If you’re researching sump pumps, you already know how important they are when it comes to keeping a basement dry. But a good AC sump pump, even one as fast and reliable as the Zoeller M267 isn’t enough–you also need something that keeps working when the power goes out and you aren’t around to hook up a generator. So what’s are your options for a good backup sump pump?
We’ve reviewed a range of backup options this year, but the biggest differentiating factor is ultimately the source of power: battery or water. If you want the best DC-based sump pump on the market, right now that means you want the Wayne WSM3300. But if you want the most reliable backup instead of simply the fastest and most technological, you’re going to need to look past battery-based sump pumps and start investigating water-based pumps. They aren’t as fast as the fastest DC pumps, but they’ve got the advantage of being nearly indestructible as long as you’ve got running water from a municipal water line.
Lately, we’ve looked at several water-based pumps, including the Basepump HB1000, the Basepump RB 750-EZ, the Basepump RB 750 and the Liberty Pumps SJ10; all have done a great job pumping water, but we’ve been drawn to those that make DIY installation easy. Today we’ve found the best example yet of speed and ease of installation: the Basepump HB1000-PRO Water Powered Backup Sump Pump with Water Alarm. It’s essentially an upgraded version of the HB1000 in that it includes just about everything you need to install it on your own. We’ll review it in detail below, but to sum things up, it’s a great sump pup and a bargain at this price, and you can buy it here.
Key Features of the Basepump HB1000-PRO (60 Second Summary)
The Basepump HB1000-PRO is a water-powered backup backup sump pump. It can be used as a main pump as well, but it’s most frequently installed as a secondary pump because it requires no AC / DC power, and instead runs off water pressure from a municipal line. It can pump up to 1,400 gallons of sump water per hour (GPH) and is backed by a 5 year limited Basepump warranty. It is 16 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 6 inches tall; it weighs 8 pounds.
The HB1000-Pro has a 3/4 water inlet intake and can be adapted up to 1 inch inch inlets; scaling down to 1/2 inch is not recommended due to an inability to provide enough water volume. It features a 1 inch sump intake and a 1-1/2 inch sump discharge. As with other Basepumps, you’ll need a municipal water pressure between 40 PSI and 90 PSI. Two gallons of sump water will be removed for every pumped gallon of city water.
As with all water-based pumps, your actual pumping speed will vary depending on the water pressure at the inlet and the necessary pumping head. At 40 PSI, the GPH is 950; this rises to 1,000 GPH at 60 PSI, 1,200 GPH at 80 PSI, and 1,400 PSI at 90 PSI. The max pumping height is around 15 feet, although this will also vary with water pressure and piping configurations.
As with the HB1000, the HB1000-PRO includes a standalone battery-powered high water alarm. The 9 volt battery is included and the alarm sounds at 85 dB.
How Does the Basepump HB1000-PRO Compare to the RB HB1000, 750-EZ, and the Wayne WSM3300?
The main difference between the HB1000-PRO and the HB1000 involves the ease of installation. Push-fit pipe fittings (much like those Shark-Bite sells) are included, allowing you to connect the PRO to copper, PEX, or CVPC tubing without needing to sweat copper. A brass shutoff valve to allow for easy water shutoff to the unit, a dual check valve to avoid back flow, a push to-fit male adapter that lets you push a pipe into the pump to connect it, and a push-to-fit tee to connect the pump to your water supply are all included. These should be almost all of the things you need
Compared to the RB 750-EZ, the difference lies in pumping speed, as both feature the inclusion of a DIY all-in-one installation kit. Compared to the RB 750, the HB1000-PRO is both faster and includes the aforementioned installation components. The speed difference i significant; the HB1000-PRO tops out at 1,400 GPH compared to 900 GPH in the RB 750/EZ.
Compared to the WSM3300, the HB1000-PRO is slower but more reliable, due to not needing any form of electricity. It does require a constant water pressure from a city line, but this is more likely to remain than an AC power source (which is still necessary from time to time to charge the DC battery in any DC-based backup pump). It’s important to note, however, that the speed difference is significant: the HB1000-PRO tops out at 1,400 GPH compared to the 3,300 GPH in the WSM3300. The max head is also slightly lower in the HB1000-PRO at 15 feet compared to 20 feet.
Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Basepump HB1000-PRO
Thanks to the inclusion of the couplings and necessary accessories, installing the HB1000-PRO shouldn’t take more than three hours as long as you’ve got some plumbing experience or know someone who does. As with the HB1000, you’ll need to install the HB1000-PRO in a ceiling beam or joist in your basement. From there, it’s just like any other water-based pump: connect your city water line to the sump’s water inlet, connect your sump pipe to the sump’s sump inlet, and connect your discharge pipe to the sump’s outlet. Since push-fit connectors come with the PRO, you won’t need accessories to complete the installation in many cases.
Regarding longevity, you’re likely to enjoy many years of maintenance-free functionality if your HB1000-PRO is like most Basepumps we’ve seen and heard of. Practically speaking, this means between 10 and 20 years of functionality, although more years are certainly possible. As with other water-based sump pumps, the main threats to longevity are an excess in water pressure. Make sure your city line tops out at 90 PSI; if it goes beyond that, you’ll risk breaking seals and turning your basement into a swimming pool.
Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Basepump HB1000-PRO Working Sooner
The main thing to keep in mind with the HB1000-PRO is that you’re going to need enough water pressure coming in from your city line for it to work the way it’s designed to. If you don’t have enough water pressure, it’s not going to work any faster than the RB 750 would. Basepump recommends you try the bucket test, which has you fill a 5 gallon bucket from a spigot outside your home (such as one that would normally feed a garden hose) and timing how long it takes to fill it with 5 gallons of water. If it takes under 30 seconds to get within two inches of the brim (where the fill line is typically located), you’ll be fine with the HB1000-PRO. If it takes under 20 seconds, you can upgrade to the CB1500. If it takes more than 30 seconds but fewer than 40, you’ll want the RB 750/EZ. If you use a frost free spigot, you need to trim your fill time by 25% to get correct results.
Basepump HB1000-PRO Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison
It’s hard to find flaws with the HB1000-PRO; it’s a capable and relatively fast water-based backup sump pump at a price most families can afford, especially when keeping in mind how long it’s likely to work without needing any kind of maintenance. Our main complaint with the HB1000, the need to buy accessories to complete the installation, has been alleviated by the PRO, which includes just about everything you need to get it installed out of the box in a typical basement.
It’s key to remember when choosing a backup sump pump that when you buy a water-based pump, you’re not going to get the blazing speeds available in the fastest DC-based sump pumps; water pumps simply work in a different way and don’t feature a motor to drive the water. If top speed is essential, you want a pump like the WSM3300. But if you want reliability above all, and you want it for decades, as well as the need to never worry about a power source expiring or running out of charge, then you need a water-based pump, and the HB1000-PRO is one of the best on the market. The only faster water-based pump we’re aware of is the CB1500.
You can buy the Basepump HB1000-PRO here on Amazon. You can buy the Basepump HB1000 here. You can buy the Basepump RB 750-EZ here. You can buy the Basepump RB 750 here. You can buy the Wayne WSM3300 here on Amazon. You can buy additional PEX tubing here and SharkBite connectors here. You can buy a silent check valve here.
If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can put our relentless reviewing of every pump and fixture on the market to the test by shopping via our links above for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.