I rigged a sump-pit which is outside. Indoor sump pump would’ve been objectionable. I’ve been using Rule sump pump, but they don’t make it any more, just for pools and boats. Rule pumps survived at least 3 winters on average.
I found Ridgid diaphragm switch pump, Little Giant pressure switch (diaphragm) pump, and Water Ace electronic switch pump. Little Giant has the best review but does anybody know if diaphragm will survive the freeze? Rule was electronic as well, but does anybody know the quality of Water Ace? Thank you in advance.
Replies
Greetings k1c,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
Parolee # 53804
Thank you for your help. After more research, I found a device called Flood Free Electronic level control. It seems to be on-off switch that a pump, any pump, can plug into, and it has wire sensors for water level. Seems like this is the way for me since I don't have to worry about submerged pump in winter. One reputable maker said that housing can crack if left in ice. If this device is reliable, I would use a utility pump installed outside of the pit. So I was wondering, did anybody use this device? Is it reliable? Thank you in advance.
Well, I have an outside sump in the making - haven't gone through one winter yet. I was planning to insulate the underside of the lid and allow the fact that it's very unlikely to freeze 5' below grade, right? What is your location?
Pump is Zoeller M267 effluent type - 2" discharge
Jeff
I am in New Jersey. I dug the pit only down to the footing, which was about 3 feet. I'm not sure how a pit can be insulated from the top down. I am guessing that you are hoping the bottom will not freeze. It seems like the pit and the cover have to be super insulated to depend on the ground temperature. The Rule sump pump did survive a few winters. After saying Rule doesn't make the pumps anymore, I checked their website just on a off chance, and they have pumps again. But for me, they don't have a distributor close enough and that decided for me to go with a regular sump pump, such as Zoeller or Liberty, and just remove them in winter. Since the pit is outside, I don't have to worry about basement flooding. If the ground gets saturated, I just have to return the pump. This pit was to keep the basement slab as dry as possible, never to deal with any water coming in.
The electronic flood level sensor seemed like a good idea until I remembered that outside (of the pit) utility pump will not work without prime. One company suggested a diaphragm pump, which can start pumping dry, but diaphragm pumps have small capacity and probably the diaphragm will not survive freezing. Good luck with your project.
New Jersey? You just need to insulate the top of the pit well and the pump won't freeze.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I've used one of those controls (maybe a different brand) and they work well.But a utility pump has water in its impeller chamber and will crack if it freezes. Better to have the pump in the pit and insulate the top of the pit.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Where do you live, by the way? How cold does it get?
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Get a deicing heater from Tractor Supply or a similar place. They keep water from freezing, and are thermostatically controlled. They do not heat much more than freezing, so they have a relatively low power consumption. There are different versions available.
http://mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=8&paID=1039&sonID=213&page=1&productID=15553&zz=45420
Edited 4/19/2007 6:58 am ET by MarkH
I am in central New Jersey.
The bottom of my exterior sump (Zoeller effluent pump) is around - 5 feet below grade.
The frost depth in our area is - 36" so you may have some concerns. Below frost depth the ground rarely gets below 50 degrees.
What about taking the lid and fastening a round plastic trash can or pail to it with a hole in the bottom? Then fill with expanding foam - instant insulated plug.
Jeff
Edited 4/19/2007 6:59 am ET by Jeff_Clarke
Thank you and the others for ideas. The plumbing store also mentioned the possibility of ice cracking the pump body. My concern about the insulated sump pit comes from shallow footing insulation and how much such footing has to be insulated. The discharge hose is also open to ground and it seems too expensive to experiment with a new pump at this point. Heating the water sounds interesting. I might even try my old fish tank heater. Thank you all again.