The unsung hero of flood response
Puddle pumps are a hidden gem in the water pump world. They are fantastic products, yet there is surprisingly little understanding of how they work and where to use them.
What is a puddle pump?
A puddle pump is a special type of water pump that can clear water to very low levels without overheating or burning out, which removes the need to dig a chamber. Traditional submersible pumps tend to be water-cooled and cannot pump to low levels. Puddle pumps can be used on most surfaces to remove residue and nuisance water from seepage, rainfall or flooding. Because they sit straight onto a surface to clear shallow water, they are perfect for emergency response and hugely improve flood response. Electric puddle pumps can be used internally or externally.
What is a puddle pump? Quick video explanation
Why puddle pumps are a smart investment
Puddle pumps are a cost-effective solution for councils, businesses, homeowners and emergency response teams. Because no chamber is required, one pump can be used in multiple locations, across several sites or in different areas of the same property. With standard submersible pumps there is always a layer of water that cannot be reached. The image below compares a traditional submersible pump with a puddle pump.
Where to use a puddle pump
Puddle pumps are versatile and can be used for:
- Flood control
- Basement drainage
- Lift shafts
- Fixed installations
- Hire fleets
- Water transfer
Internal use: basement drainage and property flood resilience
There are many types of flood protection, such as door barriers, flood guards and air brick covers. These buy time, but no property is completely watertight, and water often finds its way in through brickwork, mortar joints or other weak points. Some schemes include a sump and chamber to deal with ingress, but these can be disruptive and expensive to install. A puddle pump offers a simpler, cheaper option, helping keep water levels low and reduce flood damage. Flooded basements are common in the UK, and puddle pumps suit both temporary and permanent installations, deployed quickly during an event or fitted in fixed positions with automatic operation. The Tsurumi LSC1.4S is a great example: it pumps down to 1mm and can run dry for prolonged periods thanks to its air and water cooling. See our guide to pumping water away automatically at floor level and our cellar and basement flooding range.
External use
Every flood defence scheme should include a pump. Puddle pumps can control seepage, rainfall and rising groundwater without excavating a chamber or sump, saving cost, reducing disruption and giving flexibility for site drainage and flood prevention.
Key advantages of puddle pumps
- Portable and easy to move between sites
- Cost-effective
- Pump water to low levels
- No chamber required
- Versatile for internal and external use
- Help reduce flood damage
- Can be installed permanently if required, for example in lift shafts or basements
- Manual and automatic models available
Manual or automatic puddle pumps
Puddle pumps are traditionally manual, but certain models are also available as automatic, though an automatic puddle pump usually will not pump as low as a manual one. For instance, an EGO 500 GI will pump as low as 10mm in manual mode but 60mm in automatic. Certain models pump lower with sensors, though this increases the budget, which leads neatly to cost.
How much does a puddle pump cost?
The cost varies greatly. Generally, the more powerful the pump the more expensive, though not always, as certain premium brands command a higher price. Small puddle pumps such as the Stream SPP2-4 sit at the budget end, while at the higher end a Tsurumi LSC2.75S has over three times the flow rate and a pressed steel and cast aluminium build rather than plastic. Whether to buy the pump alone or as a kit with hose and fittings is a separate decision.
What are the most popular puddle pumps?
Our four best-selling puddle pumps are consistently:
Bestselling does not always mean best suited to your needs. Each pump has different features, such as manual or automatic operation, discharge size or intended use, so choose one that fits your setup. For a fuller comparison see our Top 5 puddle pumps, and for why one model is so popular, why the Tsurumi LSC1.4S is so popular.
Puddle pumps in flood protection
Flooding is the biggest threat to the UK from climate change, yet many people still do not know their flood risk. At Flood Protection Solutions Ltd our goal is to help as many people as possible reduce that risk, and puddle pumps are one of the simplest and most effective tools available. We believe every community, council and emergency response agency should hold a stock of puddle pumps ready to deploy, because quick access to the right equipment dramatically reduces the disruption, cost and stress of flooding. No matter what flood defence products are in place, there will always be a need for pumps, whether for groundwater, seepage, rainfall or overland flow. With next-day delivery on most pumps and same-day collection on certain models, we are here as your puddle pump supplier.
