Shower Sump Won't Keep Up

douglee25

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2008
4,744
Dallas, TX
Boat Info
Cruisers 3575
Engines
Twin 7.4l
Seems like a fairly simple issue but I'd like to get some feedback before I start looking into the problem.

1. Came to the boat and found a nasty stink which I traced to the FWD bilge.
2. Appears when my shower is on full tilt, it will overflow the show sump box. Shower sump box says it's an 800 gph (13.3 GPM) vs. water pump at around 3.5 GPM.

I shouldn't see an issue, however I tested and the box would overflow when the shower is on full blast.

I see potential problems as either 1. A line restriction or 2. Faulty pump? Maybe shower gel build up reducing efficiency? 3. Bigger pump needed?

Anyone experience this before? It's all cleaned up now and smell should be gone. Just need to eliminate the issue from occurring again.

Thanks!
 
Take a gander into the outlet hose coming from the sump box. Use the camera on a cell phone to look if the angle is too tight to get your head in there. A couple years back I had a check valve (from a prior owner pump replacement) stuck inside my output hose an inch or so downstream of the pump. It caused a similar issue, overflowing box in spite of plenty of rated capacity on the pump.

If you can't see any obstructions in the hose, use a garden hose with a nozzle to send some higher pressure water down the line...
 
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Take a gander into the outlet hose coming from the sump box. Use the camera on a cell phone to look if the angle is too tight to get your head in there. A couple years back I had a check valve (from a prior owner pump replacement) stuck inside my output hose an inch or so downstream of the pump. It caused a similar issue, overflowing box in spite of plenty of rated capacity on the pump.

If you can't see any obstructions in the hose, use a garden hose with a nozzle to send some higher pressure water down the line...

That was on my list to do as well. Before when I checked things there didn't appear to be a restriction but I will double check.
 
Seems like a fairly simple issue but I'd like to get some feedback before I start looking into the problem.

1. Came to the boat and found a nasty stink which I traced to the FWD bilge.
2. Appears when my shower is on full tilt, it will overflow the show sump box. Shower sump box says it's an 800 gph (13.3 GPM) vs. water pump at around 3.5 GPM.

I shouldn't see an issue, however I tested and the box would overflow when the shower is on full blast.

I see potential problems as either 1. A line restriction or 2. Faulty pump? Maybe shower gel build up reducing efficiency? 3. Bigger pump needed?

Anyone experience this before? It's all cleaned up now and smell should be gone. Just need to eliminate the issue from occurring again.

Thanks!

Has it been able to keep up before this? If so I would tend to lean towards outlet restrictions and/or check the electrical connections for corrosion.

Also remember that 800gph rating is at zero head and no outlet restrictions, every rough hose and turn of that hose decreases the rating.
 
Has it been able to keep up before this? If so I would tend to lean towards outlet restrictions and/or check the electrical connections for corrosion.

Also remember that 800gph rating is at zero head and no outlet restrictions, every rough hose and turn of that hose decreases the rating.

I never tested the system like I did this past weekend. I assume it did, but I can't say that with 100% confidence.
 
We never run our shower pressure@ 100% except for a quick rinse once we are done showering. The drain in the shower doesn't keep up @ 100%
 
Do some simple stuff 1st like de-slime the box and just make sure your hair screens are in place and clean.

The box is spotless. I keep everything clean. Seeing the water there was a first for me. I'll dig into it and see what I find!
 
We never run our shower pressure@ 100% except for a quick rinse once we are done showering. The drain in the shower doesn't keep up @ 100%

You may also have a plug then? I use a garden hose cleaning method on my shower drain once or twice a year. You may want to give it a shot. Send that plug of hair into the sump where you can grab it.

The entire reason I bought a 400 was for a nearly full size, enjoyable to use shower. No way am I suffering with low pressure :)
 
What about that little duck-bill at the pump discharge?
It can get obstructed and if harsh chemicals are used to clean things it can swell up and restrict the pump's flow.
 
I have had this happen and it was the pump just wasn’t working correct. It would spin and pump but not enough suction to keep up with water flow. Replace the pump.
 
Any time I have trouble with the shower drain, I have found the admiral's hair was a key contributor... she takes the screen out if it's draining slow, which just moves the hair into the sump box! When I addressed the issue, I was asked "how do you know it's my hair?" and after waiting a bit I said that my hair is cut with a #3 barbers cutter regularly, and doesn't get that long... so unless you're having someone else showering in there...

Thankfully she just laughed, and although she didn't actually say "you're right", it was about as close as I've ever gotten :)
 
Any time I have trouble with the shower drain, I have found the admiral's hair was a key contributor... she takes the screen out if it's draining slow, which just moves the hair into the sump box! When I addressed the issue, I was asked "how do you know it's my hair?" and after waiting a bit I said that my hair is cut with a #3 barbers cutter regularly, and doesn't get that long... so unless you're having someone else showering in there...

Thankfully she just laughed, and although she didn't actually say "you're right", it was about as close as I've ever gotten :)

And the hair color difference...
 
Our aft show had same problem. Pump was worn out. I was able to find just the pump on the internet that dropped into the existing case. I ordered two. I have also had the line from the shower to the sump plug off. This I clear with a garden hose full pressure at the shower. I do this as standard maintenance once a year.
 
Adding these keeps the admirals hair out of drains and shower sumps, just flip them over.

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Looked into this finally. Issue appears to be an old somewhat dried up one way check valve. It does open but appears to be restricting flow. When removed it pumps fine. Box is spotless. Rule is sending me a couple new valves. Keep you posted.
 

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