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.

"swing" wrote in message
ups.com...
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

"swing" wrote in message
ups.com...
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.

On Jun 21, 8:31 am, "Andy" wrote:
"swing" wrote in message

ups.com...

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.

On Jun 21, 8:31 am, "Andy" wrote:
"swing" wrote in message

ups.com...

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 -

I don't know if the water soft or not. It is New York City water.

"swing" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jun 21, 8:31 am, "Andy" wrote:
"swing" wrote in message

ups.com...

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.

On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:35:00 -0700, swing wrote:


I don't know if the water soft or not. It is New York City water.

NYC water is not hard, and it's not as soft as what comes out of a
water softener. It comes from huge reservoirs upstate, and is just
right for most purposes.

Have they finished the third water tunnel yet? I think they have been
working on it for 50 or more likely 70 years.

On Jun 22, 3:08 pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:35:00 -0700, swing wrote:

I don't know if the water soft or not. It is New York City water.

NYC water is not hard, and it's not as soft as what comes out of a
water softener. It comes from huge reservoirs upstate, and is just
right for most purposes.

Have they finished the third water tunnel yet? I think they have been
working on it for 50 or more likely 70 years.

Does any one knows what those white stuff is? It is thick like
plumbing putty and heavy. That is why the float switch does not float
after the stuff "grows" on it. thank you.

"swing" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Jun 22, 3:08 pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:35:00 -0700, swing wrote:

I don't know if the water soft or not. It is New York City water.

NYC water is not hard, and it's not as soft as what comes out of a
water softener. It comes from huge reservoirs upstate, and is just
right for most purposes.

Have they finished the third water tunnel yet? I think they have been
working on it for 50 or more likely 70 years.

Does any one knows what those white stuff is? It is thick like
plumbing putty and heavy. That is why the float switch does not float
after the stuff "grows" on it. thank you.


Toilet paper?

On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:09:01 -0000, swing wrote:

On Jun 22, 3:08 pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:35:00 -0700, swing wrote:

I don't know if the water soft or not. It is New York City water.

NYC water is not hard, and it's not as soft as what comes out of a
water softener. It comes from huge reservoirs upstate, and is just
right for most purposes.

Have they finished the third water tunnel yet? I think they have been
working on it for 50 or more likely 70 years.

Does any one knows what those white stuff is? It is thick like

I guess not.

plumbing putty and heavy. That is why the float switch does not float
after the stuff "grows" on it. thank you.

Post a url where we can look at photos.

On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:09:01 -0000, swing wrote:

On Jun 22, 3:08 pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:35:00 -0700, swing wrote:

I don't know if the water soft or not. It is New York City water.

NYC water is not hard, and it's not as soft as what comes out of a
water softener. It comes from huge reservoirs upstate, and is just
right for most purposes.

Have they finished the third water tunnel yet? I think they have been
working on it for 50 or more likely 70 years.

Does any one knows what those white stuff is? It is thick like
plumbing putty and heavy. That is why the float switch does not float
after the stuff "grows" on it. thank you.

Try to grease the float after you clean it. Just wipe it with
automotive grease. Might work, might not, but worth a try. If
nothing else it should clean easier.