Puddle pump

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.

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.

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.

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