We take it for granted today, but dealing with water has always been a problem in the past. Some areas had too much while others, too little.
In the modern era, we’re lucky enough to have machines that help us harness, and sometimes control, water. These machines are called water pumps.
In this article, I’ll explain what it is, how water pumps work, and the different types of water pumps for every application.
What is a water pump?
Water pumps are machines used to move water. There are different types that can supply, circulate, or remove waters of all kinds for different applications.
Capacities range from small portable pumps for everyday use to large industrial pumps for supplying feed water to power plants.
How do water pumps work?
The most common water pumps are powered by electrical motors that rotate an impeller. This impeller pushes and swirls the water inside the pump casing, speeding it up.
From there, the water is slowed down thanks to the shape of the casing to turn its energy into pressure before being discharged through a pipe or hose.
Another popular type, the diaphragm pump, uses the motor to create a reciprocating motion to push and pull a membrane.
Water is sucked into a chamber when it pulls then pressed and discharged as it pushes. A diaphragm pump is an example of a positive displacement pump.
Most water pumps are powered by electricity, both AC and DC. Other types, however, run on diesel or gasoline such as dewatering and trash pumps. This allows the pump to be taken wherever it’s needed.
Some types also use hydraulics, air, or even manual action i.e. by hand.
In terms of installation, a pump may either be submerged or surface-mounted. It may also be completely portable or permanently installed. Each has its own strengths that will fit the user’s needs.
What water pump do I need?
Well pump
To extract water effectively from a reservoir below the ground, you need a well pump. There’s shallow well pumps for depths up to 25 feet and deep well pumps for anything deeper.
Booster pump
If you want to improve the water pressure in a home or building, a pressure booster pump can help. It pressurizes weak water supply so it can reach fixtures on the higher floors without a problem.
Sprinkler pump
The sprinkler pump uses water from a nearby source and boosts it to the sprinkler system. It’s perfect for the lawn, garden, and even larger irrigation systems.
Water feature pump
For water features of any kind, this is the pump you need. The water feature pump is highly efficient and can run 24/7 without spiking your electricity bill. With it, you can enjoy a beautiful scenery right at your home whenever you want.
More specialized pumps in this category include the waterfall pump, pond pumps, and fountain pumps.
Pool pump
The pool pump circulates the water in your pool and run it through a filter to keep it clean and healthy. It removes debris such as leaves, lint, and other contaminants for a clear pool you’d always want to dive in.
Utility pump
For everyday use in your home and business, the utility pump is the most versatile pump you can rely on for a variety of jobs. Whether you want to remove floodwater, transfer water to another container, or drain the pool or aquarium faster, a utility pump can always help.
Sump pump
Keep your basement free from water damage to avoid thousands of dollars in repairs. Sump pumps are placed in pits and rely on a level switch to turn on and off automatically.
Dewatering pump
For the fast removal of solid-free water, a dewatering pump is the perfect companion. It’s commonly used for flooding removal, irrigation, and construction purposes.
Trash pump
For removing dirty water filled with debris, you need a pump designed to handle the job. The trash pump is perfect for pumping muddy water filled with leaves, twigs, and other solids up to a certain size. It has a clog-resistant design other types of pumps can only dream of.