Category Manual & Transfer Pumps

Transfer water without a pump using gravity, a siphon, a low drain, or containers. The choice depends on elevation, volume, hose route, and water quality.

A siphon carries water over a rise without a pump only when its outlet stays below source level. Fill the hose, submerge the inlet, and prevent air leaks.

Water-level controllers use float valves, switches, probes, pressure, or ultrasonic sensors. Compare accuracy, wiring, fouling, controls, and fail-safe behavior.

Siphon pumps include squeeze-bulb, shaker, piston, bellows, and powered styles. Compare priming, flow, lift, hose material, liquid compatibility, and shutoff.

The best tank pumps match flow, total head, water quality, suction, power, and controls. Compare submersible, surface, booster, and transfer designs.

Four water-pump types are centrifugal, submersible, positive-displacement, and jet pumps. Compare flow, head, suction, water quality, power, and uses.

Hand pumps have limited flow, require effort, may lose prime, and face depth and freezing limits. Compare maintenance, accessibility, and backup value.

Air in a water pump can cause lost prime, weak flow, noise, overheating, and damage. Find suction leaks, low water, or faulty seals before restarting.

Submersible, surface centrifugal, and transfer pumps cover many rainwater-system jobs. Compare each type by flow, head, suction, controls, power, and water quality.

Three practical hand-pump types are pitcher, deep-well, and diaphragm or lever pumps. Compare lift depth, flow, effort, priming, mounting, and service access.