Need a sump pump? Around these parts, every pump is sold out.

[Paper Roses]

My neighbors and I have been pumping around the clock, constant and often. I decided to try and pick up a pump for a back-up just in case the current pedestal pump dies. I really never expected Home Depot to have any. My intent was to find out when they are expecting more pedestals. I could not believe the answer from the manager. 4 to 6 weeks. Really no help for those in need or people like me who want one on stand by.

I called their on-line customer service. They have them. 7-10 business days to arrive. Of course, I bought one just like the one I have.

Now I have to find someone who can tell me all about portable generators and how to figure out what I need to buy for a half HP motor sump. How to use it would help but I think I can get that info on-line.

This will be a challenge. If I need to use a generator, I'm going to have to set it up a fair distance from the pump. Drill a hole through the low side of the house and feed a long, heavy duty extension cord across my cellar to reach the pump area. Otherwise, the thing will be smack in front of my access door.

Should have done this years ago but we never got around to it. I fear with all this strange weather, we'll have power failures this summer(hurricanes?). The water in my cellar will be coming in through the floor for weeks. We do not flood, the water comes up through the sump base and now through the dirt floor(water table problems). The only thing down in my cellar is the furnace and H2O heater. Need to protect them. Both are new.

I guess my point is that even though the stores are out of pumps or generators, the warehouses(through on-line purchase) might have some. Pump was free shipping too.

[Paper Roses]

1. Ordered yesterday, got a shipment confirmation today.

Should have pump in 3 days. Sure beats 4-6 weeks.
I will feel better when it arrives. Our old one (3 years ago) just croaked for no reason, just when we needed it. For years we have had a back-up siting in the attic. I may never need to use it but it is good insurance.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. I love Home Depot's shipping. Especially when it's free.

I ordered a mortar mixer on clearance and got it in a couple days.

[NNN0LHI]

3. Hope you got a Zoeller

They are about the only ones that are any good. They will normally outlive you. Made in USA too.

Don

[Paper Roses]

4. The pump arrived Friday. I was shocked. 3 days start to finish.

I will put it away for possible need in future. We're still pumping after that storm. The street in front of my house and my neighbors looks like a lake. We are both at the base of the hill with the ledge under our yards.

Was never like this years ago but water finds new routes and we're it!

[lizziegrace]

5. I've been following this with interest

as I have 2 sump pumps that run almost continuously when it rains and for days after. The hand pump idea is a good one, but I can't keep two pumps going. I was also interested in the water flow pump, but when I lose power, I lose the well pump here.

Please let us know how it works.

How did the fireplace blocking go?

I'm sure, like me, you're so glad it's spring!

:hug:

[Paper Roses]

6. Hi LG, I have not finished the FP covers yet, been BZ with

other pressing projects.I will be completing the covers because it is such a good looking way to cover these drafty fireplaces.

With the current storm, 3rd in 4 weeks, I'll be pumping for the next forever.

The new hand pump has not arrived yet. I wish it would, we're due for 6 -10 inches today thru tomorrow. My neighbor and I will be up if we have a power failure. Seems to be no wind with this deluge so I don't think I'll have to worry about the cellar, I hope. No trees down to take out the power lines.

Power failure is my worst fear. No power, no pump.

I'll keep you posted once I use this pump when it arrives.

Spring, as we once knew it cannot come soon enough. All this rain is depressing. I think it is worse than snow. I need a week of the 70's so I can open everything up. Must climb the ladder, I noticed yesterday that I am missing a roof shingle. Got to replace that. When the ground firms up I'll get the ladder out.

I feel like a pioneer woman who has to do all these chores herself. Got to be done so up on the ladder I go.

[Paper Roses]

7. Hi lizziegrace, I forgot to follow through with the pump info.

I have had the unit for a couple of weeks. Of course, I have not had to use it but I am impressed with the quality of this unit. The hose is industrial strength, the pumping unit is very heavily built and I think it will do the job for me. There is a 10' intake hose with a debris strainer, it connects to the intake side of the pump, then an exit hose of 10'. All I had to do was connect two hose ends to the pump. I then had to attach the strainer to the end of the intake hose. That took a little time because the quage of the hose is so heavy that it was hard to push the end of the strainer in. I finally had to heat up some water and soak the end of the hose in hot water to soften it up and then I could push the strainer into the hose. The hose is very flexible otherwise and once that strainer is in, it is going nowhere.

The second link below is the picture of the unit assembled. I believe it cost me $139.00 or thereabouts. Shipping was free. The 1st link shows the hand pump itself (the mfgr). I bought the whole unit, not interested in trying to guess what sizes I need to complete the unit. It is good to know that individual parts are available should I need something in the future.

I am in no real hurry to test it out but it is stored where I can get it in a hurry should the need--or the water-arise.


http://www.thebosworthco.com/nproduct.php?ID=GH-0400D-1

http://www.jmesales.com/item/21252/EZ-Sump-Pumper-With-Hose-Strainer-Kit.aspx

Best of luck
PR

[amerikat]

8. 1 horsepower is about 750 watts.

At 1/2 HP you only need 375 watts. I have seen small generators of about 1000 watts.
Electric motors can draw more power than they are rated for at startup.


You could also use an inverter I think. You can get an inverter to convert 12 volts
DC to 110 volts AC. Use your car to power the inverter.
http://www.theinverterstore.com/index.php

I have 5000 watt generator. Never used it. But I start it a couple times
a year. If you get a generator be sure to use fuel conditioner to keep the
fuel good to go.

Hope that helps

[MajorChode]

9. There is an easier solution to your problem

You can get a battery powered backup sump pump, or even better a water powered backup sump pump.
http://www.radonseal.com/pumps/water-powered-pumps.htm

A water powered sump backup sump means no generator to worry about. If you go out of town even for a couple of days, the generator is going to run out of fuel. A water powered sump will run for days or even weeks with no worries.