
Reliability of the primary sump pump is very important but it is absolutely critical for the backup sump pump, which is your "last line of defense" against basement flooding.
No electricity or batteries needed. During a heavy rainstorm or snow melt, you do not have to worry about a power outage or sump pump failure, or about batteries on a battery back-up sump pump.
When called upon, the water-powered backup pump can run infinitely, as long as municipal water is available – not limited by a battery charge.
This pump requires no cleaning or maintenance. There is no impeller or motor – no rotating parts to break or wear off. It is constructed of heavy duty, corrosion-resistant materials (Schedule 80 polypropylene) for practically unlimited longevity.
This is a truly simple and elegant design – no batteries and no moving parts! Pressurized municipal water pushes through the pump (Venturi nozzle) and as it speeds up, its pressure drops. This creates suction. The sump pump ("ejector") draws water from the sump pit by suction just like through a giant soda straw. This is a well-proven and reliable principle - that’s how they make vacuum in school labs. |
The operation is fully automatic – it works whether you are home or away. The backup pump has its own float switch, which activates the pump when water level in the sump pit rises too high – above the level normally allowed by the primary sump pump. This simultaneously activates an audible high water alarm to let you know that there is something wrong with the primary pump or the power supply.
Suction:
The suction pipe (not included) reaches down to above the bottom of the sump pit and is connected to
a check valve (included) below the pump. A stainless steel suction screen protects
the pump against debris.
Discharge:
Flexible discharge hose takes the water outside to a relief tee for a separate discharge. Alternatively, the
discharge hose can be connected to the existing discharge pipe using a T-connector (included). Note
that a
separate discharge avoids the risk of a clogged or frozen primary discharge pipe and in case the backup
discharge pipe also freezes up, the included pop-up pressure relief valve will spill the water onto
the backyard, allowing the backup pump to operate. If the discharge hose is connected to the main discharge
pipe, install the pop-up valve on the main pipe and make absolutely sure that the check valve above the
primary pump is in good working order.
Hydraulic float:
The hydraulic (not mechanical) tethered float switch is not dependent on electricity or a battery. Its
activation elevation is fully adjustable. It is connected to the pump above by flexible pressurized tubing,
which is clipped on to the suction pipe. To help with the limited space inside sump pits, the minimum
needed lift of the grapefruit-sized float is only about 1.5–2 inches. It does not need to fully drop
down to a vertical position. There is an adjustable timer screw on the pump, which extends how long the pump works
in each pumping cycle as needed to empty the entire pit (typically set at 20-30 seconds).
Location, Location, Location! What makes our pumps particularly unique is their location outside the sump pit. Our pumps are mounted high and dry on the ceiling. Features:
These are the most reliable pumps on the market – backed up with a 5-Year Manufacturer's Warranty, the longest in the industry. Note that some plumbers "push" their own pump regardless of performance or reliability. Check the comparison of available backup sump pumps.
The volume of water drawn by the ejector depends on the city water pressure. The higher the water pressure, the higher the pumping rate. Pumping rates in GPH (gallons per hour) for all models based on a 10-ft lift:
| Pump model: | Residential Model RB-750 |
Residential/Commercial Model HB-1000 |
Commercial Model CB-1500 |
| Water pressure (psi) | Sump water removed (GPH) |
Sump water removed (GPH) |
Sump water removed (GPH) |
| 40 | 750 | 1,000 | 1,500 |
| 50 | 800 | 1,100 | 1,600 |
| 75 | 850 | 1,300 | 1,800 |
| 100 | 900 | 1,400 | 2,000 |
| water connection | 1/2"(adaptor incl.) or 3/4" | 3/4" | 3/4"(adaptor incl.) or 1" |
| suction pipe and discharge hose |
1" | 1-1/4" | 1-1/2" |
| typical use | homes with normal amount of sump water | homes with high volumes of sump water | buildings with very high volumes of sump water |
The higher the needed "lift" from the bottom of the sump pit, the lower the pumping rate. But up to a 15-ft. lift, it does not decrease dramatically.
The illustrated pump and accessories kit is for the classic set-up with separate suction and discharge pipes. (The Easy-Install Kit is just as complete but some accessories are different.)
Installations
Instructions with Kit Contents, Tools Needed, Checklist, and Mounting Options.
For homeowners who have never done any plumbing whatsoever but could handle a Lego set. Or for plumbers who want to save almost half of the installation time. No soldering, no torch, no glue, and no special tools! No fire hazards or burned fingers. You can tackle the job with a tubing cutter and a pair of channel pliers.
These state-of-the-art push-on fittings make connecting the backup pump to your 3/4" water service quick and easy. Just push a tube into the fitting until it reaches a positive "bottom" and it is sealed! Fast and easy secure connections. No frustrating leaks. If needed, you can turn the fittings to line them up properly. Each connection can be disassembled if needed. The kit includes:
You need to buy straight lengths of 3/4" tubing – PEX or CPVC or copper piping. Using flexible piping, PEX or copper, reduces the number of needed elbows. Feel free to mix copper or PEX tubing. PEX has flexibility and a low price. One push-on elbow is included and you can order extra elbows if needed. The flexible stainless steel tube means that "close is good enough" when bringing the piping to the pump – it greatly saves on elbows and time. There is no extra shipping cost when ordered with the pump.
Unlike store-sold products, these fittings are the latest design – all-metal (brass), no plastic parts for maximum durability.
Every water company receives each month several calls from homeowners complaining about "blue water" from their faucets. They and perhaps also their neighbors have been drinking their own toilet tank water which has been colored by toilet bowl cleaner. Instead of a "plumbing code approved" toilet flush valve, they had bought a cheap one.
If a fire hydrant is turned on or a water main breaks, the sudden loss of water pressure may cause "backsiphonage" and draw pollutants or contaminants into the potable water distribution. If your neighbor is using his garden hose to fill a swimming pool, or to spray pesticides on his lawn, or to flush his radiator, the contaminants may end up in your drinking water due to a sudden backflow. According to an US EPA study, a great majority of homes have a cross-connection to a health hazard.
In spite of regulations and building codes regarding backflow prevention, many products sold to trusting homeowners do not meet these standards. Conspicuous among them are the old-school water-powered pumps that sit inside the sump pit. Avoid them! Submerged in sump water and with a discharge pipe filled with water, they are sure to contaminate the drinking water during a sudden loss in main water pressure. Just check with your local Building Department.
Our pumps have built-in backflow prevention. The main ejector valve has a solid rubber diaphragm, which reliably isolates sump water from the municipal water, and a patented integral check valve which closes the main valve drip-tight by using the pressure of municipal water. And when mounted on the ceiling with suction and discharge pipes empty, any suction would just suck in air through the discharge pipe.
Backflow Prevention Device
If your Building Department insists on a separate and officially approved backflow prevention device, all
our pumps have available an option for an integral Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB),
which is approved by all backflow prevention authorities (ASSE listed 1001, IAPMO listed, CSA certified).
Shipped installed on the pump. The discharge pipe from the pump must be sloping and self-draining – otherwise,
the water would run out of the AVB valve. A separate discharge outlet is called for instead of connecting
to the main discharge pipe.
Insufficient water pressure or flow will reduce the pumping rate of the pump or it may not operate at all. Minimize the length of piping and number of elbows to the pump. if you are on a private well, the water pressure is not sufficient and you have to use a battery-powered back-up pump.
The "Bucket Test" of water flow:
Remove the garden hose from an outside spigot and place a 5-gallon bucket under the spout. Open fully the spigot and measure with a watch how long it takes to fill the bucket to its full mark (usually a couple inches from the top). This test is not valid if the line to the hose spigot connects after a water filter or water softener.
The water connection to the hose spigot is usually only 1/2" and the spigot itself further restricts
the flow. But these restrictions are similar to those inside the pump. (Do not test at the laundry tub,
which often has smaller supply tubes and a more restrictive faucet.) You must be able to fill the bucket
within the following maximum time for each pump model:
RB-750 ... 40 seconds (7 gallons/minute) HB-1000 ... 30 seconds (10 gpm) CB-1500 ... 20 seconds (15 gpm)
As an example, check out an actual installation of the RB-750 pump by a homeowner - layout, connections, and discharge. Another one:
Works like a champ!
I am amazed how well it works!
I am just a software engineer. It took me about 3.5 hours and it was not difficult at all.
The RadonSeal HB-1000 water-powered backup sump pump worked perfect when we tried it.
I actually got very worried because it was quiet and I didn't think it worked. Then, I noticed the water going down in the sump.
(See more at Testimonials page!)
Each pump is available in the classic design (separate suction and discharge piping) or with the optional Easy-Install Kit at the same price.
| Item | Price |
Shipping |
| Residential water-powered pump RB-750 with accessories | $299 | $10 |
| Residential & commercial pump HB-1000 with accessories | $359 | $15 |
| Commercial water-powered pump CB-1500 with accessories | $459 | $20 |
| Push-On Plumbing Kit 3/4" | $79 | - |
| Push-On Elbow 3/4" (extra to the Kit) | $11 | - |
| Integral Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) | $36 | $0 |
Normally shipped the same or next business day. Delivery by courier in 3 to 5 business days. Valid for the lower 48 states. For express shipping or shipping to other states or Canada, please inquire first about the shipping costs.
Backed up with a 30-Day Customer Satisfaction Guarantee and a 3-Year Manufacturer's Warranty – the longest in the industry.
Follow-up service: Service and replacement parts are available.
Any questions? Please contact us by e-mail or phone toll-free 1-800-472-0603 or 203-225-0367
MADE IN USA
Products not sold through retail stores. Available exclusively from:
Radon Mitigation & Concrete Waterproofing Co., Novion Inc.,
18 L'Hermitage Drive, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
RadonSeal™ is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1998-2010. All rights reserved.
