Although cast iron pumps tend to be more expensive than their plastic counterparts, both of these options have various benefits that might be useful in your particular situation.
Let’s see how these sump pumps stack up against each other.
Cast iron sump pump
Plastic sump pump
Durability: Cast Iron vs Plastic Sump Pumps
Although cast iron pumps tend to be more expensive than their plastic counterparts, they make up for it in longevity and durability. Let’s see how these sump pumps stack up against each other.
Cast Iron Sump Pumps
Cast Iron Pumps come with corrosion protection, meaning that you rarely ever have to worry about your pump corroding or deteriorating over time.
However, this only applies if the water is clean. Rust will not only cause the pump to corrode, but it may also reduce its lifespan by a significant amount. For this reason, you should clean your lines once every year or so, especially if you have very hard water in your area.
In addition to their long life expectancy, cast iron pumps are powerful and sturdy. They can withstand extreme levels of pressure and can extract water at impressive speed.
Plastic Sump Pumps
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about plastic pumps. While they are cheaper than cast iron ones, to begin with (and that’s enough for many people), they break down much faster.
Even worse, once a plastic pump has broken down, you won’t be able to repair it. If you have a plastic pump, it’s worth putting away some money for a new one.
Plastic pumps tend to last only a few years at best. They aren’t strong enough for dirty water, which will often cause the pump to malfunction. Even worse, if you don’t catch this problem in time (i.e., within a few months), it may lead to irreversible damage that makes the pump unusable.
Life Expectancy: Cast Iron vs Plastic Sump Pumps
Cast Iron Sump Pumps
As we mentioned above, cast iron pumps are known for their durability and long lifespan. For this reason, they are so popular among homeowners, especially those who have a lot of water around their foundations.
However, the truth is that there’s more to these pumps than just lifespan and durability. If you’re going to buy a cast iron pump, it pays off to choose a quality one from a reputable company, like us.
A good cast iron pump will last you 15 to 20 years with little to no maintenance required in between. On the other hand, a poor quality one may not even last you two years – and that’s if you’re lucky.
Plastic Sump Pumps
As we’ve said above, plastic pumps are not built to last.
Even the best ones will only last you up to five years, which improves their lower quality counterparts. However, it still leaves a lot to be desired when compared with cast iron pumps.
Generally speaking, plastic pumps should no longer be used after ten years since they are more prone to damage.
Other Aspects Worth Noting
Water Capacity and Quality
- Cast Iron Sump Pumps: Iron pumps are built to withstand water of all kinds. This means that the pump's lifespan will not be diminished if you have hard water in your basement, unlike plastic ones.
- Plastic Sump Pumps: Since these pumps tend to break down much faster than cast iron ones, you should only use them if the water in your basement is clean and does not contain any contaminants.
Noise Level
- Cast Iron Sump Pumps: Are always quiet, which makes them suitable for anyone who is disturbed by loud noises. This includes sleeping children and spouses - you won't have to worry about waking anyone up when you're using a cast iron pump like ours!
- Plastic Sump Pumps: These pumps are much louder than cast iron ones, which can be very disruptive if you're trying to sleep.
Maintenance & Longevity:
- Cast Iron Sump Pumps: Due to their all-metal construction, iron pumps require no maintenance (both the pump and the float switch). You won't have to replace any parts or deal with many other issues that often come with plastic pumps.
- Plastic Sump Pumps: Plastic is much easier to damage than cast iron, which means that you'll have to deal with more repairs or replacements when using these products. This can cause your expenses to skyrocket over time.
So, Which Sump Pump Is Better?
It’s clear that cast iron sump pumps are simply much more efficient than plastic ones. Plastic is notorious for not being efficient, it break fast, it looks ugly, and it damages the environment.
If you want a quality sump pump that’ll save you more money in the long run, cast iron pumps are much better. They’re more reliable, durable, and require less maintenance.
If you’re ready to replace your existing sump pump, or you want more information about which brand is better, give us a call at (202) 389-9121 or request a quote for your project, and we’ll reach back as soon as possible!