Primary Sump Pump Suggestion Zoeller vs Ridgid

[JoeA]

Hi,
I'm looking to replace my primary sump pump and I know plumbers usually suggest going with Zoeller but I have a lot of concerns especially after reading reviews about constant switch failures. I'm comparing two options here:
Zoeller 0.75HP from Lowes https://www.lowes.com/pd/Zoeller-0-75-HPCast-Iron-Submersible-Sump-Pump/1000675895
Ridgid 1HP from Home Depot https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-HP-Stainless-Steel-Dual-Suction-Sump-Pump-1000RSDS/308759169
We have heavy rains here and I'm currently using old cast iron ridgid which works fine but its more than 10 years old and probably going to die soon :-/
Thanks for suggestions!

 

[Taylorjm]

So, I wouldn't buy the Zoeller from Lowes. They are a lower tier vendor and I would expect the pump to not last as long as the zoellers you would buy in a plumbing store. With that said, yes, I have one and I had to replace the switch in it within the first few years. Haven't had an issue since then. I also had a Ridgid before the Zoeller and did the same thing as you, after about 10 years decided to replace the Rigid before it died during a storm. If I had to do it all over again, I would stick with the Ridgid. the reason I didn't buy one was because at the time they were trying some new kind of switch on the Ridgid pumps that was just a flat piece of rubber that sensed the amount of water weight on it (or something like that). I believe it was a big failure. If they had the models you are looking at, I would have bought the Ridgid. I wouldn't go with the 1hp, I'd go with the 1/2hp but I don't have much lift to deal with.

 

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[Taylorjm]

The other thing I just noticed about the Lowes Zoeller was some kind of dual switch. So I guess if the main switch fails there's a second switch higher up that will activate the pump. Soooo.. They know the switch will fail but instead of fixing it, they add another switch?

 

[Jeff H Young]

So, I wouldn't buy the Zoeller from Lowes. They are a lower tier vendor and I would expect the pump to not last as long as the zoellers you would buy in a plumbing store. With that said, yes, I have one and I had to replace the switch in it within the first few years. Haven't had an issue since then. I also had a Ridgid before the Zoeller and did the same thing as you, after about 10 years decided to replace the Rigid before it died during a storm. If I had to do it all over again, I would stick with the Ridgid. the reason I didn't buy one was because at the time they were trying some new kind of switch on the Ridgid pumps that was just a flat piece of rubber that sensed the amount of water weight on it (or something like that). I believe it was a big failure. If they had the models you are looking at, I would have bought the Ridgid. I wouldn't go with the 1hp, I'd go with the 1/2hp but I don't have much lift to deal with.

Question for you How do you know when your getting a lower quality from a Low tier vendor. I know that some products can be that way. I went to zoewlers site and they actualy show this as sold by lowes. I know I can buy the exact same products and pay way more at fergusson as home depot or lowes. like pipe and fittings . As much as I like my whole sale houses kind of hate to pay more than retail at them

 

[JoeA]

I'm using Zoeller 507-0005 (1/3hp) as my back up pump but I still had basement flooded during heavy rains and that's the reason I'm looking for something at least 3/4hp. Unfortunately I was not able to find any other 3/4hp Zoeller model and Lowes reviews are describing exactly the same thing as taylorjm said.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Noticed horrible reviews for pump along with great ones. Sometimes I trust reviews but mostly I dont trust them to be accurate. Because people will give a great review based on recieving it fast installed it and it works. Theyll give a poor review if its damaged , ok well thats a disappointment but some schmuck drops it off a forklift and that means the product is bad. Anyway I did see what looked like legit complaints in this case .
My interest was if they actualy make a crappier model for big box stores. Ive heard this kind of thing my whole life but cant quite confirm. You go to Sears in old day buy a kenmore washer (its a whirlpool) same exact model with differant badge on it differant model number are they the same or is a whirlpool from joe blowe appliance better.
But sometimes they sell a complete differant item just kind of hard to know.

 

[Gagecalman]

I've had excellent results using a HydroCheck HC6000 "Hi-Lo Sump Pump Controller" with a manual pump. No floats to hang up and no mechanical switches to go bad. There are two sensors so you can set the on/off height where it works best for your situation and to reduce short cycling.

I've used the Liberty 230 pump in the past. The 233 will also work. Just don't use the float.

 

[JoeA]

Just an update: I called Zoeller today and according to them most of those switch failures are related to incorrect installation or usage. In my case for instance when I have 16x24 pit and sump pump working very hard during heavy rains, they didn't suggest purchasing 3/4 pump but suggested to go with N98 1/2 floatless option. I will wait for the next rain to see how much water I get per minute and continue from there.

 

[Gagecalman]

If it's float less what will control it?

I'm not sure any manufacturer will tell you they made a bad part. If the switch on a sump pump fails how is that the fault of the installer or user? They're already attached to the pump when you buy it.

That's why I like the HydroCheck HC6000.

I wouldn't worry about the HP ratings too much. Look at the performance charts on the various pumps. The backup pump you have is 1/3 HP but it only pumps about 11 gallons/minute @10'. The Zoeller 1/3HP primary pumps are about 35 gallons/minute @ 10'. The N98 1/2HP is about 60 gallons/minute @10'. I use a Liberty 1/3HP rated at 30 gallons/minute @ 10'. I get a lot of water and I've never had a problem.

Take a look at the Liberty pumps as well.

 

[JoeA]

If it's float less what will control it?

I'm not sure any manufacturer will tell you they made a bad part. If the switch on a sump pump fails how is that the fault of the installer or user? They're already attached to the pump when you buy it.

That's why I like the HydroCheck HC6000.

I wouldn't worry about the HP ratings too much. Look at the performance charts on the various pumps. The backup pump you have is 1/3 HP but it only pumps about 11 gallons/minute @10'. The Zoeller 1/3HP primary pumps are about 35 gallons/minute @ 10'. The N98 1/2HP is about 60 gallons/minute @10'. I use a Liberty 1/3HP rated at 30 gallons/minute @ 10'. I get a lot of water and I've never had a problem.

Take a look at the Liberty pumps as well.

Thanks for this information! I definitely will!
Another question, I was trying to calculate amount of water I get here and with light rain I got two inches of water in 1 minute. I measured my pit and it's 18 inch but it actually 14 inch on the bottom. Is it how it supposed to be?

 

[Gagecalman]

That's the way mine is.

I also use a Basepump water powered backup sump pump. If you are on public water and not on a well they work great. My primary pump runs a lot. I will unplug it every few months and let the Basepump take over and I've never had a problem.

 

[GreekGuy7]

i had decent luck with zoeller m53.... maybe 8 years average. i seen ridgid pumps from home depot die after 2 or 3 years. then i again i seen cheap plastic pumps last 12 years.

what u guys think of little giant? menards sells them. i installed a couple of these lately

 

[JoeA]

That's why I like the HydroCheck HC6000.

How HydroCheck HC6000 is different from LevelGuard? Is it more reliable?

 

[Gagecalman]

I didn't know anything about the LevelGuard so I looked it up. I don't know how long it's been around. Looks nice. One difference is that the distance between on and off (differential) is 10" on the LevelGuard and it's unlimited on the HydroCheck. There are two sensors so you can set the on/off height where it works best for your situation.

I've installed the HydroCheck HC6000 in about 8 systems for friends and family. Been flawless for 10+ years.

I have my upper switch set so my pipes are 1/2 full before the pump comes on. Never had any issues. Prior to this setup my pump ran all the time. This will reduce short cycling and should help with pump longevity.

 

[Taylorjm]

Question for you How do you know when your getting a lower quality from a Low tier vendor. I know that some products can be that way. I went to zoewlers site and they actualy show this as sold by lowes. I know I can buy the exact same products and pay way more at fergusson as home depot or lowes. like pipe and fittings . As much as I like my whole sale houses kind of hate to pay more than retail at them

Especially when it says "made especially for Lowes" or "sold my menards" then there's a good chance they are making special runs of those products for those manufacturers. I personally would stay away from them. Many times you will see a certain model number at lowes, and the same model number at fergusson, but they are still special runs made for lower quality and cheaper vendors.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Especially when it says "made especially for Lowes" or "sold my menards" then there's a good chance they are making special runs of those products for those manufacturers. I personally would stay away from them. Many times you will see a certain model number at lowes, and the same model number at fergusson, but they are still special runs made for lower quality and cheaper vendors.

Thanks for the input Ive heard the same model could have differant quality. but not the same exact number. A lot of parts I cant tell diffearnceLike DWV fittings, pipe, and copper. A small guy like me getting tired of paying actual double the price I just priced out about 20 common fittings and found just about double the price 7.45 for a long sweep from big box store vs ferguson 13.28 I am a licensed Contractor.

 

[Ryan Symons]

Thanks for the input Ive heard the same model could have differant quality. but not the same exact number. A lot of parts I cant tell diffearnceLike DWV fittings, pipe, and copper. A small guy like me getting tired of paying actual double the price I just priced out about 20 common fittings and found just about double the price 7.45 for a long sweep from big box store vs ferguson 13.28 I am a licensed Contractor.

Give supplyhouse.com a shot. Get registered as a business and get discounted prices. Most things are cheaper than anywhere else. Plus you can order at 2am in your tighty whities while drinking a beer and have it delivered for free.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Give supplyhouse.com a shot. Get registered as a business and get discounted prices. Most things are cheaper than anywhere else. Plus you can order at 2am in your tighty whities while drinking a beer and have it delivered for free.

Thanks I have checked them out but didnt register they seem real good on many items didnt know an additional discount was available Ill be doing that soon I think it will be usefull