Best utility pump in sump pumps
A small portable pump that clears standing water down to 1/8 in through a garden hose. For mopping up after a leak or a failed pump, not for a sump.
Our score: 7.5/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Motor
- 0.17 HP
- Flow at 10 ft
- 660 gal/h
- Switch
- None (manual on/off)
- Maximum lift
- 19 ft
Is it right for you?
Pros
- Removes clear water down to within 1/8 in of a flat floor
- Garden hose adapter; also takes 1 in NPT or 1-1/4 in slip pipe
- Fits through a 7 in opening; screened bottom lifts off to clean
- Oil-free motor with thermal overload protection
Cons
- 11 GPM at 10 ft: slow for a basement under more than a few inches
- Manual on and off only; not meant for permanent sump use
- Clear water up to 104 °F only, not sewage backup
- 1-year warranty
- Best for
- Clearing a wet floor, window well, pool cover or a sump pit while a failed pump is replaced, then going back on the shelf.
- Not for
- Permanent sump duty, sewage backup, or pumping out a deeply flooded basement quickly.
Our verdict
The Model 42 is the pump to keep on a shelf. Zoeller sells it as the Floor Sucker because its screened bottom intake pulls standing water down to within 1/8 in of a flat surface, which a sump pump can’t do. It has no float: you switch it on, watch it and switch it off, and Zoeller says plainly that it is for temporary use, not permanent sump duty.
The data sheet gives 15 GPM at 5 ft, 11 GPM at 10 ft (about 660 gallons an hour) and a 19 ft shut-off head from a 1/6 HP, 115 V motor. That is fine for an inch or two of water, a window well or a pit while you swap a failed pump, but slow for a basement under a foot of water. The 42-0007 has a 9 ft cord (the 42-0008 has 20 ft) and a one-year warranty. For the permanent pump, see our sump pump comparison.
Using it after a flood
It comes with a garden hose adapter and also takes 1 in NPT or 1-1/4 in slip pipe; it fits through a 7 in opening, and the screened bottom lifts off for cleaning. Zoeller rates it for clear water up to 104 °F (40 °C).
Safety: Plug the pump in only from a dry spot, and don’t wade into flood water while any circuit in the basement could be live: ask your electric utility to cut the power first. Water that came up a floor drain or toilet is sewage, and this pump is for clear water only; Health Canada advises protective gear for that clean-up. Our basement flood guide covers the order of steps.
Specs
Zoeller Model 42 Floor Sucker 1/6 HP Portable Utility Pump
Pump
| Motor | 0.17 HP |
|---|---|
| Flow at 10 ft | 660 gal/h |
| Maximum lift | 19 ft |
| Switch | None (manual on/off) |
| Cord length | 9 ft |
| Housing | Thermoplastic |
| Discharge | Garden hose, 1 in NPT or 1-1/4 in slip |
Other details
| Warranty | 1 year |
|---|---|
| Works in an outage | No |
Maker’s figures, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Zoeller Model 42 questions
Can I use the Zoeller 42 as a sump pump?
Not permanently. It has no float switch, and Zoeller describes it as a temporary-use pump. It is fine for emptying a pit while you replace a failed sump pump.
How low will the Floor Sucker pump water?
To within about 1/8 in of a flat surface, through its screened bottom intake.
Can I pump sewage backup with it?
No. Zoeller rates the Model 42 for clear water up to 104 °F. Water that came up a floor drain or toilet should be treated as sewage; Health Canada’s flood clean-up guidance calls for protective gear and keeps vulnerable people away from it.
What hose does it take?
A standard garden hose with the included adapter, or 1 in NPT or 1-1/4 in slip pipe.
