Due to the tank indicators not working we have had the holding tank going out the vent lines from time to time. How do you clean them?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
Jim Rushing
Vents
During pumping out, use a water hose and run some water back through the vent lines. This will clean out anything that has been forced into them. During the pump out procedure, listen for air being sucked into the vents. Next, buy some Snake River gauges so you will know it is full before it overflows. Jim
During pumping out, use a water hose and run some water back through the vent lines. This will clean out anything that has been forced into them. During the pump out procedure, listen for air being sucked into the vents. Next, buy some Snake River gauges so you will know it is full before it overflows. Jim
Flush it every time you pump out.
Roger: I'll give you my opinion. I back flush the vent line EVERY time I pump out the holding tank. We pump the tank and then put 3-4 gallons of fresh water in the tank. Then I use the hose and flush out the vent hose (every time we pump out). Then we pump out the tank again. This is our method of ensuring that the tank is rinsed and the vent is clear. If you only do it every so often (3-4 pump outs) there is no way to be sure that you have not gotten something in the vent. In our area, this could be anywhere from the obvious to bug (wasps, mud daubers etc.). Follow the procedure and be happy.
Roger: I'll give you my opinion. I back flush the vent line EVERY time I pump out the holding tank. We pump the tank and then put 3-4 gallons of fresh water in the tank. Then I use the hose and flush out the vent hose (every time we pump out). Then we pump out the tank again. This is our method of ensuring that the tank is rinsed and the vent is clear. If you only do it every so often (3-4 pump outs) there is no way to be sure that you have not gotten something in the vent. In our area, this could be anywhere from the obvious to bug (wasps, mud daubers etc.). Follow the procedure and be happy.
T
Terry
Hi Steve, what exactly do you do when you...
flush out the vent hose? Normally, I will squirt water into the vent scupper from the outside to clean out any debris, but I really don't know that the vent hose is clear. When we first bought the boat last year it was an ordeal to first determine, then locate and unplug the vent hose and I think I've since kept it so. I would like to find a garden hose nipple that will fit over the scupper so that I know water is going through the vent hose into the tank. Just spraying it, I'm not sure. During pump out I should be able to hear air being sucked through the scupper. Maybe that would be a better time to squirt it with the water hose, that is if I have a crew. Terry
flush out the vent hose? Normally, I will squirt water into the vent scupper from the outside to clean out any debris, but I really don't know that the vent hose is clear. When we first bought the boat last year it was an ordeal to first determine, then locate and unplug the vent hose and I think I've since kept it so. I would like to find a garden hose nipple that will fit over the scupper so that I know water is going through the vent hose into the tank. Just spraying it, I'm not sure. During pump out I should be able to hear air being sucked through the scupper. Maybe that would be a better time to squirt it with the water hose, that is if I have a crew. Terry
Our vent in a mushroom thru hull.
Terry: We try to pump the tank before it gets too full. You can usually hear when it is filling up. Our vent is just a mushroom type nylon thru hull. I just put the hose nozzel up again the fitting and back flush it for 20-30 seconds. (If you have a hood over your vent, you may need to put your hand over the vent to force water into the line.) Then we put about 3-5 gal. of fresh water down the pump out line to rinse the tank and pump everything out again. When we pump out the tank the second time, you can hear the vent line clearing. We have done this ever since the boat was new in 1987 and have had very little problem with the sewer system. I always use some type of a chem in the head. We have been using Odorlos for the last 4-5 years. I use the powder type. I flush it down the head with about 1/2 gal. of water immediately after a pump out. So basically we never have a situation when we don't have some chem. in the tank.
Terry: We try to pump the tank before it gets too full. You can usually hear when it is filling up. Our vent is just a mushroom type nylon thru hull. I just put the hose nozzel up again the fitting and back flush it for 20-30 seconds. (If you have a hood over your vent, you may need to put your hand over the vent to force water into the line.) Then we put about 3-5 gal. of fresh water down the pump out line to rinse the tank and pump everything out again. When we pump out the tank the second time, you can hear the vent line clearing. We have done this ever since the boat was new in 1987 and have had very little problem with the sewer system. I always use some type of a chem in the head. We have been using Odorlos for the last 4-5 years. I use the powder type. I flush it down the head with about 1/2 gal. of water immediately after a pump out. So basically we never have a situation when we don't have some chem. in the tank.
P
Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Easier to know when the vent is blocked
Signs that the tank vent is blocked: 1.Head gets harder and harder to pump as tank becomes pressurized 2. Pumpout or macerator only gets a gallon or two, then nothing more out of a full tank 3. Hissing sound in the toilet during pumpout as suction tries to pull air in from wherever it can 4. Hissing sound at the vent thru-hull can mean partial blockage in the thru-hull. As long as you don't have any of these symptoms, your tank vent is clear.
Signs that the tank vent is blocked: 1.Head gets harder and harder to pump as tank becomes pressurized 2. Pumpout or macerator only gets a gallon or two, then nothing more out of a full tank 3. Hissing sound in the toilet during pumpout as suction tries to pull air in from wherever it can 4. Hissing sound at the vent thru-hull can mean partial blockage in the thru-hull. As long as you don't have any of these symptoms, your tank vent is clear.
T
Terry
- Status
- Not open for further replies.