Hydraulic Sizing Tool · Sched 40 PVC Friction Modeling
Total Dynamic Head (TDH) Sump Pump Sizing Calculator
Calculate true hydraulic lift including vertical elevation and Hazen-Williams friction loss across discharge pipe runs, elbows, and check valves.
System Measurements & Pipe Fittings
Vertical distance from the bottom of your sump basin to the highest point of the discharge pipe before it exits the house.
Total length of horizontal PVC pipe leading to the exterior discharge point or drywell.
Larger diameter pipe substantially reduces friction head loss at high flow rates.
Each 1.5" 90° elbow adds 4.0 equivalent feet.
Each 1.5" 45° elbow adds 2.1 equivalent feet.
Silent spring-loaded valves eliminate water hammer thud and reduce hydraulic turbulence.
The peak rate of water entering your sump basin during severe weather.
Calculated Dynamic Head Output
Static Vertical Lift
10.0 ft
Total Equivalent Pipe Length
41.6 ft
Friction Head Loss (Hazen-Williams)
2.89 ft
Total Dynamic Head (TDH)
12.9 ft
Recommended Min Discharge
2,625 GPH
Engineering Rule: A pump sized solely on vertical height (10 ft) will under-deliver by 20%–35% due to pipe wall friction and fitting turbulence. Sizing must be evaluated against the pump's flow curve at your Total Dynamic Head (12.9 ft).
Compatible Primary Pumps at this Head
Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate 1/3 HP Submersible Sump Pump
1,440 GPH at 10' head · Vertical Mechanical Float · Class 25-30 Cast Iron
$229
Wayne CDU980E 3/4 HP Submersible Sump Pump
3,750 GPH at 10' head · Snap-Action Vertical Float · Cast Iron Base / 304 Stainless Steel Housing
$219
Liberty Pumps 257 1/3 HP Cast Iron Sump Pump
2,040 GPH at 10' head · VMF Magnetically-Coupled Vertical Float · Class 25 Cast Iron
$264
How Total Dynamic Head Is Calculated
Total Dynamic Head represents the true work the pump motor must perform to eject water from your basement. It consists of two components:
- Static Head (Vertical Elevation): The exact vertical height difference between the pump intake and the highest point of the discharge pipe.
- Friction Head Loss: The hydraulic resistance caused by water flowing through pipe walls, elbows, check valves, and fittings, calculated via the Hazen-Williams formula:
Hazen-Williams Friction Loss Equation
hf = 10.44 × Lequiv × (Q / C)1.852 ÷ d4.8655
Where L is equivalent pipe length in feet, Q is flow rate in GPM, C = 150 for smooth Schedule 40 PVC, and d is actual inside pipe diameter in inches.