Introduction
Whenever there is a period of heavy rainfall and flooding, the water that lingers on your basement floor may damage the foundations of your home. To mitigate that risk, you may want to build a sump basin to collect that built up water in one place so it could then be safely removed and drained from your property. You will, of course, need a pump the water collected in the basin out, so we will try to give you an idea of what to use in these reviews. There are two types of pumps that can be used – submersible sump pumps and those on a pedestal. In this case, we will be focusing on especially the best pedestal sump pump reviews.
We will discuss each sump pump by price, efficiency, power, brand and present their pros and cons so we could help you make a more informed decision among those top rated sump pump brands. That will save you time and money when you buy the best sump pump in the long run since you will not have to repeat this process.
PRODUCT COMPARISON CHART
Star 3CEH Column Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $$$ | Hp: 1/3 | Material: Thermoplastic
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ECO-FLO Products EPP33 Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $$ | Hp: 1/3 | Product Dimensions: 31.2 x 7.9 x 31.2 inches | Item Weight: 30.4 pounds | Material: Plastic
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Everbilt 1/2 HP Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $$$$$$ | Hp: 1/2 | Product Dimensions: 35 x 8.4 x 7.9 inches | Item Weight: 24.2 pounds | Material: Cast Iron
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Simer 5023SS 1/3 HP Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $$$$$ | Hp: 1/3 | Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 6.5 x 30.1 inches | Item Weight: 17.2 pounds | Material: Cast Iron / Stainless Steel
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Dayton 4KU63 Sump Pump
Price: $$$$$$$$ | Hp: 1/2 | Product Dimensions: 30-1/2 inches | Item Weight: 0.16 ounces | Material: Cast Bronze
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Superior Pump 92551 Pedestal Pump
Price: $$$$$$$ | Hp: 1/2 | Product Dimensions: 36 x 8.5 x 8.5 inches | Item Weight: 16.5 pounds | Material: Stainless Steel
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Flotec FPPM3600D-01/09 Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $ | Hp: 1/3 | Product Dimensions: 6 x 33 x 6 inches | Item Weight: 11.3 pounds | Material: Thermoplastic
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Zoeller 585-0005 Aquanot II Battery Backup Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $$$$$$$$$ | Hp: 0.3333 | Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 32.5 inches | Item Weight: 24.4 pounds
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ECO-FLO Products EPC50 Pedestal Sump Pump
Price: $$$$ | Hp: 1/2 | Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.9 x 31.2 inches | Item Weight: 30.4 pounds | Material: Cast Iron
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Reviews
Star 3CEH 1/3 HP Thermoplastic Column Pedestal Sump Pump with Vertical Float Switch
The Star 3CEH is a pedestal pump that has a size of 1/3 HP and an open-type non-clogging multi-vane impeller. Its heavy-duty motor is 115V, 60 cycles, single phase, 1725 RPM and it has thermal overload protection to prevent overheating. Its shaft is durable, and it fits securely on the impeller. The device has a good filter for debris, so it will not get clogged up.
The pump is designed for 12-inch diameter basins, and it has an easily adjustable on/off float and rod type switch. It pumps 3000 GPH at 5 feet and has a 1-1/4 inch discharge pipe. This model costs $89.99. It has an outlet designed for 110 Volts.
The warranty on the device is 1 year. installing the sump pump is fairly easy, and it will not require much maintenance and work. Since it is on a pedestal, it is easy to get access to it when compared to a submersible sump pump. There are not many reviews to be found on this device online, but those that do talk about it are generally positive.
- Low cost. Does not require much maintenance. Easy access
- There are not many reviews online to see any drawbacks. Short warranty (1 year)
ECO-FLO Products EPP33 Pedestal Sump Pump with Vertical Float Switch, 1/3 HP, 3,000 GPH
This model of Eco-Flo brand is specifically designed for sump basins in the basement and its 1/3 HP engine that has a 115V capacity motor is able to pump 3000 GPH at 5 feet. It has a top mounted float switch. You can download the user manual and look under the technical specifications section to see its warranty, installation, safety and troubleshooting information.
This device costs $67.68. The pump has been tested in a laboratory, and it meets ISO 9000 standards. The pump does not have many reviews, so we do not know if there were any major problems with it, but there has been one notable issue with the pump head.
Since the pump head is made out of plastic and it if sucks in a pebble, it breaks down. There is a 12-month warranty on the model and since these pumps are supposed to last a long time, it might be prudent to get the model with a 24-month warranty. It is listed in the instruction book.
- Low-cost ISO 9000 standards
- A plastic pump head that is not very sturdy. Short warranty (1 year)
Everbilt 1/2 HP Pedestal Sump Pump
This Everbilt sump pump is a very durable and sturdy model with a cast iron impeller that is meant to have a long lifespan. It has aluminum housing to allow for better heat dissipation. The motor is heavy duty, and it has thermal overload protection. The thermal overload protection also covers the permanent split capacitor motor. It has a 1-1/2 in. or 1-1/4 in. (with adaptor) NPT discharge.
The device costs $449.99 and that makes it a more expensive option.
The device pumps 4600 GPH at 0 ft. of lift and 3420 GPH at 10 ft. of lift. It has 1/2 Hp. Like with the previous models, there have not been many reviews online to tell us of customer experiences. But it is considered to be a very good device well worth the money needed for it. The only notable problem is with the float switch and float switch holder that needs to be taped in place or it won’t stay on the shaft.
- Durable and sturdy. Generally a high-quality product
- Expensive. The float switch will not stay in place unless it is taped
Simer 5023SS 1/3 HP Pedestal Sump Pump
This Simer sump pump is a great choice on account of its price and material build. It costs only $139.00, but for that price, you get a corrosion-resistant stainless steel column with a rugged cast iron base. It is very easy to install this pump, and it is designed for a basin that is 12 inches in diameter or larger. The discharge pipe size is 1-1/2 inch and it has 1/3 Hp.
You do not need to worry about this model getting clogged up since it is designed to handle solids up to 1/4 of an inch in size. It uses a 115-volt power source, and it has a flow rate of 3480 GPH. The device comes with a 2-year warranty, so you can be sure that it will not break apart as soon as you buy it.
The device is a bit short but it is adequate for the job it is supposed to do. As with earlier models, we cannot be sure if there are any major flaws since there are not that many user reviews out there.
- A durable item
- Very low price, even when compared to plastic models
- The device is a bit short.
- Very few user reviews
Dayton 4KU63 Pump, Sump, 0.50 HP
This is a non-submersible sump pump that has 1/2 HP and a very sturdy build. The housing is cast bronze while the pump base is stainless steel. It costs $356.89 making it one of the more expensive models. The motor has aluminum thermal protection. It is designed to be used for water only. If you are a resident of California, you will need to consult an expert on how to safely discharge the water to be in accordance with the proposition 65. The discharge is NPT Outlet (In.) 1-1/4 and the device is designed for 12 inch or larger basins.
The company has good customer service and if there are any malfunctions with the device, they will replace it in a fast and professional manner. Even though the device has thermal protection, it can overheat and malfunction, but since the response time is so good, this should not be a hassle.
- Durable and high-quality materials.
- Good customer service
- Some environmental concerns.
- Sometimes it overheats even with thermal protection
Superior Pump 92551 1/2 HP Cast Iron Pedestal Pump
This durable model of Superior Pumps will use its heavy-duty 1/2 HP motor efficiently to clear out all the built up water in your sump basin. The product has a cast iron base, a non-corrosive steel drive shaft and it can handle liquids to up to 180 ºF so that means that you can use this model for a wide variety of applications. The switch is fully automatic and fully adjustable and its arm is metal so it is quite durable.
The device is, like the models we have previously discussed, able to handle sump basins 12 inches and larger and it has a 1-1/2 inch discharge. The model is able to handle 50 gallons of water per minute or 3000 GHP.
The device is designed to work on 120 volts. The price tag on this model is a good deal since there are no plastic parts that are prone to break down. An added bonus is the fact that the pump is very quiet.
- Low cost.
- Able to handle high temperatures of liquids
- Very quiet
- Durable materials
- Some problems with shipping – devices with dents
Flotec FPPM3600D-01/09 1/3 HP Pedestal Sump Pump
The Flotec sump pump that we are reviewing here is easy to install, and its 1/3 HP motor is able to handle a lot of liquid. The device is built out of thermoplastic and cast iron and that is reflected in the price tag. It fits in a 12 inches diameter basin and has a 1-1/4 inch discharge. The top inlet prevents debris from entering the pump and clogging it up.
The pump is not suitable for outdoor use, so you will not be able to use it, for example, lawn sprinklers. The metal shaft can sometimes get loose and then the pump rattles when it works. You need to consider that when you are searching for a place to set up the sump pump for your basement.
Some people have also complained that the motor is not as strong as the manufacturer stated (it’s more like 1/4 HP then 1/3 HP). There have also been some complaints that the cord is too short and that the pump broke down just after purchase. In our opinion, those complaints are too numerous to be ignored.
- Low price for durable materials.
- Easy to install
- The device can become quite loud.
- There have been complaints about the strength of the motor.
- The device can break down soon after purchase
Zoeller 585-0005 Aquanot II Battery Backup Pedestal Sump Pump System with Electronic Charger
The manufacturers of this model of Zoeller sump pump boast that this is the most reliable model out there that is guaranteed to work even during a power outage(Like you do have a battery backup sump pump system). It has a very reliable battery system which can be quite useful during extreme weather conditions when there is a big chance that the power will be out.
The pump has heavy-duty, 12 V motor and a positive contact float switch. All that good performance and reliability does come at a great cost. The pump does not come with a battery, but it does come with a 28 amp charger.
The user reviews generally positive, but there are not many of them so we cannot get a more detailed picture of user experience. People generally agree that the pump is as durable or more durable than average models. Since the pump is not submerged in water, it does not receive any cooling from water so it can overheat a bit.
- A durable model that reliably works under stress.
- Able to operate when electricity is out.
- Strong motor
- A large price tag.
- Can overheat
ECO-FLO Products EPC50 Pedestal Sump Pump with Vertical Float Switch, 1/2 HP, 5,000 GPH
This device is designed sump pump for basement use, and it is able to handle solids up to 3/8 inch in size. It has a 1-1/2 inch FNPT discharge and a 115-volt capacitor motor. You need to download the user manual and consult the technical specification page for safety, sump pump installation, and troubleshooting information. The device has been tested, and it conforms to the ISO 9000 standards. It is able to handle 5000 GHP and has a vertical float switch. While the pump can handle dirty water, it will not be able to pump sediment.
There have been some complaints that the device is not protected from rust, and one user has reported that the customer service was not responding to his complaints.
The shaft can rust only after a few months, so you need to factor that in when you are making a choice about your purchase. When talking about the purchase, we should mention that the cost of this device is affordable.
- Low cost.
- Able to handle dirty water
- The shaft is prone to rust.
- Poor customer service.
- Unable to pump sediment
Pedestal Sump Pump – What is it, how does it work?
In case you live in an area that is constantly flooded or gets a lot of rainfall, there will be a lot of water movement in the soil. As a result, your basement might become really wet and the entire floor of it might get covered with water. A solution for that too is to dig a hole in the basement – a sump basement where the water could be collected and then drained by the sump pump. The pump has a float activator that triggers the pumps motor when the water goes up to a certain level. The sump pumps can also be used to protect against sewer backups, to keep the humidity levels low and to reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth by removing all that moisture from the room.
There are two main types of sump pumps that can be used to clear your damp area – pedestal sump pump and a submersible sump pump. We are now going to compare a pedestal sump pump vs submersible:
Submersible sump pumps
- They are inside the sump basin, so they are not in the way of any furniture in the basement.
- Since they are underwater, they produce little or no noise.
- They are generally more powerful than pedestal sump pumps in HP capacities so they can pump out water faster
- They are much more expensive than pedestal sump pumps – that makes sense since the motor needs to be kept dry to prevent an electrical short-circuit.
- It is much more difficult to reach a sump pump for maintenance or repair. In this case you have to break the concrete to free it up and that costs money and time.
- They are much more sensitive to solids
Pedestal Sump Pumps
- They are a lot less expensive than the submersible ones. However, they tend to last longer (no need for watertight housing for the motor) they can last 2-3 times more than their submersible counterpart.
- Since they are above water, it is much easier to access and maintain them so repairs are less problematic – you do not need to break the cement floor
- Even though these pumps are much more reliable and they cost less, they are also less powerful.
- They are unable to handle large quantities of water during storms.
- The intake can get clogged up much easier than with a submersible model
Conclusion
Mother nature can be a fickle and vindictive beast, so you need to be prepared when she unleashed her fury. You can reduce the risk to your home with a sump basin and a pump to drain it. Then you need to make a really informed choice about what sort of sump pump you need.
We have tried to give you as much info as it is possible in this review that focuses on pedestal sump pumps. If you need to move large volumes of water out of your home during stormy periods, consider buying stronger models or submersible ones. If you have a constant stream of underground water getting into your basement, you can reduce the dampness with a weaker model that costs less, lasts longer and is easier to maintain since it is on a pedestal (you won’t need to break the concrete to get it out).