This guide covers the basics of sump pump sizing so you can be sure you’re getting the right pump for your needs.
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Homeowners should know the basics of their sump pump
A sump pump is a vital part of any homeowners water management system, but many people don’t know the first thing about them. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry – this article will teach you everything you need to know about sump pumps, from how they work to what size you need for your home.
Sump pumps are used to remove water that has accumulated in a sump basin, typically located in the basement of a home. The water is typically pumped out of the home and away from the foundation to prevent flooding and water damage. Sump pumps can be manual or automatic, and they are available in a variety of sizes and power levels.
So, how do you know what size sump pump you need? The size of your pump will be determined by the capacity of your sump basin – that is, the amount of water it can hold before needing to be emptied. A typical sump basin ranges in capacity from 20 to 60 gallons, but larger basins are available for homes with high water tables or other factors that contribute to basement flooding.
As a general rule of thumb, you should choose a sump pump that can move at least 1 gallon of water per minute for every square foot of your basement floor space. So, if your basement is 1000 square feet, you will want a pump that can move 1000 gallons per minute.
The size of the sump pump is important
The size of the sump pump is important because it needs to be able to move the water out of the sump pit fast enough to keep up with the inflow. The rate at which water enters the sump pit is measured in gallons per hour (GPH). To determine the size of the sump pump you need, use the following formula:
Gallons per hour (GPH) x 12 hours = Minimum Pump Capacity in Gallons
For example, if your basement floods and you know that water is coming in at a rate of 1 gallon per minute, that equals 60 GPH. So you would need a pump with a capacity of 720 gallons (60 x 12).
How to calculate the size of the sump pump you need
It is important to have a sump pump that is the right size for your Needs. There are a few ways that you can calculate the size of sump pump you need.
The first way to calculate the size of sump pump you need is by using your horse power. This is calculated by using the gallons per hour (GPH) and multiplying this number by 4. So, if you have a 50 GPH, you would need a 1/2 horsepower sump pump. This would be adequate for most people’s needs.
The second way to calculate the size of your sump pump is by using your basement’s square footage. To do this, you would multiply the square footage of your basement by 0.5. So, if your basement is 1,000 square feet, you would need a 1/2 horsepower sump pump.
The third way to calculate the size of sump pump you need is by using your well depth. To do this, you would take the depth of your well in feet and multiply it by 2.5. So, if your well was 100 feet deep, you would need a 2 1/2 horsepower sump pump
The four main types of sump pumps
There are four main types of sump pumps:
-Submersible sump pumps: These are the most common type of sump pump. They are designed to be placed in the sump pit, and they are usually very quiet.
-Pedestal sump pumps: These sump pumps are designed to sit outside of the sump pit. They tend to be a bit louder than submersible models, but they can be a good choice if your pit is very small.
-Battery backup sump pumps: These pumps kick in automatically when the power goes out, which can be very helpful in a flood.
-Water-powered sump pumps: These pumps use water pressure to operate, so they don’t require electricity. However, they can only move a certain amount of water per hour, so they may not be suitable for very large basements.
