Sump pump

[Sweet 16]

We just got an estimate to replace two sump pumps at $350....EACH! I know plumbers are expensive but isn't that a little steep? For some reason, both pumps are fried and were shorting out the circuit so they must be replaced. Hubby wants to buy the pumps and DIY, but they're in a crawl space and not a basement. Has anyone ever done this themselves and how hard is it? TIA.

 

[GWguy]

Get the size, horsepower and pump volume off the old units and head up to Lowes and price them out. At worst case, a little plumbing and electrical will get the new ones on line, nothing you guys couldn't handle.

 

[Baja28]

Get the size, horsepower and pump volume off the old units and head up to Lowes and price them out. At worst case, a little plumbing and electrical will get the new ones on line, nothing you guys couldn't handle.

 

[bballfanatic]

Replacing a sump pump is fairly simple, I advise not buying a sump pump at Lowes, They are cheap in price and quality and you will probally be replacing them again in a few years, Make sure the sump pit is not full of rocks, most likely the pump you have sucked up rocks the impeller couldnt turn and either burned the motor up or will keep popping your breaker. Use a 1/3 hp not a 1/4hp and try a cast iron pump not plastic with thermal overload protection, The electric is simple they just plug in, The plumbing part is about 15 minutes, Cut the discharge line, unplug the pump, Unscrew the discharge line and screw into the new pump ( you need to know if it is 1-1/2" or 1-1/4" most sump pumps are 1-1/4") Glue a coupling on the discharge attached to the pump,set the pump in the pit and glue the other end of the discharge, Plug the pump in. It should take 1 hour for both pumps.... Good Luck
Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate Iron Body, Poly Base Automatic Sump Pump 1/3 hp

 

[DoWhat]

Replacing a sump pump is fairly simple, I advise not buying a sump pump at Lowes, They are cheap in price and quality and you will probally be replacing them again in a few years, Make sure the sump pit is not full of rocks, most likely the pump you have sucked up rocks the impeller couldnt turn and either burned the motor up or will keep popping your breaker. Use a 1/3 hp not a 1/4hp and try a cast iron pump not plastic with thermal overload protection, The electric is simple they just plug in, The plumbing part is about 15 minutes, Cut the discharge line, unplug the pump, Unscrew the discharge line and screw into the new pump ( you need to know if it is 1-1/2" or 1-1/4" most sump pumps are 1-1/4") Glue a coupling on the discharge attached to the pump,set the pump in the pit and glue the other end of the discharge, Plug the pump in. It should take 1 hour for both pumps.... Good Luck
Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate Iron Body, Poly Base Automatic Sump Pump 1/3 hp

Good post.
And place the new pump on a brick in the sump pit.

 

[bballfanatic]

Good Point.... This will keep the sump pump from sucking the rocks from the bottom of the pit.

 

[ItalianScallion]

I bought 2 pumps at Lowes made by "water ace" or whatever their brand is and both of them quit within the first year and there was a flood in the basement. I threatened them with a law suit and they reimbursed me for one pump. $400 for carpet replacement (out of my pocket) and my house was dry again. I went to Sears and bought their lifetime warranty pump and it's been running flawlessly for 4 years now. Cost was $120 but the peace of mind is priceless. I installed it myself and I would not take a chance on a cheap pump ever again.

 

[GWguy]

Replacing a sump pump is fairly simple, I advise not buying a sump pump at Lowes, [/url]

I bought 2 pumps at Lowes made by "water ace" or whatever their brand is and both of them quit within the first year and there was a flood in the basement.

Good to know. I don't have/need a sump pump, so I never had the pleasure of buying one.

 

[Otter]

We just got an estimate to replace two sump pumps at $350....EACH! I know plumbers are expensive but isn't that a little steep? For some reason, both pumps are fried and were shorting out the circuit so they must be replaced. Hubby wants to buy the pumps and DIY, but they're in a crawl space and not a basement. Has anyone ever done this themselves and how hard is it? TIA.

Pretty simple job, no way in hell I would pay 700 for that. You buy the sumps and I'll do it for 200 and laff all the way out of your driveway when leaving.

 

[DoWhat]

Pretty simple job, no way in hell I would pay 700 for that. You buy the sumps and I'll do it for 200 and laff all the way out of your driveway when leaving.

Some idiot last year (or maybe the year before that) replaced one for a forumite, but he can't remember the charge.

A very easy job, depending on the location in the crawl space.

 

[Otter]

Some idiot last year (or maybe the year before that) replaced one for a forumite, but he can't remember the charge.

A very easy job, depending on the location in the crawl space.

Thats right, you did it for Sleuth..didn't he pay you with a couple trees that you could cut down and haul away??

 

[DoWhat]

Thats right, you did it for Sleuth..didn't he pay you with a couple trees that you could cut down and haul away??

Yep.
I cut down the trees and re-planted them here.
He said they would re-plant well, but I haven't seen anything yet.

I hope they start growing soon.

 

[kom526]

WAAYYY too much, you can get Zoeller pumps @ Somerville's also. (Airport View Drive, Hollywood)

 

[Sweet 16]

Thanks everyone for the helpful info.! I saw the water ace ones at lowe's online -- will remember to avoid those. I figure we'll pay between $100 and $150 each, depending on the HP. Our neighbor (master electrician) has a plumber buddy that will install them for us. Thanks again.