A laundry pump is typically not needed under most sinks. Most of the time the need for a laundry pump under the sink would depend on the specific plumbing setup and location of the sink. In some situations, a sewage pump or laundry pump may be necessary to pump wastewater from a sink below the main drainpipe or sewer line. Where we are located, this happens if there is a hanging sewer in the basement or if the location of the laundry is not directly next to a drain where the proper pitch can be achieved. If that is the case, you will need a laundry pump. Let’s look at the best pumps out there.
Saniflo 021 SANISWIFT
The Saniflo 021 SANISWIFT is a powerful pump that can handle up to 18 gallons per minute. It can pump water up to 14 feet vertically and 140 feet horizontally. The pump is easy to install and maintain, and it operates quietly. A great solution if you have a drop-in laundry basin or a traditional laundry tub. I did not squeeze this pump in on my Deep dive on Saniflo post, but I did discuss how many great products Saniflo offers. Their pumps are easy to use, quiet, durable, and powerful.
Little Giant WRSC-6 Compact Drainosaur
The Little Giant WRSC-6 Compact Drainosaur is a compact and lightweight pump that can pump water up to 20 feet vertically and 100 feet horizontally. This versatile and compact pump system is easy to install and maintain with a flow rate of up to 45 gallons per minute. The pump can handle water temperatures up to 140°F and it is made of durable materials. The basin for this system usually cannot fit under laundry tubs, but the power packed into this pump puts it in the #2 spot for me.
Shellback 3-12-19-I Auto Pump Laundry
The Shellback 3-12-19-I Auto Pump Laundry is a pump with an automatic switch that turns the pump on and off. This is a heavy-duty pump designed specifically for laundry applications, installed directly to the drain of the laundry tub itself. I love pairing this with a Mustee sink. It can pump water up to 18 feet vertically and 150 feet horizontally while being easy to install and maintain with its low-maintenance design. Shellback pumps are also made right here in Michigan, guaranteeing a high-quality product that we frequently recommend.
Zoeller 105-0001 Drain Pump System
Zoeller is the king of sump pump mountain as seen in Springtime is sump pump time post I did where I covered the top five sump pumps. As such, it only makes sense that they have a great sewage pump. The Zoeller 105-0001 Drain Pump System is a powerful pump that can handle up to 43 gallons per minute. It can pump water up to 15 feet vertically and 150 feet horizontally. The pump can handle water temperatures up to 130°F, and it is made of durable materials, making it a reliable and powerful pump that can handle a wide range of wastewater applications. The basin is not as compact as some of the others on the list, which makes it a good choice if you have both the need to pump high volumes of water and the space to install it.
Liberty Pumps 406 Series
The Liberty Pumps 406 Series is a compact and lightweight pump that can pump water up to 25 feet vertically and 150 feet horizontally. The pump can handle water temperatures up to 140°F. This pump is a durable and efficient pump designed for residential and commercial applications, with a maximum pumping distance of 150 feet and a flow rate of up to 5.2 gallons per minute. This pump is ideal for situations that require long-range pumping from a compact space, but that does limit the amount of water the pump can handle.
As you can see from our comparison chart below, there are some differences in terms of the flow rate, maximum pumping distance, discharge pipe diameter, and other features among these pumps. The Zoeller 105-0001 sewage Pump System has the highest flow rate of up to 43 gallons per minute, while the Little Giant WRSC-6 has the highest maximum vertical pumping distance of up to 20 feet. The Shellback 3-12-19-I Auto Pump Laundry has a relatively high flow rate and is designed specifically for laundry applications, while the Saniflo 021 SANISWIFT and Liberty Pumps 406 Series are more compact and versatile options.
