What Is A Submersible Pump Used For? Part One – Domestic Submersible Pumps

Submersible pumps come in many varieties and serve a range of purposes, with their use being heavily dependent on their configuration. With that being said, today we’re going to look at what a submersible pump is used for in domestic settings (here in part one) as well as five commercial purposes that these units can serve (head over to part two for these).

Five Residential Uses For Submersible Pumps

A residential submersible pump tends to be on the smaller side. These units are cheaper than their commercial counterparts as they are not required to move anywhere near as much water, and are well suited to compact spaces.

Bores

In situations where tanks may not supply enough water, or when a guaranteed constant supply is crucial, many rural homes rely on a bore. Given the depth that water must be pulled from, a submersible pump is almost always required. Bore pumps are highly specialised so it’s important to configure them specifically to match the application, be it for the home, livestock watering, a combination, or something else entirely.

Backyard Pools And Spas

Although backyard pools and spas make use of surface mounted pumps in their general operation, a submersible pump is often required if you need to drain the water out for any reason. Those who simply wish to empty their pool or spa for general maintenance or because it’s going to be out of commission for a bit will be able to complete their drainage mission with a “clean water” pump. If, however, your water has turned green or become fouled in any capacity, you may need to purchase a “dirty water” submersible pump in order to get the job done without damaging your equipment. If you are unsure which type is best for your needs, snap a few quick pictures before heading down to see your local Irrigear Independent Expert and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

Ponds And Water Features

Pond pumps can be either surface mounted or submersible, as can those used for water features. Selecting the right pump for your pond is vital to the health of your aquatic ecosystem, while choosing the right unit for your water feature is the difference between an impressive design element and a mosquito magnet. The required specifications within this realm will depend very heavily on what you’re wanting from your water, so ideally you will select your submersible pond pump or water feature pump at the same time as you’re designing the space.

General Water Relocation

Water here, but you need it there? A submersible pump is your best friend. Common uses in this instance include rectifying flooding in garages or basements, pumping treated effluent or greywater to disposal areas where gravity drainage isn't possible, and general water relocation.

You can also use a submersible pump in a sump or stormwater pit to help prevent flooding from occurring when groundwater and stormwater show up in large volumes, however as this is a preventative measure, you’ll need to have things configured prior to these events occurring.

As mentioned in the backyard pools and spas section above, you will need to select the right type of pump for the water you’re needing to move, so be sure to chat with your local Irrigear Independent Expert to ensure you’re getting the correct type of unit.

Tanks

A less common use for a household submersible pump is to get water from your tank to another tank, or wherever it needs to end up. This is usually employed when you cannot locate your tank near your home for some reason, and therefore must transfer water around the property.

If you’re wanting your tanks to supply your home, you’ll need to consider a range of factors when selecting the right pump, such as pressure, flow, distance the water must travel, and more. Your local Irrigear Independent Expert can assist in finding the right pump for your situation, as well as the selection of any other components you’ll need to get your tanks and home working together.

If your tank only needs to supply the area around it (say the backyard or a garden bed), you are far less likely to require the addition of a submersible pump (but you’ll still need a pressure pump), so be sure to put pump selection front and centre during the design process. Backyard irrigation systems have unique requirements, your Irrigear Independent Expert can help you find the perfect pump to suit your setup, or, if you’re starting from scratch, they’ll be able to design the whole system for you.

Fun Fact: Your hot water system also uses a pump to ensure you get heat and pressure where desired. These kinds of pumps are almost always included in the unit, so you’ll probably never need to purchase one, but just for record, these pumps are completely different again and tend to be an in line pump that exists outside of the hot water holding tank.

Submersible pumps are incredibly versatile products that can suit a range of purposes within the home, but with so many options available, it can be difficult to figure out which is best for any given project. The good news is that your local Irrigear Independent Expert can assist you in finding the right submersible pump for your needs, so you can install your new system with confidence.