Sump pumps are critical resources in times of flooding. A sump pump removes excess water from a low-lying surface and is often used in basements and wells to pump water outside to a ground surface. Industrial sump pumps are available in a variety of applications and may receive power from different sources. As such, sump pumps prices range from as little as $135 to $900.

Due to the serious circumstances surrounding the use of a sump pump, it's imperative that it work properly when the situation arises. For this reason, battery back-up sump pumps are often kept on hand. As you prepare for such an emergency, research the pricing and costs of sump pumps with the following in mind:

1. Read sump pump reviews to find the best deals and learn of new products.

2. Pay reasonable prices for sump pumps with environmentally friendly features.

3. Get a battery backup sump pump if necessary.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare sump pumps as you visit different sump pump suppliers

Consider the type, material and maintenance required on sump pumps before you make a purchase. Although the pedestal and submersible are both electric pumps, a pedestal makes the most noise and tends to start as low as $575 and top out around $900 if it's made of bronze. Submersible pumps start around $135 with cast iron ones ranging up to $165 and plastic or polyester pumps topping out around $230. The water powered pump handles the same amount of water as an electric but also serves as a back up system because it can operate without electricity. Water powered pumps made of polyester tend to range between $450 and $550. Floor sucker pumps successfully remove water to within 1/8 inch of the surface and are often applied to basements, cellars or crawl spaces. Floor sucker pumps range from $135 to $210.

I recommend: PumpBiz offers a sump pump review of the three most common types of sump pumps: pedestal, submersible and water powered. Use the link to visit PumpBiz.com to order a sump pump for your business. Kiwi Pumps provides tips for selecting and maintaining sump pumps. This information is helpful for identifying the specifications that matter most for your business and how to care for your investment. King Pumps is a sump pump supplier of cast iron, stainless steel and plastic sump pumps. Cast iron sump pumps typically last longer than the less expensive plastic sump pumps.

Look at sump pumps that are safe for the environment

Sump pump manufacturers have created a series of applications beyond a 'one size fits all' approach to removing excess water. Consider buying sump pumps with features that protect the environment. Environmentally friendly sump pumps are reasonably priced below $500.

I recommend: A.Y. McDonald Mfg. is the sump pump manufacturer of the Sump Pump-Enviromac series with a oil free design and low-current usage. These products are an innovative approach to saving environmental resources. Plumbing-Deals.Net sells the Stevens Pump SS45F mercury free submersible sump pump.

Determine additional expenses such as a battery backup sump pump

Depending on the type of sump pump you purchase, if the design is unable to handle a power outage you may want to keep a battery backup sump pump on hand.

I recommend: Glentronics offers online manuals, feature comparisons and additional information regarding the battery backup sump pump. Also consider the Aquanot series by Zoeller. PlumbingSupply.com offers this battery backup pedestal sump pump series: the Aquonot I includes a 0.5 battery monitor and the Aquonot II has an automatic electronic 25 amp charger. Battery backup sump pumps range from $265 to $683.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  e prepared for an emergency and get routine maintenance done on sump pumps to protect your investment.

Installation of sump pumps is critical where basement flooding is seen as a problem. The sump pump you install in your customer's basement or into your business is usually hard wired into a building's electrical system, but most people also have a battery or water powered backup.

The motors in pedestal sump pumps motor are mounted above the pit and are easily serviced. They are more conspicuous, though, and can be a bit of an eyesore. Submersible pumps are entirely mounted inside the pit, and they have a specially seal to prevent electrical short circuits.

To find the right sump pumps for you:

1. Determine your sump pump need.

2. Consider looking at sump pump reviews before beginning your purchasing process.

3. Compare sump pumps prices to find the best deal.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for innovative design in your prospective sump pumps

Seek out a sump pump manufacturer that not only has quality design, but innovative features as well. Consider sump pumps with debris filters to help alleviate the need of potentially relying on your backup pumps.

I recommend: Liberty Pumps doesn't sell your grandfather's old sump pump. Instead they look to creative and practical design for their wide range of pump products and accessories. Of particular interest is their SumpBox™, which is a completely assembled sump pump system that has debris filter technology. Ridgid manufactures both pedestal and submersible sump pump units. Sethco sump pumps are great for commercial applications. They can be used for corrosive services such as acids and alkalies, chemical processing, waste treatment, salt water, chromic acid wastes and fume scrubbers.

Go with sump pump suppliers for better price comparison

Price out a variety sump pump brands through online sump pump suppliers.

I recommend: Just Water Pumps sells sump pumps from brands such as AMT, MMD and BJM. They offer free shipping on all of their sump pumps for sale. Winston Marketing is the online retailer for Stevens Pumps.

Consider backup sump pump suppliers

Water-powered and battery backup sump pumps are a great idea for homeowners and contractors, especially if you have plans to be out of town and away from the property for an extended amount of time.

I recommend: Purchase a water powered sump pump from Radon Mitigation & Waterproofing Concrete Sealer Co. so that you don't have to worry about a power outage or sump pump failure. A water powered pump also can rid you of your concerns about batteries on a battery back-up sump pump system. Base Products Corporation sells a patent-pending, water-powered backup sump pump system.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask about training videos from your sump pump manufacturers if your company is not a professional installation service. Sump pumps should be easy enough to install for yourself, but seeing someone else do it will be helpful to your installation process.

Whether you are looking to install industrial sump pumps, a commercial sump pump or a home sump pump system, having the right tools and the proper know-how will save you time, money and hassle that will make everyone happy around you.

Sump pump manufacturers know the high risks that basements run of standing water and moisture. That knowledge keeps the sump pump suppliers readily full of stock to help you keep your basement nice and dry. Installing that sump pump system correctly, though, is the key and should only be done if you have a full awareness of what you are doing. If you are even the slightest bit unsure, you should hire a professional.

To make the most of sump pumps education and training:

1. Find out what resources are available in publications.

2. Pull sump pumps education and training from popular television shows and networks

3. Rely on additional sump pump resources as well.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use resources on sump pumps from publications

Take advantages of publications for resources on sump pumps such as sump pump reviews, sump pumps prices and sump pump instructions and tips.

I recommend: Take advantage of the article on the installation of sump pumps from Popular Mechanics. It also has a useful feedback section that has interesting feedback from people who have tried the project and/or who have commented on it. Families On-Line Magazine offers comprehensive instructions as well as video to help your sump pump installation.

Use television to find sump pumps education and training

Find hands on installation techniques for sump pumps from popular television shows and networks.

I recommend: Try the sump pump installation video from This Old House. The segment is taken from the popular television show, and you as the reader can scroll through the comment section at the end as well. Use the knowledge gained from an episode on the DIY network to learn how to install your sump pump system.

Take advantage of other sump pumps resources

Use additional written guides and resources available on instructions and how-tos for sump pumps.

I recommend: Find additional installation instructions at sump-pump-info.com. Install your sump pump with tips and guide from The Home Improvement Web Directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When working with sump pumps education and training on streaming video, don't hesitate to pause the webcast. Run the video at your own pace, and remember that the commentators are trained professionals who will be much faster than you. Stop as often as you need to, and don't rush quality.
• •  Take the time to skim over the reader comment section of a how-to article to see how useful it was to reader or lay-person. If all of the readers thought it was great then chances are it shouldn't be to hard for you to tackle. If the general consensus was that it was tremendously difficult, though, you may want to stay away from this particular installation approach.

The sump pump is a piece of hardware that pumps flood water or excessive ground water into a sump pit to keep basement areas of residential and commercial buildings dry. It's very important to get a good sump pump for any commercial basement space that houses inventory or anything else of value, or for any other space, really. Knowing about some key terms for types of sump pumps and equipment will help a business leader figure out what's right for a commercial space.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Battery backup

Because power outages often come with basement flooding (thunder-storms and similar situations), a battery backup is really good idea for a sump pump. A sump pump battery backup is any of many battery-powered solutions that will kick in if the electrical system goes down, and will keep the pump working and clearing flood water from a basement area.

I recommend: See some more tips on sump pump battery backups at this Home Tips page.

Water powered sump pump

A water powered sump pump is a new technology for pumps that uses water pressure to operate the pump apparatus, providing another electricity-free option for running a sump pump. These are also great backup systems for ensuring that a stalled pump doesn't mean a basement area will be flooded, adding damage to commercial spaces.

I recommend: See a lot more details on water powered sump pumps at RadonSeal.

Pedestal sump pump

Pedestal sump pump models are pumps that sit above a sump pit. Some buyers don't like these because they 'stick out', but pedestal sump pumps can easily be hidden from view with simple screens or other constructions, and the low cost of pedestal sump pumps makes them a good option for many installations.

I recommend: See more on pedestal sump pumps at Sump Pump Help.

Submersible sump pump

The submersible sump pump is a pump model that fits inside a pit or area where the water will be pumped. It contains a water resistant seal. Submersible pumps are popular for places where visitors will see a basement space.

I recommend: Find more on submersible sump pumps at WiseGeek, and scroll down to the third paragraph to learn more about submersible sump pumps.

Water alarms

Water alarms are setups that can alert a home owner is a sump pump has failed.

I recommend: Read more about different types of water alarms (after the segments on sump pump types) and learn more about sump pumps at this Buyers Guide from Inspect NY.

Eco friendly sump pump

Largely, water powered sump pumps come under the banner of 'eco friendly' sump pumps because they do not use electricity. There are other features that also make a sump pump models easier on the environment.

I recommend: Find more on eco friendly sump pump models from the Green Living Center at Imperial online.