Lowes VS Factory Zoeller M98 Sump Pump, Which is Better?

Lowe's Carries a version of the Zoeller M98 1/2 hp sump pump. Lets find out if it is the same as the factory version we but as contractors.
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[@user-tt4gb2cl2b]

My current sump pump is 5 years old, so I decided to go shopping for a new one. Did research and decided to get the same Zoeller (M98) as reviewed here. I was going to buy it at my local Lowes, but decided to check with Amazon. Found that Zoeller sells their pumps thru them. I ordered the exact same factory pump with the cast iron construction, except for the bottom intake. It was delivered in 2 days. The factory pump cost $268, while the Lowes version is $369.

[@computeruser6122]

Chuck, I just saw this video today after going to Lowes to look for an M98 like you suggest because their website was inconclusive with model numbers. That box said it was model # 1096, so I call the 800 number on the box and got a knowledgeable sounding rep that told the there are two different divisions in the company and this model comes from their consumer division, is made in China and contains more plastic. If you want the real M98 you have to go through plumbing supply stores. Thanks for your videos!

[@billwiesen3231]

Save yourself a couple hundred, skip the expensive Chinese crap at lowes and head to Harbor Freight for their Chinese crap

[@pupdog7374]

Excellent video in every respect. I have been buying, installing and referring Zoeller sump pumps for more than 30 years. The success I've had with Zoeller pumps (especially the M98) is unquestionable.

[@2a4defense65]

Just ordered an M98 from Lowes I appreciate your videos they have helped me sort out my flooding issues.

[@DirtyDirtbath]

Wow, Chuck! What a guy! To go and replace all of those potentially failing pumps with the good model that is outstanding, sir.

[@lifeisgood070]

Free live help.... woah this guy goes above and beyond

[@bret9741]

I’m a builder in Westlake Ohio. I installed two of the Lowe’s 3/4 pumps with dual switches. One died within a week. The home is 7000 sq ft and needs a 3/4 pump to keep up and a second pump when heavy rain hits for long periods. I That really shook me up. On this home the customer installed a very reliable gas generator. So we hoped having 2 pumps would give us redundancy. Anyway, I’m pretty sure the Lowe’s Zoellers are not as reliable and in many instances no better than any other Chinese pump.

[@mattstanfield8277]

Lowes website shows they sell both the Zoeller M98 and the 1096 1/2 hp sump pump, with the Zoeller 1096 model sold in Lowes stores and the M98 a special order at Lowes. The one you show in the video from Lowes is the 1096 as it shows the model number on the bottom right corner of the box in the video. They are both pretty close to the same price at Lowes. I don’t know if one is better than the other, but just wanted to point out that you are comparing a Model 1096 to an M98, so that’s why they look different.

[@outsideguy3633]

Apparently the replacement switch for the Lowe’s model #1096 is >2X the price vs the M98.

[@scottwilcox6741]

Thanks a lot I learned a lot from watching your videos and now I'm using the zoeller pumps to

[@PatriciaAnnGriggs]

Nice explanation 🌨🌨🌨🌩🌩🌩🌤🌤🌤😃😃😃Get out of the rain!!!

[@juicebox22a]

Hi Chuck, My Harbor Freight POS sump pump installed by the previous homes owner failed during a major rain event. Actually have 2 pumps. Ran to the local supply store and bought two contractor grade Zoeller N53 pumps and two LevelGuard electronic float switches. Working perfectly for 3 years. Zoeller is great. Thanks!!

[@jacktorse2145]

Cheap chinese junk from HF !

[@kristoffMR]

Dont buy anything from that store!t even smells chinese!

[@rpredl]

I have used Zoller pumps for years with only one problem. At 4 to 5 years the switch fails. I have learned how to replace the switch in 15 minutes for around $40 dollars.

[@wg7644]

Where do you order the switches? thanks

[@philjimenez4874]

Thank you sir for putting out this video very helpful for the averege joe like me who works on his home

[@jamesmcguire1177]

Good video Chuck, never thought that the Zoeller M-98 pump that the factory makes for Lowe’s is different than the factory M-98 thanks again for this video. Mine was purchased at lowe’s now I will go and check mine out to see if it’s like you said. 👍🏼

[@MrDbone75]

Good evening everyone from wellington Somerset in the UK

[@old1234]

Thanks for the comparison

[@qck57594]

Thanks Chuck great videos.

[@MC0386]

Great video chuck! Are liberty pumps any good? I have a 1/2 hp cast iron on my sump pit

[@inhocsigno9151]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@Ski706]

Getting ready to put a pit at the end of my driveway where standing water collects after a rain which is pretty aggravating. I went to the zoeller site and they now send you to the Lowe's site, which Lowes pump is the M98 equivalent and is it okay was the runoff from rain which often has dirt and small debris. Thanks for the videos, could never have solved this issue without them!!!

[@ronda33]

Hey Chuck - what about the Zeoller Premium Model 95 with the 5yr warranty? Any experience or thoughts concerning this model vs the M98??

[@acaone1]

Chuck, great videos - question, is there a rule of thumb regarding when a sump pump should be replaced? I recently moved into a 14 year old house and it appears the pump is original. It is a Zoeller, does show some rust but seems to work fine.

[@oberurselts]

Greetings! I had a custom drainage system installed in 2018. As part of that drainage system, the contractor installed two Caliber Pump Model CAL93501. One of the pumps failed within a couple of months after it was installed due to PVC scrap created during install and a single piece of this scrap became lodged in the impeller and the pump failed. The contractor did replace it. Just a couple of weeks ago, the impeller came loose. Luckily, I was able to remove the pump, separate the motor from the lower casing and reattached the impellers with a new nut. I reinstalled the pump and it worked great for a week or so and now that pump is inoperable. I ordered the Zoller 98 from Amazon and will have it within a few days. Any advice you can give on replacing the old inoperable pump with the new Zoller M98. Thanks Chuck! By-the-way, Caliber pumps are only sold to contractors. The DIY name is Pro Pump and sold by Home Depot. I decided I want to step up to the Zoller because of your great comments on the Zoller brand.

[@miriammays8715]

I want to buy a Zoeller M98 for my yard drainage system. I see there is a M98-0001, M98-0002, M98-0003, etc. I dont understand the differences. Which one do you use?

[@nancywilliams7833]

Chuck, my Zoeller M98 from Lowes looks exactly like yours. Box and everything. It was not available in stock and had to be ordered. Maybe that is why. It also has a cast iron top not plastic. It is also the same model # as what Zoeller advertises on its website.

[@jerseyjim9092]

Funny how some pros bash zoeller pumps and others rave about them.

[@carl2422]

Hey Chuck, During my research, I noticed that the Zoeller 1/2 hp M98 GPM rating is 72, and the Lowe's Zoeller 1/2 hp Model #1096-0001 GPM rating is 80. Is it a fair conclusion that the Lowe's Zoeller 1/2 hp Model #1096-0001 will move more water than the M98? Thanks for your help. Trying to decide between buying the M98 or the Lowe's Model #1096-0001.

[@lnelygacha6424]

Does Zoeller have a pump application rival to the Wacker Neuson PST2 400? What pump would that be?

[@billwiesen3231]

Great videos.....I have watched a few. Something to point out on the warranty. Read the owners manual....it is bullshit. "This product is warranted for 2 years from the date of purchase or (30) months from the date of manufacture, whichever occurs first." I bought one on 2/8/19 at Lowe's and it failed on 1/29/23. My pump was built early 2018. So in essence.. If you buy one of these garbage pumps, be sure to check the date it is manufactured or you could be walking out of Lowe's with a 350 dollar sump with a few months of warranty.

[@domingorivera2493]

what do you recommend 1 1/2-inch discharge or 2 inches?

[@miguelcenteno1able]

Hi there question,Does it matter if the drain has 3 pipe instead of 4 in pipe?

[@bmcc12]

Do you have any idea what caused the Lowe’s sump pump to fail?

[@carlloggins9297]

How far will the M98 pump water

[@mostlymetalmachines9249]

So, in 2023 is Zoeller selling M98s with plastic switch covers through all outlets? Are the covers interchangeable? Thx

[@thestonemaster81]

Can you get a rebuild kit?

[@izik6894]

great video! what do you think of DEWALT 1/3 HP Aluminum Submersible Utility Pump with Hose Kit?

[@appledrains]

It's good

[@jacktorse2145]

Great video Chuck! Did you know they pronounce their name in a way that would rhyme with "dollar"? Anyhow, what is the oldest Zoeller you still have in service? On their site they have a picture of one that was in service from 1987 to 2018!!!

[@jimb8238]

I have a Zoeller. The short stem on the float is unacceptable. When I get a heavy rain I get what seems to be an underground river. I get a heavy in flow of water into my pit which will go for days before the underground river finally dried up. When the pit is filling up the pump is going off every 15 seconds and pumps for about 10 seconds. The stem is not long enough to allow the float to rise to a decent level. Rising the pump higher does not solve the problem. Lowering the pump also does not solve the problem. The stem must be longer so the float will rise higher before setting off the pump. Any suggestions?

[@crabblike]

The motor and pump housings are obviously different as well, they don’t look like the same model at all.

[@Landofmagic678]

Is the zoeller m63 sent from the factory since you have to order it?

[@gtzgreatride]

Sump pumps direct have em. You'll get the plumber grade pump.

[@JasonSmith-ot8sf]

Are Flotec pumps any good?

[@Rodj12341]

They are one of the cheapest made pumps out there. One brand I would highly recommend is NexGen Pumps. They bought Steven's Pumps which made some of the longest lasting sump pumps out there.

[@drbobweston2139]

There's a returned 1/2 hp zoeller sewage pump that the impeller is off the shaft. I can get it for 90% off. Is it worth it? Not happy about the plastic impeller vs metal. How is the impeller attached to the shaft - a spline or set screw. Can I just whack it back on with a mallet

[@pedroblas100]

Hello Chuck, my question to you is horsepower will make a lot difference from 1/3 or 1/2

[@appledrains]

Depends on how far you need to push that water

[@ron6126]

Is cast iron good for a sump pump? Iron rust.

[@appledrains]

Yes cast iron dissipate the heat much faster than thermal plastic or stainless steel

[@jamesmcguire1177]

Update on the Zoeller M-98 I stated in my first comment that I purchased mine at lowe’s, I was wrong I purchased a lot of stuff that day mine was purchased from Amazon which is all cast iron 3 year warranty factory tested and not the one that says contractor’s. Happy camper

[@chriszurales9665]

I believe the Lowes pump you are calling a M98 is a 1096. It is similar to the M98 but manufactured in Taiwan.

[@claymonsour6874]

Another point to make is the pumps sold in lowes, ace ect... are made in tailand. The plumbing supply or factory direct pumps are made in Kentucky... and say Made in America Zoeller will not warrant the big box stores pump... the 3 yr goes through retailer.

[@snugglebunnyhaven7258]

Im not really fond of using submersible pumps. I tried one and lasted 6 years then seized up. Went back to pedestals. Those I can get 15-20 years out of. Usually the only thing that needs replaced is switch and is easier to do without pulling out of sump.

[@TodSpurlc]

30 year's of experience of opening the box

[@johnhouli3450]

Chuck thanks. What kind of pump should I use in my basement on the floor to remove like 5 inches of water. Thank You

[@appledrains]

If you don’t have a sump basin, you’ll need a utility pump

[@matthellcat2494]

Really to bad the stores carrying a cheaper build.

[@davidstivers3411]

Looks like the Lowe's pump is actually a M1096, not a M98. Two different pumps.

[@Doomzdayxx]

Zoeller and liberty are great pumps but their switch mechanisms VERY COMMONLY fail within 18 months to 5 years. Best bet is to get a non auto pump and a remote float switch (or a Levelguard electronic switch) to turn it on. The reason for this common failure is the fact that the old mercury switches are now unlawful (thanks US government!) so they are forced to use mechanical switches, which are not nearly as reliable.

[@miserable.day1969]

Very true. Mercury poisoning from the ground water did solve all of one's irrigation problems in the past. Those were the days.

[@daguy593]

WHHHHHY......Are so many of you guys talking about buying your M98 at Lowes or another box store. Did Chuck just not TELL YOU...AND SHOW YOU that it is CHEAPER MADE. PRRIOD!

[@biggusbestus551]

Sorry those are two different pumps.

[@jwhite4]

A little disappointed here. If it's the same model, but industry vs contractor/consumer versions, then you'd expect the core to be the same, with slightly different components, ie. parts in plastic vs metal. [And yes, one had a metal switch cover, the other plastic, was pointed out.] But once the size of the boxes were different, I immediately thought, "They aren't the same unit.". Then after the unboxing, the Zoeller one clearly had a larger, different size and shape metal model housing. That's not something you do if it's the ~same model. Then reading multiple posts that pointed out that the were two different models, how did the host not realize that also? I was also expecting a little more analysis on features vs price. I'd agree that the factory Zoeller is a nice unit. I'd assume the "Lowes" one costs less (if it's the same price, why buy it?). But if it budget only allows the lower-cost unit, hows that compare with other units in it's class? Lastly, someone mentioned Flotec as not being great. While I can't dispute that in general, I had one installed by the builder in my Fall 2012 new home. It died Spring 2024. So for (I'm sure) an inexpensive, all plastic unit, it lasted in a well with regular water flow for 11 1/2 years.