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The pedestal sump pump is a long lasting, non submersible pump that lasts longer while managing to be cheaper compared to the submersible type. They’re not as popular because of their noise but to those who can find ways to deal with it, it’s completely perfect.
In this article, we’ll talk about what you need to know about them and review the best pedestal sump pumps available today. We’ve chosen them from dozens of different models across multiple brands based on their quality, features, and performance. So, let’s get on with it.
How does a pedestal sump pump work?
A pedestal pump works just like the submersible pump except that the motor is not submerged. The motor drives an impeller that basically pushes the water around and into the discharge port. That water is then pushed by the water behind it out of the discharge and into pipes that usually lead out of the home and into a pond or a storm drain.
Pedestal sump pump advantages
A pedestal pump is driven by a motor that stays above the water and doesn’t need waterproofing. Since it’s less complex and not as exposed to moisture and water, it’s generally cheaper and longer lasting than a submersible.
Motors have to remain cool when running to avoid damaging important parts. The most common reason sump pumps heat up is a short cycle — which is when a pump starts and stops frequently — the result of an undersized basin and an oversized pump.
Smaller basins will fill to a high water level faster and the large amount of current needed to start the pump frequently will cause the motor to overheat. When you have an oversized pump that pumps the water out even faster, the problem gets worse.
This is where a pedestal type can help. It pumps more volume of water per cycle allowing the motor to always stay cool and damage free. It’s mainly because of 3 factors:
- The pedestal pump takes less space inside the basin compared to submersibles, therefore more space is available for the water
- The range between the on-and-off points is around twice as much, 8 inches on average, compared to the same type of switch for submersibles.
- You can adjust the range of the switch for most pedestal type pumps for an even longer distance
The Best Pedestal Sump Pumps
Best pedestal sump pump for average flooding
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Pros
- 2280 gph @ 10'
- Premium materials
- Highly efficient
- 10 ft. cord length
-
Cons
- Only 0.175 in. solids
- Heavy
A very capable and efficient pump made of cast iron and stainless steel — packed with all the important features an ideal sump pump needs. Superior is one of the well known brands in the sump pumps industry. They excel in making decent thermoplastic pumps at affordable prices.
This Superior pump is not one of their thermoplastic pumps. Its base is made of cast iron while the impeller and shaft are both made of corrosion resistant stainless steel. A higher quality than what they’re known for but still reasonably priced compared to others.
It’s very quiet yet capable and looking at the specs alone – this pump is easily up there. It looks almost perfect on paper, although there are some nuances when it comes to reality.
For example, I’ve read a few complaints on loose screws at the base, but they’re nothing you can’t fix with a screwdriver. Seized pumps are also a pretty common which is really often the case with pedestal pumps. It’s best to take precautions and keep all solids away from the basin.
Overall though, the Superior 92301 is well reviewed by most people especially with all the features it brings and the affordable price. It’s the best 1/3 HP pedestal sump pump you can find out there.
Best pedestal pump for heavy flooding
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Pros
- 3060 gph @ 10'
- Highly reliable
- Proven to last
- Very Quiet
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Cons
- Expensive
It’s hard to make a list on the best sump pumps without a Zoeller. It’s the most well-known brand in the sump pump industry. This “Old Faithful” is a cast iron pedestal pump. A highly reliable pump with some users saying their old ones have lasted for decades.
It’s equipped with a powerful 1/2 horsepower motor that can move up to 3060 gallons per hour of water to a height of 10 feet.
The base of it is made of cast iron and even though the impeller is thermoplastic, it’s much tougher compared to your regular plastics that you don’t really hear anyone complain about it. A permanently lubricated sleeve upper bearing and a bronze lower bushing allows it to be quieter and more stable than other pumps where the motor is mounted above the pit.
The Zoeller M84 is the best ½ HP pedestal sump pump out there. True, it’s much more expensive compared to others but with how reliable it is, it’s definitely worth every single penny.
Best budget pedestal sump pump
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Pros
- 2460 gph @ 10'
- Compact
- Very light
- Cheap
-
Cons
- A bit noisy
- Light to moderate use
Flotec is another great brand that most people would find familiar. Its budget pedestal type FPPM3600D-01/09 has a 1/3 HP motor and does a pretty decent job for light to moderate use. It has a thermoplastic pump housing and a plastic impeller enough for most day to day applications.
It can move 2,460 gallons per hour of water at 10 feet elevation. The unit can fit in a 12 inch basin and it weighs half as much as the cast iron pumps which is good news for easier installation.
Unfortunately, since the base is so small, there’s little stability offered to the motor above which may result in some vibration. Apart from this, the metallic rod for the float tends to vibrate and rattle against the support causing quite a bit of noise especially when you’re near.
Yet even with the noise, the Flotec FPPM3600D destroys every other pump in its price range.
Best battery backup pedestal pump
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Pros
- 2100 gph @ 10'
- 28A battery charger
- Runs when the lights go out
- Great quality
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Cons
- Expensive
Ever felt your heart squeeze when the lights go out and it’s raining hard? If you have a basement and you’re not prepared, that’s definitely something to worry about. But with a battery backup pedestal pump like the one we have here, those worries are a thing of the past.
The Zoeller 585-0005 is a high performance pump that can move a generous amount of water using batteries, taking up the role of the primary pump when it’s out of commission. When the power returns, it automatically charges the batteries to get ready for the next power outage. That means your basement is protected all the way. The only problem with it is the price, it’s quite expensive for a lot of folks but when you consider the potential savings from not having to restore a flooded basement, I think it’s worth it.
A great alternative for heavy flooding
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Pros
- 3480 gph @ 10'
- Cast iron pump
- Very affordable
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Cons
- Relatively new
If Zoeller’s Old Faithful seems too pricey for your taste, WaterAce offers a great alternative at half the price. The WaterAce WA33CPED features a robust cast iron pump with high performance capacity. Having a maximum flow of 3480 gph at 0′, the pump is a solid contender for those who want a pedestal sump pump for basements with heavy flooding.
Although the brand isn’t as well-known as Zoeller, more and more people are trying the pump out thanks to its very attractive price point and an increasing number of positive feedback.
Specs Comparison
| Product Specifications |
|---|
|
Capacity |
|
Running Amps |
|
Cord Length |
|
Thermal Protection |
|
Duty Rating |
|
Base |
|
Impeller |
|
Solids |
|
Switch (Adjustable) |
|
Flow at 10 ft. |
|
Max Fluid Temp. |
|
Discharge |
|
Weight |
|
Dimensions |
|
Min. Basin Size |
|
Warranty |
| Superior 92301 | Zoeller M84 | Flotec FPPM3600D |
|---|---|---|
|
1/3 HP |
1/2 HP |
1/3 HP |
|
2.76 A |
7.3 A |
3.5 A |
|
10 ft. |
7.5 ft. |
6 ft. |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Continuous |
Unspecified |
Intermittent |
|
Cast Iron |
Cast Iron |
Thermoplastic |
|
Stainless Steel |
Thermoplastic |
Plastic |
|
0.1875 in. |
Unspecified |
0.25 in. |
|
Vertical (Y) |
Vertical (Y) |
Vertical |
|
2280 GPH |
3060 GPH |
2460 GPH |
|
180 °F |
130 °F |
70 °F |
|
1 ½ in. |
1 ½ in. |
1 ¼ in. |
|
25 lbs. |
22.5 lbs. |
12.8 lbs. |
|
11.75 x 9.375 x 34 in. |
9.55 x 9.55 x 31.75 in. |
8.25 x 7.25 x 33.5 in. |
|
12 in. |
18 in. |
12 in. |
|
3 years |
1 year |
1 year |
How to choose pedestal sump pumps
1. Build Quality
Is it built to last?
We want a pump that’s made with the best quality and materials.
For pedestal pumps, this would mean that it’s made of materials that allow it to stand against wear and tear, high water temperatures, and corrosion.
The impeller and the shaft that holds it must be strong enough to not break or erode easily in case of debris.
As with the pump, the motor must also be reliable and high quality. It, along with the power cord, must be ‘UL listed’ which means it’s been certified for safety and reliability.
The float switch’s ball should be buoyant and resistant to punctures to keep an accurate reading of the water level at all times. Its rod must also be resistant to rust and dirt accumulation.
Most of all, everything should stay perfectly in their place for as long as we need them.
2. Features
Is it equipped to do the job better?
You need a pump that you know you can count on even when the situation is far from perfect. This is where the best pumps shine, the features they bring will give you the confidence to sleep soundly in the stormiest of nights.
The float switch is the first important feature we should look at. Can you rely on it to detect the level correctly even after a few years? Is the on and off points adjustable so you can change when it turns on and off? A quality switch will make all the difference to how reliable it is.
Another important feature is a non-clogging impeller which allows larger solids to pass through. Clogs can prevent the pump from sucking any water and can even damage the motor. Even though the pedestal type really can’t handle solids as smoothly as submersibles, a non-clog impeller gets it halfway there.
The motor, if possible, should be rated for continuous use which means it can run non-stop with no problem. It should also have thermal overload protection which cuts the power when it gets too hot for some reason and an automatic reset which starts it again when it’s cooled. Since a few degrees above the standard limit can greatly reduce motor life, this is an important feature the pump shouldn’t live without.
If it has properly lubricated bearings that enable a more stable operation and lower noise levels, then that’s even better. These bearings help keep the motor cool by reducing friction between parts.
3. Performance
How well does it do the job?
We want a pump that performs, one that can move large amounts of water. But more than that, we want a pump that performs efficiently. This means it can move that same amount of water and to do so with less electricity.
Of course there’s a limit to it, but a well-designed pump will get you closer to the ideal without sacrificing its lifespan.
Different factors are considered in rating the performance of the pump. This includes the pump components’ design, the motor, the pump’s flow rate, and the current draw of the pump.
4. Ease of Installation
Will you be able to install it with ease?
Installation is the final consideration for choosing a sump pump. Since a lot of us are installing the pump on our own, it’s a lot of help knowing that the pump will be easy to install.
We want our pump to be light so we can easily carry it into the pit. As much as possible, it should also have smaller dimensions so it can fit even in narrow basins. Just remember that there’s still a minimum basin diameter recommended for each pump and you should follow that.
The cord length is also considered since extension cords should not be used on sump pumps for safety reasons.
Its user manual must also be detailed and easy to follow. There are questions that only the manufacturer can answer and it should be presented clearly in the provided manual.
Conclusion
The Superior 92301 is the best for a 1/3 HP pedestal pump. It’s made of premium materials and a heavy duty motor that will definitely keep your mind at ease.
However, if the amount of flooding is high, you need a more powerful pump like the Zoeller M84 to clear it out properly. On the other hand, if you only have a very light amount of flooding, the Flotec FPPM3600D is an affordable alternative you should not ignore.
If you don’t mind the slightly noisier motor and want an affordable, easy to install, and long lasting pump — a pedestal sump pump will give you everything you need. Choosing the right one will give you complete peace of mind for the next decade or two.
If you’re curious on the alternative, check out our review on the best submersible sump pumps.