Choosing the right pump

• Sump Pumps are your trusty helpers when it comes to keeping basements and crawl spaces dry. They can sit fully submerged in water and work automatically, so you don’t have to lift a finger!

• Sewage Pumps come to the rescue by lifting household wastewater from a collection basin and sending it off to a gravity-fed sewage line or septic system. They help keep things flowing smoothly!

• Submersible Utility Pumps are perfect for clearing out water from flooded areas, boats, and window wells. These pumps can also be fully submerged in water, making them super versatile!

• Transfer Utility Pumps are great for moving water from one place to another. They create suction on the inlet hose, but keep in mind they can’t be submerged in water.

• Well Pumps are your go-to for drawing clean water from wells or cisterns. They can easily provide water from shallow wells (up to 25 feet deep) or deeper wells (up to 80 feet) and work automatically with a pressure tank system.

• Lawn Sprinkler Pumps are designed to draw water from natural sources that are less than 25 feet deep. Whether you prefer a permanent installation or something portable for occasional use, they’ve got you covered!

• Fountain and Pond Pumps are all about adding beauty and charm to your outdoor spaces. They’re specially designed for continuous operation, so your decorative water features can shine all day long!

Pumps are fantastic tools designed to help lift water and create flow! When we talk about how well a pump lifts water, we measure it in feet of head lift. For flow, we use gallons per hour (GPH) or gallons per minute (GPM). Some pumps are versatile and can do a bit of both based on how much power they have.

It's interesting to note that if a pump is focused more on lifting water, it may not have as much power left to produce flow. You can see this clearly on a Head vs. Flow chart, which shows that the more power we use for lifting, the less flow we can achieve.

Also, keep in mind that things like the length of hoses or pipes, reducer fittings, and elbow turns can all play a role. They can increase head lift, which might mean a decrease in output flow. So, when setting up your pump, it’s good to consider all these factors for the best performance!

A manual pump must be activated manually by plugging it in and deactivated by unplugging it, or by using a switch if it is equipped with one. A person must stay with the pump to monitor its flow and turn it off when the water-moving task is complete; otherwise, the pump may run dry and become damaged. 

In contrast, an automatic pump is controlled by a switch connected to a float, electronic sensor, or pressure device. This type of pump can turn on and off by itself without the need for constant human supervision.

If you’re using non-submersible pumps like transfer, well, or sprinkler pumps, you’ll need to give them a little help by priming them before they can start pumping water. Priming is simply the process of filling the pump housing, where the impeller is located, with water.

1. Find the priming port – it’s usually at the top of the pump, near the outlet port.
2. Fill it up – add water to the priming port until it’s full.
3. Seal it tight – make sure to securely put the priming cap back on to keep everything sealed.

Once you’ve done that, go ahead and turn on the pump. It may take about 15 to 30 seconds for it to start moving water.

Just a quick tip: double-check that the priming cap and intake hose are tightly sealed to keep air from sneaking in. If air gets in, the pump can lose its prime and won’t be able to pump water. Happy pumping!

A submersible pump is a fantastic option for underwater use, as it can be fully submerged, including the power cord! Just remember, for your safety, it should always be plugged into a GFCI outlet. Happy pumping!

1. Check and clear the anti-airlock hole once a year under normal use or every 3 months if debris is present.

2. Remove and clean the intake screen and inside of base of the pump. 

   • While the screen is off and the pump is unplugged, be sure to check the impeller on the bottom of the pump for damage. Also, you should be able to turn the impeller freely by hand when the pump is working properly

   • If the impeller is not freely moving, remove the base and clear any debris. If the impeller is damaged when you inspect it, replace the impeller. Replacement impellers can be purchased at www.superiorpump.com.

3. Once a year, loosen the two screws on the handle and slide the cover up. Check the make sure the power cord is securely plugged into the top of the pump.

4. If you pump has a vertical switch, check to make sure the float moves up and down freely by hand. You should be able to lift the rod with ease into the switch and when release it should fall back down to the off position. If the switch sticks, use a Q-tip to clean the connection.