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What is a puddle pump?

A puddle pump is a type of submersible pump that operates both manually and automatically in shallow water. The advantage is that this pump does not need to be fully immersed in water and is known for its ability to drain low-level water (e.g. a puddle, hence its name). Most of the puddle pumps we supply are able to drain the surface to a level of 0 mm to 2 mm, which means the remaining water can then easily be mopped up. This pump is suitable for indoor as well as outdoor use. However, for use outdoors, be sure to select a model that is suitable for the type of water you want to pump.

Puddle pump or puddle sucker pump

The submersible puddle pump is capable of draining water to a height of 0-2 mm. This means it leaves less water behind than the average submersible pump, and therefore is sometimes referred to as a puddle sucker pump.

It is important to know that puddle sucker pumps are only capable of processing clean water, and will therefore have no trouble processing rainwater, groundwater, or tap water. In principle, puddle pumps can handle water well as long as it does not contain very large solid particles or too much sand. In many cases, this pollution can be avoided by placing the pump in a sump well/sump pit (with a grid placed on top). Puddle pumps are usually fitted with an internal float They are kept as slim as possible so that they can easily be installed in a sump pit with a diameter of about 20 centimetres. If the pump is placed on a water-permeable stand - and not directly on the sandy soil - it will draw in only the less-polluted water.

What is a puddle pump used for?

Puddle pumps are used mainly in emergency situations such as flooding or heavy rainfall. They have been designed to drain excess water effectively, even if the water is shallow. However, puddle pumps can also be used in other situations, which include:

  • draining a cellar or crawl space that contains a thin layer of water;

  • emptying a regular or inflatable swimming pool;

  • draining rainwater from a flat roof;

  • draining basements affected by rising groundwater.

Puddle pumps are usually fitted with an internal float so that the pump body remains slim, allowing the pump to fit into tight spaces.

puddle pump

What type of water is a puddle pump able to process?

It is important to know that puddle pumps are normally clean-water pumps. Processing rain or tap water is therefore no problem, but we do not recommend using a puddle pump if the water contains a large amount of sand or other dirt. For such situations, a dirty water pump is often the better choice. If you are unsure, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service. Our team of experts is there to advise and help you in selecting the right pump.

How does a puddle pump work?

A puddle pump can have two settings: manual (M) and automatic (A). Some of the models we supply are non-automatic (NA) and therefore always manual. Select the manual mode if you need to drain a space to a level of 0 mm to 2 mm. It is important to keep a close eye on the pump and switch it off manually in time because no water pump should run dry for a prolonged period. Running dry happens when the pump is running but no longer has any water to process.

You may wonder why puddle pumps cannot be used in automatic mode. This is possible of course, but the pump only switches on when the water level reaches 11 cm, and switches off when the level is still 4 cm. As a result, you would still need to operate the pump manually in order to drain the last few centimetres of water.

What does a pump cost?

We supply pumps in different price brackets ranging from £100 to £350. This is because each pump has unique features and specifications that can affect the price. These include:

  • pump capacity;

  • delivery head;

  • automatic features (on/off);

  • dry suction depth in mm;

  • maximum size of the solid particles to be processed.

The type of pump you need and the cost incurred therefore depend upon your situation.

What type of puddle pump do I need?

We have provided a great deal of information, but you may still not be sure which model in our wide range of pumps is suitable. This is completely understandable because several factors are at play here, including:

  • the type of water you wish to drain;

  • the amount of water you need to drain;

  • the height to which the water needs to be pumped;

  • how long you want to use the pump.

The filters on this page might help you choose, or you can refer to our handy choice guide.

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Do you need help finding a puddle pump?

If you prefer to discuss the options with one of our experts, please feel free to contact our customer service by telephone, email, or completing the contact form. We at Waterpump.co.uk guarantee that you will always be given prompt, expert advice. Please do no hesitate to contact us if you need more information.

FAQ

What to do if a puddle pump is running but not pumping?

If the pump is running but not pumping any water, there may be air trapped in the pump body. This can be dealt with easily by placing the pump at an angle in a container of water so that the pump body can fill with water and any air can escape. The following video demonstrates how this is done. Make sure as well that there are no kinks in the hoses or pipes so that the water can move through freely.

What is the difference between a sump pump and a puddle pump?

The puddle pump and the sump pump are both submersible devices used to drain excess rain or other types of water. But what is the difference between these two?

Sump pump

If it rains a great deal, rainwater will accumulate in the lowest part of the house: e.g. the cellar or crawl space. Many houses have a small sump pit fitted under the floor of the cellar or another low-lying area. At some point, this sump may overflow. This is when the sump pump, which is installed in the pit, comes into the picture. The float causes the pump to switch on automatically when the water reaches a certain level, at which point it switches off automatically again.

Puddle pump

Puddle pumps are used mainly for draining flooded spaces and surfaces (e.g. puddles) in the event of leakages or flooding, which often involves smaller amounts of water. A puddle pump is used to drain spaces as efficiently as possible so that the remaining water can be mopped up. This pump is therefore useful if all the water needs to be removed.

In short, a sump pump is used for draining large quantities of water from a sump pit, for example, while a puddle pump is used for sucking up a thin layer of water.

Can puddle pumps run dry?

Yes, a puddle pump can run dry. This pump is capable of draining a surface dry to a height of just a few millimetres, and this level is specified with all the products we supply. You need to switch off the pump once the water has reached a certain level because the water being pumped cools the device. If the pump is still running but not pumping any water, it will run dry. If this lasts for more than a few minutes, the pump will burn out. Make sure you prevent this by switching the pump off in time.

Can you submerge a puddle pump?

Yes, a puddle pump is fully submersible. However, the advantage is that this pump does not need to be fully immersed in water to be able to operate effectively. This makes the puddle pump a perfect device for draining spaces containing a thin layer of water.