DeWalt 3/4 HP Stainless Steel/Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump, Vertical Switch

Why I picked this pump

My basement sump sees heavy spring runoff and occasional sandy water from perimeter drains, so I wanted a 3/4 HP unit that could move water quickly without babying it. The DeWalt 3/4 HP sump pump stood out for its stainless/cast‑iron build, a vortex impeller rated for 1/2-inch solids, and a vertical piggy‑back float switch that fits tight pits. The 10‑year limited warranty didn’t hurt either. After several months of use during a wet season and a couple of controlled tests, here’s how it actually performed.

Build and first impressions

This is a stout pump. At 27.5 lb with a stainless motor housing and epoxy‑coated cast iron base, it feels like a service-grade unit, not a disposable appliance. The carry handle is genuinely useful for lowering it into the pit, and the 10‑ft power cord is decent, though some basins will still need an extension to reach a GFCI-protected outlet with a proper drip loop.

Fit and finish are excellent: clean castings, a robust intake screen that comes off for cleaning, and a cast iron vortex-style impeller (not plastic). The motor is a PSC design with 100% copper windings and thermal protection—good for continuous duty and smoother starts than split-phase motors. DeWalt includes a 2-in FNPT discharge with a 1‑1/2-in adapter. If you can, plumb 2-inch all the way; it makes a real difference in flow and head.

Installation notes

The footprint is compact for a 3/4 HP: roughly 10.4 by 9.7 inches and 12.9 inches tall. The vertical float makes it friendly to smaller basins where a tethered switch would tangle. I set it on a level paver to raise it about an inch off the pit bottom—more on why that matters later—connected it to a 2-inch schedule 40 riser with a quiet check valve and one union for service, and gave the float cord enough slack to move freely without catching the discharge. The piggy‑back plug means you can bypass the float for manual pumping by plugging the pump directly into the outlet—handy for cleaning the pit.

Electrical draw is listed at 10.7 A at 115 V. On a clamp meter I saw running current hovering around 9–11 A depending on head and restrictions. It starts smoothly on a 15‑amp circuit, but as with any sump pump, a dedicated circuit is best practice.

Performance and flow

The headline number is 6500 GPH at zero head, 5050 GPH at 10 feet, and a max head of 37 feet. In my setup (about 10–12 feet of vertical rise, two 45s and one check valve, 2-inch discharge), it emptied a 22‑inch basin from the float’s ON to OFF in under 25 seconds—a strong showing that aligns with the published curve. If you step down to 1‑1/2-inch pipe or add lots of elbows, expect that time to increase accordingly.

More impressive was how steady the output stayed over sustained runs. The motor got warm but not concerningly hot, and the thermal protector never tripped. This is a continuous-duty rated unit, and it behaves like it.

Float switch behavior

The vertical float switch is the right choice for short basins. The hysteresis (distance between ON and OFF) is modest, which means more frequent cycling in high inflow. Cycle rate isn’t a problem for this style of switch—this one is rated to millions of cycles—but do make sure the float rod travels straight up and down without brushing the discharge or pit wall. I had zero nuisance failures, and the pump always shut off cleanly. If you have a very tall pit and want fewer cycles, a tethered float offers a wider swing, but you’ll need the space.

Because the float is piggy‑backed, you can test the pump independently of the switch. I recommend doing that during install to purge air and confirm priming.

Debris handling in the real world

This is the one area where you should plan ahead. On paper, the vortex impeller is rated for up to 1/2‑inch solids, and it’s true that pea‑sized debris doesn’t strike the impeller vanes the way a closed impeller would. In practice, bottom suction designs are prone to ingesting fine grit, and fine sand is the enemy of anything with close clearances. In clean water, the pump is flawless. In sandy conditions, I encountered two behaviors:

• Fine grit collected on the intake screen, reducing flow until I rinsed it.
• A couple of times, a small stone or a wad of silt wedged at the intake and the impeller hesitated at start. The motor’s thermal protection prevented damage, but I had to power cycle and clear the screen.

Both issues were solved by raising the pump an inch on a paver, keeping the screen off the dirtiest layer, and adding a simple prefilter sock during the muddiest weeks. If your pit routinely sees silt or washout, schedule quick cleanings: pop off the screen, hose it, and flush the basin. If your use case is truly dirty water (construction sumps, yard pits with sand), you may be better served by an effluent/sewage pump with a side intake and larger free passage, or a bottom-strainer pump specifically designed for abrasive fines.

If your water is clear to slightly cloudy, this DeWalt runs happily without fuss.

Noise and vibration

As submersibles go, it’s quiet. You’ll hear a firm hum and water rush through the pipe, but mechanical noise is low. Most of the racket in any sump system is discharge-borne. A rubber coupling above the check valve and gentle sweep fittings help. There’s minimal vibration at the base, and I didn’t detect harmonics through the floor joists.

Maintenance and serviceability

The intake screen is held with accessible screws and cleans quickly. I appreciate that design—some pumps bury the screen under the base. The mechanical seals are not user-serviceable, but that’s expected in this class. I tested the float monthly and flushed the pit at the start of the season. Given the bottom intake, I’d add “clear the screen” to your spring checklist. Keep the receipt; the 10‑year limited warranty is generous for a sump pump, though wear items and installation errors won’t be covered.

Sizing, plumbing, and head considerations

• Use 2-inch discharge if at all possible; the included 1‑1/2-inch adapter works, but you’ll lose flow.
• Minimize elbows and pick a high-quality check valve to reduce head loss.
• Confirm the float’s ON height matches your basin depth so you’re not short-cycling.
• This pump can push up to 37 feet of head. If your run is unusually tall or long, verify your flow needs against the curve and consider upsizing the pipe.

Temperature limits are 33–120°F; don’t use it for hot condensate or below-freezing pits.

Durability outlook

Between the stainless motor housing, cast iron volute and impeller, dual O‑ring seals, and thermal protection, this pump is built to last. Nothing about the construction feels fragile. The bottom intake and vertical float are the main variables; keep the pit clean and give the float a clear path, and you’re setting it up for a long life.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with standard-to-high inflow basements needing strong 3/4 HP performance.
• Pits with limited diameter that can’t accommodate a tethered float.
• Users who value a serviceable intake screen and a long warranty.

Who should look elsewhere:

• Applications with persistent sand/silt or aggregate in the water. You can make this pump work with elevation and filtration, but a true solids-handling pump may be a better fit.
• Very tall basins where you prefer a wide hysteresis tethered float to reduce cycling.

Final thoughts and recommendation

The DeWalt 3/4 HP sump pump is a well-built, high-output unit that fits tight pits, starts reliably, and moves serious water with minimal fuss. In clean to moderately dirty water it’s excellent—fast, quiet enough, and easy to service. The only caveat is debris. Despite the vortex impeller and a 1/2‑inch solids rating, the bottom suction invites fine grit, which can clog the screen or occasionally stall the impeller. Elevating the base and adding a simple prefilter mitigated that in my pit, but it’s something to plan for if your drainage lines bring in sand.

Would I recommend it? Yes, for most basement sump applications. I’d choose it for its sturdy stainless/cast-iron construction, strong performance at 10–12 feet of head, compact vertical float, and the reassurance of a long warranty. If your pit carries sand routinely, either budget time for upkeep (screen cleaning and a stand) or consider a pump designed specifically for abrasive solids. For everyone else, this DeWalt is a capable, confidence-inspiring workhorse.