Buyer Guide for Water Pumps

Water pumps come in many different types to tackle different tasks. Whether you’re looking for a pump to fight fire or just to draw water from a bore or dam, there’s one to fit your needs.

Pumps vary in specifications such as size, power, and flow rate; all of which are important to consider whether you’re looking to use a pump hire service or buy one for yourself.

To make sure you end up with the right pump for your needs, make sure you check out the rest of this article to get out guide to buying water pumps.

Types of Water Pumps

Water pumps can generally be grouped into electric and gas-powered pumps. As the name goes, electric pumps run on electricity. They tend to be small and are suitable for indoor use.

Electric pumps are commonly used by homeowners and small businesses for their garden, swimming pools, and other domestic tasks. These devices need to be plugged into a power source and are therefore not as mobile as gas-powered ones, but they require significantly less pump maintenance and repair since they don’t need oil changes.

Gas-powered pumps run on either petrol or diesel. They are suitable for use on large properties such as farms and construction sites since they’re highly portable, powerful, and can transfer high volumes of water over an extended period of time. Since they burn fuel, these pumps emit carbon monoxide gas and cannot be used indoors.

Here are some specialised water pumps and their functions:

• Surface pump: Paced above a water source, and can pump water from a river and water tank.
• Submersible pump: Installed underwater when the water source’s depth is too deep for a surface pump.
• Pressure booster pump: This pump has a pressure booster to provide consistent pressure throughout a system. It’s suitable for use in homes that have inconsistent water pressure.
• Water transfer pump: Transfers a high volume of water at relatively low pressure. It’s great for irrigating fields, getting rid of floodwater, and filling up tanks.
• Fire fighting pump: Discharges water at high pressure. Besides fighting fires, you can use this pump for tasks that require high water pressure such as spray irrigation.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Water Pump

• Usage: What do you need a water pump for? If you need to increase the water pressure throughout your home, you might want to get a pressure booster pump. If you need to draw water from a well, you can use a submersible pump. Make sure to choose a pump that’s suitable for the tasks you require.
• Type of water: Most pumps are suitable for regular water. To pump water with debris and big solids, you need a trash pump. Whereas a diaphragm pump can transfer viscous fluid such as sewage water.
• Flow rate: The flow rate dictates how much water a pump can transport and is often measured in litres per minute.
• Pressure: The pressure value, usually measured in PSI, influences the water pressure at the discharge outlet. Determining the pressure you need is vital so you don’t choose the wrong pump.
• Maximum head: Maximum head, measured in metres, is the total of a pump’s suction and discharge head. The suction head is the height from the water source to the suction inlet, whereas the discharge head is the height between the pump and discharge outlet. The maximum head determines how high your pump can pump water to. However, friction and bends in your pipe system affect this value, so be sure to take them into account when deciding on a suitable pump.
• Material: If you pump corrosive liquids or water with big solids, you’d need a pump made of tougher material. This is also true if you require the pump to work constantly over long periods of time.

Buying the right water pump doesn’t have to be overwhelming. All you need is to do your research and you’re set to go. If you’re unsure, make sure you choose a vendor that can help you select the right one for your needs.