white stuff stick to float switch of sump pump

Posted by swing on June 20, 2007, 11:18 pm

I have a waste pump in a pit for the bathroom and sink in the
basement. The pump is controlled by a float switch (the cylinder type
that attaches to the pump). From time to time, there is this "white
stuff" that sticks to the switch. As a result, the swith is too heavy
and not float. I often need to break the white stuff apart.

Are there anything I can use to get rid of the white stuff or a
different type of switch that is not affected by the stuff? Thank you.

Posted by Tom G on June 21, 2007, 10:54 am

>I have a waste pump in a pit for the bathroom and sink in the
> basement. The pump is controlled by a float switch (the cylinder type
> that attaches to the pump). From time to time, there is this "white
> stuff" that sticks to the switch. As a result, the swith is too heavy
> and not float. I often need to break the white stuff apart.
> Are there anything I can use to get rid of the white stuff or a
> different type of switch that is not affected by the stuff? Thank you.

Are you draining your washer into that sink. If so, the white stuff is
possibly lint from the washer. I don't know of any washer made that doesn't
catch the lint and then discharge it down the drain. If so, a filter in the
sink, or on the end of the washer hose will help some but a fine material
will still get to the sump pump and do what you describe.

Tom G

Posted by Andy on June 21, 2007, 11:31 am

Is your water soft? I know I had a ring around the tub , Soap was hard to
lather,
and I would always see the clumps in the sump pump. I have a water softner
for
the last 10 years now, and that is all gone. Just gray water in the sump.

Posted by swing on June 21, 2007, 10:32 pm

> >I have a waste pump in a pit for the bathroom and sink in the
> > basement. The pump is controlled by a float switch (the cylinder type
> > that attaches to the pump). From time to time, there is this "white
> > stuff" that sticks to the switch. As a result, the swith is too heavy
> > and not float. I often need to break the white stuff apart.
> > Are there anything I can use to get rid of the white stuff or a
> > different type of switch that is not affected by the stuff? Thank you.

> Is your water soft? I know I had a ring around the tub , Soap was hard to
> lather,
> and I would always see the clumps in the sump pump. I have a water softner
> for
> the last 10 years now, and that is all gone. Just gray water in the sump.
> - Hide quoted text -
> - Show quoted text -

The white stuff is not little or thin. It is thick, like inches. No
washer attached but feeding it with bathroom (bathtub, toilet, sink)
and kitchen sink (greasy stuff). The stuff also attaches itself to
the pit wall and the pump as well. I have to use a stick to break it
loose from the wall, the pump and worst the float switch. Could it be
grease build up? or the "solid" transformed? Thanks for your help.

Posted by Tom G on June 21, 2007, 11:39 pm

>> >I have a waste pump in a pit for the bathroom and sink in the
>> > basement. The pump is controlled by a float switch (the cylinder type
>> > that attaches to the pump). From time to time, there is this "white
>> > stuff" that sticks to the switch. As a result, the swith is too heavy
>> > and not float. I often need to break the white stuff apart.
>> > Are there anything I can use to get rid of the white stuff or a
>> > different type of switch that is not affected by the stuff? Thank you.

>> - Hide quoted text -
>> - Show quoted text -

> The white stuff is not little or thin. It is thick, like inches. No
> washer attached but feeding it with bathroom (bathtub, toilet, sink)
> and kitchen sink (greasy stuff). The stuff also attaches itself to
> the pit wall and the pump as well. I have to use a stick to break it
> loose from the wall, the pump and worst the float switch. Could it be
> grease build up? or the "solid" transformed? Thanks for your help.

I'm sorry, I didn't pick up on the fact that you said "waste" pump rather
than "sump" pump. Sounds like toilet paper residue, maybe. Is there
possibly a different type of toilet paper that you need to use when feeding
it into a "waste" pump rather than directly down the pipe into a septic or
city sewer. Kind of sounds like you're dealing with "paper mache" in your
sump.

Tom G.

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