Read the Best Sump Pump Reviews Today
Average Rating
out of 5
Price: $192.00
(80 customer reviews)
Review By: Kathrine Osgood
Zoeller Sump Pump Review
The Zoeller 98-0001 115-Volt ½ Horse Power Model M98 Flow-Mate Automatic Cast Iron Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump features class 25-30 (25,000 lbs of tensile strength) cast iron in the motor and pump housing, switch case and base. The unit is assembled with stainless steel screws to help resist rusting. The motor is a permanent split capacitor running at 60Hz, 1725 RPM, oil-filled and hermetically sealed. The Zoeller 98-0001 Sump/Effluent Pump features an engineered plastic vortex impeller and a corrosion resistant powder coated epoxy finish. The pumping capacity is 72-Gallons per minute with a 5-Foot head, or discharge pipe. The volume per minute decreases with a longer discharge pipe and the head shuts off at 23-Feet.
Standard cord includes a 15-foot 3-wire neoprene cord. The Zoeller 98-0001 
Sump/Effluent Pump contains automatic reset thermal overload protection. The maximum temperature for effluent or dewatering is 130 Degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius). The discharge outlet is 1 ½” National Pipe Thread which can be found at any hardware store. The top and bottom motor bearings are oil feed for long life. The unit is pressure tested after assembly before leaving the factory. The unit measures 10 1/8 x 12 inches high so it fits into relatively small spaces. The Zoeller 98-0001 Sump/Effluent Pump comes with a warranty covering 12 months from installation or 18 months from the manufacturing date, whichever comes first. The Flow-Mate is perfect for sump and dewatering septic tanks.
Features
• Built like a Cadillac
• Heavy duty and robust
• Extended warranty available through Zoeller
• Easy to install
• The float on the side activates the pump
• Runs quietly
What Customers Are Saying
“This was the perfect pump for my needs at a great price. I am going to purchased another for a second sump. Easy to hook up.” –C. Riley
“One thing that really surprised me was how quiet this model is – almost couldn’t even tell it was on.” –J. Dang
Most people gave the Zoeller 98-0001 Flow-Mate Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump the very highest rating and very good reviews. Zoeller is the brand of product most waterproofing companies and professional plumbers recommend. The pump easily plugs into a gas generator during power failure. When replacing an existing pump, ensure the drain is capable of handling the high volume of sump pump water expected from a Zoeller 98-0001 Flow-Mate Sump/Effluent Pump. The cast iron pump and motor housing should make the unit last for a long time. The matching check value comes highly recommended.
The most common complaint was damage during shipping. Several reviewers state that the device was damaged during shipping due to poor packing. When receiving a damaged pump, contact customer service immediately. Be warned, however, that the company’s customer service department has a bad reputation.
The pump is activated by a float on the side of the device which flips a switch when the water gets to the top. Reviewers like this design over a sensor which could get dirty or a floating cup which could get stuck. Some reviewers complain the water is not completely removed because the float does not go all the way to the bottom of the pump. The small travel distance of the float means the pump will run for short periods of time but will activate more often. The Zoeller 98-0001 Sump/Effluent Pump can easily handle a high volume of water. Reviewers recommend purchasing the extended warranty available through Zoeller.
Pros:
- Built like a Cadillac
- Heavy duty and robust
- Extended warranty available through Zoeller
- Easy to install
- The float on the side activates the pump
- Runs quietly
Cons:
- Customer Service was rude and not helpful
- Company had to receive damaged item before shipping replacement
- Water level close to the top of the pump before float activates the pipe.
- Leaves water in the bottom
- Small travel distance of the float
Recommendation
The Zoeller 98-0001 Flow-Mate Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump is highly recommended. It is an excellent product, receiving the highest customer ratings and reviews. The Sump/Effluent pump is very heavy duty and robust with a float on the side to activate and deactivate the device based on water level. The pump activates at a water level of 9 ½ inches and deactivates at a water level of 3 inches. The unit measures 10 1/8 x 12 inches high so it fits into relatively small spaces. Customers find the Zoeller 98-0001 Sump/Effluent Pump easy to install and long lasting. The cast iron in the motor and pump housing, switch case and base along with the stainless stain screws help to resist rust and corrosion making this unit a good solution when a pump/effluent pump is necessary.
If you live in an area with frequent heavy rains, where floods constantly occur, a sump pump is an absolutely necessary device in order to keep your basement and the rest of your house dry.
Deciding on the right type of device without advice from a professional can often be a daunting task, not to mention that, by purchasing a product that does not suit your needs, the money you invest in it are wasted.
Pumps used to sump are of two types: submersible pumps and pedestal pumps. Those from the first category are more expensive and they cannot be installed without the help of a professional plumber.
A pump of this type costs more than a pedestal pump, the fee charged by the professional who sets it being added to its price. The pedestal must be placed at the sump hole bottom, completely covered by water. This type of pump has a life duration between 5 and 15 years, and the price you pay for it does not exceed 500 $.
On the other the other hand, pedestal pumps can be as cheap as 60 dollars and they can last for a period of 25 to 30 years, the model being appreciated in favorable terms by many people who post sump pump reviews.
This type of device is also easier to install compared to a submersible pump, as you can perform the entire operation by yourself, without the assistance of a professional being necessary. This model of pump is composed from a motor, placed at its top, and the pump itself, at the bottom. It is placed at the base of the sump hole, without being submerged into the water.
Regardless of its type, you have to be prepared for the eventuality of the main pump’s failure, so you must consider buying a backup pump. One of the two available types of sump pumps for backup can be directly connected to your main plumbing system, functioning with the help of water pressure. The other kind of backup sump pump is powered by a rechargeable, 12-volt battery.
In order for the pump to fit in properly, the sump hole must have about two feet in diameter. A layer of gravel, having the thickness of 3 or 4 inches, must be put on the bottom of the hole, in order to prevent the accumulation of debris and dirt into the pump.
When it comes to choosing the best sump pump, it is always indicated to do an extensive documentation and comparison between the prices and technical characteristics of the two types of devices, as the durability of your home depends on this.
