How to Choose the Right Pump for Your Job

Whether you’re pumping it out of your basement or extracting it from deep down in a construction site, dealing with fluid is complicated.

On top of the logistical challenges that may arise, there are dozens of pump options to choose from. That means navigating your way to the best pump for your needs isn’t always easy.

What to Consider When Choosing a Pump

To simplify your search, we compiled a list of factors to consider when looking for the right pump for your job. When selecting a pump, you should think about:

• What you’ll be pumping
• Pump depth
• Project type
• Speed
• Conditions
• Power type
• Noise considerations

Liquid or solid?

Sometimes the fluid you need to pump is pure liquid — like that of a swimming pool. Other times, it’s a mix of water, mud, sticks, and other material. Each scenario makes a big difference, and determining your solids concentration will lead to the proper pump selection. For instance, our 2” Centrifugal Pump works best when the water contains limited solid material. For dirtier jobs, you want to go with the 3” Gas Diaphragm Pump — literally called the “mudhog” — or one of our trash pumps — like the 4” 20HP 460V Submersible Trash Pump — which can handle larger pieces of debris.

How low do you need to go?

Gas-powered or diesel-powered centrifugal pumps can only remove the water down to a depth of 25 feet. Anything over 25 feet will require a submersible pump. Submersible pumps can move the water up from 25-400 feet. Understanding how deep your pump will need to work will guide you to the right product for your job.  

Are you working on a home repair or a heavy-duty project?

Are you pumping out a flooded basement or managing a job site excavation? For instance, our 2” Gas Trash Pump or our 2” ½ HP Electric Submersible Pump will dry out a submerged basement in no time, while our 4” Diesel Trash Pump can handle everything from excavations and utility vaults to mining work.

How quickly do you need to move the fluid?

Different pumps work at different capacities, so it’s important to determine the required flow rate. With a range of 1 GPM – 10,000 GPM, our assortment of pumps provides the versatility to accommodate your needs. 

What conditions will your pump face?

Consider the amount of space in which you will work — and what hazards the pump will encounter on the job. Our 2” 2.5 HP 460V Submersible Slim Line Pump is ideal for narrow casings. Our Centrifugal Pumps are outfitted with a trailer for easy job site maneuverability. And our Diaphragm Pumps are built to perform in the most demanding applications.

How will you power up?

What will be your power source at the job site? Will you use a generator or permanent power source, utilize gas or diesel, or will you have access to compressed air? Our air-powered pumps are self-priming, can be run dry, and work well in hazardous locations. If you have access to compressed air, we recommend these pumps, which are available in aluminum and cast iron and come in 2” and 3” options.

Is noise an issue?

Serious equipment can make some serious noise, which may be unacceptable in certain situations. In those cases, consider our Diesel Automatic-Priming Silent Trash Pumps. They’re an innovation in the pumping world that have set the industry standard in both performance, environmental protection, and sound control. Bonus: Most of the units are also self-contained, which protects against any possible engine, fuel, or coolant leaks.

That's not all...

In addition to the pumps mentioned above, we also have the accessories to go with them:

• Hoses
• Piping
• Plugs

Pump rentals can be very complex when it comes to pumping different types of materials and in various situations. For design assistance and larger commercial pumping projects, please contact our pumping experts.

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