[ArgleBargle]

Hi

PROBLEM: shower sump pump drains increasingly slowly.

ASSESSMENT: pump itself and accessible area immediately under shower drain seem clear.

I suspect a "hair ball" etc somewhere in the hoses between the shower drain and shower sump pump.

worried about standard household products effects on hoses. We have tried vinegar without much effect.

QUESTION: apart from ripping everything out, anyone have any experience with safe chemical means of cleaning this out?

many thanks in advance

 

[speciald]

Is there a filter between the drain and pump? If not there should be. Did you take the pump apart? The outlow and impeller may be clogged.. I've used Drano without problems on sink rains. Pump housing and impeller should be immune to Drano.

 

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Many shower drains I have seen have a small filter before the pump. Does yours have one? It could be clogged. Check it and take it apart and remove the hairball. Careful - it really stinks.

If it's not the filter, it could be the pump itself. You have to take it apart and repair or clean it. Chemistry is not the answer.