of the pump. For instance, a sump pump may have a float that detects when water reaches a certain level, and then kicks in when it needs to. This is very much on a case-by-case basis, depending on which pump you are buying and what it is for. Our editor’s choice, the Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump can be a very good option if you need this sort of float mechanism.
Prices
Once again, this is something that is relatively hard to pinpoint, as it depends on what you need the pump to be able to do. Are you looking for a sump pump? You will probably need to spend a couple of hundred dollars to get something decent. A pump for an aquarium is far less likely to cost this much, especially if you don’t need that much power.
This is one of the reasons we have included so many of the best submersible sump pump reviews, as it will help people to work out the sort of price they are going to have to spend if they are to find a good quality submersible pump, but if you are in need of just a small budget-friendly option Homasy Submersible Water Pump will be your pick.
Naturally, once you get into the realms of needing a pump for industrial uses, you will find that some of the choices are far more expensive.
Submersible pump installation and maintenance tips
If you are in a position where you are buying a pump for the first time, you may well be worried about the installation and how to maintain it. Also, if you have had a pump before and had to replace it, you’ll be hoping that this one lasts a lot longer, and the key to that is maintenance.
Before we fully go into our tips for installation and maintenance, you should definitely be aware that there is an element of risk involved. If you are uncertain or do not have the proper tools or instructions then you should leave it to the professionals. There are plenty of tradespeople who are more than happy to install submersible pumps and they can usually do so relatively quickly.
For installation, it is impossible to give a one-stop guide. The key is to check what each manufacturer says about how to install your submersible pump. Each will be slightly different. They will need some form of power supply, which is one of the hazards. If you opt for a pump that needs to be wired in then you might find that it is far better to get an electrician to do the job for you, stripping wire and hooking up to mains power can be tricky at the best of times, but especially where water is involved.
In terms of maintenance, this is another area where it is utterly essential to check the manufacturer’s guidelines. However, there are a few simple tips that can be followed. You should always perform regular checks, especially if you want your product to last as long as it has the potential to.
Our maintenance tips include:
- Regular cleaning. Once in a while, it’s vital to open up the mechanism and give it a clean. Be cautious and follow manufacturer instructions.
- Audio and visual checks. If the pump looks or sounds wrong, it could be time for a replacement or repair.
- Check the voltage and flow of submersible pumps as regularly as you have the ability to.
Some of the manufacturers also offer a hotline or some other form of additional support, this means that should anything go wrong, they can help you to troubleshoot and establish what the issues are, and even help you to solve them. Additionally, a warranty can be very useful as it guarantees that you will get a certain amount of use out of your pump.