Choose the Right Type of Pump - Lowe's

Pump Types and How to Select the One for the Job

In most cases, you should choose the right pump based on the type of job you need done, including how much water you need to move and how far you need to move it. Below is an overview of some of the most common types of pumps used for jobs around the home.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

Caution

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a pump. If you’re unsure which pump to choose, consult a licensed plumber. Check local building codes before modifying your plumbing.

Sump Pumps

A sump pump is an important part of a total solution for dealing with basement or foundation flooding. These pumps get their name because they’re used to remove water from a sump, or the basin that collects water from around a home’s foundation. They can also be used to help dry out a flooded basement. There are three main types of sump pumps:

• A submersible sump pump is installed at the bottom of the sump basin. They’re often less noisy than other sump pumps because they operate underwater.
• A pedestal sump pump has a design in which the motor is located above the sump basin, which can help prevent water damage to the pump. This type of sump pump may be a good choice for a sump pit that isn’t large enough to hold a submersible pump.
• A battery-powered sump pump can serve as an emergency solution to prevent your basement from flooding during a power outage. Backup sump pumps that are powered by water are also available.

To learn more about how to choose the right type of sump pump, see our informative sump pump guide.

Sewage Pumps

Sewage pumps, which are sometimes referred to as sewage-ejector pumps, are designed to move water and solid-waste materials into a sewage system or septic tank. A sewage pump is necessary when a laundry room, bathroom or other plumbing fixture is located in an area that’s lower than the main sewage line. Because water will only flow via gravity from a spot of higher elevation to one of lower elevation, a sewage pump is sometimes required to maintain the appropriate water flow. A sewage grinder pump will pulverize solid waste to prevent clogs before transporting it into a sewage system.

Trash Pumps

A trash pump is used for removing water that also contains solid debris, such as small stones, twigs and leaves.

Boosting Pumps

A boosting pump, or booster pump, will increase the water pressure in a plumbing system to the desired level needed for jobs such as washing a boat, car or camper or for operating a lawn sprinkler.

Link to SVL

Further reading:
Manufacturer of Spiral Chutes for Food Processing - Astro Metal Craft

Condensate Pumps

Reduce Your Energy Consumption - Warehouse Automation
The Benefits of Using Subrack Kit for Backplane

A condensate pump, or evaporative cooler pump, is used to pump away excess water that results when a refrigeration or heating and cooling system generates liquid from condensation. These systems have drip basins that can sometimes overflow without an attached pump.

Utility Pumps

Utility pumps, which are sometimes referred to as transfer pumps, come in a variety of sizes and are useful for many small jobs around the house, such as filling aquariums, hot tubs or small fishponds. Some utility pumps come in sizes that are compatible with a standard garden hose.

Well Pumps

Homes that aren’t connected to a main municipal water source need well pumps to provide a water supply. There are several primary types of well pumps:

• Shallow-well jet pumps were more commonly used in the past. These above-ground devices are intended for shallow wells — 25 feet deep or less — and employ a simple design that suctions water up through pipes into a separate plumbing system where it can be stored.
• Deep-well jet pumps are designed for moving water from wells as deep as 200 feet. In general, deep-well jet pumps are more efficient at moving large amounts of water.
• Convertible-jet well pumps sit above ground and are designed for water 25 feet deep to around 100 feet deep. The main visible design difference between a convertible-jet well pump and other types of pumps is that the convertible design has two suction ports that attach to hoses, whereas others pumps only have one port. 
• Submersible well pumps are for deeper wells. Some will even work for wells up to 400 feet deep. Unlike jet pumps, submersible pumps are located fully below the water. Instead of moving water through tubes using suction, these pumps use pressure to force well water toward the surface and into a well pressure tank located above ground. From there, the water can travel into a home’s plumbing system. Although it may depend on the application, submersible well pumps can last longer than other kinds of pumps that pull water toward the surface using suction.

Irrigation Pumps and Lawn Pumps

Irrigation pumps and lawn pumps are designed to be used in conjunction with lawn sprinkler systems, irrigation pipes and other irrigation supplies to water lawns and gardens or to fill and empty reservoirs or tanks as needed for farm work.

Swimming Pool Pumps

Pool pumps circulate and filter water in swimming pools to keep it properly chlorinated, free of algae and debris, and at the desired temperature for systems with a heater.

Hot-Water Recirculating Pump

A hot-water recirculating pump cuts back on wasted water and ensures hot water is always available.

Helpful Pump Terminology

Here are a few useful terms to know when looking for a pump:

For more information, please visit Waste Transfer Pump.

• Pump horsepower is a measurement of how much power the pump motor has. The greater the horsepower, the faster the pump can transport fluid. Pumps designed to move water over long distances often have higher horsepower.
• Pump capacity, which is measured in gallons per minute or gallons per hour, is an indicator of the amount of fluid a pump can transport in a minute or an hour.
• Head pressure is another term you may encounter when considering how powerful a pump is. Specifically, it’s a measurement of the difference in height between the fluid being moved and the discharge point.
• Pump alarms indicate if the pump is leaking or malfunctioning.
• Self-priming pumps don’t need to be manually filled with fluid before use.
• Magnetic pumps typically don’t leak as often as other pumps because they lack seals that can crack or break down over time.
• Corrosion-resistant pumps are protected from rust and buildup.
• Adjustable-speed pumps allow you to change the operating speed to suit the job.

Related Tags:

Bill G

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

12:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Mar 14,

Messages

5,169

Reaction score

13,534

Location

Illinois

• May 23,

• #1

Odd question, not sure where to ask it but I will try here. Has anyone got experience with pumping waste oil from bulk containers? I realize you can buy the cheap Chinese evacuation pumps but they are slow and will burn up. I have a few locations to pick up 300 gallon or more at a time and as much as I do not mind standing around shooting the breeze while a pump runs we got to get the job done to.. I told a real nice guy the other day the sun would come up and go down while my itty bitty pump ran and we still would not be done. I have talked to Fill Rite and Tuthill and they confirmed what I suspected and said do not use one of their fuel transfer pumps. I know it is an odd question but does anyone have any experience with this?

Boomer

Super OPE Member

Local time

2:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Jan 5,

Messages

463

Reaction score

714

Location

Canada

• May 23,

• #2

I know your not going to like this answer, but look into a Vevor transfer pump.

If anything goes wrong they will send a new one.

Nothing lasts that long pumping WMO.

Al Smith

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

537

Joined

Jan 14,

Messages

6,531

Reaction score

14,536

Location

North western Ohio

• May 23,

• #3

Give me a couple of days and I'll get the info .My bud Dave who is well known amoung Corvette and Camero circles has a waste oil system heating a 60 by 105 shop .I made him the system using a small hydraulic pump with a 1/2 HP electric motor for the transfer from large tanks to day tanks ..It is slow but his pick up system from barrels to a 250 gallon portable tank can suck a barrel full in about 3 minutes ..I think it's battery powered perhaps from a lift gate system . I think he has the capacity for gallons of black oil .I'll try to get him on the horn in a day or so if he's not out showing those hot rods showing off those custom cars some place .
As a side note Dave has a built up Camaro with a tube frame he built up .Took him 17 years .All aluminum body panels hand built with a 1/4" over bore and stroke using a Chevy 454 with a 671 GM blower and two Eliminator carbs .Over HP ,dyno .He has 40 grand in just the engine . I'd guess in his shop plus 4 bay garage he has at least 3/4 of a million in rare hot rod GM automobiles .Why too much for a miser like myself . I'm on the other end ,just rescue 50-70 year old rusty junk to run like they are brand new .

Lnk

Stock Chainsaws do not suck!

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Oct 12,

Messages

6,978

Reaction score

39,657

Location

East, TN

• May 23,

• #4

Odd question, not sure where to ask it but I will try here. Has anyone got experience with pumping waste oil from bulk containers? I realize you can buy the cheap Chinese evacuation pumps but they are slow and will burn up. I have a few locations to pick up 300 gallon or more at a time and as much as I do not mind standing around shooting the breeze while a pump runs we got to get the job done to.. I told a real nice guy the other day the sun would come up and go down while my itty bitty pump ran and we still would not be done. I have talked to Fill Rite and Tuthill and they confirmed what I suspected and said do not use one of their fuel transfer pumps. I know it is an odd question but does anyone have any experience with this?

If you have a compressor, a double diaphragm pump may be what you need. Wilden and other make them.

Mack 880

Happy to Stihl be Here

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Jan 30,

Messages

158

Reaction score

547

Location

SC

• May 23,

• #5

If you have a compressor, a double diaphragm pump may be what you need. Wilden and other make them.View attachment

Seen that used to pump very viscous fluids, dirty fluids, etc. Uses a good bit of air and you will need a compressor you take with you.

Also, if you filter the waste oil later, you should pump much faster. Just get the right diaphragm for your fluid application.

WoodAbuser

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

12:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Oct 8,

Messages

984

Reaction score

7,080

Location

Minnesota and Iowa

• May 23,

• #6

Been using one from these guys for several years. Mine is setup so I can filter thru two cleanable/reusable mesh filters for collecting WMO and WVO and with the switch of the valve pump what I have filtered thru a 10 Micron water block filter. Best of both worlds. Screens out all the bigger stuff upon collecting and gives the filtered stuff one more pass before going in my tank. They have them in 110 volt, 12 volt and Honda powered.

1Snowcat

Super OPE Member

Local time

11:07 PM

User ID

Joined

Sep 26,

Messages

194

Reaction score

301

Location

Wyoming

• May 23,

• #7

We used the exact pump posted above (Lnk) at the local Freightliner dealership (years ago) to move used oil from our dump caddies (owner had them made to wheel under trucks for changing oil), to transfer to the bulk oil tanks, it worked great! Last edited: May 23,

Elkhunter

Well-Known OPE Member

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Oct 26,

Messages

18

Reaction score

49

Location

East Tennessee

• May 23,

• #8

I'm cheap I made one out of a small block chevy oil pump, 1/2 inch drill to power it.
It moves about 50 gallons in 10 to 15 minutes.

Bill G

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

12:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Mar 14,

Messages

5,169

Reaction score

13,534

Location

Illinois

• May 23,

• #9

I am going to do some additional calling around to see what I can find out. There is no doubt pumping "unknown" waste oil is a real crapshoot on what you run into. In the 's my father would bring home 55 gallon drums of what was supposed to be waste oil. Sometimes you got a drum that was half full of cutting fluid and solvents. Many times the oil was littered with cigarette butts. Of course today many things have changed and neither of those two issues will be much of a problem but you still never know what you will find.

RCBS

Redneck Savant Extraordinaire

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

716

Joined

Jan 28,

Messages

396

Reaction score

905

Location

Ohio - The hilly part

• May 23,

• #10

If you have a compressor, a double diaphragm pump may be what you need. Wilden and other make them.View attachment

Yep.

Air-Operated Diaphragm Pump (UL and Non-UL)

JDI-DP1 GOOGLE THIS PART HERE JDI-DP1-UL GOOGLE THIS PART HERE When you simply need an air-operated diaphragm pump, the JDI-DP1 and JDI-DP1-UL both come in… Continue reading Air-Operated Diaphragm Pump (UL and Non-UL)

Bill G

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

12:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Mar 14,

Messages

5,169

Reaction score

13,534

Location

Illinois

• May 23,

• #11

I am wondering what the cfm requirements are

RCBS

Redneck Savant Extraordinaire

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

716

Joined

Jan 28,

Messages

396

Reaction score

905

Location

Ohio - The hilly part

• May 23,

• #12

The one I posted should run fine at 18CFM. Flow rate x .75

There are smaller ones also from other manufacturers. Used to use one from Alemite to pump Muratic acid through hot water washer coils to clean them. They can be a little spendy.

The redneck part of me says why can't a hydraulic pump from an old forklift or whatever be utilized? Shouldn't require much power as it would essentially be in constant bypass. Might sniff around on those a bit.

Wilhelm

I'm here for the sick'n twisted company

Local time

7:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Apr 28,

Messages

13,901

Reaction score

54,841

Location

Croatia

• May 23,

• #13

These drill powered water pumps are cheap, and will work for oil for a while.
They tend to be rated at - liters/hour.
At 15-20$ I suggest giving one a trial.



There are higher quality ones made out of brass available, at a higher price though.

Wilhelm

I'm here for the sick'n twisted company

Local time

7:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Apr 28,

Messages

13,901

Reaction score

54,841

Location

Croatia

• May 23,

• #14

This works too, 100-250$, up to liters/hour.



Neither of them are specifically intended for pumping waste oil, but they "can" do it.

Bill G

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

12:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Mar 14,

Messages

5,169

Reaction score

13,534

Location

Illinois

• May 23,

• #15

I never thought about just trying to couple a hydraulic pump to an engine. I wonder what actual horsepower a 28 GPM would require. I have a new 16GPM. My next question then is if they have the ability to run dry/self prime. I may have to talk with surplus center after the holiday.

Lots of good food for thought in the thread

Al Smith

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

537

Joined

Jan 14,

Messages

6,531

Reaction score

14,536

Location

North western Ohio

• May 24,

• #16

I called my buddy Dave .He has two,one is an oil pump from 350 Chevy ran from a drill motor ,rather slow but used to move oil from the big tanks to the .day tanks .What he uses from the pick barrels to the portable transport tank is a water pump with a 3 HP motor sold as a unit from TSC .However it has Viton seals rather than Buna-N seals because it's pumping oils . He says it will suck up 50 gallons of oil in about 3 minutes .

Al Smith

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

1:07 AM

User ID

537

Joined

Jan 14,

Messages

6,531

Reaction score

14,536

Location

North western Ohio

• May 24,

• #17

Now then about a hydraulic pump from say surplus center .Remember you are not building any pressure like on a splitter for example .As such with a gasoline engine it would not take a very large engine .Probably an old 3 HP tiller engine might work .Cheap as dirt from Craigs list Briggs made millions of them .

Bill G

Here For The Long Haul!

Local time

12:07 AM

User ID

Joined

Mar 14,

Messages

5,169

Reaction score

13,534

Location

Illinois

• May 24,

• #18

I just wonder if the hydraulic pump will be able to suck/self prime.

Steelie90

Well-Known OPE Member

Local time

10:07 PM

User ID

Joined

Dec 7,

Messages

66

Reaction score

294

Location

Idaho

• May 24,

• #19

Depending on the pump, it’s always best to prime or flood pumps on start-up. Some prime better than others with less damage/wear, gear pump would be your best option and you could incorporate a small hand primer pump. Vane pump will also but wear rather quickly due to heat buildup. A Piston pump definitely wouldn’t do as you’ll score the piston and eat the brass slippers. None of the above pumps are recommended for “dirty” oil.
That said your best option is probably the air diaphragm pump mentioned above with a 15-30 cfm compressor as they eat air..