head help needed

Roy10289 · Aug 21, 2009

You say that the head is 2 years old? How old are the hoses that connect everything to the holding tank. Could you have a lek from yor holding tank?
I think the place to start would be to read the posts on the Expert Forum form "The head mistress" She has terrific knowledge and can give you the best advice.

CalebD · Aug 21, 2009

That sulphery smell comes from anaerobic bacteria working away at the waste in your tank (anaerobic = lack of oxygen). You want the aerobic microbes to do the work and it will stink a LOT less. You might consider putting an additional air vent in your holding tank.
I am also not sure what you mean by 'blue stuff'. The treatment that Peggy recommends in her book is called 'K.O.' (as in, kills odors). Her book is quite thorough on the subject and is available in the online store here.
Peggy is probably on a boat right now.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Aug 21, 2009

Most likely stagnant sea water

Your odor in the head is most likely stagnant sea water trapped in the head intake or some animal or vegetable sea life that's been pulled in and is dying/decaying...Disconnect your head intake line from the thru-hull ('twould be a good idea to close the seacock first) and stick it in a bucket of clean fresh water to which you've added a quart of distilled white vinegar--only WHITE vinegar, not cider or any other kind. Pump the whole bucketful through the toilet to rinse out anything that may be caught in the system.Clean any shower sump too. A wet dirty sump can smell just like sewer.You might want to check out the link below...it'll take you to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" guide that will help you learn to maintain your system to prevent problems instead of having to solve 'em.

A more permanent solution is described in this thread: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=530955

And if THAT's not enough to let you figure out what's happening and how to fix it, try searching previous discussions (there have been a BUNCH!) using search term "head intake odor."

Btw...none of the "blue stuff" is bacteria...they're ALL highly toxic chemicals.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Aug 21, 2009

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhh!

How many times do I have to say it??? Even to people who CLAIM they've read my book!

"That sulphery smell comes from anaerobic bacteria working away at the waste in your tank (anaerobic = lack of oxygen)."

NOT if the odor is in the head or coming from the toilet!!!!! Please go to the blackboard and write this 100 times:

Unless a tank is leaking, it cannot be the source of odor INSIDE a boat! 'Cuz unless it's leaking, odor from inside the tank has only one place to go: out the tank vent!

So if he's experiencing odor inside the boat--from the toilet, and only after the boat has been sitting, the odds are about 100-1 it's due to stagnant water in the head intake.

Rick D · Aug 21, 2009

Intake Odor

It's from the intake line as you describe it. I suggest it is normal in hot weather to have some odor the first few flushes until the intake line is purged after some absence. I used to take my intake off the through hull and flush some fresh water with KO in it through the system a couple of times a year. It helped, especially when we would get 'red tide' which is thick plankton. However, now I just flush it very well the first time I use it and it's good for the rest of the stay. Good luck, and I really recommend Peggy's book which I make a practice of gifting to new boat owners.

Edit to add PS: I don't however, always follow Peggy's advice. For example, I have a $800 Jabsco which I could have replaced long ago. Now it's kind of a tradition. I also use ODORLOS and KO in combination. Peggie would say one or the other is adequate. Fine. I use both and it works for me. When it come to Marine toilet plumbing, what works is a big deal!

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Aug 21, 2009

It's normal, but it doesn't have to be

Nor is removing the head intake line from the thru-hull the only way to rinse it out...in fact, that's doing it the hard way! Rick, there have been at least a dozen discussions here, and also in my book about teeing the head intake line into the head sink drain line...surely you've read at least a couple of 'em. It's such simple inexpensive solution to seawater intake odor!

You don't have an $800 Jabsco..it's a $!00 Jabsco that's cost you $800 (so far) to keep working!.

Thanks for plugging my book!

Rick D · Aug 21, 2009

Peggie Hall-HeadMistress said:
Rick, there have been at least a dozen discussions here, and also in my book about teeing the head intake line into the head sink drain line...surely you've read at least a couple of 'em.

You don't have an $800 Jabsco..it's a $!00 Jabsco that's cost you $800 (so far) to keep working!.

Yea, I know, I know. And, yes, I'm on my third generation of Jabsco pumps. They actually do seem to last longer, or else I'm just adapting and lube them in my sleep.....

CalebD · Aug 21, 2009

Peggie Hall-HeadMistress said:
How many times do I have to say it??? Even to people who CLAIM they've read my book!

"That sulphery smell comes from anaerobic bacteria working away at the waste in your tank (anaerobic = lack of oxygen)."

NOT if the odor is in the head or coming from the toilet!!!!! Please go to the blackboard and write this 100 times:

Unless a tank is leaking, it cannot be the source of odor INSIDE a boat! 'Cuz unless it's leaking, odor from inside the tank has only one place to go: out the tank vent!

So if he's experiencing odor inside the boat--from the toilet, and only after the boat has been sitting, the odds are about 100-1 it's due to stagnant water in the head intake.

Ahem (clears throat). 96, 97, 98... (standing at the blackboard with chalk in hand)... this is getting tiring and perhaps I have learned yet another head nuance from the esteemed master, er, mistress of headiquette. I guess I will have to search for threads for 'head intake odor' which makes perfect sense given the OP's description.
Reading your book has not made me a head master but has helped me a lot to understand some dysfunctional heads on OPB (other people's boats). A friend with a large Beneteau that has several bladder tanks was wondering why he is getting back flow into the heads. Your book points out the many possible flaws associated with using bladder tanks for waste water yet manufacturers seem to like them as they are easier to install then a hard tank and can be hidden in the most unlikely places. Quite naturally my friend assumes that a new joker valve or head would fix the problem but I do not.
FWIW, I have also been plugging your book on another forum (SN) as it has helped me gain the most feeble understanding of these systems that I did not possess before I got and READ your book. However, reading your book, cover to cover, does not insure that have the keen understanding and insight that you possess which is why we all need you here and highly respect your contributions.
Thanks for noticing that I did not properly diagnose the OP's problem.
Humbly yours,
CalebD

head help needed

jackandrobin

Roy10289

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CalebD

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Rick D

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Rick D

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CalebD

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jackandrobin