Shower Sump Issues

[HeadingUnknown]

I have cleaned out the shower sump. I have added two wine bottle corks to the pump switch and it works "Sometimes". I give up and am going to replace it. That said, the pump and sump were full of green slime. I am sure my drain from the sink is as well. What can I used to clean it out. I know Draino is an absolute no, but damn this thing drains slow.

Frank

[skipmac]

I just use a manual switch for my shower sump. Always works, no problems and just leave on an extra few seconds and it sucks the sump bone dry.

Try pouring some diluted bleach down the lines, let sit for a few minutes then rinse and flush well.

[a64pilot]

Peggy says the Raritan CP is the ticket, I haven't tried it yet, but intend to. She is almost always right.

[peghall]

For more details about using Raritan C.P to clean sumps and drains, see post #7 in the thread "Substitute for Raritan C.P" in this forum. If yours is as dirty as you say it is, you might have to do it twice and or use a little more of it. But once you get it clean, it'll be easy to keep clean.

[HeadingUnknown]

Thanks so much.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I just use a manual switch for my shower sump. Always works, no problems and just leave on an extra few seconds and it sucks the sump bone dry.

Try pouring some diluted bleach down the lines, let sit for a few minutes then rinse and flush well.

Same here. I like that it allows me to get it more empty when finished. No need for automation.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Same here. I like that it allows me to get it more empty when finished. No need for automation.

And no need for float switches that fail frequently, are awkward to mount and clear when they clog with hairs and such.

I do have a great, no clog, no fail bilge pump switch but it wouldn't fit too well in a shower sump.

[a64pilot]

If like me you drain your AC into the bilge then you need automation


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[skipmac]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If like me you drain your AC into the bilge then you need automation


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AC drains to the bilge or shower sump? I definitely have automation in the bilge. Shower sump, manual.

[a64pilot]

AC drains to shower sump, shower sump is about 5 gls, looks to me to be a kitchen garbage can or if not sure looks like one, just a heavy duty one. My bilge is about four ft deep?
I have a very good float switch, forgot the name, got it from Hopcar. I hate getting older, I can see the darn thing, just can't remember the name, something Jr.
Oh, I see now, I did say bilge didn't I? I meant shower sump, that sits in the bilge

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[meridian28]

I don't understand where the green slime is coming from. My sump is always clear. Bar soap will leave scum in the sump and maybe that is where it originates from. Use only liquid bath soap.

[a64pilot]

Green points to chlorophyll? Meaning a source of light somehow? If it's algae chlorine will kill it, heck enough chlorine will kill anything pretty much. I think the CP will clean out stuff that isn't alive, soap scum, grease and hair, stuff you find in a sink trap?


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[peghall]

I don't understand where the green slime is coming from...

I'd guess it's some kind of green mold or fungi...neither of which need light and thrive in a damp dark environment.

[Mycroft]

My advice would be to plumb a whale diaphragm pump directly to the shower drain. Bypass the sump tank completely and toss it out!

I wired the pump switch to the vanity. If I forget to turn it on, the water just backs up into the shower pan which reminds me to turn on the pump. :-)

[donradcliffe]

I delivered a fancy power boat up the east coast this spring, and had to replace the useless fancy electronic switch with a standard float switch (which will still only last about 5 years).

The slime may be more shampoo than soap, but it is par for the course. I just take a hose with a spray nozzle and blast out the sump periodically.