head odor under sink

[jackpot]

We replaced our toilet about 6 months ago, and since replacement we ALWAYS use fresh water (boat is in salt, is 37.5 Hunter Legend). We just had the holding tank pumped, and we added lots of fresh water after the initial pump, and pumped again. Then, the stuff for the holding tank.

Odor is under sink in head, I have cleaned every inch I can get to
several times, and still it returns! Help!:Liar:

 

[Steve Dion]

You replaced the head, but do you still have the old hoses?

You can check out your hoses with the wet rag trick. See Peggie's book.

 

[jackpot]

You replaced the head, but do you still have the old hoses?

You can check out your hoses with the wet rag trick. See Peggie's book.

I don't have peggys book, what is the wet rag?

 

[Steve Dion]

"A holding tank, unless it's leaking, is rarely if ever the source of odor INSIDE a boat. The most likely culprits are permeated sanitation hoses and/or dirty bilges and sumps. If everything else about the boat passes muster, don't let odor be a deal breaker...it's the easiest and least expensive thing to correct. If the culprit is permeated sanitation hoses, you can insist that the seller replace 'em as a condition of sale. You'll pro'bly have some residual odor to get rid of, but that's easy. To test the hoses for permeation: wet clean rags in HOT water...wring 'em out...wrap 'em around a low spot in the hose. When the rag has cooled, remove it and smell it...if you can smell the same odor on the rag (from what you say about the odor on the boat you may have to go outside to smell the rag), the hose has permeated. Don't bother to test more than one section of one hose...they should ALL be replacced, including the vent line. How old is the toilet? What's the make/model? Ask the seller when--if ever--it was rebuilt, or even just had a new joker valve. Depending on the make/model/age of the toilet, you may have another bargaining chip. A stinky boat can be a real downer, but again...don't let odor be a deal breaker...together we CAN fix that! Just make sure there's nothing ELSE wrong that's a whole lot more serious...so be sure to make any offer "subject to survey" and hire the toughest surveyor you can find."

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=425590&highlight=sanitation hose rags

 

[bruce1309]

I was forced to modify my holding tank and replace sanitation hose about 2 months ago. Voila! No more odor. It was all about the sanitation hose. I did not do the "wet rag" test buut when I removed the old hose I could hardly see daylight thru it and the stink! Oh my!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Wow, you dredged that one up from the archives, Steve....I posted it in 2006!

I think y'all have covered everything I'd say....except, Hey Jackpot...I think you need my book!

Seriously...it is a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that'll help you learn how to operate and maintain your system to prevent problems instead of having to fix 'em.

Btw...how do you supply the fresh water to your toilet?

 

[Rick D]

Let Me Offer A Suggestion Too

My first thought was the discharge hose as everyone has discussed. However, on my 40.5, I used to get an odor under the sink when I pump out using the macerator. What I figured out when overhauling one is that it's isn't air-tight and will smell and so will the macerator discharge line if it isn't rinsed too. So now, after using the macerator, I pump 30 times to ingest some fresh raw water into the holding tank and then run the macerator again. It seems to help a great deal and I no longer have a lingering odor.

 

[jackpot]

Thanks all of you for your help! I will buy Peggy's book and try the wet rag test first thing tomorrow am. ( to Peggy-- I get my fresh water from the sink)

 

[jackpot]

I am real novice female working on boat, was it a huge job to replace the sanitation hose? I believe it is the black host that runs from back of toilet. All the other hoses are the white plastic type.

 

[Steve Dion]

Jackpot:

This is NOT an easy job on any boat. You will probably need some help. If you can find a volunteer that has done this chore before it will help.

Not knowing the layout of your boat, you may not want to remove any hoses until you have the new ones. By hooking them together you can use the old hose to pull the new hose through (depending on how difficult it is to r/r the hoses.

Be sure to use the best quality. This is a chore that you will not want to do again.

If you change out the toilet at the same time you can also go to a smaller hose size if you use something like a Raritan SeaEra (electric macerating toilet). If you have a metal tank, you should also rid yourself of it too. It is just a matter of time before you will need to replace it.

If you are not going to do the change out right away, I suggest that you get some good chemicals like Odorlos holding tank treatment. It will help.

Good luck.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Jackpot you need more help than is practical in a forum...

We need to talk...so stand by for incoming email.