Liberty Pumps 257 Review: Your Ultimate Pick for a 1/3 HP Submersible Pump

We all know how vital a sump pump is in our homes. It is the one appliance we cannot do without, especially if we live in an area prone to flooding. And when it comes to choosing the right sump pump for your home, the Liberty Pumps 257 is one of the best options that you have.

This submersible pump from Liberty Pumps is one of the company’s most popular models, and for a good reason. It is powerful enough to handle most household flooding situations but still small and compact enough to fit into tight spaces. Best of all, it is straightforward to install and use, even for those not particularly handy around the house.

This blog post will take an in-depth look at the Liberty Pumps 257 and what sets it apart from other sump pumps on the market. Read through this review to learn everything you need to know about this pump before making your purchase.

Contents

First Impressions

The Liberty Pumps 257 is a submersible sump pump that is designed for use in residential applications. It is powered by a 1/3 HP motor and can move up to 50 gallons of water per minute. The pump also features a cast iron housing for durability and a stainless steel shaft for corrosion resistance.

Liberty Pumps 257 pump, gray, 1-1/2'

One of the first things you will notice about the Liberty Pumps 257 is its compact size. The pump is just over 10 inches tall and 9.6 inches wide, making it one of the smaller sump pumps on the market. This makes it an excellent option for those with a limited basement or crawlspace space.

If you’re looking for a powerful yet compact and lightweight submersible pump, then the Liberty Pumps 257 is worth checking out. This 1/3 HP pump is perfect for light to medium duty applications, such as draining a clogged sink or removing water from a flooded basement. However, it can also be used for more heavy-duty applications, such as emptying a swimming pool or removing water from a construction site.

Customer Feedback and Ratings

Liberty Pumps 257 has approximately 600 reviews, more than 90% of which are positive customer feedback (5-star & 4-star feedback). Only 4% of customers provided 1-star reviews.

Most users state that it is a robust and reliable sump pump. Many users also praise the pump for its compact size, easy installation, and low price. People also very much like the VMF switch.

A few customers have had issues with the pump leaking or failing prematurely. Others have had issues with the float switch getting stuck in the “on” position. However, these appear to be isolated incidents, as most users report that the pump is durable and trouble-free.

Benefits and Drawbacks

PROS

  • One-piece build of quality cast iron housing for durability
  • Epoxy paint finish for corrosion protection
  • Discharge capable of removing small solids
  • Quick-disconnect of power cable for simple removal and installation
  • Powerful motor with a good gallon per minute and maximum head range
  • Motor hermetically sealed and permanently lubricated
  • Vertical Magnetic Float makes the product work in more narrow and smaller sumps
  • Engineered polymer impeller for efficient service
  • Energy-saver pump

CONS

  • Heavy and comes without a handle
  • The default power cable is short
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Liberty Pumps 257 pump, gray, 1-1/2"
  • Pumps up to 50 GPM
  • Maximum discharge head of 21-Foot
  • 1/2-Inch solids handling
  • Efficient motor design reduces electrical usage by up to 40-percent
  • Includes a magnetically operated VMF switch for smaller pits down to a 10-Inch diameter and a 3 year warranty

Strongest Features

The Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump appears to have all that is needed to make it one of the best submersible pumps on the market. It is durable, has a great power output, and can handle light to medium-duty applications while being easy to install and remove. Let’s take a look at some of the best features this sump pump has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

Liberty’s pumps are known for their excellent construction, and the Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump Pump does not disappoint. The product boasts high-quality cast iron construction destined to survive by possessing a single-body housing. It ensures that there are no links and wedges through which water can make its way into the interior of the pump unscathed even under heavy water pressure.

Taken together, these also allow the product to work flawlessly without needing a regular change of weakened joints and sealings. However, the product is slightly heavy and lacks a handle, making it a bit harder to carry around. However, this should not be an issue because the sump pump is generally meant to be placed in one sump for years.

To guard against the other danger – corrosion – the company has baked the cast iron housing in an epoxy coating that prevents corrosion from taking place over time. This is especially important given that sump pumps have to spend considerable time submerged under water and, if attacked by corrosion, can suffer malfunctions and leakages that become a health hazard over time.

Major external parts (discharge and power cord)

The Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Pump has a standard 1-1/4″ NPT that can support any major PVC pipe of the appropriate diameter. It will save you from the hassle of resizing the PVC pipe to make it compatible with the pump. Further, the discharge can handle solids of up to ½” diameter, ensuring that small pebbles and debris are efficiently removed.

Further, the product has a 10″ power cord that can be extended up to 25″ with a replacement cord for those who prefer not to change their home/commercial establishment’s wiring to support the sump pump. Interestingly, the power cord features the Quick-Disconnect feature, which allows one to plug out the power cord at a moment’s notice without fearing the sealing that attaches the power cord to the motor.

This is a great innovation considering that the sump pump is placed in a delicate installation, and quick removal and replacement of power cables is therefore not feasible. On the other hand, however, it would have been great if the company had provided the 25″ cable by default instead of offering a 10″ default cable.

Motor and Sealing

Given the reputation Liberty Pumps has for good motors, it is no surprise that the Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump comes with a 1/3 HP motor that can pump 50 gallons per minute at 1′ head, and this changes to 10 gallons per minute at 40′. 

Furthermore, the motor is permanently oiled, ensuring that there is never an issue of poor lubrication when it comes to Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump. As one would expect of a top-of-the-range sump pump, the motor is hermetically sealed, and it is highly unlikely that the pump will ever malfunction because of water seepage into the motor or oil leaking out of the product.

Finally, the product bearings are also hermetically sealed and lubricated for posterity, so they will continue to work efficiently over long periods. In addition, they will never come into contact with water and debris that might damage or dislocate them.

Impeller and Switch Assembly

The Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump has a vortex impeller made of an engineered polymer, allowing the water to move without getting entangled in debris. Indeed, it also helps the product handle water pressure better. On the other hand, the switch assembly is handled with a specific mechanism called the Vertical Magnetic Float (VMF).

As the name suggests, it is a vertical float connected to the switch by a magnetic assembly. When the water rises, the float activates the magnetic assembly, which interacts with the switch to cause the product to begin pumping water out. An additional benefit of the VMF is that it needs just a 10″ sump diameter, which allows it to work in even the narrowest sump possible.

Warranty

Though the excellent construction does not make a warranty a top-most concern, it is still heartening to know that the company has enough confidence in the product. to offer the Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Pump a 3-year standard warranty, which easily outdoes the majority of warranty offers of the competition.

Watch the official video to know about the features of Liberty Pumps:

Is It Worth Purchasing?

If you are currently looking for an automatic submersible sump pump, and if your sump meets the requirements for the product to function properly, then the Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump is a purchase worth your time and money.

Indeed, with its durable casing, innovative features such as the Quick-Disconnect power cord mechanism, and top-of-the-line motor, the sump pump can deliver on its promise to be a long-term and reliable investment. A total of 600 reviews on Amazon seem to agree with this sentiment, as the product has received a 4.6 out of 5 rating on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How good are Liberty sump pumps?

Liberty sump pumps are some of the best on the market. They offer a variety of features that make them perfect for a wide range of applications. The pumps are sturdy, easy to install, and have many options. The customer reviews for Liberty sump pumps are overwhelmingly positive, and the company has a solid reputation for customer service.

How long do Liberty Pumps last?

Liberty Pumps are built to last. The company offers a 3-year warranty on all of its products, which is much longer than the average sump pump. In addition, liberty Pumps are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. A Liberty Pump can last for 7 to 10 years with proper maintenance.

Where are Liberty Pumps made?

Liberty Pumps are made in the United States. The company has a manufacturing facility in Bergen, New York. All of the products are manufactured in the USA from start to finish.

Conclusion

The Liberty Pumps 257 Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump Pump is a top-of-the-line product that is perfect for many applications. The pump is easy to install and has several features that make it ideal for any home. With a 3-year warranty, the Liberty Pump is a solid investment that will last for many years.

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Bill

Bill

Bill is a DIY plumber, handyman, and homeowner with more than a decade of experience. He has replaced and repaired sump pumps, backup pumps, float switches, check valves, and many other things around his family home. An engineer and tinkerer at heart, he is always looking to see how things work and taking on new home projects that help him grow his skillsets. He is a husband and father of two boys, has a bachelors degree in Computer Engineer and minor in Mathematics and likes to make homebrew beer in his free time.

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