Peggie, I've searched this site to no avail even though I know this subject must have been covered. What are your feelings about replacing the head hoses with hard PVC pipe, assuming the ends have flexible conectors to absorb vibration?
Change head hose to hard pipe
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Great Idea
I know she will tell you its a great idea and will not need to replace them again and I don't see why you would need to worry about vibration,its easy to use the flex stuff for hard to get at locations but I would use PVC where ever possible. Nick
I know she will tell you its a great idea and will not need to replace them again and I don't see why you would need to worry about vibration,its easy to use the flex stuff for hard to get at locations but I would use PVC where ever possible. Nick
John, try the link below...
It should take you to a H31 project in which the owner replaced the flex hose with rigit PVC. It's on my list of upgrades, but my hose is fairly new and doesn't stink yet. When it starts to, I'll definitely replace it with hard pipe. Cheers, Bob s/y X SAIL R 8
It should take you to a H31 project in which the owner replaced the flex hose with rigit PVC. It's on my list of upgrades, but my hose is fairly new and doesn't stink yet. When it starts to, I'll definitely replace it with hard pipe. Cheers, Bob s/y X SAIL R 8
Flex PVC!!! What say you Peggy!
Peggy: What do you know about Flexible PVC. Here is a link to the product. It looks like an answer to many a plumbing problem on our boats.
Peggy: What do you know about Flexible PVC. Here is a link to the product. It looks like an answer to many a plumbing problem on our boats.
Ain't nothin' new..
Almost all white hose IS flex PVC...the most common in the marine market is Shields #148. The only exception I know of is Trident 101...or maybe 102...they're both the same double walled rubber hose, just different colors...one of which is white. Every other white hose is some type of flexible PVC...and has been for decades. But all flex PVC hose is NOT created equal. Some has a tighter molecular structure--and therefore is more odor resistant...some--especially hot tub hose--has a very loose molecular structure that'll permeate in a hearbeat. So will MPI, SeaLand OTHER THAN "Odorsafe," Shields or Trident #148 (though not as fast as some others). Btw...this (from the website at the link you provided) isn't true: "While white FlexPVC does have an NSF rating, it is not suitable for pottable (drinking) water applications." Maybe theirs isn't, but Trident and Shields #148 flex PVC #148 is rated for both sanitation and potable water...and also for below waterline installation. Which only illustrates what I said above: all flex PVC is NOT created equal.
Almost all white hose IS flex PVC...the most common in the marine market is Shields #148. The only exception I know of is Trident 101...or maybe 102...they're both the same double walled rubber hose, just different colors...one of which is white. Every other white hose is some type of flexible PVC...and has been for decades. But all flex PVC hose is NOT created equal. Some has a tighter molecular structure--and therefore is more odor resistant...some--especially hot tub hose--has a very loose molecular structure that'll permeate in a hearbeat. So will MPI, SeaLand OTHER THAN "Odorsafe," Shields or Trident #148 (though not as fast as some others). Btw...this (from the website at the link you provided) isn't true: "While white FlexPVC does have an NSF rating, it is not suitable for pottable (drinking) water applications." Maybe theirs isn't, but Trident and Shields #148 flex PVC #148 is rated for both sanitation and potable water...and also for below waterline installation. Which only illustrates what I said above: all flex PVC is NOT created equal.
Hard pipe is ok for long straight runs, but
those are hard to find on most sailboats. Plus, it should be "soft coupled" to everything rigid--toilet, tank, y-valve, macerator, thru-hull etc--with about a foot of hose to provide shock absorption and protection from flexing. All that means a LOT of unions that can all be potential leakers and traps for solids and TP. There a people here who've plumbed their whole systems with hard pipe and claim to have no problems. If you're on a lake or a bay where seas never get worse than 3-5'--and never go out when it's even close to that, you prob'ly won't either. So I wouldn't do it...but it's your boat, your choice.
those are hard to find on most sailboats. Plus, it should be "soft coupled" to everything rigid--toilet, tank, y-valve, macerator, thru-hull etc--with about a foot of hose to provide shock absorption and protection from flexing. All that means a LOT of unions that can all be potential leakers and traps for solids and TP. There a people here who've plumbed their whole systems with hard pipe and claim to have no problems. If you're on a lake or a bay where seas never get worse than 3-5'--and never go out when it's even close to that, you prob'ly won't either. So I wouldn't do it...but it's your boat, your choice.
PVC Plumbing
Over the last twenty years I have done eight vessels in solid PVC pipe without a leak, clog or smell. Sealand makes adapters to transition from sanitation hose to inch and a half PVC. Build a better system yourself and keep money away from the insane morons at West Marine
Over the last twenty years I have done eight vessels in solid PVC pipe without a leak, clog or smell. Sealand makes adapters to transition from sanitation hose to inch and a half PVC. Build a better system yourself and keep money away from the insane morons at West Marine
Flex PVC Pipe
In reply to Steve Dion's link, nowhere in their writeup on applications for this stuff, did I see any reference to its being suitable for sewage lines. I wouldn't use it for sewage-carrying hose, unless I first checked with the company and got their OK in writing. There's a better than even chance that it would be prone to permeation.
In reply to Steve Dion's link, nowhere in their writeup on applications for this stuff, did I see any reference to its being suitable for sewage lines. I wouldn't use it for sewage-carrying hose, unless I first checked with the company and got their OK in writing. There's a better than even chance that it would be prone to permeation.
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