I have a sump pump attached to my shower drain. The pump and float switch are working fine and are less than a year old. My problem is that once the water is pumped out there seems to be a back flow of water into the sump pump box. I don't think the hose to the thru-hull is clogged because I do see water being pumped out. About two weeks ago, my husband used a toilet plunger in the shower because the water was draining slow. It is an Attwood V750 pump and float. I checked the archive and I didn't see anything like this posted. Anyone have any idea about what to do to fix this? Thanks.
Shower Sump Pump
- Thread starter SailingSue
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add a check valve
I am assuming that your thru-hull exits above the water line else you would have a different problem. Every bilge pump I've ever seen has this issue. The pump fills the hose and what you see when the pump shuts off is the water in the hose running back down to the pump. If you install a one-way check valve right on the pump outlet the water will be trapped in the hose and not come back into the bilge. This just moves the problem of water in the boat from the bilge where I can get to it to a hose where it is out of sight IMHO. You could go to a smaller diameter hose also to reduce the amount of water running back.
I am assuming that your thru-hull exits above the water line else you would have a different problem. Every bilge pump I've ever seen has this issue. The pump fills the hose and what you see when the pump shuts off is the water in the hose running back down to the pump. If you install a one-way check valve right on the pump outlet the water will be trapped in the hose and not come back into the bilge. This just moves the problem of water in the boat from the bilge where I can get to it to a hose where it is out of sight IMHO. You could go to a smaller diameter hose also to reduce the amount of water running back.
Filter
The Atwood sump pump has a filter that will inhibit draining when clogged. Clean this and water will flow again.
The Atwood sump pump has a filter that will inhibit draining when clogged. Clean this and water will flow again.
I think Bill has the right answer...
...but, in the fall when you winterize the boat, be sure to disconnect the check valve and let the water drain back (catch it in a basin). Be sure to remove all water from the hoses or else it will freeze and may crack something that shouldn't be cracked.
...but, in the fall when you winterize the boat, be sure to disconnect the check valve and let the water drain back (catch it in a basin). Be sure to remove all water from the hoses or else it will freeze and may crack something that shouldn't be cracked.
Thanks
Thanks for the info. We live aboard and the boat is in Southern California so...we don't worry about haul-outs nor freezing. I clean the plastic filter tube that traps hair every week. There is a little black rubber disk that sits inside the hose connections that is supposed to act as a stopper but it's not working right. Bill, I agree, I'd rather see the water in the bilge pump than have it hide in the hose. And yes, our thru hull is above water line. Thanks all! Fair winds! Sue
Thanks for the info. We live aboard and the boat is in Southern California so...we don't worry about haul-outs nor freezing. I clean the plastic filter tube that traps hair every week. There is a little black rubber disk that sits inside the hose connections that is supposed to act as a stopper but it's not working right. Bill, I agree, I'd rather see the water in the bilge pump than have it hide in the hose. And yes, our thru hull is above water line. Thanks all! Fair winds! Sue
Eeewww - Gross
Yikes, that's really gross! Nope, I like to keep my bilge clean and dry. I was talking shower sump/pump.
Yikes, that's really gross! Nope, I like to keep my bilge clean and dry. I was talking shower sump/pump.
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