Sump Pumps: The Differences Between Common Pump Models

There are a lot of sump pump models on the market today. The two main types of sump pumps are submersible and pedestal sump pumps.

Like the name, a submersible pump is designed be submerged in water. The pedestal pump sits in the sump pit, but the motor is not designed to get wet so it sits outside the pit.

It is argued that the submersible pump placed on the bottom of the pit is more stable than the pedestal pump.  With the pedestal pump, the pump is placed on the bottom of the pit but the motor is braced up on the outside of the pit.

Because the motor on a submersible is in the pit it is quieter than the pedestal pump.  However, it is more expensive and if the pump fails it is harder to replace because it is stored deep inside the pit. The submersible pump does handle greater volumes of water and is built to handle solids or particles.

The pedestal pump has a longer lifespan than the submersible pump. They are known to last 2 to 5 times longer and are cheaper than a submersible pump. But they aren’t built to handle particles or solids of any kind. The pedestal style has a hose or pipe that reaches down into the bottom of the pit and sucks up anything in its surroundings to avoid the pump clogging.

The pedestal float switch maintenance is on the outside of the pit so it makes it easier to fix and maintain; however, this may be a safety risk for children and pets.

Basically, there are pros and cons to each type of pump.  Which pump is right for you and your family depends on your needs and your personal concerns.