Crusty "salts" Peggy Help!

[Doghouse]

Well life has handed me a new twist, so I am having to live aboard. Near Baltimore, Maryland with all this snow no less.

So I have been using the head regularly and the joker valve started leaking. In order to clean up the head, I poured some bleach into the bowl every now and again to clean things up. (I know it is bad for the bacteria, but it is so flocking cold I doubt the tank is over 50 degrees.)

Well on to my problem... I have discovered a buildup of "scale" on the bottom of the bowl (inside) and on the joker valve when I was replaceing it. I was thick enought to chip off and I now wonder if my hose is similarly coated.

What is the easy way to remove this stuff. I was thinking a mild acid, then got visions of the baking soda volcano (but brown) occuring inside the boat so I decided to ask here first.

Secondly, what steps can I take to prevent it from happening again?

The head is a Raritan Sea Era electric with raw water flush.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sailingdog]

Muriatic acid can be used to clear up scale formation. Pouring vinegar through the system periodically can keep it from reforming. Probably best to do this with an empty holding tank and then flushing with water and then pumping out the holding tank immediately afterwards.

One thing that will help is using a bottle or separate container for urine. IIRC, the salt water combines with the urine to form those salt deposits, and reducing the amount of urine going into the head will also reduce the salt deposit formation. While this really isn't an option for the women sailors, it is a useful option for the guys.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

White vinegar

Buy some distilled white vinegar--available at any grocery store--put it in a spray bottle...and spray the bowl after every use. That'll slowly dissolve your mineral buildup without any damage to the pump or plumbing.

Replace your joker valve...soaking it in vinegar will only cause it to swell and distort. And stop using bleach! It's murderous to the rubber parts in your toilet. Don't even THINK of combin ing bleach and vinegar...that'll produce a gas that's even more lethal than bleach and ammonia. Clean your bowl with a little powdered cleanser on a wet paper towel or sponge...wipe it out, then rinse.

Muriatic acid will do it faster, but it requires very careful handling to avoid injury...this method is a lot safer and will also cure AND prevent.

 

[zeehag]

i use white vinegar every week in mine with excellent effect---there is no scale--when i leave for a bit of time, i run it thru the head and let some sit in the hosing..keeps the stink out of the boat from unused toilet...

 

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

Doghouse: Remember spring is just a few weeks away. It will get better soon.