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When something is wrong with your pump, there will be signs.  Maybe you’re not receiving enough water pressure or maybe there’s no water at the tap at all. Maybe you can hear strange noises emitting from your pump or it sounds as if the pump is running constantly. It might be time to buy a new pump.

Shopping for a new pump can be a daunting enterprise. The sheer variety of pump types, pump specifications and the many different applications that a pump can be used for can provide a dizzying amount of information to wade through. Doing your homework before making a  purchase is absolutely essential to ensuring that you get the best possible pump to suit your needs.

“Sometimes equipment just wears out or is defective, but a lot of problems that customers experience could be avoided by knowing the right specifications before buying,” says Pump Products technician Matthew Carr.

The technical experts here at PumpProducts.com recommended these basic steps to guide people through the research process. Follow this guide to make an informed purchase.

Repair or Buy a New Pump?

The first step is to make sure you actually need to buy a completely new pump, as opposed to getting your existing pump serviced or repaired. For a lower-cost pump, the price of repair parts and labor might exceed the value of simply buying a new pump. If you have a higher end pump – say one in excess of four figures – it might be more cost-effective to concentrate on possible repair than replacement.

Pump Application

The next step is to discern the application of your pump. Essentially, ask yourself: what fluid do I need to transport with this pump? For most residential applications, the choice is simply between moving wastewater out or potable water in. Knowing the application helps determine the general type of pump you will be buying.

Once you know your pump type, there are several variables that will help you “size out” or select a specific model. You should know:

–The TDH or Total Dynamic Head. TDH is the total amount of system pressure, measured in feet, where water is moving through a system before gravity takes over. Visualize the total height that the water can reach, accounting for friction. Luckily for you, we have a video that explains how to calculate TDH.

–Your required water flow rate, measured in gallons per minute or GPM. There are multiple methods to calculating GPM, depending on whether the system in question is moving wastewater or potable water. This video explains how to calculate GPM for a wastewater system.

–The electrical output of your home or building, including the voltage and what phase of power you are operating with. Most homes in the United States typically operate at a single phase of power and 115/230 V. The voltage could vary slightly depending on distance from the power source, quality of wiring, etc. If you want a more exact reading, use a voltmeter or call a qualified electrician.

–The size of the pipes in your home or building. The pipes in your system must fit with the discharge and suction pipes of the pump. The size will typically be listed on the outside pipe casing.

–The construction materials of the pump body and the impeller. If you are transporting acids, it is important to have sturdy components that will resist corrosion. If you’re buying a pump for a house, you probably do not need to worry about this factor.

Jot down the answers to these variables and call the experts here at PumpProducts.com. They will help select a specific model that will be compatible with your system, needs and budget. It could also be worthwhile to familiarize yourself with what kind of pumps various brands are known for. Goulds Pumps is well known for its efficient well pumps, while Zoeller is known for excellent sewage pumps. Liberty has a reputation for manufacturing dependable grinder pumps.

Accessories

The final step before you purchase a new pump is to find out what other accessories might be required for installation. Think check valves, float switches, pump basins, control panels and the like. Few things are more frustrating than paying a contractor for an installation job and finding out that there are more components that need to be ordered.

A good rule of thumb is keep in mind that your needs might change in the future. Imagine how common it is for household numbers to fluctuate in this day and age. A newborn child, an aging parent, a ne’er-do-well millennial who has to move back home after graduating (because he or she can’t find a job with an art history degree) – all of these factors are increasingly relevant to many Americans. More bodies means higher water use which in turn necessitates increased water flow (GPM) and more wastewater too. You should also consider buying redundant pumps or a redundant power source as well. These are not required steps but are highly encouraged.