What Size Sump Pump Do I Need?

Maybe your submersible sump pump is broken or nearing the end of its life, or you are wondering if your current primary sump pump is the best, most sustainable fit for your home.

A sump pump that is too big will cause the system to cycle more than needed for the given volume of water, which will burn out the equipment prematurely. A sump pump that is too small will not have the pumping capacity to handle the amount of water entering your home’s sump pit on a rainy day, which could lead to flooding or other water damage.

You never know if previous homeowners had a properly sized sump pump installed, and any noticeable issues with your sump pump could mean that it is time for an upgrade. Sizing a sump pump is a fairly simple task that you can do on your own so that you determine which size sump pump you need and purchase whichever brand and model you like before roping in a licensed plumber or another trained professional for installation.

Sump Pump Replacement or New Installation

Identifying why you are getting a new sump pump can potentially help you find the proper size faster. If you’re replacing an old sump pump, think about whether or not you liked the way the sump pump functioned. If yes, then look for the model number of the pump on a label that is usually located somewhere on the outside of the pump. From there, it’s as simple as typing the model number into a search engine to see if it is still being produced.

You can order the new sump pump on your own, or consider calling a professional plumber and letting them know what type of sump pump replacement you need. Regardless of who orders the pump, it is always a good idea to have a professional install the new system so you can ensure that it is done properly and that the sump pump will function sustainably for a long time to come.

If you want to install a new type of sump pump or you need a new size for better functionality, or maybe you are installing one for the first time, then there are a few easy steps you can take to determine the proper size. When having a new sump pump installation completed, the following information will help you determine what size sump pump is needed for your home:

• The size of your sump basin/pit. Measure the diameter and depth of the pit and round the measurements up.
• How high the sump pump is pumping water. Measure the vertical lift or the vertical distance from the bottom of the sump pit to where the discharge pipe exits your home, round the measurements up.
• How far the sump pump is pumping water. Measure horizontally from the center of the sump basin or pit to where the discharge pipe exits your home. If you’re going through a wall, estimate and round up.
• The diameter of the piping used for the discharge line that leads water outside of the home.
• Does your sump pit fill up all of the time, or only after heavy rain or snow?

Together, all of this information will allow you to select the right size submersible sump pump and the unit that will work the best for your home. There are many types of sump pumps, but for most standard-sized homes and water tables, a 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower pump is enough to cycle through the gallons of water that pass through the sump pit on an hourly basis (gph).

However, if any of your criteria from the sizing list is well above average or your pump continuously fills due to the groundwater in the environment you live in, you will most likely need to step outside of the average sump pump size range.

Refer to this helpful video from Power Equipment Direct for a visual walkthrough of the sizing process. Similar to sump pump installation, we always recommend contacting a local plumber at any point during the sump pump system process for a professional and experienced opinion.