Pedestal sump pumps drain water in smaller-diameter sump pits that cannot accommodate submersible sump pumps. They have the pump motor above the sump pit and are mounted on top of a long tube sitting at the bottom of the sump pit. The pump impeller on the inside of the tube turns to transfer the water. Pedestal sump pumps (also known as upright sump pumps) have a long rod with a float on the end to turn the switch on and off, though the switch may sometimes be turned on in a different way.