Utility Pump vs Sump Pump – Difference, Cons & More

Rain is a blessing and fun but it is not always the case. It can be a horrific experience to see your belongings getting damaged. Imagine opening the door of your basement to see all your possessions floating or submerged underwater. You don’t have to go through all this, thanks to the special drainage pumps. These drainage pumps are designed to be combined with your drain system to efficiently get rid of a large amount of influx of water during heavy rain or storm.

Utility Pump vs Sump Pump

Have you never used one before and find it difficult to select among the large variety of pumps out there? You must have come across the terms utility pumps and sump pumps. The utility pump vs sump pump is one of the most debatable topics among householders.

Utility Pump vs Sump Pump – Difference Explained

Luckily, I have used both of these pumps. Here, I have brought to you all that you need to know. Without further ado, let’s sink into the details.

What Is A Utility Pump?

A utility pump is a type of transfer pump. It is used to shift, remove, or carry water from one point to another. These types of pumps have two hose outlets, one is for the hose which is placed towards the area where there is excess water and the other outlet is for the hose which is placed at the area where the water will drain or transfer. It has a pump that needs the energy to transfer water. These pumps are not limited to a specific task as you use them to do various tasks easily. This could be a good alternative for the sump pump.

Utility Pump

What Is A Sump Pump?

Whereas, a sump pump is mostly used to get rid of the excess water in your basement. This type of drain pump is suitable for areas below the ground level. You will have to place a sump pump inside or above the basin in your basement. When rainwater enters the basement it will automatically start to fill the basin. When the float switch of the sump pump will indicate the rising level, the sump pump will start the uphill pumping of water. This will make your basement dry and clean.

Pros Of Utility Pump

  1. A utility pump is not restricted to be used only in basements as you can use these for your pools, fish tanks, or garden.
  2. It can be used to remove water from the basement, change the water of your fish tank, or replace the old pool water with a new one.
  3. These are small in size making them portable and light.
  4. The small size makes them energy-saving pumps as they will need less electrical power to work.
  5. Unlike the french drain and sump pump, you can change the area to which you need to transfer the water.
  6. The utility pumps are inexpensive and easy to use as compared to other types of pumps out there.
  7. They are available in non-electric options too.
Difference Between Utility Pump and Sump Pump
Utility Pump vs Sump Pump Comparison

Pros Of Sump Pump

  1. Sump Pumps have higher horsepower and push water with a higher force.
  2. Sump pumps work best for places below the ground level in comparison to utility pumps.
  3. Sump pumps are suitable for large places as compared to the other water pumps.
  4. Sump pumps are appropriate to transfer the large influx of water from your basement to the storm sewer.
  5. They are best to work under high pressure and fast flow of water.

Is a submersible utility pump the same as a sump pump?

Yes and no. The working phenomenon of a submersible utility pump might be the same as the sump pump. These two can have electrically powered systems, battery-powered, or solar-powered pumps. Both are available in submersible and non-submersible options. Both can be used to drain excess water that is flooding your basement. The difference between the two is in the size, portability, and multipurpose usage of the utility pumps.

Concluding Utility Pump vs Sump Pump Comparison

I hope that now you know the answer to the utility pump vs sump pump debate. I have compiled everything that you need to know before stepping out to buy a water drainage pump for your house. The sump pumps are powerful, large, and suitable for large or low areas.

Whereas, the utility pump is small, portable, multipurpose, and can be used to drain water to many different drain systems or outlets. It can also come in handy in keeping your pool, washrooms, and fish tanks clean. You must keep all these things in mind before buying any one of these for your home.


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