Clogged PVC problem

[Myka]

How much is actually in the pipes? I can't imagine that there would be enough in the pipes to worry about. I could see there being quite an issue with the pump and impeller though - that's a good way to kill a pump.

[Douglas]

Update: Tonight i tore apart my plumbing.......most of the return plumbing. Some goes through a large wall and into another room where the sump is and is much harder to get at. The majority of the clogging was right where the unions connect together. So clogged,..i was amazed that water could flow through some of them. So, i got to work, with a long metal threaded rod.(kinda like a four foot threaded bolt), and used it like a file to cut through and scrape all of the openings clear of calcium deposits. It took a while to clean things up, and put them back together, but the flow has doubled. Not perfect,...but "way" better. I think re-plumbing is in my future. I didn't realize it could build up that bad.