Basement Watchdog BW1033 - 1/3 HP Cast Iron & Aluminum Submersible Sump Pump w/ Vertical Float Switch

Since I have a watchdog battery back up system my primary pump was in need of replacement. My original primary pump developed several holes in the casing which was somewhat disappointing as the systems is only 4+ years old. The old pump was spraying sideways in my sump pit creating a unique water feature. The original primary pump worked great until the pump casing started to riot away. Here’s hoping I get a longer life span from my replacement. I would definitely recommend doing business with SPD. Knowledgeable professionals......Thanks

This pump is quiet and quick and fits a small sump pit.

I have to add to few reviews already stating the common problem. The strainer on this pump is letting thru particles that are capable of locking impeller. I had to take mine apart multiple times. My sump pit is quite clean and it takes some time to see some debris on the bottom. This pump is designed to take water on the very bottom causing small chunks to pass through the fairly coarse screen.

Even fairly small piece is able to prevent the pump from working. Fortunately I installed this pump as backup with another one in the same pit and often do check if both are working. If this pump was to be primary pump it would fairly quickly lock up and maybe burn the winding or cause flooded basement. Otherwise its nice quiet pump with only other issue being quickly peeling paint (why even bother with painting) which also may clog the pump...

I recommend this pump system. The battery backup has saved flooding in my basement numerous times during power outages. It is costly, but after replacing the controller on one of my pumps, problems have diminished. Repeat failures have been the batteries and the primary pumps.

This is my second "Watchdog". It is quiet and inexpensive. However, the last one only lasted 4 years before it rusted out. The green body in the picture rusted through and it became ineffective even though the pump motor still ran fine. Also, I wish the float had a longer range so that it wouldn't cycle quite so often.

I picked this up to help me finish getting rid of the water in a flooded basement, as well as to use moving forward as an 'always on' pump.

The small footprint is ideal for the space, and the vertical float works flawlessly. After a week or so of use, I couldn't ask for anything more.

I bought this pump at ACE Hardware yesterday. Hooked it up with a temporary set-up. It worked fine at first, then locked up. I removed the bottom and found a small fragment of loose plastic. But I also noticed that the impeller was not straight. I reassembled it, and it ran, but made a scraping sound. Then it locked up again.

Also, this pump claims to be cast iron and aluminum. But pump volute (casing) and impeller are plastic.

I returned it and got my money back.

It all started last year when I began to rebuild my sump pit set up. After 15 years of two 1/2 hp Campbell Haulfield pit boss pumps through 1 1/4" pipe at 10 feet of rise and an additional 1/3 hp pump as a battery backup and still 4 floods in the past 7 years it was time. Where do I start....

The rebuild began with some fully submerged beef in the pit and that is 3/4 hp submerged Wayne pump at 3500 gph and then I added a 1/2 hp Wayne pedestal at 3800 gph yes you read that correctly that pedestal is so efficient at pumping water it pumps more than the 3/4 hp pump but it runs hotter not being submerged as I found out the first rain this year I still needed to adjust the floats as the pedestal darn near took care of 4 inches of rain in 3 hours if it weren't for me holding the float for 3 hours until the storm and water passed and a simple readjustment and yeah baby!!! I didn't flood. Oh happy days but I wasn't finished yet when I was holding the float there was about 5 minutes where both pumps were running and I noticed the water was slightly rising in the pit and I said oh no ! if this keeps up I will flood again but it slowed down and the pumps made it. Now I said I need one more pump for these severe storms with huge amounts of water and I added this final 1/3hp watchdog for two reasons and that is one the sump pit I have is small and with a 6 1/4" footprint this pump was perfect and a top discharge just puts icing on the cake. Just this weekend I placed the pump permanently and after I drill through the brick in the side of the home and add piping and plug it in I will add another 2600 gph at 10 feet rise giving me a total of 9900 gallons per hour. So let me tell you that is 165 gallons a minute or 2.75 gallons a second. If and when those three pumps have to pump together at one time I am going to charge admission for the water slide that will be in my back yard. HaHaHa

Finally, 1/3 hp was chosen to be on the same circuit as the 1/2 hp so as not to pop the circuit breaker and because I don't forsee needing anything more. It is a 20 amp circuit so I should be fine and the 3/4 hp is on another 20 amp circuit.

As far as the outlet of this water well I am sure you know the drill it blew out my lava rock landscaping so I had to go to 6" to 8" boulders for a distance of about four feet at the outlet and then down to lava rock further down the riverbed. I am now going to purchase my third silent check valve for the final pipe installation as these are a must have. I can't ever hear the check valves closing they were purchase with Sump Pumps direct and have been great!!!

Thanks again Sump Pumps Direct you have been very helpful in answering all my questions pertaining to the products I have bought with you. In all honesty I didn't purchase the 3/4hp submersible Wayne pump from you but wish I had as your prices are simply the lowest and you carry all of the ones I have so with that in mind I would highly recommend you to anyone and everyone. Have a nice day!

Bought one of these a few years back. It worked for one storm then quit during the next. Called Watchdog and they sent me a replacement free of charge. The second one acted the same way. Took the bottom cover off then the housing to get to the impeller, which had locked up due to a small piece of debris. Because this pump is so efficient (3.5 a) it has very tight clearances and small particles can cause a locked rotor condition. Will have to put a screen over the cover to improve reliability.

Easy installation and so quiet. This pump empties the sump pit almost instantly. Will never own a pedestal pump again. Delivery of the product was quick and priced right.