Specialty Water Pump Buyer's Guide
All water pumps are built for the same purpose: moving water.
But there are specialty water pumps
made to transport liquids and solids to and from places in unique ways, and in this article, we'll show you different tasks that use a specialty water pump to get the job done right.
For the best results, you should always get a water pump intended for the specific task at hand, because each type of pump is designed for a specific purpose.
Sprinkler Pumps
Sprinkler pumps are used to pump water from alternative sources to landscape sprinklers. Instead of using city water, save money by pumping water from a pond or lake to irrigate your lawn. Look for a self-priming model, which will save you time to get the pump going.
Gallons per minute (GPM) ratings will help you determine the pump size you should be going with. With sprinkler pumps, it's all about sizing the pump based on both GPM & PSI requirements.
One of the best benefits of using a sprinkler pump is that you can operate more than one sprinkler head at a time if everything is sized properly.
Power Takeoff (PTO) Pumps
Sometimes called trunk pumps, PTO water pumps are high-output pumps that move massive amounts of water in little time. These types of pumps are loved by farmers or workers in the agricultural industry because these pumps can attach directly onto the back of a tractor, making the most of a heavy pump's mobility. PTO pumps can prime in seconds and are designed to last for years because of heavy-duty materials and no need to maintain the engine.
Pond and Fountain Pumps
Want to be the envy of the neighborhood?
Pond and fountain pumps
make water features simple and easy to install. They can also be used in aquariums, and these pumps are great for filtration or powering waterfalls and small streams around your property.
Fountain and pond pumps are rated for continuous duty and operate quietly, so they'll work for as long as they're plugged in, and some models allow you to feed two water features with the same pump. If you plan on using one for a pond with fish or other aquatic creatures, make sure the pump is oil-free in design (almost all are oil-less).
How to Winterize a Fountain or Pond Pump
Pool Cover Pumps
Pool and pool cover pumps do exactly what you might guess-remove water from pool covers. Pool covers can be very expensive so you want to do everything possible to keep yours in top shape. Look for a pool cover pump with a float switch because it will shut off automatically when there is no more water to pump.
A great feature of pool cover pumps is a raised skimmer base like pictured above, which keeps the suction away from the pool cover. Make sure the pump has standard garden hose discharge threads (3/4").
Electric Chemical Pumps
Electric chemical pumps
are unique because they can be used to pass corrosive and non-corrosive materials that are both liquid and solid. They are ideally used for applications where liquid chemicals need to be transported, such as
detergents, ethylene glycol, oils, and acids.
However, non-chemical applications are also common for chemical pumps, which can also be used to pump beverages, fruit juices, coffee, milk, or cream. Never attempt to pump any type of flammable liquids; these pumps are not designed to handle them.
Drill Pumps
Drill pumps are used with electric or cordless drills to drain sinks or other equipment, such as washing machines. There is an inlet valve, a discharge valve, and a part to attach to the drill. Unlike larger types of water pumps, you can connect a garden hose to the discharge valve instead of a high-quality discharge hose.
The drill spins the impeller creating centrifugal force, sucking out all standing water to drain clogged sinks and other items. Keep in mind these pumps are intended for very small jobs, so don't expect the power of a regular water pump in such a small package.
Condensate Pumps
Condensate pumps are used to deal with condensation created by home air conditioners and mini-splits. In the hot summer, air conditioner coils produce a lot of condensation as they release moisture captured in the hot and humid air as it cools. This is especially problematic if you do not have a floor drain nearby.
You hook the condensate pump up to the drain valve on the HVAC unit. Then you connect a discharge hose to the pump. When the 2-quart reservoir on the pump starts to fill, it will kick on and pump the water away from your air conditioner.
NEXT: View the Best Water Pumps of the Year
