Sump pumps that work on water pressure are mostly used as a backup system. If your main sump pump fails or there is a power outage, you can rely on the best water powered sump pump to protect your basement from flooding.
Imagine a scenario where it rains, and water starts filling up in your sump pit. All of a sudden, the power goes out, and your main pump fails. If the power goes out, your main sump pump won't be able to pump out water.
If you have a water pressure sump pump installed, the excessive water on your basement will trigger the pump's float, causing a valve to open. This valve sends water from your municipal water supply line and creates a suction that sucks all the water from the sump basin.
Unless your water supply doesn't depend on electricity or if you have a well system, a water-powered sump pump makes more sense as a backup system.
Best Budget Pick | Best Overall |
|---|---|
Liberty Pumps SJ10 (Editors Choice)   | Basepump HB1000-PRO   |
4 Best Water Powered Sump Pump Reviews
Here is a list of top four water driven sump pump reviews that you can use as your backup system.
1. Basepump HB1000-PRO - Premium Water-Powered Backup Sump Pump
The Basepump HB1000-PRO, as the name suggests, is a premium water-powered sump pump designed for a complete backup solution. This is the best water backup sump pump in this list. Why? For a couple of good reasons. First, it has the highest pumping rates in the sump pump industry.
This pump has an amazing suction capacity, very easy to install, and has good value for money. What more could you want? It even comes with a dual check valve backflow preventer. That's not all there is to it. With purchase, you also get a high-water alarm.
Now, all of these might sound too good to be true. However, there is a catch. It doesn't come cheap, but that doesn't mean it is expensive either. For a proper installation, this pump comes with No-sweat push-in pipe fittings & brass shutoff valves.
The Basepump HB1000-PRO is also designed to work with Radon Sealed systems. For a backup system, there is hardly any water-powered units out there that can beat this one. You could say this one is in a class by itself. Instead of a normal float system, this one has a hydraulic float system.
Pros
- One of the best water-powered backup sump pump on the market
- It comes with a high-water alarm (battery-powered)
- Hydraulic float system
- Higher pump capacity
Cons
- None
2. Liberty Pumps SJ10 SumpJet Water Powered Back-Up Pump
The Liberty Pumps SJ10 SumpJet is designed with the handyman or the homeowner in mind. The SumpJet is ideal for sump pits where there are high volumes of groundwater inflows.
While it does have some quirkiness in its design, but ultimately, the SJ10 is a nice machine that will never fail. This water powered backup pump from Liberty Pumps is made in America. It's constructed using quality mechanical components for maximum reliability.
It's also highly efficient and compact. One of the key features of this pump is that it can remove 2 gallons of sump water with just 1 gallon of your municipal water. This means you don't have to worry about power outages. As long as your municipal water runs, this motor will kick in and start pumping out water.
The pump accepts/requires 20 to 100 PSI inlet supply pressure and requires an uninterrupted water source. The performance will vary depending on the water pressure. As for the installation, it's recommended that you hire a pro to install this pump. For example, you don't get any backflow preventer.
Pros
- Quality mechanical components
- Ideal pump for a backup system
- Efficient performance
- Doesn't waste any source water
Cons
- Doesn't come with everything for a proper installation
3. Basepump RB750 Water Powered Backup Sump Pump
Up next, we have another popular backup pump from Basepump. This time, it's the RB750. It's a powerful pump that is popular for being extremely reliable. Just like the first product in this list, this one also comes with a battery-powered high-water alarm.
I really like Basepump's approach to their design. This specific unit is designed to be mounted high above the ceiling. Unlike other models, you don't install it in the sump itself. This allows you to keep the pump clean and dry. Since it is water powered, there is hardly any maintenance involved.
The hydraulic valve and float system are very reliable. That's not all. Even the rest of the components are high-quality and made from durable materials. This will also ensure you get longer lasting operation and peace of mind. As for the installation, hire a professional if you are not confident about it.
Speaking of installation, it will definitely require some handyman skills. However, the process is pretty straightforward. Mind you that this thing is a beast at pumping out water. When your main pump fails, the Basepump RB750 will kick in and start pumping out water.
Pros
- Straightforward installation
- High pumping capacity
- Durable materials used in the making
- Highly reliable and longer-lasting performance
Cons
- Won't work as expected if you have a flow issue
4. Zoeller 503-0005 Homeguard Max - Water Powered Emergency Pump
Looking for an emergency backup pump? The Zoeller 503-0005 Homeguard Max might be the one you are looking for. It has a good pumping capacity that can easily pump up to 20 gallons of water per minute. This pump only uses about 1 gallon of source water to remove 2 gallons of sump water.
It is designed in a way that you can easily use with any existing brand of sump pumps. So, who is this for? If you are someone who is looking for a standby system to an electric sump pump, this one is for you. When your main pump fails during an emergency, the Zoeller 503-0005 will take over.
Keep in mind that this one isn't very durable. At max, you can expect about four years of service life. As for the installation, it isn't easy either. Why is this product on this list? Well, just to let you know that there are other brands that are much better.
Read it again. It's not a good unit. Better stay away from this one and get one of the top two products recommended in this article. I'm also skeptical about the pump's design. Not easy to install and might leak from the gasket.
Pros
- Good for occasional use
- Medium quality components
- First-gen models were better
- Relatively cheap
Cons
- Difficult to install
What Is A Water Powered Sump Pump?
The reason why these pumps are called water-powered sump pumps is that these units are powered by water. Wait, what? Yes. That's the pure definition of these pumps.
Instead of using a battery or electricity, these pumps rely on the water pressure from your home municipal water line to create a powerful suction. For every 1 gallon of water used from your municipal's waterline, these pumps are able to pump out 2 gallons of sump water.
That's also one of the reasons why there is no HP (horsepower) rating on these pumps. Instead, you will see GPH (gallons per hour) rating. You may also call them water driver sump pumps.
Water driven sump pump is a great way to keep your basement area dry at all times. If you have city water running all the time, even in the event of a power outage or a storm, these pumps can serve as a good alternative to battery-powered sump pumps.
One thing that confuses a lot of people is the working procedure of this type of pump. Don't worry, though. We have a separate section dedicated to this topic. For now, have a look at the criteria you need to keep in mind when buying your first backup water driver pump.
Buying Guide
Now, when it comes to buying a water driver backup sump pump, there isn't much to discuss about. That's partly due to the fact that these units don't have any moving parts. They don't require electricity or battery to operate.
The only thing you need is to use city water to operate them. However, municipal water is not always available. Also, there are other things you need to ensure before you decide on buying a backup water powered pump.
Here are the requirements you need to check before buying a backup unit.
1. During power outages, you need to make sure your municipal water is always available. Most municipalities will have generator backup to keep water running during outages.
2. You can't use one if you have a well pump system.
Now, with that being said, let's have a look at what factors you need to keep in mind before buying water sump pumps.
Flow Rate (GPH)
You don't want to waste city water. If you plan on buying a backup sump pump, make sure to get the model that has the highest flow rate for maximum water discharge and efficiency.
This is true for any sump pumps. The amount of water a pump can remove will determine how good that unit is in terms of efficiency and pumping capacity. However, don't expect a water driven pump to be as powerful as your main electric sump pump.
These pumps are designed to be used as a backup system and not your primary system. During power outages, you can rely on these backup units to get rid of excess water and keep your basement area dry.
Now, as for the flow rate, get a pump with a 2:1 ratio. This means, for 1 gallon of city water used, your backup pump will be able to pump out 2 gallons of sump water.
All the product recommended in this water backup sump pump reviews are highly efficient and follow the same principle. The reason why the flow rate is important is that you want to make the most use out of your city water.
And no, no water gets wasted in the process. You also don't have to worry about water bills either. It will be the same as usual. In fact, you will be saving more on your utility bill if you have a water driven pump installed.
Ease Of Installation
Granted, these units aren't that easy to install, especially if you are not familiar with plumbing work. Try to hire a guy that works on an hourly basis to get your installation done.
Speaking of installing, make sure to get all the parts right. That's why you should always rely on a name brand product so that you can get all the compatible parts from any of your local hardware stores.
Some of the pump units will come with everything you will need for proper installation. However, if you don't get all the parts with purchase, consult a plumber to get a list of all the missing parts.
PSI
Now, this doesn't have anything to do with the pump itself. Rather, you need to check the PSI level of your city water line. Most backup pumps will have an acceptable range of PSI.
From as low as 20 to all the way up to 100 PSI is usually the accepted range of a backup sump pump. Not all the pumps are designed in the same way, so this range might vary.
On to more pressing matters. An ideal pump unit would be the one that can accept both low and high-water pressure flows. At the same time, you should also look at the maximum and minimum pressure settings required for the pump to turn on when necessary.
The greater the range of your pump, the better and more versatile it will be. Having a wider range can also be beneficial since the pump can turn on easily without requiring too much pressure. You will also save more money on your utility bill.
Construction
Most backup sump pumps are built alike. However, there is some exception. You will find top quality materials only on the high-end models. Popular manufacturers like Liberty Pumps and Basepump offer high-end water-driven backup pumps.
On a side note, these backup pumps aren't meant to be used very often. At least they are not designed for that. That's why longevity matters. You don't want your backup system to break down during an emergency.
How To Install Water Powered Sump Pump
Installing an emergency backup sump pump requires basic plumbing skills. This includes cutting and soldering pipes. The total process takes about 2 to 3 hours. However, you can hire a professional and get it done in less than that.
As for the installation cost, it will be around 250 – 300 dollars. You can also get it done cheaper than that if you can find a guy who works on an hourly basis. For the installation process, you will need the following tools.
- Saw
- Drill/driver
- PVC pipe saw
- Tubing cutter
- Phillips screwdriver
- Slotted screwdriver
- Propane torch
- Adjustable wrench
Now, to make things clear, this will require a lot of work. I don't want you to mess up any of the processes, and it isn't possible to write it in detail in this section. Let me tell you what you can do instead.
Hire a professional and get it done professionally. That's the only way.
How Does A Water Powered Sump Pump Work?
You already know what it is. Now, let me tell you how this type of pump works. These pumps don't require a battery or electricity to operate. They only need water pressure from your city water line.
The process is actually very simple. The pressure from the municipal water line creates a suction. The effect is called the Venturi Effect. Highly pressurized water is forced through a narrow pipe from one end creates a suction.
This is when the effect happens. The overall pressure is reduced in the process, but the speed/flow rate of water increases. For this mechanism to work properly, you will need a constant supply of highly pressurized water.
This is why water-driven backup pumps don't work in homes with a well or localized system.
Conclusion
The clear winner of this round up is the Base Pump HB1000. I'm sure you have already guessed it by now. There are a couple of good reasons why I think this one deserves to be the best water powered sump pump on the market.
First of all, you get a good PSI range. It has the highest flow rate, aka pumping capacity, with a 1:2 ratio. This unit comes with a battery-powered high-water alarm, and the brand has excellent customer support.
On top of that, you get everything you need for a complete installation. This water driver pump literally ticks all the boxes. You won't go wrong with this one.